Datasets:

turingmachine

/

hupd-npe-balanced-same-year-same-class-subset

like 0

ACCEPTED

Fixing device for a movable wall

The invention is directed to a fixing device for a movable wall or the like with a fixing element which can be brought into its working position by an actuating member that can be actuated manually. In order to provide a fixing device for a movable wall or the like which ensures a reliable and trouble-free operation in a simple manner, it is provided according to the invention that the actuating member is constructed as a turning knob whose rotating movement can be transformed into a longitudinal movement for the fixing element.

1-9. (canceled) 10. A fixing device for a movable wall, the fixing device comprising: a profile which can receive the movable wall; a fixing element which can be moved linearly with respect to said profile, into and out of a working position; a turning knob mounted for rotation in said profile; and means for translating rotation of the knob into linear movement of the fixing element. 11. The fixing device of claim 10 wherein said profile has a recess which receives said turning knob. 12. The fixing device of claim 10 wherein the turning knob has a knurled circumferential surface. 13. The fixing device of claim 10 wherein said turning knob has a stub axle which is journaled for rotation in said profile. 14. The fixing device of claim 13 further comprising: an eccentric pin fixed to said turning knob; and a slotted link fixed to the fixing element, the slotted link having a slot which receives said eccentric pin to translate rotational movement of said knob into linear movement of said fixing element. 15. The fixing device of claim 14 further comprising an arcuate slot in said profile, said eccentric pin being received in said arcuate slot, said arcuate slot limiting rotational movement of said knob. 16. The fixing device of claim 15 wherein the arcuate slot covers a quarter circle. 17. The fixing device of claim 10 wherein the fixing element is a catch pin. 18. The fixing device of claim 10 wherein said profile comprises a rail, said device further comprising a carrier secured to said rail, said carrier guiding said fixing element for linear movement.

The invention is directed to a fixing device for a movable wall with a fixing element which can be brought into its working position by an actuating member that can be actuated manually. Fixing devices of the kind mentioned above are required in walls that are movable manually in order to fix the walls in a determined position. Known fixing devices have a slide which is guided in an elongated hole provided in the wall and which when activated moves a fixing element connected to the slide into its working position. A fixing device of this kind has the disadvantage that the slide must be received in the elongated hole with play and that dirt and contaminants which impair the operation of the fixing device can therefore deposit in the elongated hole and under the slide. Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a fixing device for a movable wall or the like which ensures a reliable and trouble-free operation in a simple manner. This object is met by the characterizing features indicated in claim 1. Advantageous further developments are indicated in the subclaims. By designing the actuating member as a turning knob whose rotating movement can be transformed into a longitudinal movement for the fixing element, the arrangement of an elongated hole in the wall becomes superfluous and the slide can be dispensed with in its entirety. Therefore, the fixing device according to the invention is less susceptible to dirt and other contaminants. According to an advantageous further development, the turning knob is arranged in a recess in the wall, which recess surrounds the turning knob with a slight play. The penetration of dirt can be effectively prevented in that the turning knob fills the opening provided in the wall almost completely, so that a reliable operation of the fixing device according to the invention can be ensured over a long period of time. In order to ensure that the turning knob can be actuated with a good grip, the turning knob is provided with knurling on its circumferential surface in an advantageous further development. According to a preferred embodiment form, the turning knob is provided on its side facing the wall with an axle stub for rotatable support of the turning knob and is provided with an eccentric pin eccentric thereto. This enables a secure support of the turning knob in the wall and at the same time ensures a reliably functioning connection to the fixing element. The eccentric pin advantageously engages in a slotted link which is connected to the fixing element. A good, reliable transformation of the rotating movement of the turning knob into a longitudinal movement of the fixing element is achieved due to this step. In order to further improve the guiding of the turning knob, it is provided according to an advantageous further development that the eccentric pin is guided in a circular path arranged in the wall, the ends of the circular path serving as a stop for the rotating movement of the turning knob. The end positions of the rotating movement and therefore the two end positions of the fixing element can be reliably defined in this way. The circular path is preferably constructed as a quarter circle in order that the fixing element can move out with the smallest possible angle of rotation. According to an advantageous further development, the fixing element is constructed as a catch pin. The fixing element can therefore be produced in a simple manner. In order to guide the fixing device according to the invention in a reliable manner and, above all, so as to be free from tilting, the fixing element is guided in a support or carrier in its displacement direction. The carrier is held at a rail arranged in the wall such that it can be displaced and secured. In addition, this enables a certain adjustment of the fixing device. Further features and advantages of the invention are indicated in the following description of a preferred embodiment example. FIG. 1 shows a view of the fixing device according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows a cross section through the fixing device according to the invention; FIG. 3 shows a partial section through the fixing device according to the invention; and FIG. 4 shows another view of the fixing device according to the invention. FIGS. 1 to 4 show a fixing device according to the invention which is arranged at a wall that is preferably manually movable. The wall (not shown) passes into a profile 1 in its lower area. The profile 1 which comprises two half profile shells in the present embodiment example is provided with slightly curved outer sides (see FIG. 2). A circular recess 2 in which a turning knob 3 is supported is provided in the profile 1. The recess 2 encloses the turning knob 3 with a slight play so that dirt or dust can be prevented to a great extent from penetrating into the gap between the recess 2 and the turning knob 3. The turning knob 3 is provided on its outer circumference with knurling 4 to enable the turning knob 3 to be actuated in a reliable fashion. The turning knob 3 is in a working connection with a fixing element 5 constructed as a catch pin so that the fixing element 5 can be moved out and in by actuating the turning knob 3. The turning knob 3 is provided on its inner side with a centric axle stub 6 enabling a rotatable support of the turning knob 3 in the profile 1. An eccentric pin 7 is provided in the vicinity of the outer edge of the turning knob 3 eccentric to the axle stub 6. The turning knob 3 with the axle stub 6 and eccentric pin 7 can be produced in one piece, e.g., by means of injection molding. The eccentric pin 7 engages in a slotted link 8 which receives the eccentric pin 7 in an elongated hole 9. The slotted link 8 itself is connected to the fixing element 5, for example, by means of a screw connection. The fixing element 5 is guided in its displacing direction in a carrier 10 which is held in a rail 11 provided in the profile 1 so that it can be displaced and secured. Further, a circular path 12 which is constructed as a quarter circle and through which the eccentric pin 7 extends is provided in the profile 1. The ends of the circular path 12 serve as a stop and define the rotating movement of the turning knob 3 and, therefore, the displacement path of the fixing element 5. When the turning knob 3 is turned, the eccentric pin 7 moves in the elongated hole 9 of the slotted link 8 and accordingly moves the fixing element 5 downward or upward depending on the rotating direction. In this way, the rotating movement of the turning knob 3 is transformed into a longitudinal movement of the fixing element 5. Reference Numbers 1 profile 2 recess 3 turning knob 4 knurling 5 fixing element 6 axle stub 7 eccentric pin 8 slotted link 9 elongated hole 10 carrier 11 rail 12 circular path

20041221

20080415

20051117

71403.0

SPAHN, GAY

FIXING DEVICE FOR A MOVABLE WALL

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Broadcast router having a serial digital audio data stream decoder

A bi-phase decoder suitable for use in a broadcast router and an associated method for extracting subframes of digital audio data from a stream of digital audio data. Logical circuitry within the bi-phase decoder extracts subframes of the digital audio data by constructing a transition window from an estimated bit time, sampling the stream of digital audio data using a fast clock and applying the sampled stream of digital audio data to the transition window to identify transitions indicative of preambles of the subframes of digital audio data.

1. A method of extracting digital audio data words from a serialized stream of digital audio data, comprising: constructing a transition window from an estimated bit time for said serialized stream of digital audio data, said transition window having a preamble sub-window and at least one data sub-window; extracting plural digital audio data words from said serialized stream of digital audio based upon the location of each transition in said serialized stream of digital audio data relative to said preamble sub-window and said at least one data sub-window of said transition window; each one of said extracted plural digital audio data words having a preamble identifiable by a combination of at least one transition located in said preamble sub-window of said transition window and at least one transition located in said at least one data sub-window of said transition window. 2. The method of claim 1, and further comprising identifying said extracted data words as having a first type of preamble if said extracted data words have a pair of successive transitions located in said preamble sub-window followed by a pair of successive transitions located in said at least one data sub-window 3. The method of claim 2, and further comprising identifying said extracted data words as having a second type of preamble if said extracted data words have a pair of non-successive transitions located in said preamble sub-window separated by a pair of successive transitions located in said at least one data sub-window. 4. The method of claim 3, and further comprising identifying said extracted data words as having a third type of preamble if said extracted data words have a transition located in said preamble sub-window followed by first, second and third transitions located in said at least one data sub-window. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein said transition window is constructed such that said preamble sub-window extends from about 1¼ times said estimated bit time to about 1¾ times said estimated bit time. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said transition window is constructed such that said at least one data sub-window extends from about ¼ times said estimated bit time to about 1¼ times said estimated bit time. 7. The method of claim 4, wherein said transition window is constructed such that said at least one data sub-window includes a first data sub-window which extends from about ¼ times said estimated bit time to about ¾ times said estimated bit time and a second data sub-window which extends from about ¾ times said estimated bit time to about 1¼ times said estimated bit time. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said estimated bit time is derived from said serialized stream of digital audio data. 9. The method of claim 8, and further comprising: estimating minimum and maximum bit window times; constructing a bit window from said minimum and maximum bit window times; identifying transitions in said serialized stream of digital audio data which occur within said constructed bit window; wherein the time separating a first set of successive identified transitions is a first measurement of said estimated bit time. 10. The method of claim 9, and further comprising determining said estimated bit time from a running average of plural measurements of said estimated bit time. 11. A method of extracting digital audio data words from a serialized stream of digital audio data, comprising: constructing a transition window from an estimated bit time for said serialized stream of digital audio data, said transition window having a preamble sub-window and at least one data sub-window; sampling said serialized stream of digital audio data at a fast sample rate; and extracting plural digital audio data words from said serialized stream of digital audio based upon the location of each transition in said sampled stream of digital audio data relative to said preamble sub-window and said at least one data sub-window of said transition window. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein said fast sample rate is at least about twenty times faster than a data rate for said serialized stream of digital audio data. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said fast sample rate is derived from a fast clock having a frequency of at least about twenty times faster than the frequency of said serialized stream of digital data. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein each one of said extracted plural digital audio data words has a preamble identifiable by a combination of at least one transition located in said preamble sub-window of said transition window and at least one transition located in said at least one data sub-window of said transition window. 15. The method of claim 14, and further comprising identifying said extracted data words as having a first type of preamble if said extracted data words have a pair of successive transitions located in said preamble sub-window followed by a pair of successive transitions located in said at least one data sub-window. 16. The method of claim 15, and further comprising identifying said extracted data words as having a second type of preamble if said extracted data words have a pair of non-successive transitions located in said preamble sub-window separated by a pair of successive transitions located in said at least one data sub-window. 17. The method of claim 16, and further comprising identifying said extracted data words as having a third type of preamble if said extracted data words have a transition located in said preamble sub-window followed by first, second and third transitions located in said at least one data sub-window. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein said estimated bit time is derived from said serialized stream of digital audio data. 19. The method of claim 18, and further comprising: estimating minimum and maximum bit window times; constructing a bit window from said minimum and maximum bit window times; identifying transitions in said serialized stream of digital audio data which occur within said constructed bit window, the time separating a set of successive identified transitions being a measurement of said estimated bit time; and determining said estimated bit time from a running average of plural measurements of said estimated bit time. 20. A bi-phase decoder for use in decoding a stream of AES-3 digital audio data, comprising: a decoder circuit coupled to receive a stream of AES-3 digital audio data, an estimated bit time for said stream of AES-3 digital audio data and a fast clock, said fast clock having a frequency of about at least twenty times faster than a frequency of said stream of AES-3 digital audio data; and a data store coupled to said decoder circuit, said data store receiving subframes of digital audio data extracted, from said stream of AES-3 digital audio data by said decoder circuit; said decoder circuit extracting subframes of said digital audio data by constructing a transition window from said estimated bit time, sampling said stream of AES-3 digital audio data using said fast clock and applying said sampled stream of AES-3 digital audio data to said transition window to identify transitions, in said sampled stream of AES-3 digital audio data, indicative of preambles of said subframes of digital audio data. 21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said constructed transition window has a preamble sub-window and at least one data sub-window and wherein preambles of said subframes of digital audio data are indicated by a combination of at least one transition located in said preamble sub-window and at least one transition located in said at least one data sub-window. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, and further comprising a bit time estimator circuit having an input coupled to receive said stream of AES-3 digital audio data and an output coupled to said decoder circuit, said bit time estimator determining said estimated bit time for output to said decoder circuit.

CROSS REFERENCE This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/390,357 filed Jun. 21, 2002. This application is also related to co-pending U.S. Patent Application Ser. Nos. PCT/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU010620), PCT/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020157), PCT/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020158), PCT/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020160), PCT/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020161), PCT/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020162), PCT/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020252), PCT/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020253), PCT/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020254), PCT/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020255), and PCT/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020256), all of which were assigned to the Assignee of the present application and hereby incorporated by reference as if reproduced in their entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to bi-phase decoders suitable for use in broadcast routers and, more particularly, to a bi-phase decoder and associated method for extracting 32-bit wide data subframes from an incoming AES-3 digital audio data stream. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Traditionally, serial digital audio decoders have used a PLL to lock to the incoming signal. However, in order to use a PLL in a serial digital audio decoder, various external components are typically required. As a result, serial digital audio decoders which incorporate a PLL tend to be both expensive and unwieldy. Furthermore, PLLs cannot readily be switched between manufacturing technologies. As a result, PLLs are not particularly well suited for use in devices which integrate plural design technologies, for example, different FPGA families and/or different standard cell and gate array families. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a bi-phase decoder and an associated method of extracting digital audio data words from a serialized stream of digital audio data. In accordance therewith, a transition window is constructed from an estimated bit time for the serialized stream of digital audio data. Plural digital audio data words are then extracted from the serialized stream of digital audio based upon the location of each transition in the serialized stream of digital audio data relative to a preamble sub-window and at least one data sub-window of the transition window. Each one of the extracted digital audio data words includes a preamble identifiable by a combination of at least one transition located in the preamble sub-window and at least one transition located in the at least one data sub-window. Depending on the specific combination of transition locations detected, the extracted data word may be further identified as having one of three different types of preambles. These combinations include a pair of successive transitions located in the preamble sub-window followed by a pair of successive transitions located in the at least one data sub-window, a pair of non-successive transitions located in the preamble sub-window separated by a pair of successive transitions located in the at least one data sub-window, and a transition located in the preamble sub-window followed by first, second and third transitions located in the at least one data sub-window. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a fully redundant, linearly expandable broadcast router which incorporates a bi-phase decoder constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an expanded block diagram of a first broadcast router component of the fully redundant, linearly expandable broadcast router of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an expanded block diagram of an AES input circuit of the first broadcast router component of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an expanded block diagram of an AES bi-phase decoder circuit of the AES input circuit of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method by which a bit time estimator of the AES bi-phase decoder of FIG. 4 determines an estimated bit time for an AES-3 serial digital audio data stream; FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a subframe of AES-3 serial digital audio data; FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a stream of AES-3 serial digital audio data; FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a transition window constructed using the estimated bit time determined by the method of FIG. 5; and FIG. 9 is a state diagram implemented by a decoding logic circuit of the AES bi-phase decoder of FIG. 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring first to FIG. 1, a fully redundant, linearly expandable broadcast router 100 will now be described in greater detail. As may now be seen, the fully redundant, linearly expandable broadcast router 100 is comprised of plural broadcast router components coupled to one another to form the larger fully redundant linearly expandable broadcast router 100. Each broadcast router component is a discrete router device which includes first and second router matrices, the second router matrix being redundant of the first router matrix. Thus, each broadcast router has first and second routing engines, one for each of the first and second router matrices, each receiving, at an input side thereof, the same input digital audio data streams and placing, at an output side thereof, the same output digital audio data streams. As disclosed herein, each of the broadcast router components used to construct the fully redundant, linearly expandable broadcast router are N×M sized broadcast routers. However, it is fully contemplated that the fully redundant, linearly expandable broadcast router 100 could instead be constructed of broadcast router components of different sizes relative to one another. As further disclosed herein, the fully redundant, linearly expandable broadcast router 100 is formed by coupling together first, second, third and fourth broadcast router components 102, 104, 106 and 108. Of course, the present disclosure of the fully redundant, linearly expandable broadcast router 100 as being formed of four broadcast router components is purely by way of example. Accordingly, it should be clearly understood that a fully redundant, linearly expandable broadcast router constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention may be formed using various other numbers of broadcast router components. The first, second, third and fourth broadcast router components 102, 104, 106 and 108 which, when fully connected in the manner disclosed herein, collectively form the fully redundant, linearly expandable broadcast router 100, may either be housed together in a common chassis as illustrated in FIG. 1 or, if desired, housed in separate chassis. While, as previously set forth, the broadcast router components 102, 104, 106 and 108 may have different sizes relative to one another or, in the alternative, may all have the same N×M size, one size that has proven suitable for the uses contemplated herein is 256×256. Furthermore, a suitable configuration for the fully redundant, linear expandable broadcast router 100 would be to couple five broadcast router components, each sized at 256×256, thereby resulting in a 1,280×1,280 broadcast router. The first broadcast router component 102 is comprised of a first router matrix 102a and a second (or “redundant”) router matrix 102b used to replace the first router matrix 102a in the event of a failure thereof. Similarly, each one of the second, third and fourth broadcast router components 104, 106, and 108 of the fully redundant, linearly expandable broadcast router 100 are comprised of a first router matrix 104a, 106a and 108a, respectively, and a second (or “redundant”) router matrix 104b, 106b and 108b, respectively, used to replace the first router matrix 104a, 106a and 108a, respectively, in the event of a failure thereof. Of course, the designation of the second router matrices 102b, 104b, 106b and 108b as a redundant matrix for use as a backup for the first router matrices 102a, 104a, 106a and 108a, respectively, in the event of a failure thereof is purely arbitrary and it is fully contemplated that either one of a router matrix pair residing within a broadcast router component may act as a backup for the other of the router matrix pair residing within that broadcast router component. As may be further seen in FIG. 1, the first router matrix 102a of the first broadcast router component 102, the first router matrix 104a of the second broadcast router component 104, the first router matrix 106a of the third broadcast router component 106 and the first router matrix 108a of the fourth broadcast router component 108 are coupled together in a first arrangement of router matrices which conforms to a fully connected topology. Similarly, the second router matrix 102b of the first broadcast router component 102, the second router matrix 104b of the second broadcast router component 104, the second router matrix 106b of the third broadcast router component 106 and the second router matrix 108b of the fourth broadcast router component 108 are coupled together in a second arrangement which, like the first arrangement, conforms to a fully connected topology. In a fully connected topology, each router matrix of an arrangement of router matrices is coupled, by a discrete link, to each and every other router matrix forming part of the arrangement of router matrices. Thus, for the first arrangement of router matrices, first, second and third bi-directional links 110, 112 and 114 couples the first router matrix 102a of the first broadcast router component 102 to the first router matrix 104a of the second broadcast router component 104, the first router matrix 106a of the third broadcast router component 106 and the first router matrix 108a of the fourth broadcast router component 108, respectively. Additionally, fourth and fifth bi-directional links 116 and 118 couple the first router matrix 104a of the second broadcast router component 104 to the first router matrix 106a of the third broadcast router component 106 and the first router matrix 108a of the fourth broadcast router component 108, respectively. Finally, a sixth bi-directional link 120 couples the first router matrix 106a of the third broadcast router component 106 to the first router matrix 108a of the fourth broadcast router component 108. Similarly, for the second arrangement of router matrices, first, second and third bi-directional links 122, 124 and 126 couples the second router matrix 102b of the first broadcast router component 102 to the second router matrix 104b of the second broadcast router component 104, the second router matrix 106b of the third broadcast router component 106 and the second router matrix 108b of the fourth broadcast router component 108, respectively. Additionally, fourth and fifth bi-directional links 128 and 130 couple the second router matrix 104b of the second broadcast router component 104 to the second router matrix 106b of the third broadcast router component 106 and the second router matrix 108b of the fourth broadcast router component 108, respectively. Finally, a sixth bi-directional link 132 couples the second router matrix 106b of the third broadcast router component 106 to the second router matrix 108b of the fourth broadcast router component 108. Variously, the bi-directional links 110 through 120 may be formed of copper wire, optical fiber or another transmission medium deemed suitable for the exchange of digital signals. Of course, rather than the single bi-directional links between pairs of broadcast router components illustrated in FIG. 1, in an alternate embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated that the pairs of broadcast router components may instead be coupled together by first and second uni-directional links. Such an alternate configuration is illustrated in FIG. 2. The broadcast router components 102, 104, 106 and 108 will now be described in greater detail. FIG. 2 shows the first broadcast router component 102. The second, third and fourth broadcast router components 104, 106 and 108, on the other hand, are similarly configured to the first broadcast router component 102 and need not be described in greater detail. Of course, it should be clearly understood that certain components of the foregoing description of the first broadcast router component 102, as well as the second, third and fourth broadcast routers 104, 106 and 108 have been simplified for brevity of description. It is noted, however, that further details thereof may be found by reference to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020160) and previously incorporated by reference. As may be seen in FIG. 2, the broadcast router 102 includes N selectors 138-1 through 138-N arranged such that the output of each one of the selectors provides one of N transport streams to an input side of each one of the router matrices 102a, 102b of the first broadcast router component 102. As disclosed herein, each one of the selectors 138-1 through 138-N is a first 2:1 selector circuit having, as a first input thereto, a first transport stream built by an Audio Engineering Society (“AES”) input circuit 140-1 through 140-N, respectively, and, as a second input thereto, a second transport stream built from a decoded digital audio data stream conforming to the multichannel digital audio (“MADI”) standard by a MADI input circuit 142-1 through 142-N, respectively. Each one of the first selector circuits 138-1 through 138-N further includes a control input (not shown) for selecting between the two transport streams. The selected transport stream output each one of the first selector circuits 138-1 through 138-N is fed to an input side of a routing engine 144, a transmitting (or “TX”) expansion port 276, a first receiving (or “RX”) expansion port 278, a second receiving expansion port 280 and a third receiving expansion port 282 of the first router matrix 102a. By the term “transmitting” expansion port, it is intended to refer to an expansion port from which data is transmitted to a selected destination. Similarly, by the term “receiving” expansion port, it is intended to refer to an expansion port which receives data from a destination. In a broad sense, the transmitting expansion port 276 of the first router matrix 102a is comprised of a memory subsystem in which the transport streams received from the first selector circuits 138-1 through 138-N of the first broadcast router component 102 are buffered before transfer to plural destinations and a processor subsystem for controlling the transfer of the transport streams received from the first selector circuits 138-1 through 138-N to a receiving expansion port of the first router matrix 104a of the second broadcast router component 104, the first router matrix 106a of the third broadcast router component 106 and the first router matrix 108a of the fourth broadcast router component 108. Conversely, each one of the first, second and third expansion ports 278, 280 and 282 of the first router matrix 102a are, in a broad sense, comprised of a memory subsystem in which input transport streams received from a transmitting expansion port of the first router matrix of another broadcast router component may be buffered before transfer to their final destination and a processor subsystem for controlling the transfer of the input transport streams received from the transmitting expansion port of the first router matrix of the other broadcast router component to inputs of the routing engine 144 of the first router matrix 102a of the first broadcast router component 102. From the first selector circuits 138-1 through 138-N, transport streams 1 through N containing information extracted from AES input 1-32N and/or MADI inputs 1-N are transmitted to the routing engine 144 and the transmission expansion port 276. From the transmission expansion port 276, input transport streams 1 through N are forwarded to the first router matrix 104a of the second broadcast router component 104 over the link 110, to the first router matrix 106a of the third broadcast router 106 over the link 112 and to the first router matrix 108a of the fourth broadcast router 108 over the link 114. In return, input transport streams N+1 through 2N are transmitted, from the transmission expansion port of the first router matrix 104a of the second broadcast router component 104, to the first receiver expansion port 278 over the link 110; input transport streams 2N+1 through 3N are transmitted, from the transmission expansion port of the first router matrix 106a of the third broadcast router component 106, to the second receiver expansion port 280 over the link 112; and input transport streams 3N+1 through 4N are transmitted, from the transmission expansion port of the first router matrix 108a of the fourth broadcast router component 108, to the third receiver expansion port 282 over the link 114. Finally, input transport streams N+1 through 2N, 2N+1 through 3N and 3N+1 through 4N are input, by the first, second and third receiver expansion ports 278, 280 and 282, respectively, the routing engine 144. As previously set forth, the first and second router matrices 102a and 102b are redundant matrices relative to one another. To function in this manner, routing engine 152 of the second router matrix 102b must have the same set of input transport streams as the routing engine 144. Accordingly, in a fashion like that hereinabove described, the selected transport streams output each one of the first selector circuits 138-1 through 138-N are also fed to an input side of the routing engine 152 as well as a transmitting port 284. Similarly, the transport streams fed to the first receiving expansion port 278, the second receiving expansion port 290 and the third receiving expansion port 282 are also fed to a first receiving expansion ports 286, a second receiving expansion port 288 and a third receiving expansion port 290, respectively, of the second router matrix 102b. In a broad sense, the transmitting expansion port 284 of the second router matrix 102b is comprised of a memory subsystem in which the transport streams received from the first selector circuits 138-1 through 138-N of the first broadcast router component 102 are buffered before transfer to plural destinations and a processor subsystem for controlling the transfer of the transport streams received from the selector circuits 138-1 through 138-N to a receiving expansion port of the second router matrix 104b of the second broadcast router component 104, the second router matrix 106b of the third broadcast router component 106 and the second router matrix 108b of the fourth broadcast router component 108. Conversely, each one of the first, second and third expansion ports 286, 288 and 290 of the second router matrix 102b are, in a broad sense, comprised of a memory subsystem in which the transport streams received from a transmitting expansion port of the first router matrix of another broadcast router component may be buffered before transfer to their final destination and a processor subsystem for controlling the transfer of the transport streams received from the transmitting expansion port of the first router matrix of the other broadcast router component to inputs of the routing engine 152 of the second router matrix 102b of the first broadcast router component 102. From the first selector circuits 138-1 through 138-N, input transport streams 1 through N are transmitted to the routing engine 152 and the transmission expansion port 284. From the transmission expansion port 284, input transport streams 1 through N are forwarded to the second router matrix 104b of the second broadcast router component 104 over the link 122, to the second router matrix 106b of the third broadcast router 106 over the link 124 and to the second router matrix 108b of the fourth broadcast router 108 over the link 126. In return, input transport streams N+1 through 2N are transmitted, from the transmission expansion port of the second router matrix 104b of the second broadcast router component 104, to the third receiver expansion port 290 over the link 122; input transport streams 2N+1 through 3N are transmitted, from the transmission expansion port of the second router matrix 106b of the third broadcast router component 106, to the second receiver expansion port 288 over the link 124; and input transport streams 3N+1 through 4N are transmitted, from the transmission expansion port of the second router matrix 108b of the fourth broadcast router component 108, to the first receiver expansion port 288 over the link 126. From the third, second and first receiver expansion ports 290, 288 and 286, the input transport streams N+1 through 2N, 2N+1 through 3N and 3N+1 through 4N are transmitted, by the third, second and first receiver expansion ports 290, 288 and 286, respectively, to the routing engine 154. Residing within the routing engine 144 of the first router matrix 102a is switching means for assigning any one of the 4N AES streams received as inputs to the routing engine 144 to any one of the M output lines of the routing engine 144. Variously, it is contemplated that the routing engine 144 may be embodied in software, for example, as a series of instructions; hardware, for example, as a series of logic circuits; or a combination thereof. Similarly, residing within the routing engine 152 of the second router matrix 102b is switching means for assigning any one of the 4N input AES streams received as inputs to the routing engine 152 to any one of the M output lines of the routing engine 152. Again, it is contemplated that the routing engine 152 may be variously embodied in software, hardware or a combination thereof. Each one of the 1 through M AES streams output the routing engines 144 and 152 of the first and second routing matrices 102a and 102b, respectively, of the first broadcast router component 102 are propagated to a corresponding one of second selector circuits 160-1 through 160-M. The second selector circuits 160-1 through 160-M collectively determine whether the 1 through M AES streams output the routing engine 144 of the first routing matrix 102a or the 1 through M AES streams output the routing engine 152 of the second routing matrix 102b shall be the output of the first broadcast router component 102. Each one of the second selector circuits 160-1 through 160-M share a common control input (not shown) for selecting whether the AES streams output the routing engine 144 or the AES streams output the routing engine 152 shall be passed by the second selector circuits 160-1 through 160-M. From the second selector circuits 160-1 through 160-M, the selected AES streams are propagated to a respective one of information duplication circuits 162-1 through 162-M. In turn, the information duplication circuits 162-1 through 162-M pass the received AES streams to either the AES output circuits 164-1 through 164-M or the MADI output circuits 166-1 through 166-M for encoding and output from the first broadcast router component 102. Similarly, if the received information streams were MADI streams, they, too, could be passed to either the AES output circuits 164-1 through 164-M or the MADI output circuits 166-1 through 166-M for encoding and output from the first broadcast router component 102. Referring next to FIG. 3, the AES input circuits 140-1 through 140-N will now be described in greater detail. FIG. 3 shows the AES input circuit 140-1. The remaining AES input circuits, specifically, the AES input circuits 140-2 through 140-N are similarly configured to the AES input circuit 140-1 and need not be described in greater detail. As may now be seen, the AES input circuit 140-1 includes AES bi-phase decoder circuits 296-1 through 296-32 and a transport stream multiplexer 295. Input to each one of the AES bi-phase decoder circuits 296-1 through 296-32 is a respective input digital audio data stream, conforming to the AES-3 standard, and originating at a signal source (not shown). As will be more fully described below, the AES bi-phase decoder circuits 296-1 through 296-32 decodes the respective input digital audio data stream input thereto. The resulting 32 decoded input digital audio data streams produced by the AES bi-phase decoder circuits 296-1 through 296-32 are input the transport stream multiplexer 295 which builds, from the 32 decoded input digital audio data streams, an input transport stream which is passed to the selector circuit 138-1. The AES bi-phase decoder circuits 296-1 through 296-32 will now be described in greater detail. FIG. 4 shows the AES bi-phase decoder circuit 296-1. The remaining AES bi-phase decoder circuits, specifically, the AES bi-phase decoder circuits 296-2 through 296-32 are similarly configured to the AES bi-phase decoder circuit 296-1 and need not be described in greater detail. As will be more fully described below, the AES bi-phase decoder 296-1 works by using a fast clock to sample an incoming data stream, here, the AES serialized digital audio data stream. In order to decode the AES serialized digital audio data stream, the AES bi-phase decoder 296-1 also requires an estimated bit time. As used herein, the term “fast clock” refers to a clock having a frequency of at least twenty times faster than the frequency of the incoming AES digital audio data stream. The term “bit time”, on the other hand, refers to the number of fast clocks that will occur during a typical bit of the incoming AES digital audio data stream. As disclosed herein, it is contemplated that the AES bi-phase decoder 296-1 may operate in two modes. In the first mode, the bit time is user-selected for direct input to the logic circuit 298 while, in the second mode, the bit time is automatically generated from the incoming serialized digital audio data stream. As may be seen in FIG. 4, the AES bi-phase decoder 296-1 is comprised of a time extraction circuit 297, a decoding logic circuit 298, a bit time estimator 300 and an appropriately sized data store, for example, a 32-bit wide asynchronous first-in-first-out (“FIFO”) memory 302. The AES bi-phase decoder 296-1 receives the serialized digital audio data stream of AES data from the AES input 140-1. Within the AES bi-phase decoder 296-1, the AES serialized digital audio data stream is then routed to each of the time extraction circuit 297, the decoding logic circuit 298 and the bit time estimator 300. The time extraction circuit 297 extracts certain time information, specifically, the number of fast clocks separating successive preambles from the second serialized digital audio data stream. The time extraction circuit 297 then passes the extracted time information to the decoding logic circuit 298 for decoding of the AES serialized digital audio data stream. Further details regarding the operation of the time extraction circuit 297 are set forth in greater detail in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020254) and previously incorporated by reference. In addition to passing the extracted time information to the decoding logic circuit 298, the time extraction circuit 297 also passes the extracted time information to a selector circuit (not shown), having a control input tied to the control input for the selector circuit 138-1, which selects either the time information extracted from the AES serialized digital audio data stream on input 140-1 or the time information extracted from the AES serialized digital audio data stream on input 142-1 for forwarding to the routing engines 144 and 152. If the AES bi-phase decoder 296-1 is operating in the second mode, the bit time estimator 300 will determine an estimated bit time from the AES serialized digital audio data stream received thereby. Referring momentarily to FIG. 5, the method by which the bit time estimator 300 determines an estimated bit time will now be described in greater detail. In one aspect, the bit time estimator 300 may be a discrete electronic component with sufficient processing capacity to execute the algorithm described herein. Alternately, the bit time estimator 300 may be physically incorporated, together with any number of other components of the AES bi-phase decoder 296-1, into a single processor unit which would execute the algorithm described herein as a subroutine thereof. The method of determining an estimated bit time commences at step 304 and, at step 306, the serialized digital audio data stream received by the bit time estimator 300 is examined and the shortest and longest times between successive transitions in the incoming stream are identified. At step 308, the value “long” is set to the duration of the pulse having the longest time between transitions while the value “short” is set to the duration of the pulse having the shortest time between transitions. Proceeding on to step 310, minimum and maximum values are selected for a bit time window as follows: Bit window (min)=1.5(short); and Bit window (max)=long−0.5(short). It should be noted that this process will identify a bit time window even if the received serialized digital audio data stream contains only zeros. More specifically, and as will be more fully described in Table I, below, each subframe of data is headed by a preamble comprised of four pulses of irregular duration. Thus, even in the absence of any data contained within the received serialized digital audio data stream, minimum and maximum values for the bit time window may be calculated from the times between the transitions which form the pulses of the preamble. Having defined a bit time window, the method proceeds to step 312 where the serialized digital audio data stream is again examined, this time for successive transitions which fit within the defined window. Upon detection of a pulse having a duration which fits within the bit time window, the duration of the detected pulse is loaded into an averager (not shown) at step 314 and, at step 316, the averager calculates, from plural detected pulses, a 32-sample running average as follows: AVE(0)=X(0)+X(−1)+X(−2)+X(−3)+ . . . +X(−31)/32. where: X is the duration of a detected pulse fitting within the defined window; and AVE(0) is the estimated bit time duration. For subsequent detections of a pulse fitting within the defined window, the estimated bit time duration is calculated as follows: AVE(0)=(X(0)/32)+AVE(−1)−(X(−32)/32). Thus, the estimated bit time duration is recalculated for each subsequently detected pulse and, in such subsequent calculation, the duration of the subsequently detected pulse is used in place of the oldest pulse previously used to calculate the estimated bit time duration. Upon calculation (or recalculation, as appropriate) of the estimated bit time, the bit time estimator 300 forwards the calculated value to the decoding logic circuit 298 where it is used, in the manner to be more fully described below, by the decoding logic circuit 298, to decode the received AES serialized digital audio data stream. It should be noted that, by using a running average for estimated bit time duration, small changes, typically caused by fast jitter, are smoothed out but larger changes, typically caused by wander or varispeed operation, are tracked. Alternately, the average estimated bit time duration may be pre-loaded. In this mode, a pre-loaded value is inserted for all 32 samples. By combining the use of a pre-loaded value with circuitry to watch for loss or reestablishment of signal, the AES bi-phase decoder 296-1 may quickly adjust to a new signal of a different sampling rate. For example, upon detection of a new signal by the aforementioned signal reestablishment circuitry, the bit-time estimator 300 may determine a new bit time window for the new signal and, upon detection of a first pulse which fits within the newly determined bit time window, insert the duration of the detected pulse as the pre-load value for all 32 samples. Before providing further details on the operation of the AES bi-phase decoder 296-1 illustrated in FIG. 4, a brief discussion of the AES standard for serialized digital audio signals will be helpful. In accordance with the AES standard, information is carried in a fixed structure known as a subframe. A sequence of two successive and associated subframes is a frame and a group of 192 consecutive frames is a block. A subframe, more specifically, subframe 320 is illustrated in FIG. 6. The subframe 320 is comprised of 32 time slots. Time slots 0 to 3 carry a preamble 322 for the subframe 320. Time slots 4 to 27 carry an audio sample word in linear 2's complement representation. When a 24-bit coding range is used, the least significant bit (“LSB”) is in time slot 4. When, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a 20-bit coding range is sufficient, time slots 8 to 27 carry audio sample word 326 with the LSB in time slot 8. Time slots 4 to 7 may be used for other applications and are typically designated as auxiliary sample bits 324. Time slot 28 carries validity bit 328 for the audio sample word 326. Time slot 29 carries user data bit 330 for the user data channel associated with the audio channel transmitted in the subframe 320. Time slot 30 carries channel status bit 332 of the channel status information associated with the audio channel transmitted in the same subframe 320. Time slot 31 carries parity bit 334 such that time slots 4 to 31 inclusive will carry an even number of ones and an even number of zeros. In further accordance with the AES standard, the preamble 322 for the subframe 320 may be one of three types—“X”, “Y” or “Z”. The first subframe of a frame normally starts with preamble “X”. To define the block structure used to organize the channel status information, the preamble changes to preamble “Z” once every 192 frames. The second subframe of the frame, on the other hand, always starts with preamble “Y”. For example, FIG. 7 illustrates an AES data stream which includes first, second and third frames 338, 340 and 342. The frame 338 is the 192nd frame of data block 344. Accordingly, first subframe 346 of the frame 338 is headed by an “X” type preamble 348 while second subframe 350 of the frame 338 is headed by a “Y” type preamble 352. Conversely, the frame 340 is the first frame of data block 354. Accordingly, first subframe 356 of the frame 340 is headed by a “Z” type preamble 358 while second subframe 360 of the frame 340 is headed by a “Y” type preamble 362. Finally, the frame 342 is the 2nd frame of the data block 354. Accordingly, first subframe 364 of the frame 342 is headed by an “X” type preamble 366 while second subframe 368 of the frame 342 is headed by a “Y” type preamble 370. Whether generated by the bit time estimator 300 or otherwise provide to the decoding logic circuit 298, the decoding logic circuit 298 uses the estimated bit time to generate a timing window 372 diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 8. The timing window 372 includes a first (or “ones”) sub-window 374, a second (or “ones/zero”) sub-window 376, a third (or “preamble”) sub-window 378 and a fourth (or “out of range”) sub-window 380. To produce the timing window 372, each one of the first, second and third sub-windows 374, 376 and 378 are sized to have a duration of ½ bit times. Center line 376c of the second sub-window 376 is then assigned a value of one bit time. Accordingly, upper boundary 376a of the second sub-window 376 is 1¼ bit times while lower boundary 376b of the second sub-window 376 is ¾ bit times. Similarly, upper boundary 374a of the first sub-window 374 would be ¾ bit times, lower boundary 374b of the first sub-window 374 would be ¼ times, lower boundary 378b of the third sub-window 378 would be 1¼ bit times and upper boundary 378a of the third sub-window 378 would be 1¾ bit times. Finally, the fourth sub-window would encompass all bit times below ¼ time or above 1¾ bit time. As to be more fully described below, the timing window 372 is used to decode the serialized digital audio data stream input the logic circuit 298. Briefly, however, the incoming serialized digital audio data stream is superimposed against the timing window 372 and, based upon which of the sub-windows 374, 376, 378 or 378 that transitions in the incoming serialized digital audio data stream are located, the logic circuit 298 makes certain decisions regarding decoding of the serialized digital audio data stream. It is possible to both identify preambles in the incoming serialized digital audio data stream and identify the type of preamble arriving because of the particular manner in which the preamble is encoded. As more fully described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______ (Atty. Docket No. IU020157), while the preamble for each subframe of the input digital audio data streams 1 through 4N is 4-bits long and has, therefore, a duration of 4 bit times, the preambles are encoded as a series of four pulses of irregular duration which, length as described in Table I, below. TABLE I Duration- Duration- Duration- Duration- Preamble Type Pulse 1 Pulse 2 Pulse 3 Pulse 4 “X” 1.5 bit times 1.5 bit times 0.5 bit times 0.5 bit times “Y” 1.5 bit times 1.0 bit times 0.5 bit times 1.0 bit times “Z” 1.5 bit times 0.5 bit times 0.5 bit times 1.5 bit times Referring next to FIG. 9, the process by which the decoding logic circuit 298 decodes the received AES serialized digital audio data stream will now be described in greater detail. The decoding logic circuit 298 is comprised of combinatorial logic configured to execute state diagram 382. The process commences at state 384 with the logic circuit 298 awaiting detection of a first transition in the incoming serialized digital audio data stream. Upon detection of a first transition, the process proceeds to state 386 where the logic circuit 296 begins measuring the time separating the first transition and a subsequent transition in the incoming serialized digital audio data stream. Upon detecting the subsequent transition, the time separating the first transition and the subsequent transition is compared to the timing window 372. If the time separating the transitions is in the first sub-window 374, the process proceeds to state 388 where the decoding logic circuit 298 determines that the detected pulse is a logical “1”. If, however, the time separating the transitions is in the second sub-window 376, the process proceeds to state 390 where the decoding logic circuit 298 determines that the detected pulse “may be” a logical “0”. If the time separating the transitions is in the third sub-window 378, the process proceeds to state 392 where the decoding logic circuit 298 determines that the detected pulse “may be” a preamble. Finally, if the time separating the transitions is in the fourth sub-window 380, the process proceeds to state 394 where the decoding logic circuit 298 determines that an error has occurred since the detected pulse cannot be decoded. The decoding logic circuit 298 would then re-set the decoding process, decide whether it is necessary to re-measure the estimated bit time, re-measure the estimated bit time if deemed necessary and then return to state 384 to await a next transition. Returning to state 392, the decoding logic circuit 298 would then await detection of a next transition. If the time separating the transition which enabled the process to proceed to state 392 and the next transition is located in the third sub-window 378, the process would proceed to state 396 where the decoding logic circuit 298 determines that the preamble “may be” an “X” preamble. If, however, the next transition is located in the second sub-window 376, the process would instead proceed to state 398 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would determine that the preamble “may be” a “Y” preamble. Finally, if the next transition is located in the first sub-window 374, the process would proceed to state 400 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would determine that the preamble “may be” a “Z” preamble. Of course, if the next transition is located in the fourth sub-window 380, the process would proceed to state 394 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would again determine that the detected pulse cannot be decoded. The decoding logic circuit 298 would then re-set the decoding process, decide whether it is necessary to re-measure the estimated bit time, re-measure the estimated bit time if deemed necessary and then return to state 384 to await a next transition. Returning to state 396, the decoding logic circuit 298 would then await detection of a next transition. If the time separating the transition which enabled the process to proceed to state 396 and the next transition is located in the first sub-window 374, the process would proceed to state 402 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would determine that the preamble is “most likely” an “X” preamble. If, however, the next transition is located in either the second, third or fourth sub-windows 376, 378 or 380, the process would proceed, by a transition line not shown for ease of illustration, to state 394 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would again determine that the detected pulse cannot be decoded. The decoding logic circuit 298 would then re-set the decoding process, decide whether it is necessary to re-measure the estimated bit time, re-measure the estimated bit time if deemed necessary and then return to state 384 to await a next transition. Similarly, from state 398, the decoding logic circuit 298 would then await detection of a next transition. If the time separating the transition which enabled the process to proceed to state 398 and the next transition is located in the first sub-window 374, the process would proceed to state 404 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would determine that the preamble is “most likely” a “Y” preamble. If, however, the next transition is located in either the second, third, or fourth sub-windows 376, 378 or 380, the process would be proceed, by a transition line not shown for ease of illustration, to state 394 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would again determine that the detected transition cannot be decoded. The decoding logic circuit 298 would then re-set the decoding process, decide whether it is necessary to re-measure the estimated bit time, re-measure the estimated bit time if deemed necessary and then return to state 384 to await a next transition. Similarly, from state 400, the decoding logic circuit 298 would then await detection of a next transition. If the time separating the transition which enabled the process to proceed to state 400 and the next transition is located in the first sub-window 374, the process would proceed to state 406 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would determine that the preamble is “most likely” a “Z” preamble. If, however, the next transition is located in either the second, third or fourth sub-windows 376, 378 or 380, the process would be instead proceed to state 394 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would again determine that the detected transition cannot be decoded. The decoding logic circuit 298 would then re-set the decoding process, decide whether it is necessary to re-measure the estimated bit time, re-measure the estimated bit time if deemed necessary and then return to state 384 to await a next transition. Returning to state 402, the decoding logic circuit 298 would then await detection of a next transition. If the time separating the transition which enabled the process to proceed to state 402 and the next transition is located in the first sub-window 374, the process would proceed to state 408 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would conclude that the preamble is an “X” preamble. If, however, the next transition is located in either the second, third or fourth sub-windows 376, 378 or 380, the process would proceed, by a transition line not shown for ease of illustration, to state 394 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would again determine that the detected transition cannot be decoded. The decoding logic circuit 298 would then re-set the decoding process, decide whether it is necessary to re-measure the estimated bit time, re-measure the estimated bit time if deemed necessary and then return to state 384 to await a next transition. Similarly, from state 404, the decoding logic circuit 298 would then await detection of a next transition. If the time separating the transition which enabled the process to proceed to state 404 and the next transition is located in the second sub-window 376, the process would proceed to state 410 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would conclude that the preamble is a “Y” preamble. If, however, the next transition is located in either the first, third, or fourth sub-windows 374, 378 or 380, the process would be proceed, by a transition line not shown for ease of illustration, to state 394 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would again determine that the detected transition cannot be decoded. The decoding logic circuit 298 would then re-set the decoding process, decide whether it is necessary to re-measure the estimated bit time, re-measure the estimated bit time if deemed necessary and then return to state 384 to await a next transition. Finally, from state 406, the decoding logic circuit 298 would then await detection of a next transition. If the time separating the transition which enabled the process to proceed to state 406 and the next transition is located in the third sub-window 378, the process would proceed to state 412 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would conclude that the preamble is a “Z” preamble. If, however, the next transition is located in the fourth sub-window 380, the process would be instead proceed to state 394 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would again determine that the detected transition cannot be decoded. The decoding logic circuit 298 would then re-set the decoding process, decide whether it is necessary to re-measure the estimated bit time, re-measure the estimated bit time if deemed necessary and then return to state 384 to await a next transition. After either concluding that the preamble is an “X” preamble at state 408, a “Y” preamble at state 410 or a “Z” preamble at state 412, the process proceeds to state 414 where the decoding logic circuit 298 transfers the preamble to the FIFO memory 302 which, as disclosed herein, is a 32-bit wide register. Upon commencing the extraction of digital audio data from the received AES serialized digital audio data stream, the decoding logic circuit 298 will place the first such decoded preamble, typically, a type “Z” preamble, into bits 31-28 of the FIFO memory 302. The process will then return to state 384 to await a next transition. Upon detecting another transition, the process would again proceed to state 386 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would again begin measuring the time separating the detected transition and a subsequent transition in the incoming serialized digital audio data stream. Upon detecting the subsequent transition, the time separating the detected transition and the subsequent transition is compared to the timing window 372. Upon detecting the subsequent transition, the time separating the detected transition and the subsequent transition is compared to the timing window 372. As previously stated, if the time separating the transitions is in the first sub-window 374, the process proceeds to state 388 where the decoding logic circuit 298 determines that the detected pulse is a logical “1”. The process would then proceed to state 414 where the decoding logic circuit 298 transfers the decoded data bit into bit 31 of the FIFO memory 302, thereby causing the first decoded preamble to be moved into bits 30-27 of the FIFO memory 302. If, however, the time separating the transitions is in the second sub-window 374, as also previously stated, the process instead proceeds to state 390 where the decoding logic circuit 298 determines that the detected pulse “may be” a zero. The decoding logic circuit 298 would then await detection of a next transition. If the time separating the transition which enabled the process to proceed to state 390 and the next transition is located in the second sub-window 376, the process would proceed to state 416 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would conclude that the detected data bit is a logical “0”. If, however, the next transition is located in either the first, third, or fourth sub-windows 374, 378 or 380, the process would proceed, by a transition line not shown for ease of illustration, to state 394 where the decoding logic circuit 298 would again determine that the detected transition cannot be decoded. The decoding logic circuit 298 would then re-set the decoding process, decide whether it is necessary to re-measure the estimated bit time, re-measure the estimated bit time if deemed necessary and return to state 384 to await a next transition. Upon concluding that the detected data bit is a logical “0” at step 416, the process proceeds to state 414 where the decoding logic circuit 298 transfers the decoded data bit into bit 31 of the FIFO memory 302, thereby causing the first decoded preamble to be moved into bits 30-27 of the FIFO memory 302. The process would then return to state 384 to await a next transition, proceed to state 386 upon detecting a next transition to begin measuring the time separating the detected transition and a subsequent transition in the incoming serialized digital audio data stream and again compare the time separating the detected transition and the subsequent transition is compared to the timing window 372. As described more fully in the AES-3 standard, in bi-phase encoding, each bit to be transmitted is represented by a symbol comprising two consecutive binary states. The first state of a symbol is always different from the second state of the previous symbol. In addition, the second state of the symbol is identical to the first state of the symbol if the bit to be transmitted is a logical “0”. However, the second state of the symbol shall be different from the first state if the bit to be transmitted is a logical “1”. Thus, in the foregoing description of the identification of a detected data bit as a logical “0”, it should be noted that, because data is encoded in bi-phase, a logical “0” is characterized by two transitions while a logical “1” is characterized by only one transition. Thus, as the logic circuit 298 decodes, in succession, individual bits of data in the received stream of serialized AES digital audio data, each such bit will be identified as either a logical “1”, a logical “0” or as part of a preamble. As each data bit is successfully identified, it is transferred into bit 31 of the FIFO 302, thereby gradually filling the FIFO 302 with a first 32-bit subframe of AES digital data. Whenever another preamble is subsequently identified, however, the decoding logic circuit 298 concludes that it has begun to decode a next 32-bit subframe of AES digital data. Accordingly, the existing contents of the FIFO 302 are clocked into the selector circuit 138-1 and the newly identified preamble is placed into bits 31-28 of the FIFO 302, thereby beginning the filling of the FIFO 302 with a next 32-bit subframe of AES digital data. Of course, independently placing each subframe in the FIFO 302 is but one suitable method. Alternately, a 64-bit wide FIFO capable of holding both subframes may instead be used. It is further contemplated that the AES bi-phase decoder 296-1 also include lock and re-measure functionality. Lock is achieved whenever such functionality determines that the estimated bit time is suitable for continued use. Periodically, however, the AES bi-phase decoder 296-1 will instead determine the estimated bit time is not suitable for further use and, when the lock and re-measure functionality makes such a determination, it will initiate re-measurement of the estimated bit time. For example, re-measurement will often occur as part of the aforementioned reset process which takes place during the transition from the state 394 to the state 384. This lock and re-measurement functionality is important to assist the decoding logic circuit 298 to enter a valid state. Generally, it is contemplated that the decoding logic circuit 298 will either be in a valid or an invalid state. In the valid state, the decoding logic circuit 298 will perform those operations previously described in detail. When in the invalid state, however, the decoding logic circuit 298 will not perform the aforementioned operations. Normally, the decoding logic circuit 298 is in the valid state. When the state machine 382 enters the error state 394, however, the decoding logic circuit 298 switches into the invalid state. The reset process enables the decoding logic circuit 298 to re-enter the valid state. Thus, to re-enter the valid state, the decoding logic circuit 298 must successfully execute the reset process described below. As previously set forth, the decoding logic circuit 298 is configured to operate in either a first mode in which the estimated bit time is user-selected for direct input to the decoding logic circuit 298 or in a second mode in which the estimated bit time automatically generated from the incoming AES serialized digital audio data stream, for example, by the bit time estimator 300. More specifically, to start the reset process, the decoding logic circuit 298 checks its operating mode and, if operating in the second mode, instructs the bit time estimator 300 to begin a re-measurement of the estimated bit time using the method previously described with respect to FIG. 4. The decoding logic circuit 298 will then await the arrival of a newly determined value for the estimated bit time. If, however, the decoding logic circuit 298 is operating in the first mode, re-measurement (or, in this case, measurement of the estimated bit time) is not necessary at this stage in the reset process. Upon arrival of the new determined value for the estimated bit time from the bit time estimator 300, or if the decoding logic circuit 298 is operating in the first mode, the decoding logic circuit 298 will await the arrival of a preamble. After a preamble has been detected, the decoding logic circuit 298 will begin counting bits. If a next preamble is not detected within 48 bits of the prior detected preamble, a missing preamble will be declared and the decoding logic circuit 298 will instruct the bit time estimator 300 to re-determine the estimated bit time (or, if the decoding logic circuit 298 is operating in the first mode, determine the estimated bit time). If, however, the next preamble is received within the aforementioned bit count, the decoding logic circuit 298 will assert a lock bit indicating that the bi-phase decoder 296-1 has been locked to the correct bit time and, by doing so, the decoding logic circuit 298 will re-enter the valid state, thereby completing the reset process and enabling resumption of the aforedescribed decoding process. Thus, depending on the operating mode of the decoding logic circuit 298 and the ability of the decoding logic circuit 298 to correctly predict the time of arrival for a preamble, the reset process may or may not involve a re-determination of the estimated bit time. The decoding logic circuit 298 will, however, continue to check that each successive preamble is timely received and, if a preamble does not arrive timely, decoding logic circuit 298 will deassert the lock bit, thereby entering the invalid state and interrupting the decoding process. As before, the decoding logic circuit 298 will then instruct the bit time estimator 300 to re-determine (or determine) the estimated bit time thereby enabling a return to the valid state as quickly as possible. By doing so, a switch between two signals of the same sample rate can take place upstream without causing a re-measure. Of course, it should be noted that the 48 bit count (which equates to allowing the preamble 50% more time to arrive) disclosed herein is purely exemplary and other bit counts are suitable for the purposes disclosed herein. Thus, there has been disclosed and illustrated herein a bi-phase decoder suitable for use in broadcast routers and an associated method for extracting 32-bit wide data subframes from an incoming AES-3 digital audio data stream. Of course, while preferred embodiments of this invention have been shown and described herein, various modifications and other changes can be made by one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains without departing from the spirit or teaching of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims that follow.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Traditionally, serial digital audio decoders have used a PLL to lock to the incoming signal. However, in order to use a PLL in a serial digital audio decoder, various external components are typically required. As a result, serial digital audio decoders which incorporate a PLL tend to be both expensive and unwieldy. Furthermore, PLLs cannot readily be switched between manufacturing technologies. As a result, PLLs are not particularly well suited for use in devices which integrate plural design technologies, for example, different FPGA families and/or different standard cell and gate array families.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention is directed to a bi-phase decoder and an associated method of extracting digital audio data words from a serialized stream of digital audio data. In accordance therewith, a transition window is constructed from an estimated bit time for the serialized stream of digital audio data. Plural digital audio data words are then extracted from the serialized stream of digital audio based upon the location of each transition in the serialized stream of digital audio data relative to a preamble sub-window and at least one data sub-window of the transition window. Each one of the extracted digital audio data words includes a preamble identifiable by a combination of at least one transition located in the preamble sub-window and at least one transition located in the at least one data sub-window. Depending on the specific combination of transition locations detected, the extracted data word may be further identified as having one of three different types of preambles. These combinations include a pair of successive transitions located in the preamble sub-window followed by a pair of successive transitions located in the at least one data sub-window, a pair of non-successive transitions located in the preamble sub-window separated by a pair of successive transitions located in the at least one data sub-window, and a transition located in the preamble sub-window followed by first, second and third transitions located in the at least one data sub-window.

20041221

20100629

20051013

71105.0

COLUCCI, MICHAEL C

BROADCAST ROUTER HAVING A SERIAL DIGITAL AUDIO DATA STREAM DECODER

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY

A switching power supply; wherein a voltage detector is provided at the output of a power supply circuit and connected to the negative input of an error amplifier to amplify the error between detected voltage and reference voltage, the output of said amplifier is connected to the negative input of a first comparator and to the negative input of a second comparator through split resistors, a filter circuit is connected between a control switch and synchronous switch and the output of said filter circuit is connected to a first comparator and a second comparator, wherein said configuration constitues a control means to control the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through said filter circuit to be between an input level of said first comparator and an input of said second comparator, whereby the stability of the switching power supply is ensured without lowering the frequency band of said amplified error signal and stable output ripple characteristics can be materialized.

1. A switching power supply provided with a control switch, a synchronous switch and a series connection of an output inductor and a smoothing capacitor, wherein the input of an error amplifier is connected to the output of a power supply circuit to amplify the error between detected voltage and reference voltage, the output of said amplifier is connected an input of a first comparator and an input of a second comparator through split resistors, a filter circuit comprising resistors and a capacitor is connected in parallel to said synchronous switch, and the output of said filter circuit is connected to another input of said first comparator and another input of said second comparator, wherein a control means is configured to control the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through said filter circuit to be between an input level of said first comparator and an input level of said second comparator. 2. A switching power supply according to claim 1, wherein said control means is configured by connecting the output of said error amplifier to another input of said second comparator through a voltage divider circuit which changes the voltage division ratio freely, to control the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through said filter circuit to be between an input level of said first comparator and an input level of said second comparator 3. A switching power supply according to claim 2, wherein three or more resistors are connected in series to form a voltage divider variable part and a voltage divider fixed part, one end of said voltage divider variable part is connected between the output of said error amplifier and the input of said first comparator, the other end of said voltage divider variable part is connected to another input of said second comparator, and a switch is connected in parallel with at least one resistor provided at said voltage divider variable part, wherein the discontinuity of inductor current is detected to change the voltage division ratio freely. 4. A switching power supply according to claim 1, wherein a current source changing in proportion with the I/O potential difference is provided, said current source being connected between the middle point of said split resistors and the ground potential to generate a second signal, wherein said amplitude of the triangular waveform is controlled to be between signals of said first comparator and said second comparator. 5. A switching power supply according to claim 4, wherein two or more said split resistors are connected in series and current source changing in proportion with I/O potential difference is connected between the resistance cutoff point and the ground potential, wherein the voltage division ratio can be changed freely. 6. A switching power supply according to claim 1, wherein the amplified error signal obtained by amplifying the error between output voltage of the power supply circuit and reference voltage is compared with the triangular waveform obtained through said filter circuit and then a first comparison signal is sent to said control switch, said amplified error signal is divided and then compared with said second triangular waveform for generation of a second comparison signal, said second comparison signal is compared with the clock signal to generate said second comparison signal where there is a sharp change of the load, to change the output signal for said control switch from said clock signal to said second comparison signal to control said amplitude of the triangular waveform to be between said aamplified error signal and said voltage division signal, wherein the timing of said control switch is fixed to ON by said clock signal. 7. A switching power supply according to claim 6, wherein the timing of said control switch is fixed to ON by said clock signal even when there is a sharp increase of the load. 8. A switching power supply according to claim 1, wherein said first comparison signal can be generated by comparing the amplified error signal obtained by amplifying the error between of output voltage of the power supply circuit and reference voltage with the triangular waveform obtained through said filter circuit, said first comparison signal is compared with the clock signal and then sent to said control switch, said amplified error signal is divided and then compared with said triangular waveform to gnerate said second comparison signal, wherein when there is a sharp change of the load, output signal for said control switch is changed from said clock signal to said first comparison signal to control the amplitude of said triangular waveform to be between said amplified error signal and said voltage division signal when there is a sharp change of the load, and the timing of said control switch is fied to OFF by said clock signal in the steady state. 9. A switching power supply according to claim 8, wherein the timing of said control switch is fixed to OFF by said clock signal even when there is a sharp decrease of the load.

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a switching power supply provided with a control means which improves the response speed against a sharp change of the load. BACKGROUND ART Existing switching power supplies are shown in FIG. 60 to FIG. 62. The switching power supply shown in FIG. 60 is provided with a voltage hysteresis control means. More particularly, the output of the power supply circuit is connected to the negative input of comparator 42 to amplify the error between detected voltage and reference voltage Vref. The output of comparator 42 is connected to the input of driver 47, the output of which is connected to the gate of control switch S1 and the gate of synchronous switch S2 (for example, refer to FIG. 3 in Section 7 of U.S. Patent Publication No. 6147478). A switching power supply shown in FIG. 61 is provided with a voltage mode PWM control means. More particularly, the output of said power supply circuit is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 41 to amplify the error between detected voltage and reference voltage Vref. The output of error amplifier 41 is connected to the positive input of comparator 42, the negative input of which is connected to oscillator 48, to send the triangular waveform signal from oscillator 48 to comparator 42. The output of comparator 42 is connected to the input of latch 45, the input of which is connected to oscillator 48, to send the rectangular waveform signal. Moreover, the output of latch 45 is connected to the input of driver 47, the output of which is connected to the gate of control switch S1 and the gate of synchronous switch S2 (for example, refer to FIG. 1 in Section 7 of U.S. Patent Publication No. 6147478). A switching power supply shown in FIG. 62 is provided with a current mode PWM control means. More particularly, the negative input of error amplifier 41 is connected to the output of said switching power supply circuit to amplify the error between detected voltage and reference voltage Vref. The output of error amplifier 41 is connected to the negative input of comparator 42. The output inductor L1 is connected to current detection circuit 44, which is, in turn, connected to the positive input of comparator 42. The reset terminal of flip-flop circuit 46 is connected to comparator 42, and oscillator 48 is connected to the set terminal of flip-flop circuit 46, to send the clock signal from oscillator 48 to flip-flop circuit 46. The output of flip-flop circuit 46 is connected to the input of driver 47, the output of which is connected to the gate of control switch S1 and the gate of synchronous switch S2 (for example, refer to FIG. 2 in Sections 5 and 6 of U.S. Patent publication No. 4943902). A switching power supply provided with a voltage hysteresis control means uses output voltage directly to increase the inductor current by turing the switch on when output voltage drops below a specific level and reduce the inductor current by turning the switch off when output voltage becomes higher than the specific level. As output voltage is controlled by repetition of said operation, this mode provides a quick response speed. But, due to its poor operational stability, the switching power supply reacts very sensitively against the condition of the output capacitor and the load, limiting its application of usage. Next, a switching power supply circuit provided with a voltage mode PWM control means determines the duty ratio from the fixed frequency triangular waveform signal and the amplified error signal. In this mode, operational stability is affected when the frequency difference between the fixed frequency triangular waveform signal and amplified error signal becomes close to zero. To solve the problem, the frequency band of the amplified error signal was reduced down to about 1/10 in respect to the fixed frequency triangular waveform signal. The current mode PWM control means provides an amplified phase allowance for the amplified error signal by using the inductor current signal instead of the fixed frequency triangular waveform signal, but there remains the problem that it can not increase the frequency band of the amplified error signal significantly. FIG. 63 shows an operational waveform diagram with a sharp increase of the load current in a switching power supply using the current mode PWM control means. FIG. 64 shows an operational waveform diagram with a sharp decrease of the load current in said switching power supply. Particularly, the upper part shows the output voltage waveform, the middle part shows the inductor current waveform, and the lower part shows the output and triangular waveform of error amplifier 41. As shown in these figures, a sharp increase of the load current reduces output voltage and, in turn, increases inductor current, while a sharp decrease of the load current increases the output voltage considerably and, in turn, decreases the inductor current. However, as more than few cycles are required to stabilize the output voltage, there was the problem that the response speed of the system delays to obtain stable power supply operation. The present invention, which is made considering the aforesaid problems, provides a switching power supply which ensures the stability with no need of lowering the frequency band of the amplified error signal. Also, the invention provides a new switching power supply which materializes stable output ripple characteristics. Furthermore, the invention provides a new switching power supply which materializes stable oscillation frequency and output ripple characteristics. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION In order to achieve the aforesaid objects, according to one of the embodiments relating to the invention, a switching power supply provided with a control switch, a synchronous switch and a series connection of an output inductor and a smoothing capacitor, wherein the input of an error amplifier is connected to the output of a power supply circuit to amplify the error between detected voltage and reference voltage, the output of said amplifier is connected an input of a first comparator and an input of a second comparator through split resistors, a filter circuit comprising resistors and a capacitor is connected in parallel to said synchronous switch, and the output of said filter circuit is connected to another input of said first comparator and another input of said second comparator, wherein a control means is configured to control the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through said filter circuit to be between an input level of said first comparator and an input level of said second comparator. In accordance with the switching power supply of said configuration, a control means is provided to control the amplitude of triangular waveform signal obtained through said filter circuit to be between the input of said first comparator and the input of said second comparator, whereby the triangular waveform signal is generated by on/off operation of an output switch connected short of the filter circuit comprising a resistor and a capacitor. This is effective in respect that the phase difference between operating status of said output switch and amplified error signal can be fixed to ensure stable operation of the switching power circuit without necessity of lowering the frequency band of the error emplification signal. Also, the current detection circuit is connected to the control switch and the filter circuit, whereby normal current and other current through the current detection circuit flow through the filter circuit. This is effective in respect that output impedance can be adjusted. It is preferable that in said switching power supply, the said control means is configured by connecting the output of said error amplifier to an input of said second comparator through a voltage divider circuit which freely adjusts the division ratio, to control the amplitude of triangular waveform signal obtained through said filter circuit to be between an input level of said first comparator and an input level of said second comparator. It is preferable that in said switching power supply, three or more resistors are connected in series to form a voltage divider variable part and a voltage divider fixed part, one end of said voltage divider variable part is connected between the output of said error amplifier and the input of said first comparator, the other end of said voltage divider variable part is connected to another input of said second comparator, and a switch is connected in parallel with at least one resistor provided at said voltage divider variable part, wherein the discontinuity of inductor current is detected to change the voltage division ratio freely. In accordance with the invention, a circuit integrated into said switching power supply to automatically change the amplitude of triangular waveform by detecting the discountinuity of inductor current is effective in materializing stable output ripple characteristics. It is preferable that in said switching power supply, said control means is provided with a current source which varies in proportion with I/O potential, said current source being connected between the middle point and the ground potential of said split resistor to generate output of a second signal, whereby the amplitude of said triangular waveform is controlled to be between said first signal and said second signal. It is preferable that two or more said split resistors are connected in series, and a current source which varies in proportion to output voltage error is connected between the resistor cutoff point and the ground potential, to have the voltage division ratio change freely. In accordance with the invention, a circuit integrated into said switching power supply to automatically change the amplitude of triangular waveform in proportion to the I/O potential is effective in materializing stable efficiency and output ripple characteristics. It is preferable that said switching power supply, the amplified error signal obtained by amplifying the error between output voltage of the power supply circuit and reference voltage is compared with the triangular waveform obtained through said filter circuit and then a first comparison signal is sent to said control switch, said amplified error signal is divided and then compared with said second triangular waveform for generation of a second comparison signal, said second comparison signal is compared with the clock signal to generate said second comparison signal where there is a sharp change of the load, to change the output signal for said control switch from said clock signal to said second comparison signal to control said amplitude of the triangular waveform to be between said aamplified error signal and said voltage division signal wherein the timing of said control switch is fixed to ON by said clock signal. It is preferable that said switching power supply, the timing of said control switch is fixed to ON by said clock signal even when there is a sharp increase of the load. It is preferable that said switching power supply, said first comparison signal can be generated by comparing the amplified error signal obtained by amplifying the error between of output voltage of the power supply circuit and reference voltage with the triangular waveform obtained through said filter circuit, said first comparison signal is compared with the clock signal and then sent to said control switch, said amplified error signal is divided and then compared with said triangular waveform to gnerate said second comparison signal, wherein when there is a sharp change of the load, output signal for said control switch is changed from said clock signal to said first comparison signal to control the amplitude of said triangular waveform to be between said amplified error signal and said voltage division signal when there is a sharp change of the load, and the timing of said control switch is fied to OFF by said clock signal in the steady state. It is preferable that said switching power supply, the timing of said control switch is fixed to OFF by said clock signal even when there is a sharp decrease of the load. In accordance with the invention, the amplitude of triangular waveform obtained through the filter circuit is controlled to be between amplitudes of the amplified error signal obtained by amplifying the error between output voltage and reference voltage during a sharp change in the load and the voltage divider signal obtained by dividing the amplified error signal, and on or off timing of the control switch is fixed by the clock signal in the steady state, whereby the oscillation frequency is locked, and a signal with its phase displaced for multiphasing can be generated easily. Also, in accordance with the invention, even without using the voltage divider signal, the oscillation frequency is locked and a signal with its phase displaced for multiphasing can be generated easily similarly with the case where voltage divider signal is used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of the switching power supply relating to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows an operational waveform diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the same operational waveform diagram. FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram of the first transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a circuit diagram of the second transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a circuit diagram of the third transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a circuit diagram of the fourth transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a circuit diagram of the fifth transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a circuit diagram of the sixth transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a circuit diagram of the seventh transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 shows a circuit diagram of the eighth transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 shows a circuit diagram of the ninth transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a circuit diagram of the tenth transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a circuit diagram of the eleventh transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 15 shows a circuit diagram of the switching power supply relating to the second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 16 shows an operational waveform diagram relating to of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 17 shows a circuit diagram of the first transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 18 shows a circuit diagram of the second transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 19 shows a circuit diagram of the third transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 20 shows a circuit diagram of the fourth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 21 shows a circuit diagram of the fifth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 22 shows a circuit diagram of the sixth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 23 shows a circuit diagram of the seventh transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 24 shows a circuit diagram of the eighth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 25 shows a similar circuit diagram as the one of the eighth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 26 shows a similar circuit diagram as the one of the eighth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 27 shows a similar circuit diagram as the one of the eighth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 28 shows a circuit diagram of the switching power supply relating to the third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 29 shows an operational waveform diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 28 with high I/O potential difference. FIG. 30 shows an operational waveform diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 28 with low I/O potential difference. FIG. 31 shows a circuit diagram of the first transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 32 shows a circuit diagram of the second transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 33 shows a circuit diagram of the third transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 34 shows a circuit diagram of the fourth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 35 shows a circuit diagram of the fifth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 36 shows a circuit diagram of the sixth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 37 shows a circuit diagram of the seventh transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 38 shows a circuit diagram of the eighth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 39 shows a similar circuit diagram as the one of the eighth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 40 shows a similar circuit diagram as the one of the eighth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 41 shows a similar circuit diagram as the one of the eighth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 42 shows a circuit diagram of the switching power supply relating to the fourth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 43 shows an operational waveform diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 42. FIG. 44 shows a circuit diagram of the first transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 45 shows a circuit diagram of the second transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 46 shows a circuit diagram of the third transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 47 shows a circuit diagram of the fourth transformation of a multi-phased version of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 42. FIG. 48 shows an operational waveform diagram of the fourth transformation shown in FIG. 47. FIG. 49 shows a circuit diagram of the fifth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 50 shows a circuit diagram of the sixth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 51 shows a circuit diagram of the seventh transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 52 shows a circuit diagram of the eighth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 53 shows a circuit diagram of the ninth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 54 shows a circuit diagram of the tenth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 55 shows a circuit diagram of the eleventh transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 56 shows a circuit diagram of the twelveth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 57 shows a circuit diagram of the thirteenth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 58 shows a circuit diagram of the fourteenth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 59 shows a circuit diagram of the fifteenth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 60 shows a circuit diagram of a switching power supply of prior art. FIG. 61 shows a circuit diagram of another switching power supply of prior art different from the one shown in FIG. 60. FIG. 62 also shows a circuit diagram of another switching power supply of prior art. FIG. 63 shows an operational waveform diagram of the prior art shown in FIG. 62. FIG. 64 also shows an operational waveform diagram of the prior art. BEST EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION A switching power supply relating to the first embodiment of the invention is describeed below referring to the figures attached hereto. FIG. 1 shows a switching power supply relating to the said embodiment. C represents the capacitor, S the switching element, R the resistor, Z the impedance, 11 the error amplifier, 12 and 13 the comparators, 16 the flip flop circuit, 17 the driver, and 21 the filter circuit. The switching power supply relating to this embodiment is provided with control switch S1, synchronous switch S2, output inductor L1, smoothing capacitor Cout, and a power supply circuit in which output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout are connected in series. A control circuit is connected to the output of said power supply circuit, and its output is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. Voltage detection resistor R1 and R2 are provided at the output of said power supply circuit, and a connection between resistors R1 and R2 are connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 to amplify the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. Filter circuit 21 comprising a series connection of resistor Rsaw1 and capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 is connected in parallel to a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout. The output of filter circuit 21 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16, the output of which is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of the said configuration operates as follows. First, Operation of the switching power supply with a sharp increase of the load current is described below. This operational waveform diagram is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, the upper part indicates the output voltage waveform, the middle part indicates the inductor current waveform, and the lower part indicates the output of error amplifier 11, and the output of error amplifier divided by resistors. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform is controlled to be between the two signals generated through filter circuit 21. When there is a sharp increase of the load current, output voltage drops instantaneously and inductor current increases sharply as shown in FIG. 2. Then, the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 connected in parallel to a series circuit comprising smoothing capacitor Cout and output inductor L1 provided in the power supply circuit, and a signal generated through the error amplifier by amplifying the error between output voltage and reference voltage are used. The signal obtained through first comparator 12 is sent to the reset side of flip flop circuit 16. At the same time, the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 connected in parallel to a series circuit comprising smoothing capacitor Cout and output inductor L1 in the power supply circuit and a signal obtained by resistance division through split resistors R3 and R4 of the signal obtained by amplifying the error between output voltage and reference voltage through error amplifier 11 are used. The signal obtained through second comparator 13 is sent to the set side of flip flop circuit 16. By sending the signal in this way, the amplitude of the triangular waveform is controlled to be between said two levels. Since the triangular waveform is generated through filter circuit 21 by this control, the up slope of the triangular waveform indicates the period when current flowing through output inductor L1 increases, while the down slope of the triangular waveform indicates the period when the inductor current decreases. In this method, when the amplified error signal varies, frequency and duty ratio of the triangular waveform also change according to the extent of its transformation. By controlling the triangular waveform between the said two levels, the phase difference between waveforms of the amplied error signal and the triangular waveform is fixed at maximum 90 degrees. As the triangular waveform is generated by on/off operation of control switch S1 connected short of a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout, the phase difference between the operational state of control switch S1 and the amplified error signal is also fixed. This enables to secure the stability without reducing the frequency band of amplified error signal, signficantly improving the response rate of the switching power supply. According to the output signal of the amplified error signal, frequency and phase of the triangular waveform change instantaneously (driving status of the two switches in the power supply is shown), and, in turn, the inductor current also changes, materializing high speed response while minimizing the drop of the output voltage. Next, operation of the switching power supply with a sharp drop of the load current is described. This operational waveform diagram is shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the upper part indicates the output voltage waveform, the middle part indicates the inductor current waveform, and the lower part indicates the output of error amplifier 11, resistance division of the output of error amplifier 11 and the triangular waveform controlled to be between the two signal levels generated by filter circuit 21. When there is a shap drop of the load current, the output voltage leaps instantaneously and the inductor current drops sharply as shown in FIG. 3. Then, since the amplitude of the triangular waveform is controlled to be between said two levels similarly with the case of sharp increase of the load, the down slope of the triangular waveform represents the period when the inductor current decreases, while the up slope of the the triangular waveform represents the period when current flowing through output inductor L1 increases. In this method, when the amplied error signal varies, frequency and duty ratio of the triangular waveform also change according to the extent of the transformation. By controlling the triangular waveform to be between the said two levels, the phase difference between waveforms of amplified error signal and the triangular waveform is fixed at maximum of 90 degrees. As the triangular waveform is generated by on/off operation of control switch S1 connected short of a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout, the phase difference between the operational state of control switch S1 and the amplified error signal is also fixed. This enables to secure the stability without reducing the frequency band of amplified error signal, signficantly improving the response rate of the switching mode power supply. According to the output signal of the amplified error signal, frequency and phase of the triangular waveform change instantaneously (driving status of the two switches in the power supply is shown), and in turn, the inductor current also changes, materializing high speed response while maximizing leap of the output voltage. This embodiment of the switching power supply is provided with resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection and a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout, which is connected in parallel to filter circuit 21 in which resistor Rsaw1 and capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 are connected in series. This configuration keeps DC components of the amplified error output signal and the triangular waveform at approximately the same level. FIG. 4 shows a switching power supply relating to the first transformation of this embodiment. This switching power supply is configured with the output of the power supply circuit connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the the error between deteced voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. Filter circuit 22 comprising serial connection of resistor Rsaw1 and the capacitor Csaw1 is connected in parallel to a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout. The output of filter circuit 22 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 22 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of the above configuration operates almost smilarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, enabling to secure the stability without reducing the frequency band of amplified error signal and improving the response speed of the switching power supply. However, in this embodiment, a resistor for voltage detection is not provided at the output of the power supply circuit, and configuration of filter circuit 22 is different from filter circuit 21 of an embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows a switching power supply relating to the second transformation of this embodiment. This switching power supply is provided with resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection on the output side of the power supply circuit, and the connection of said resistors R1 and R2 is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 to amplify the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. In the said transformation, filter circuit 23 is provided between input and output output inductor L1. Filter circuit 23 is configured as follows. The input of output inductor L1 is connected in series to resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2 in parallel with the synchronous switch S2, and the output of output inductor is connected in series to capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 in parallel with synchronous switch S2. A connection is provided each between resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2 connected in series and between capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 connected in series. Filter circuit 23 is configured by coupling the two connections. The said connections, which work as the output of filter circuit 23, are connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this confihuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 25 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, enabling to secure the stability without lowering frequency band of the amplified error amplifier signal and significantly improving the response speed of the switching power supply. FIG. 6 shows the third transformation of this embodiment having very similar configuration with a transformation shown in FIG. 5. The switching power supply is configured with output of the power supply circuit connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. This switching power supply operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 4, enabling to secure the stability without lowering frequency band of the amplified error signal and siginificantly improving the response speed of the switching power supply. FIG. 7 shows a switching power supply relating to the fourth transformation of this embodiment. The switching power supply is provided with resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection purposes at the output of the power supply circuit, and a connection between resistors R1 and R2 is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. In this transformation, resistor R5 for current detection is connected between output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout, with its input connected to the positive input of buffer amplifier 15 and its output connected to the negative input of buffer amplifier 15. The output of buffer amplifer 15 is connected to filter circuit 24 in which capacitor Csaw1 is connected in series to resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2. The output of filter circuit 24 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 24 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, enabling to secure the stability without lowering the frequency band of the amplified error signal and siginificantly improving the response speed of the switching power supply. Also, this embodiment is provided with resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection and filter circuit 24 in which capacitor Csaw1 is connected in series to resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2. This configuration enables pick up high-frequency components only. FIG. 8 shows a switching power supply relating to the fifth transformation of this embodiment. The switching power supply is configured with output of the power supply circuit connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. In this transformation, resistor R5 for current detection is connected between output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout, with its input connected to the positive input of buffer amplifier 15 and its output is connected to the negative input of buffer amplifier 15. The output of buffer amplifier 15 is connected to filter circuit 25 in which capacitor Csaw1 and resistor Rsaw1 are connected in series. The output of filter circuit 25 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 25 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with a transformation shown in FIG. 4, enabling to secure the stability without lowering the frequency band of the amplified error signal and significantly improving the response speed of the switching power supply. In the sixth transformation shown in FIG. 9, current detection circuit 14 is connected to output inductor L1, the output of which is connected to filter circuit 24 in which capacitor Csaw1 is connected in series to resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2. Other configuration is very similar to the one of the fourth transformation shown in FIG. 7. In the eighth transformation shown in FIG. 10, output inductor L1 is connected to current detection circuit 14, the output of which is connected to filter circuit 25 in which capacitor Csaw1 and resistor Rsaw1 are connected in series. Other configuration is almost same the fifth transformation shown in FIG. 8. The switching power supply of the sixth transformation with the configuration shown in FIG. 9 operates almost similarly with a switching power supply shown in FIG. 7, and a switching power supply of the seventh transformation shown in FIG. 10 operates almost similarly with a switching power supply shown in FIG. 8. A transformation shown in FIG. 11 represents an embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a transformation shown in FIG. 12 represents a transformation shown in FIG. 4, a transformation shown in FIG. 13 represents a transformation shown in FIG. 5, and a transformation shown in FIG. 14 represents a transformation shown in FIG. 6. In these transformations, control switch S1 is connected to current detection circuit 14, output of which is connected to another terminal of resistor Rsaw1 connected to the output terminal of output inductor L1. Respective switching power supplies of said configuration shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 14 operate almost similarly with switching power supplies shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 5 anf FIG. 6, but also adjust output impedance by adding current flow from current detection circuit in filter circuits 21, 22, 23 and 24. Next, a switching power supply relating to the second embodiment of the invention is describeed. Those having been describeed on the first embodiment are omitted. FIG. 15 shows a switching power supply relating to the said embodiment. C represents the capacitor, S the switching element, R the resistor, Z the impedance, 11 the error amplifier, 12 and 13 the comparators, 31 the voltage divider circuit, 16 the flip flop circuit, 32 the current discontinuity mode detection circuit, 17 the driver, and 21 the filter circuit. The switching power supply relating to this embodimentis provided smilarly with the first embodiment, with control switch S1, synchronous switch S2, output inductor L1, capacitor Cout, and a power supply circuit in which output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout are connected in series. The control circuit is connected to the output of the said power supply circuit and control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. Resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection are provided at the output of the power supply circuit, and a connection between the resistors is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. Output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and voltage divider circuit 31. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform is controlled to be between a first signal obtained by amplifying the error between output voltage and reference voltage and a second signal obtained by dividing the first signal through voltage division circuit 31. In particular, voltage divider circuit 31 comprises a series connection of resistors R3, R4 and R5, in which resistors R3 and R4 form voltage division variables, one end of resistor R3 is connected between output of error amplifier 11 and the negative input of first comparator 12, and another end of resistor R4 is connected to the positive input of second comparator 13. Resistor R5 connected in series to resistor R4 forms a voltage divider fixed part, and another end of resistor R5 is grounded. Switch S is connected in parallel to both terminals of resistor R4. Current discontinuity mode detection circuit 32 is connected to the control terminal of switch S and the input of driver 17, control switch S1 and the control terminal of synchronous switch S2, to freely change the voltage division ratio with switch S turned on when the current discontinuity mode is detected. A series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout is connected in parallel to filter circuit 21 in which resistor Rsaw1 is connected in series to capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2. The output of filter circuit 21 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and the control terminal of synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of the said configuration operates as follows. Explanation about the current discontinuity mode is omitted as the switching power supply operates almost similarly with those having control means of prior art. Operation of the switching power supply in the current discontinuity mode is describeed below. This operational waveform diagram is shown in FIG. 16. In FIG. 16, the lower part indicates the output voltage waveform, the middle part indicates the inductor current waveform and the upper part indicates the output of error amplifier 11, resistance division of the output of error amplifier 11 and the triangular waveform controlled to be between the two signal levels generated through filter circuit 21. As shown in the middle of FIG. 16, when current is in the discontinuity mode, output voltage becomes unstable and detected by current discontinuity mode detection circuit 32. Current discontinuity mode detection circuit 32 sends the detected signal to switch S provided in voltage divider circuit 31. This turns switch S on, clamping resistor R4 and causing a significant transformation of the voltage division ratio of voltage divider circuit 31 and subsequent transformation of the triangular waveform. This operation controls the increase in the ripple of the output voltage. When the current discontinuity mode changes to the current continuity mode, current discontinuity mode detection circuit 32 detects the current continuity mode. Current discontinuity mode detection circui 32 sends the detected signal to switch S provided in voltage divider circuit 31. This operation turns switch S off, changing resistance of the voltage divider variable part of voltage divider circuit 31 to the normal value which is the sum of resistors R3 and resistor R4. FIG. 17 shows a switching power supply relating to the first transformation of this embodiment. The switching power supply is configured with output of the power supply circuit connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through voltage divider circuit 31. Filter circuit 22 comprising a series connection of resistor Rsaw1 and capacitor Csaw1 is connected in parallel to a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout. The output of filter circuit 22 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to input on the reset side of the flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 22 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 15, detecting the discontinuity of inductor current and materializing stable ripple characteristics through an integrated circuit which automatically changes the amplitude of the triangular waveform. However, the switching power supply of this embodiment is not provided with a resistor for voltage detection at the output side of the power supply circuit, and the configuration of filter circuit 22 is different from filter circuit 21 of an embodiment shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 18 shows a switching power supply relating to the second transformation of this embodiment. The switching power supply is provided with resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection at the output of the power supply circuit, and a connection between the resistors is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through voltage divider circuit 31. In said transformation, filter circuit 23 is provided between input and output of output inductor L1. Filter circuit 23 comprises resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2 connected in parallel to synchronous swithch S2 and to the input of output inductor L1 and capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 connected in parallel to synchronous switch S2 and to the output of output inductor L1. A connection is provided each between resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2 connected in series and between capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 connected in parallel. Filter circuit 23 is formed by coupling those two connections. The said connections constitute the outputs of filter circuit 23, which are connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 25 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 15, detecting the discontinuity of the inductor current and materializing stable ripple characteristics through an integrated circuit which automatically changes the mplitude of the triangualr waveform. FIG. 19 shows a switching power supply of the third transformation of this embodiment which has a configuration almost same as a transformation shown in FIG. 18. This switching power supply is configured with output of the power supply circuit connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The switching power supply operates almost similarly with the transformation shown in FIG. 17, detecting the discontinuity of inductor current and materializing stable ripple characteristics through an integrated circuit which automatically changes the amplitude of the triangular waveform. FIG. 20 shows a switching power supply relating to the fourth transformation of this embodiment. The switching power supply is provided with resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection at the output of the power supply circuit, and a connection between resistors R1 and R2 is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through voltage divider circuit circuit 31. In this transformation, resistor R6 for current detection is connected between output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitors Cout, with its input connected to the positive input of buffer amplifier 15, and and its output to the negative input of buffer amplifier 15. The output of buffer amplifier 15 is connected to filter circuit 24 in which capacitor Csaw1 is connected in series to resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2. The output of filter circuit 24 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 24 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 15, detecting the discontinuity of inductor current and materializing stable ripple characteristics through an integrated circuit which automatically changes the amplitude of the triangular waveform. Provided with resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection and filter circuit 24 in which capacitor Csaw1 is connected in series to resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2, the switching power supply can pick up high-frequency components only. FIG. 21 shows a switching power supply relating to the fifth transformation of this embodiment. Said switching power supply is configured with the output of the power supply circuit connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through voltage divider circuit 31. In this transformation, resistor R5 for current detection is connected between output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout, with its input connected to the positive input of buffer amplifier 15 and its output to the negative input of buffer amplifier 15. The output of buffer amplifier 15 is connected to filter circuit 25 comprising a series connection of capacitor Csaw1 and resistor Rsaw1. The output of filter circuit 25 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 25 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with a transformation shown in FIG. 17, detecting the discontinuity of inductor current and matrializing stable ripple characteristics through an integrated circuit which automatically changes the amplitude of the triangular waveform. A switching power supply of the sixth transformation shown in FIG. 22 has output inductor L1 connected to current detection circuit 33 which is connected to filter circuit 24 comprising a series connection of capacitor Csaw1 and resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2. Other configuration is almost same as the fourth transformation shown in FIG. 20. The switching power supply of the sixth transformation shown in FIG. 22 operates almost similarly with a switching power supply shown in FIG. 20. A switching power supply of the seventh transformation shown in FIG. 23 also has output inductor L1 connected to current detection circuit 33, output of which is connected to filter circuit 25 comprising a series connection of capacitor Csaw1 and resistor Rsaw1. Other configuration is almost same as the fifth transformation shown in FIG. 21. The switching power supply of the said configuration of the seventh transformation shown in FIG. 23 operates almost similarly with a switching power supply shown in FIG. 21. A transformation shown in FIG. 24 corresponds to an embodiment shown in FIG. 15. A transformation shown in FIG. 25 corresponds to a transformation shown in FIG. 17. A transformation shown in FIG. 26 corresponds to a transformation shown in FIG. 18. A transformation shown in FIG. 27 corresponds to a transformation shown in FIG. 19. In the said transformations, current detection circuit 34 is connected to control switch S1, the output of which is connected to another terminal of resistor Rsaw1 connected to the output terminal of output inductor L1. Respective switching power supplies of said configuration shown in FIG. 24 to FIG. 27 operate almost similarly with corresponding switching power supplies shown in in FIG. 15, FIG. 17, FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, but also adjust output impedance as current from current detection circuit 34 is applied through filter circuits 21, 22, 23 and 24. Next, a switching power supply relating to the third embodiment of the invention is describeed. FIG. 28 shows a switching power supply relating to the said embodiment. C represents the capacitor, S the switching means, R the resistor, Z the impedance, 11 the error amplifier, 12 and 13 the comparators, 36 the current source, 16 the flip flop circuit, 37 the amplifier, 17 the driver, and 21 the filter circuit. The switching power supply relating to said embodiment is provided with control switch S1, synchronous switch S2, output inductor L1, smoothing capacitor Cout, and a power supply circuit connected in series to output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout. The output of said power supply circuit is connected to a control circuit, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. The switching power supply is provided with resistors for voltage detection R1 and R2 at the output of the power supply circuit, and a connection between said resitors is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. Current source 36 is connected between a middle point of split resistors R3 and R4 and ground potential to receive the output signal of amplifier 37. The positive input of amplifier 37 is connected through the input of control switch S1, and the negative input of amplifier 37 is connected through the output of output inductor L1 to detect I/O potential difference. Filter circuit 21 comprising a series connection of resistor Rsaw1 and capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 is connected in parallel to a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout. The output of filter circuit 21 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of said configuration operates as follows. FIG. 29 shows an operational waveform diagram with high I/O potential, and FIG. 30 shows an operational waveform diagram with low I/O potential. In this embodiment, the input of amplifier 37 is connected to the input of control switch S1 and the output of output inductor L1 to detect I/O potential difference. The output signal of amplifier 37 is sent to current source 36 connected between the middle point of split resistors R3 and R4 and ground potential. That is, current flows through current source 36 in proportion to I/O potential difference, reducing the resistance of split resistor R3. As the resistance of split resistor R3 is fixed, when I/O potential difference becomes high, the voltage division ratio between split resistors R3 and R4 increases and the amplitude of the triangular waveform also increases as shown in FIG. 29. As a result, the oscillation frequency decreases. On the contrary, when I/O potential difference becomes lower, the output signal of amplifier 37 becomes lower and current flowing through the current source decreases and, in turn, the resistance of split resistor R4 increases. Since the resistance of split resistor R3 is fixed, when I/O potential difference becomes lower, the voltage division ratio between split resistors R3 and R4 decreases and the amplitude of the triangular waveform also decreases. As a result, the oscillation frequency increases. As the said operation controls a change of the oscillation frequency against the fluctuation of I/O voltage, the switching power supply materializes stable oscillation frequency and output ripple characteristics. FIG. 31 shows a switching power supply relating to the first transformation of this embodiment. The switching power supply is configured with the output of a power supply circuit connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. Current source 36 is connected at the middle point between split resistors R3 and R4 and the ground potential. Current source 36 is configured to receive the output signal of amplifier 37. The positive input of amplifier 37 is connected through the input of control switch S1, and the negative input of amplifier 37 is connected through the output of output inductor L1 to detect I/O potential difference. Filter circuit 22 comprising a series connection of the resistor Rsaw1 and capacitor Csaw1 is connected in parallel with output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout. The output of filter circuit 22 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 22 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 28, materializing stable ripple characteristics through an integrated circuit, which automatically changes the amplitude of the triangular waveform in proportion to I/O potential difference. However, the switching power supply of this embodiment is not provided with a resistor for voltage detection on the output side of the power supply circuit, and the configuration of filter circuit 22 is different from filter circuit 21 of an embodiment shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 32 shows a switching power supply relating to the second transformation of this embodiment. The switching power supply is provided with resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection at the output of the power supply circuit, and a connection between the said resistors is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. In the said transformation, filter circuit 23 is provided between the input and output of output inductor L1, with the following configuration. Resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2 are connected in parallel to synchronous switch S2 and to the input of output inductor L1, and capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 are connected in series in parallel to synchronous switch S2 and to the output of output inductor L1. A connection is provided each between a series connection of resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2 and between a series connection of capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2. Filter circuit 23 is formed by coupling the two connections which represent output of filter circuit 23. The output of filter circuit 23 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 23 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 28, materializing stable ripple characteristics through an integrated circuit which automatically changes the amplitude of the triangular waveform in proportion to the I/O potential difference. FIG. 33 shows a switching power supply of the third transformation of this embodiment, which operates almost similarly with an transformation shown in FIG. 32. This switching power supply is configured with the output of the power supply circuit connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. This switching power supply operates almost similarly with a transformation shown in FIG. 32, materializing stable ripple characteristics through an integrated circuit which automatically changes the amplitude of the triangular waveform in proportion to I/O potential difference. FIG. 34 shows a switching power supply relating to the fourth transformation of this embodiment. The switching power supply is provided with resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection at the output of the power supply circuit, and a connection between resistors R1 and R2 is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. In this transformation, resistor R6 for current detection is connected between output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout, with its input connected to the positive input of buffer amplifier 15 and its output connected to the negative input of buffer amplifier 15. Filter circuit 24 comprising a series connection of capacitor Csaw1 and resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2 is connected to the output of buffer amplifier 15. The output of filter circuit 24 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 24 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 28, materializing stable ripple characteristics through an integrated circuit which automatically changes the amplitude of the triangular waveform in proportion to I/O potential difference. In addition to this, as having resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection and filter circuit 24 comprising a series connection of capacitor Csaw1 and resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2, the switching power supply of the said transformation can pick up high-frequency components only. FIG. 35 shows a switching power supply relating to the fifth transformation of this embodiment. Said switching power supply is configured with output of the power supply circuit connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. In this transformation, resistor R6 for current detection is connected between output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout, with its input connected to the positive input of buffer amplifier 15 and its output to the negative input of buffer amplifier 15. The output of buffer amplifier 15 is connected to filter circuit 25 comprising a series connection of capacitor Csaw1 and resistor Rsaw1. The output of filter circuit 25 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and to synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 25 is controlled to be between an input level of first comparator 12 and an input level of second comparator 13. The switching power supply of said configuration operates similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 31, materializing stable ripple characteristics through an integrated circuit which automatically changes the amplitude of the triangular waveform in proportion to I/O potential difference. The sixth transformation of this invention shown in FIG. 36 is provided with current detection circuit 33 connected to output inductor L1 and filter circuit 24 comprising capacitor Csaw1 connected in series to resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2. Other configuration is almost same as the seventh transformation shown in FIG. 34. The switching power supply of said configuration shown in FIG. 36 operates almost similarly with a switching power supply shown in FIG. 34. A swithcing power supply of the seventh transformation shown in FIG. 37 is provided with output inductor L1 connected to filter detection circuit 33, the output of which is connected to filter circuit 25 comprising capacitor Csaw1 connected in series to resistor Rsaw1. Other configuration is almost same as a transformation shown in FIG. 35. The switching power supply 7 of said configuration shown in FIG. 37 operates almost similarly with a switching power supply shown in FIG. 35. A transformation shown in FIG. 38 corresponds to an embodiment shown in FIG. 28. A transformation shown in FIG. 39 corresponds to a transformation shown in FIG. 31. A transformation shown in FIG. 40 corresponds to a transformation shown in FIG. 32. A transformation shown in FIG. 41 corresponds to a transformation shown in FIG. 33. In the switching power supplies of said transformations, control switch S1 is connected to current detection circuit 34, the output of which is connected to another terminal of resistor Rsaw1 connected to the output of output inductor L1. The switching power supplies of said configuration shown in FIG. 38 to FIG. 41 operates almost similarly with the switching power supplies shown in FIG. 28, FIG. 31, FIG. 32 and FIG. 33, but also adjust output impedance with current from current detection circuit 34 applied through filter circuits 21, 22 and 23. Next, a switching power supply relating to the fourth embodiment of the invention is described. FIG. 42 shows a switching power supply relating to said embodiment. C represents capacitor, S the switching device, R the resistor, Z the impedance, 11 the error amplifier, 12 and 13 the comparators, 39 the OR circuit, 16 the flip flop circuit, 17 the driver, and 21 the filter circuit. The switching power supply relating to this embodiment is provided with control switch S1, synchronous switch S2, output inductor L1, capacitor Cout, and a power supply circuit in which output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout are connected in series. The output of said power supply circuit is connected to a control circuit, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. Resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection are provided at the output of the the power supply circuit, and a connection between said resistors is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage and sends the amplified error signal. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4 to generate the divided signal. Filter circuit 21 comprising a series connection of and resistor Rsaw1 and capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 is connected in parallel with output inductor L1. The output of filter circuit 21 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16 to generate a first comparison signal. The output of second comparator 13 is connected to an input of OR circuit 39 so to generate a second comparison signal. The clock signal is sent to another input of OR circuit 39, the output of which is connected to the set side of flip flop circuit 16 to generate the clock signal in the steady state and said second comparison signal when there is a sharp change of the load. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, output of which is connected to control switch S1 and to synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 is controlled to be between said amplified error signal and said divided signal when there is a sharp change of the load, to have said clock signal the timing of control switch S1 to ON. The switching power supply of said configuration operates as follows. In the steady state, said clock signal is sent to the set side of flip flop circuit 16 through OR circuit 39 to turn control switch S1 on and synchronous switch S2 off. With control switch S1 turned on, output voltage is generated and error amplifier 11 connected to the output side of flip flop circuit 16 generates the amplified error signal. The amplified error signal is compared with the triangular waveform generated through filter circuit 21 connected in parallel to synchronous switch S2, and when becoming bigger than the amplified error signal, the triangular waveform is sent to the reset side of flip flop circuit 16 to turn control switch S1 off and synchronous switch on. Said switching power supply operates by repeating said operations. Next, operation of the switching power supply with a sharp decrease of the load is described. When there is a sharp current decrease, the output voltage leaps instantaneously, while the choke current decreases sharply. At this time, the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 connected in parallel to a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout and a signal generated by amplifying the error between output voltage and reference voltage through error amplifier 11 are used to send said first comparison signal obtained through first comparator 12 to the reset side of flip flop circuit 16. At the same time, the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 connected in parallel to a series circuit comprising capacitor Cout and output inductor L1 provided in the power supply circuit and a signal generated by resisitance division through split resistors R3 and R4 of a signal generated by amplifying the error between output voltage and reference voltage through error amplifier 11 are used to send said second comparison signal obtained through second comparator 13 to the set side of flip flop circuit 16 in order to control the amplitude of the triangular waveform to be between said two signal levels. As the amplitude of the triangular waveform is controlled to be between said two signal levels, the down slope of the triangular waveform represents a period when the choke current decreases, while its up slope represents a period when current flowing through output inductor L1 increases. In this method, when the amplified error signal varies, frequency and duty ratio of the triangular waveform also change according to the extent of its transformation. By controlling the triangular waveform to be between said two levels, the phase difference between waveforms of the amplied error signal and triangular waveform is fixed at maximum 90 degrees. As the triangular waveform is generated by on/off operation of control switch S1 connected short of a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout, the phase difference between the operational state of control switch S1 and the amplified error signal is also fixed. This enables to secure the stability without reducing the frequency band of amplified error signal, signficantly improving the response rate of the switching power supply. According to the output signal of error amplifier 11, frequency and phase of the triangular waveform change instantaneously (driving status of the two switches in the power supply is shown), and, in turn, the inductor current also changes, materializing high speed response while maximizing the leap of the output voltage. Next, operation of the switching power supply with sharp increase of the load current is described. This operational waveform diagram is shown in FIG. 43. In FIG. 43, the upper part indicates the inductor current waveform, and the lower part indicates the output voltage waveform. When there is a shap increase of load current, the output voltage drop instantaneously and the inductor current increases sharply as shown in FIG. 43. At this time, the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 connected in parallel to a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout and a signal generated by amplifying the error between output voltage and reference voltage through error amplifier 11 are used to send said first comparison signal obtained through first comparator 12 to the reset side of flip flop circuit 16. At the same time, the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 connected in parallel to a series circuit comprising capacitor Cout and output inductor L1 provided in the power supply circuit and a signal generated by resisitance division through split resistors R3 and R4 of the amplified errora signal generated by amplifying the error between output voltage and reference voltage through error amplifier 11 are used to send said second comparison signal obtained through second comparator 13 to an input of OR circuit 39 and the clock signal to another input of OR circuit 39. In the steady state, the clock signal is sent from OR circuit 39. When there is a sharp change of the load, OR circuit 39 sends said second comparison signal to the set side of flip flop circuit 16, and, in stead of the clock signal, flip flop circuit 16 sends said second comparison signal to control switch S1, whereby the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 is controlled to be between the amplified error signal and the division signal. As the amplitude of the triangular waveform is controlled to be between said two signals in this method, when the amplified error signal varies, frequency and duty ratio of the triangular waveform also change according to the extent of its transformation. By controlling the triangular waveform to be between said two signal levels, the phase difference between waveforms of the amplied error signal and the triangular waveform is fixed at maximum 90 degrees. As the triangular waveform is generated by on/off operation of control switch S1 connected short of a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout, the phase difference between the operational state of control switch S1 and the amplified error signal is also fixed. This enables to secure the stability without reducing the frequency band of amplified error signal, signficantly improving the response rate of the switching power supply. According to the output signal of error amplifier 11, frequency and phase of the triangular waveform change instantaneously (driving status of the two switches in the power supply is shown), and, in turn, the inductor current also changes, materializing high speed response while maximizing the fluctuation of the output voltage. FIG. 44 shows a switching power supply relating to the first transformation of said embodiment. The switching power supply relating to said transformation is provided with control switch S1, synchronous switch S2, output inductor L1, smoothing capacitor Cout, and a power supply circuit in which output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout are connected in series. Output of said power supply circuit is connected to a control circuit, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. Resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection are provided at the output of the the power supply circuit, and a connection between said resistors is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage and sends the amplified error signal. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4 to generate the divided signal. Filter circuit 21 comprising a series connection of and resistor Rsaw1 and capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 is connected in parallel with output inductor L1. The output of filter circuit 21 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of second comparator 13 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16 to generate a second comparison signal. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to an input of OR circuit 39 to generate a first comparison signal. The clock signal is sent to another input of OR circuit 39, the output of which is connected to the set side of flip flop circuit 16 to generate the clock signal in the steady state and said first comparison signal when there is a sharp change of the load. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, output of which is connected to control switch S1 and to synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 is controlled to be between said amplified error signal and said divided signal when there is a sharp change of the load, to have said clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to OFF. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 42, except that said first comparison signal obtained through first comparator 12 is compared with the clock signal and then sent to control switch S, and when there is a sharp change of the load, said first comparison signal is sent to control switch S1 instead of the clock signal to control the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter 21 to be between the amplified error signal and the division signal obtained through split resistors R3 and R4 to have the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to OFF in the steady state. Said configuration of having the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to OFF is also available with switching power supplies relating to other embodiments described below. FIG. 45 shows a switching power supply relating to the second transformation of said this embodiment. Similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 42, said switching power supply is provided with control switch S1, synchronous switch S2, output inductor L1, capacitor Cout, and a power supply circuit in which output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout are connected in series. The output of said power supply circuit is connected to a control circuit, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. Resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection are provided at the output of the the power supply circuit, and a connection between said resistors is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage and sends the amplified error signal. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12. Filter circuit 21 comprising a series connection of and resistor Rsaw1 and capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 is connected in parallel with output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout. The output of filter circuit 21 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16 to generate a first comparison signal. The clock signal is sent to the set side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to each control terminal of control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 is compared with the amplified error signal to generate the comparison signal, to have said clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 42, as it comprises just essential components of said embodiment. But, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 42, the switching power supply of said embodiment is not provided with second comparator 13 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 42, wherefore the clock signal is not compared with said second comparison signal sent from second comparator 13 and the amplified error signal is compared with the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 and then a comparison signal is sent to control switch S1 to have the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON. Said configuration of having the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON is also available with switching power supplies relating to other tranformations described below FIG. 46 shows a switching power supply relating to the third transformation of said embodiment. Said switching power supply is an transformation of the first transformation shown in FIG. 44 and, therefore similarly with the first transformation shown in FIG. 44, it is provided with control switch S1, synchronous switch S2, output inductor L1, capacitor Cout, and a power supply circuit in which output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout are connected in series. The output of said power supply circuit is connected to a control circuit, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. Resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection are provided at the output of the the power supply circuit, and a connection between said resistors is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11 which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage and sends the amplified error signal. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4 to generate the divided signal. Filter circuit 21 comprising a series connection of and resistor Rsaw1 and capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 is connected in parallel with output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout. The output of filter circuit 21 is connected to the negative input of comparator 13. The output of first comparator 13 is connected to the input on the set side of flip flop circuit 16 to generate a comparison signal. The clock signal is sent to the reset side of flip flop circuit 16. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to each control terminal of control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 is compared with the amplified error signal to generate the comparison signal, to have said clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to OFF. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 44, as it comprises just essential components of said embodiment. But, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 42, the switching power supply of said embodiment is not provided with first comparator 12 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 44, wherefore the clock signal is not compared with said first comparison signal sent from first comparator 12 and the amplified error signal is compared with the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 and then a comparison signal is sent to control switch S1 to have the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to OFF. Said configuration of having the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to OFF is also available with switching power supplies relating to other tranformations described below. FIG. 47 shows a switching power supply of the fourth transformation of said embodiment, a multiphased version of the embodiment shown in FIG. 42. Said switching power supply has a common power supply Vin and two power supply circuits. Each power supply circuits is provided with control switch S1, synchronous switch S2, output inductor L1, smoothing capacitor Cout and a power supply circuit in which output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout are connected in series. A common output is provided for said power supply circuits, and it is connected to a control circuit through resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection. Resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage and generate the amplified error signal. The output of error amplifier 12 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. Filter circuit 21 comprising a series connection of resistor Rsaw1 and capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 is connected in parallel with a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout. The output of filter circuit 21 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16 to generate a first signal. The output of second comparator 13 is connected to an input of OR circuit 39 to send a second comparison from second comparator 13 to OR circuit 39. The clock signal is sent to another input of OR circuit 39, and the output of OR circuit 39 is connected to the set side of the flip flop circuit 16 to generate the clock signal in the steady state and said second comparison signal when there is a sharp change of the load. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and a control terminal of synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 is controlled to be between the amplified error signal and the divided signal to have the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON. The switching power supply of said configuration operates as follows. Description of operations in the steady state and with a sharp drop of the load is omitted as it operates almost similarly with the embodiment shown in FIG. 42. Next, operation with a sharp increase of the load is described. This operational waveform diagram is shown in FIG. 48. In FIG. 48, the upper part represents the choke current waveform, and the lower part represents the output voltage waveform. When load current increases sharply, output voltage decreases instantaneously and respective choke current increases sharply as shown in FIG. 48. Similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 42, the trinagular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 and a signal generated by amplifying the error between output voltage and reference voltage are used to send a first signal to the reset side of flip flop circuit 16. Also, the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 and a signal generated by resistance revision through split resistors R3 and R4 of the amplified error signal obtained by amplifying the error between output voltage and reference voltage are used to send a second comparison signal obtained through second comparator 13 to an input of OR circuit 39 and send the clock signal to another input of OR circuit 39. The the clock signal is generated by OR circuit 39 in the steady state, while when there is a sharp change of the load, a second comparison signal is sent from OR circuit 39 to the set side of flip flop circuit 16. Instead of the clock siignal, flip flop circuit 16 sends said second comparison signal to control switch S1 to control the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 21 to be between the amplified error signal and the divided signal. Thus, a multiphased switching power supply operates similarly with a single-phase switching power supply. Said switching power supply is multi-phased using two power supply circuits, but it operates similarly even when three or more power supply circuits are provided. Multi-phasing is also available with transformations described below. FIG. 49 shows a switching power supply relating to the fifth transformation of said embodiment. The said switching power supply is configured with the output of the power supply circuit connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the error between the detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. Filter circuit 22 comprising a series connection of capacitor Csaw1 and resistor Rsaw1. Is connected in parallel to a series circuit comprising output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout. The output of filter circuit 22 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to an input to OR circuit 39. The clock signal is sent to another input of OR circuit 39, the output of which is connected to the set side of flip flop circuit 16 to generate the clock signal in the steady state and said second comparison signal when there is a sharp change of the load. The Output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 25 is controlled to be between the amplified error signal and the divided signal to have said clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with a transformation in FIG. 42, fixing the oscillation frequency by having the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON in the steady state. The switching power supply relating to said embodiment is not provided with a resistor for voltage detection at the output of the power supply circuit, and the configuration of filter circuit 22 is different from filter circuit 21 of an embodiment shown in FIG. 42. FIG. 50 shows a switching power supply relating to the six transformation of said embodiment. Said switching power supply is provided with resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection at the output of the power supply circuit, and a connection between said resistors is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the error between the detected voltage and the reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. In said transformation, filter circuit 23 is provided between the input and the output of output inductor L1. Filter circuit 23 is configured by connecting resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2 in parallel with synchronous switch S2 and in series with the input terminal of output inductor L1 and connecting capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 in parallel with synchronous switch S2 and in series with the power output terminal of output inductor L1. A connection is provided between resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2 connected in series and between capacitors Csaw1 and Csaw2 connected in series respectively. Filter circuit 23 is formed by connecting said connections. Working as the output of filter circuit 23, said connections are connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13 respectively. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16 to generate a first comparison signal, and the output of second comparator 13 is connected to an input of OR circuit 39 to generate a second comparison signal. The clock signal is sent to another input of OR circuit 39, output of which is connected to the set side of the flip flop circuit 16 to generate the clock signal in the steady state and said second comparison signal when there is a sharp change of the load. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and the control terminal of synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 23 is controlled to be between the amplified error signal and the said divided signal to have said clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON in the steady state. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 42, fixing the oscillation frequency by having the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON in the steady state. FIG. 51 shows the seventh transformation of said embodiment, which is almost similar with a transformation shown in FIG. 50. Said switching power supply is configured with the output of the power supply circuit connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. Said switching power supply operates almost similarly with a transformation shown in FIG. 50, fixing the oscillation frequency by having the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON in the steady state. FIG. 52 shows a switching power supply relating to the eighth transformation of said embodiment. Said switching power supply is configured with the output of the power supply circuit connected to resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection, and a connection between said resistors is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. In said transformation, resistor R5 for current detection is connected between output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout, and the input of resistor R5 is connected to the negative input of buffer amplifier 15 and its output to the negative input of buffer amplifier 15. The output of buffer amplifier 15 is connected to filter circuit 24 comprising a series connection of capacitor Csaw1 and resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2. The output of filter circuit 24 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop circuit 16 to generate a first comparison signal. The output of second comparator 13 is connected to an input of OR circuit 39 to generate a second comparison signal. The clock signal is sent to another input of OR circuit 39, the output of which is connected to the set side of flip flop circuit 16 to generate the clock signal in the steady state and said second comparison signal when there is a sharp change of the load. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and to the control terminal of synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 23 is controlled to be between the amplified error signal and the divided signal, having said clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON in the steady state. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with an embodiment shown in FIG. 42, fixing the oscillation frequency by having the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON in the steady state. The switching power supply of said embodiment can also pick up high frequency components only through resistors R1 and R2 for voltage detection and filter circuit 24 comprising a series connection of capacitor Csaw1 and resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2. FIG. 53 shows a switching power supply relating to the ninth transformation of said embodiment. Said switching power supply is configured with the output of the power supply circuit connected to the negative input of error amplifier 11, which amplifies the error between detected voltage and reference voltage. The output of error amplifier 11 is connected to the negative input of first comparator 12 and to the positive input of second comparator 13 through split resistors R3 and R4. In said transformation, resistor R5 for current detection is connected between output inductor L1 and smoothing capacitor Cout. The input of resistor R5 is connected to the positive input of buffer amplifier 15, and its output is connected to the negative input of buffer amplifier 15. The output of buffer 15 is connected to filter circuit 25 comprising a series connection of capacitor Csaw1 and resistor Rsaw1. The output of filter circuit 25 is connected to the positive input of first comparator 12 and to the negative input of second comparator 13. The output of first comparator 12 is connected to the input on the reset side of flip flop to generate a first comparison signal. The output of second comparator 13 is connected to an input of OR circuit 39 to generate a second comparison signal. The clock signal is sent to another input of OR circuit 39, the output of which is connected to the set side of flip flop circuit 16 to generate the clock signal in the steady state and the second comparison signal when there is a sharp change of the load. The output of flip flop circuit 16 is connected to the input of driver 17, the output of which is connected to control switch S1 and to the control terminal of synchronous switch S2. In this configuration, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through filter circuit 25 is controlled to be between the amplified error signal and the divided signal when there is a sharp change of the load, to havei the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON in the steady state. The switching power supply of said configuration operates almost similarly with a transformation shown in FIG. 49, fixing the oscillation frequency by having the clock signal fix the timing of control switch S1 to ON in the steady state. In the tenth transformation shown in FIG. 54, output inductor L1 is corrected to current detection circuit 33, the output of which is connected to filter circuit 24 comprising a series connection of capacitor Csaw1 and resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2. Other configuration is almost same as a transformation shown in FIG. 52. The switching power supply of said configuration shown in FIG. 54 operates almost similarly with a swithcing power supply shown in FIG. 52. A In the eleventh transformation shown in FIG. 55, output inductor L1 is also corrected to current detection circuit 33, the output of which is connected to filter circuit 25 comprising a series connection of capacitor Csaw1 and resistors Rsaw1 and Rsaw2. Other configuration is almost same as a transformation shown in FIG. 53. The switching power supply of said configuration shown in FIG. 55 operates almost similarly with a switching power supply shown in FIG. 53. The twelveth transformation shown in FIG. 56 corresponds to an embodiment shown in FIG. 42. A transformation shown in FIG. 57 corresponds to a transformation shown in FIG. 49. A transformation shown in FIG. 58 corresponds to a transformation shown in FIG. 50. A transformation shown in FIG. 59 corresponds to a transformation shown in FIG. 51. In the switching power supplies of those embodiments, control switch S1 is connected to current detection circuit, the output of which is connected to one end of resistor Rsaw1, another end of which is connected to output inductor L1. The switching power supply of said configurations shown in FIG. 56 and FIG. 59 operate almost similarly with associated switching power supplies shown in FIG. 42, FIG. 49, FIG. 50 and FIG. 51, but also generates output impedance as current from current detection circuit 34 is applied through filter circuits 21, 22 and 23. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to a configuration of the switching power supply relating to the invention, the switching power supply is provided with a control means which control the triangular waveform obtained through a ilter circuit to be between an input level of a first comparator and an input level of a second comparator. Since the triangular waveform is generated by on/off operation of an output switch connected short of said filter circuit comprising resistors and a capacitor, phase difference between operational state of said output switch and the amplified error signal is fixed to materialize the stability of the switching power supply without lowering the frequency band of the amplified error signal. Also, by connecting the control switch to the current detection circuit and the current detection circuit to the filter circuit, normal current and another current flowing through the current detection circuit flow through the filter circuit, enabling adjustment of the output impedance. According to another configuration of the switching power supply relating to the invention, the switching power supply can materialize stable ripple characteristics by integrating a circuit which detects the discontinuity of inductor current and automatically changes the amplitude of the triangular waveform. According to a different configuration of the switching power supply relating to the invention, the switching power supply materializes stable efficiency and ripple characteristics under various I/O conditions by integrating a circuit which automatically changes the amplitude of the triangular waveform in proportion with I/O voltage difference. According to a different configuration of the switching power supply relating to the invention, the amplitude of the triangular waveform obtained through the filter circuit can be controlled to be between the amplified error signal obtained by amplifying the error between output voltage and reference voltage when there is a sharp change of the load to fix the on/off timing of the control switch in the steady state. This enables fixing of the oscillation frequency and easy generation of a signal having a phase lag for multi-phasing. Also, even when the divided signal is not used, the oscillation frequency can be fixed and a signal having a phase lag for multi-phasing can be generated easily like when the divided signal is used.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Existing switching power supplies are shown in FIG. 60 to FIG. 62 . The switching power supply shown in FIG. 60 is provided with a voltage hysteresis control means. More particularly, the output of the power supply circuit is connected to the negative input of comparator 42 to amplify the error between detected voltage and reference voltage Vref. The output of comparator 42 is connected to the input of driver 47 , the output of which is connected to the gate of control switch S 1 and the gate of synchronous switch S 2 (for example, refer to FIG. 3 in Section 7 of U.S. Patent Publication No. 6147478). A switching power supply shown in FIG. 61 is provided with a voltage mode PWM control means. More particularly, the output of said power supply circuit is connected to the negative input of error amplifier 41 to amplify the error between detected voltage and reference voltage Vref. The output of error amplifier 41 is connected to the positive input of comparator 42 , the negative input of which is connected to oscillator 48 , to send the triangular waveform signal from oscillator 48 to comparator 42 . The output of comparator 42 is connected to the input of latch 45 , the input of which is connected to oscillator 48 , to send the rectangular waveform signal. Moreover, the output of latch 45 is connected to the input of driver 47 , the output of which is connected to the gate of control switch S 1 and the gate of synchronous switch S 2 (for example, refer to FIG. 1 in Section 7 of U.S. Patent Publication No. 6147478). A switching power supply shown in FIG. 62 is provided with a current mode PWM control means. More particularly, the negative input of error amplifier 41 is connected to the output of said switching power supply circuit to amplify the error between detected voltage and reference voltage Vref. The output of error amplifier 41 is connected to the negative input of comparator 42 . The output inductor L 1 is connected to current detection circuit 44 , which is, in turn, connected to the positive input of comparator 42 . The reset terminal of flip-flop circuit 46 is connected to comparator 42 , and oscillator 48 is connected to the set terminal of flip-flop circuit 46 , to send the clock signal from oscillator 48 to flip-flop circuit 46 . The output of flip-flop circuit 46 is connected to the input of driver 47 , the output of which is connected to the gate of control switch S 1 and the gate of synchronous switch S 2 (for example, refer to FIG. 2 in Sections 5 and 6 of U.S. Patent publication No. 4943902). A switching power supply provided with a voltage hysteresis control means uses output voltage directly to increase the inductor current by turing the switch on when output voltage drops below a specific level and reduce the inductor current by turning the switch off when output voltage becomes higher than the specific level. As output voltage is controlled by repetition of said operation, this mode provides a quick response speed. But, due to its poor operational stability, the switching power supply reacts very sensitively against the condition of the output capacitor and the load, limiting its application of usage. Next, a switching power supply circuit provided with a voltage mode PWM control means determines the duty ratio from the fixed frequency triangular waveform signal and the amplified error signal. In this mode, operational stability is affected when the frequency difference between the fixed frequency triangular waveform signal and amplified error signal becomes close to zero. To solve the problem, the frequency band of the amplified error signal was reduced down to about 1/10 in respect to the fixed frequency triangular waveform signal. The current mode PWM control means provides an amplified phase allowance for the amplified error signal by using the inductor current signal instead of the fixed frequency triangular waveform signal, but there remains the problem that it can not increase the frequency band of the amplified error signal significantly. FIG. 63 shows an operational waveform diagram with a sharp increase of the load current in a switching power supply using the current mode PWM control means. FIG. 64 shows an operational waveform diagram with a sharp decrease of the load current in said switching power supply. Particularly, the upper part shows the output voltage waveform, the middle part shows the inductor current waveform, and the lower part shows the output and triangular waveform of error amplifier 41 . As shown in these figures, a sharp increase of the load current reduces output voltage and, in turn, increases inductor current, while a sharp decrease of the load current increases the output voltage considerably and, in turn, decreases the inductor current. However, as more than few cycles are required to stabilize the output voltage, there was the problem that the response speed of the system delays to obtain stable power supply operation. The present invention, which is made considering the aforesaid problems, provides a switching power supply which ensures the stability with no need of lowering the frequency band of the amplified error signal. Also, the invention provides a new switching power supply which materializes stable output ripple characteristics. Furthermore, the invention provides a new switching power supply which materializes stable oscillation frequency and output ripple characteristics.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of the switching power supply relating to the first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows an operational waveform diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 shows the same operational waveform diagram. FIG. 4 shows a circuit diagram of the first transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a circuit diagram of the second transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows a circuit diagram of the third transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 shows a circuit diagram of the fourth transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 8 shows a circuit diagram of the fifth transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 9 shows a circuit diagram of the sixth transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 shows a circuit diagram of the seventh transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 shows a circuit diagram of the eighth transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 shows a circuit diagram of the ninth transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 13 shows a circuit diagram of the tenth transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 14 shows a circuit diagram of the eleventh transformation of the first embodiment. FIG. 15 shows a circuit diagram of the switching power supply relating to the second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 16 shows an operational waveform diagram relating to of the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 . FIG. 17 shows a circuit diagram of the first transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 18 shows a circuit diagram of the second transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 19 shows a circuit diagram of the third transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 20 shows a circuit diagram of the fourth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 21 shows a circuit diagram of the fifth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 22 shows a circuit diagram of the sixth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 23 shows a circuit diagram of the seventh transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 24 shows a circuit diagram of the eighth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 25 shows a similar circuit diagram as the one of the eighth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 26 shows a similar circuit diagram as the one of the eighth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 27 shows a similar circuit diagram as the one of the eighth transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 28 shows a circuit diagram of the switching power supply relating to the third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 29 shows an operational waveform diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 28 with high I/O potential difference. FIG. 30 shows an operational waveform diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 28 with low I/O potential difference. FIG. 31 shows a circuit diagram of the first transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 32 shows a circuit diagram of the second transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 33 shows a circuit diagram of the third transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 34 shows a circuit diagram of the fourth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 35 shows a circuit diagram of the fifth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 36 shows a circuit diagram of the sixth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 37 shows a circuit diagram of the seventh transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 38 shows a circuit diagram of the eighth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 39 shows a similar circuit diagram as the one of the eighth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 40 shows a similar circuit diagram as the one of the eighth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 41 shows a similar circuit diagram as the one of the eighth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 42 shows a circuit diagram of the switching power supply relating to the fourth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 43 shows an operational waveform diagram of the embodiment shown in FIG. 42 . FIG. 44 shows a circuit diagram of the first transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 45 shows a circuit diagram of the second transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 46 shows a circuit diagram of the third transformation of the second embodiment. FIG. 47 shows a circuit diagram of the fourth transformation of a multi-phased version of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 42 . FIG. 48 shows an operational waveform diagram of the fourth transformation shown in FIG. 47 . FIG. 49 shows a circuit diagram of the fifth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 50 shows a circuit diagram of the sixth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 51 shows a circuit diagram of the seventh transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 52 shows a circuit diagram of the eighth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 53 shows a circuit diagram of the ninth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 54 shows a circuit diagram of the tenth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 55 shows a circuit diagram of the eleventh transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 56 shows a circuit diagram of the twelveth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 57 shows a circuit diagram of the thirteenth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 58 shows a circuit diagram of the fourteenth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 59 shows a circuit diagram of the fifteenth transformation of the third embodiment. FIG. 60 shows a circuit diagram of a switching power supply of prior art. FIG. 61 shows a circuit diagram of another switching power supply of prior art different from the one shown in FIG. 60 . FIG. 62 also shows a circuit diagram of another switching power supply of prior art. FIG. 63 shows an operational waveform diagram of the prior art shown in FIG. 62 . FIG. 64 also shows an operational waveform diagram of the prior art. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20041230

20060110

20050929

62401.0

BERHANE, ADOLF D

SWITCHING POWER SUPPLY

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Yeast-origin promoter and vector and expression system using the same

The present invention provides a DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function of yeast, which has high activity in a low temperature range, by identifying a DNA fragment, which exists in a non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of a gene selected from the group consisting of cold-inducible genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and has a cold-inducible promoter function.

1. A DNA fragment, which exists in a non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of a gene selected from the group consisting of genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae described in the table indicated below, and has a cold-inducible promoter function: TABLE Systematic No. gene name 1 YAL014C 2 YAL015C 3 YAL025C 4 YAL034C 5 YBL048W 6 YBL049W 7 YBL054W 8 YBL056W 9 YBL065W 10 YBL078C 11 YBR016W 12 YBR018C 13 YBR024W 14 YBR034C 15 YBR045C 16 YBR047W 17 YBR050C 18 YBR072W 19 YBR116C 20 YBR117C 21 YBR126C 22 YBR148W 23 YBR199W 24 YBR223C 25 YBR296C 26 YBR297W 27 YBR298C 28 YBR301W 29 YCL051W 30 YCR005C 31 YCR072C 32 YCR107W 33 YDL022W 34 YDL024C 35 YDL031W 36 YDL037C 37 YDL039C 38 YDL059C 39 YDL070W 40 YDL075W 41 YDL113C 42 YDL115C 43 YDL125C 44 YDL169C 45 YDL204W 46 YDL243C 47 YDR003W 48 YDR018C 49 YDR056C 50 YDR070C 51 YDR111C 52 YDR174W 53 YDR184C 54 YDR219C 55 YDR253C 56 YDR256C 57 YDR262W 58 YDR306C 59 YDR336W 60 YDR346C 61 YDR387C 62 YDR398W 63 YDR435C 64 YDR453C 65 YDR471W 66 YDR492W 67 YDR496C 68 YDR504C 69 YDR516C 70 YDR530C 71 YDR542W 72 YEL011W 73 YEL039C 74 YEL072W 75 YER020W 76 YER042W 77 YER053C 78 YER056C 79 YER065C 80 YER066W 81 YER067W 82 YER078C 83 YER079W 84 YER117W 85 YER150W 86 YFL014W 87 YFL030W 88 YFL055W 89 YFL056C 90 YFL057C 91 YFR014C 92 YFR015C 93 YFR017C 94 YFR053C 95 YGL029W 96 YGL033W 97 YGL045W 98 YGL075C 99 YGL122C 100 YGL135W 101 YGL179C 102 YGL184C 103 YGL255W 104 YGL261C 105 YGR008C 106 YGR043C 107 YGR053C 108 YGR088W 109 YGR102C 110 YGR154C 111 YGR197C 112 YGR222W 113 YGR223C 114 YGR251W 115 YGR256W 116 YGR262C 117 YGR286C 118 YGR294W 119 YHL016C 120 YHL021C 121 YHL036W 122 YHL046C 123 YHR066W 124 YHR087W 125 YHR138C 126 YHR139C 127 YHR141C 128 YHR146W 129 YIL036W 130 YIL045W 131 YIL069C 132 YIL077C 133 YIL107C 134 YIL136W 135 YIL143C 136 YIL153W 137 YJL132W 138 YJL155C 139 YJL223C 140 YJR085C 141 YJR155W 142 YKL026C 143 YKL070W 144 YKL071W 145 YKL078W 146 YKL087C 147 YKL089W 148 YKL090W 149 YKL091C 150 YKL094W 151 YKL103C 152 YKL125W 153 YKL150W 154 YKL151C 155 YKL162C 156 YKL187C 157 YKL224C 158 YKR049C 159 YKR075C 160 YKR077W 161 YKR100C 162 YLL055W 163 YLL056C 164 YLR009W 165 YLR145W 166 YLR149C 167 YLR164W 168 YLR251W 169 YLR252W 170 YLR266C 171 YLR311C 172 YLR312C 173 YLR327C 174 YLR413W 175 YLR421C 176 YML004C 177 YML128C 178 YML131W 179 YMR030W 180 YMR090W 181 YMR100W 182 YMR105C 183 YMR107W 184 YMR139W 185 YMR246W 186 YMR255W 187 YMR258C 188 YMR262W 189 YMR271C 190 YMR316W 191 YMR320W 192 YMR322C 193 YNL011C 194 YNL024C 195 YNL112W 196 YNL117W 197 YNL124W 198 YNL141W 199 YNL142W 200 YNL178W 201 YNL194C 202 YNL195C 203 YNL213C 204 YNL244C 205 YNL331C 206 YNR039C 207 YNR051C 208 YNR053C 209 YNR071C 210 YNR075W 211 YNR076W 212 YOL002C 213 YOL016C 214 YOL084W 215 YOL101C 216 YOL108C 217 YOL116W 218 YOL124C 219 YOL127W 220 YOL132W 221 YOL153C 222 YOL154W 223 YOL161C 224 YOL162W 225 YOL163W 226 YOL165C 227 YOR019W 228 YOR031W 229 YOR043W 230 YOR095C 231 YOR292C 232 YOR298W 233 YOR391C 234 YOR394W 235 YPL004C 236 YPL014W 237 YPL015C 238 YPL043W 239 YPL054W 240 YPL093W 241 YPL107W 242 YPL122C 243 YPL149W 244 YPL171C 245 YPL186C 246 YPL223C 247 YPL224C 248 YPL245W 249 YPL250C 250 YPL280W 251 YPL281C 252 YPL282C 253 YPR045C 254 YPR061C 255 YPR086W 256 YPR121W 257 YPR143W 258 YPR160W 259 YPR200C 2. A DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function, which comprises DNA described in the following (a) or (b): a) DNA comprising a deletion, substitution or addition of one or more nucleotides with respect to the DNA fragment according to claim 1; ) DNA hybridizing with a DNA fragment consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to the DNA fragment according to claim 1 under stringent conditions. 3. A DNA fragment, which comprises a cis sequence of the following (a) and/or (b), and has a cold-inducible promoter function: a) DNA sequence A: GCTCATCG; b) DNA sequence B: GAGATGAG. 4. A DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function, which comprises DNA described in the following (a) or (b): a) DNA comprising a deletion, substitution or addition of one or more nucleotides with respect to the DNA fragment according to claim 3; b) DNA hybridizing with a DNA fragment consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to the DNA fragment according to claim 3 under stringent conditions. 5. An expression vector comprising the DNA fragment according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 6. The expression vector according to claim 5, characterized by comprising a foreign gene or foreign DNA fragment downstream of said DNA fragment. 7. A transformant, which is transformed with the expression vector according to claim 5 or 6. 8. The transformant according to claim 7, wherein a host is yeast. 9. A method for producing a protein, characterized by comprising decreasing a culture temperature and culturing the transformant according to claim 7 or 8 at the decreased temperature. 10. The method for producing a protein according to claim 9, wherein the culture temperature is 10° C. or lower. 11. A method for regulating RNA production, characterized by comprising decreasing a culture temperature and culturing the transformant according to claim 7 or 8 at the decreased temperature. 12. The method for regulating RNA production according to claim 11, wherein the culture temperature is 10° C. or lower.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function of yeast. BACKGROUND ART Yeast has widely been used for production of foods by fermentation, such as alcoholic beverages including beer or Japanese sake, or breads, for production of metabolites such as amino acids, and also as a host used for production of proteins of homogeneous or heterogenous organisms using the recombinant DNA technique. The characteristics of yeast used in production of proteins by such recombinant DNA technology include: the safety of yeast as an organism, which is assumed from the past record in that yeast has previously been used in the food industry; a relatively high probability of success in the expression of proteins of animals such as a human because yeast is not a prokaryote such as Escherichia coli, but a eukaryote; and sufficiently developed gene recombination technology regarding yeast. In general, it has been already known regarding production of beer or brewage that fermentation at a low temperature such as 10° C. or lower brings on exquisite flavor and taste, and that the quality as food can be improved. Since the existence of a chemical substance for improving flavor or taste is assumed from such improvement of flavor and taste, it is considered that the functions of a gene of an enzyme synthesizing such a chemical substance are appropriately regulated by decreasing the temperature. However, there is only a limited amount of information regarding genes of yeast functioning at a low temperature. Thus, the type of a gene that is important for improvement of the flavor or taste of foods is still unknown. In gene recombination technology using yeast or Escherichia coli as a host, promoters functioning at an ordinary culture temperature (30° C. in the case of yeast and 37° C. in the case of Escherichia coli) have conventionally been used to produce proteins. In general, strong promoters producing a more large amount of mRNA have been used. It is considered that culture at a low temperature is disadvantageous in the production of proteins by genetic recombination. As a matter of fact, however, there are some cases where a low temperature is intentionally used to produce proteins. For example, when a protein produced at an ordinary temperature does not have a correct three-dimensional structure, a protein having a correct three-dimensional structure may be then produced at a low temperature. Thus, in order that a protein has a correct three-dimensional structure, there are some cases where production of a protein may be carried out at a culture temperature that is 10° C. lower than the ordinary temperature (Prot. Exp. Purif. 2, 432-441 (1991)). In addition, it is also expected that application of such a low temperature prevent the produced protein from being decomposed with protease of a host. Thus, it is considered that production of proteins at a low temperature has advantages. On the other hand, it is also considered that in the case of the currently used promoter functioning at an ordinary temperature, the promoter activity decreases together with a decrease in the temperature. Accordingly, it is appropriate to use a promoter exhibiting high activity in a low temperature range to establish an efficient protein production system at a low temperature. To date, there has been a report that the mRNA of each of YBR067C (TIP1), YER011W (TIR1), YGR159C(NSR1), YGL055W (OLE1), YOR010C (TIR2), YKL060C (FBA1), YIL018W (RPL2B), YDL014W (NOP1), YKL183W, YKL011W, and YDR299W (BFR2), is increased by treating the yeast at a low temperature. However, the degree of cold inducibility of each of the promoters of the above genes has not yet been examined. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide, for example, a DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function of yeast, which has high activity in a low temperature range (e.g. 10° C. or lower), by identifying and analyzing a large number of cold-inducible genes of yeast. As a result of intensive studies directed towards achieving the aforementioned object, the present inventors have identified genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibiting cold inducibility using a DNA microarray, and have found a DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function in the non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of each gene, thereby completing the present invention. That is to say, the present invention relates to a DNA fragment, which exists in the non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of a gene selected from the group consisting of genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae described in Table 1 indicated below, and has a cold-inducible promoter function. TABLE 1 Systematic No. gene name 1 YAL014C 2 YAL015C 3 YAL025C 4 YAL034C 5 YBL048W 6 YBL049W 7 YBL054W 8 YBL056W 9 YBL065W 10 YBL078C 11 YBR016W 12 YBR018C 13 YBR024W 14 YBR034C 15 YBR045C 16 YBR047W 17 YBR050C 18 YBR072W 19 YBR116C 20 YBR117C 21 YBR126C 22 YBR148W 23 YBR199W 24 YBR223C 25 YBR296C 26 YBR297W 27 YBR298C 28 YBR301W 29 YCL051W 30 YCR005C 31 YCR072C 32 YCR107W 33 YDL022W 34 YDL024C 35 YDL031W 36 YDL037C 37 YDL039C 38 YDL059C 39 YDL070W 40 YDL075W 41 YDL113C 42 YDL115C 43 YDL125C 44 YDL169C 45 YDL204W 46 YDL243C 47 YDR003W 48 YDR018C 49 YDR056C 50 YDR070C 51 YDR111C 52 YDR174W 53 YDR184C 54 YDR219C 55 YDR253C 56 YDR256C 57 YDR262W 58 YDR306C 59 YDR336W 60 YDR346C 61 YDR387C 62 YDR398W 63 YDR435C 64 YDR453C 65 YDR471W 66 YDR492W 67 YDR496C 68 YDR504C 69 YDR516C 70 YDR530C 71 YDR542W 72 YEL011W 73 YEL039C 74 YEL072W 75 YER020W 76 YER042W 77 YER053C 78 YER056C 79 YER065C 80 YER066W 81 YER067W 82 YER078C 83 YER079W 84 YER117W 85 YER150W 86 YFL014W 87 YFL030W 88 YFL055W 89 YFL056C 90 YFL057C 91 YFR014C 92 YFR015C 93 YFR017C 94 YFR053C 95 YGL029W 96 YGL033W 97 YGL045W 98 YGL075C 99 YGL122C 100 YGL135W 101 YGL179C 102 YGL184C 103 YGL255W 104 YGL261C 105 YGR008C 106 YGR043C 107 YGR053C 108 YGR088W 109 YGR102C 110 YGR154C 111 YGR197C 112 YGR222W 113 YGR223C 114 YGR251W 115 YGR256W 116 YGR262C 117 YGR286C 118 YGR294W 119 YHL016C 120 YHL021C 121 YHL036W 122 YHL046C 123 YHR066W 124 YHR087W 125 YHR138C 126 YHR139C 127 YHR141C 128 YHR146W 129 YIL036W 130 YIL045W 131 YIL069C 132 YIL077C 133 YIL107C 134 YIL136W 135 YIL143C 136 YIL153W 137 YJL132W 138 YJL155C 139 YJL223C 140 YJR085C 141 YJR155W 142 YKL026C 143 YKL070W 144 YKL071W 145 YKL078W 146 YKL087C 147 YKL089W 148 YKL090W 149 YKL091C 150 YKL094W 151 YKL103C 152 YKL125W 153 YKL150W 154 YKL151C 155 YKL162C 156 YKL187C 157 YKL224C 158 YKR049C 159 YKR075C 160 YKR077W 161 YKR100C 162 YLL055W 163 YLL056C 164 YLR009W 165 YLR145W 166 YLR149C 167 YLR164W 168 YLR251W 169 YLR252W 170 YLR266C 171 YLR311C 172 YLR312C 173 YLR327C 174 YLR413W 175 YLR421C 176 YML004C 177 YML128C 178 YML131W 179 YMR030W 180 YMR090W 181 YMR100W 182 YMR105C 183 YMR107W 184 YMR139W 185 YMR246W 186 YMR255W 187 YMR258C 188 YMR262W 189 YMR271C 190 YMR316W 191 YMR320W 192 YMR322C 193 YNL011C 194 YNL024C 195 YNL112W 196 YNL117W 197 YNL124W 198 YNL141W 199 YNL142W 200 YNL178W 201 YNL194C 202 YNL195C 203 YNL213C 204 YNL244C 205 YNL331C 206 YNR039C 207 YNR051C 208 YNR053C 209 YNR071C 210 YNR075W 211 YNR076W 212 YOL002C 213 YOL016C 214 YOL084W 215 YOL101C 216 YOL108C 217 YOL116W 218 YOL124C 219 YOL127W 220 YOL132W 221 YOL153C 222 YOL154W 223 YOL161C 224 YOL162W 225 YOL163W 226 YOL165C 227 YOR019W 228 YOR031W 229 YOR043W 230 YOR095C 231 YOR292C 232 YOR298W 233 YOR391C 234 YOR394W 235 YPL004C 236 YPL014W 237 YPL015C 238 YPL043W 239 YPL054W 240 YPL093W 241 YPL107W 242 YPL122C 243 YPL149W 244 YPL171C 245 YPL186C 246 YPL223C 247 YPL224C 248 YPL245W 249 YPL250C 250 YPL280W 251 YPL281C 252 YPL282C 253 YPR045C 254 YPR061C 255 YPR086W 256 YPR121W 257 YPR143W 258 YPR160W 259 YPR200C In addition, the present invention relates to a DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function, which comprises DNA described in the following (a) or (b): (a) DNA existing in the non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of a gene selected from the group consisting of genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae described in Table 1, and comprising a deletion, substitution or addition of one or more nucleotides with respect to the DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function; or (b) DNA existing in the non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of a gene selected from the group consisting of genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae described in Table 1, and hybridizing with a DNA fragment consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to the DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function under stringent conditions. Moreover, the present invention relates to a DNA fragment, which comprises a cis sequence of the following (a) or (b), and has a cold-inducible promoter function: (a) DNA sequence A: GCTCATCG; or (b) DNA sequence B: GAGATGAG. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function, which comprises DNA described in the following (a) or (b): (a) DNA having the above cis sequence, and comprising a deletion, substitution or addition of one or more nucleotides with respect to the DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function; or (b) DNA having the above cis sequence, and hybridizing with a DNA fragment consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to the DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function under stringent conditions. Still further, the present invention relates to an expression vector comprising the above DNA fragment, or an expression vector characterized in that it comprises a foreign gene or foreign DNA fragment downstream of the above DNA fragment in the above expression vector. Still further, the present invention relates to a transformant transformed with the above expression vector. An example of a host is yeast. Still further, the present invention relates to a method for producing a protein or a method for regulating RNA production, which is characterized in that it comprises decreasing a culture temperature and culturing the transformant at the decreased temperature. An example of a culture temperature is 10° C. or lower. The present invention will be described in detail below. The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-191383 filed on Jun. 28, 2002. This specification includes part or all of the contents as disclosed in the specification and/or drawings of the above Japanese Patent Application. By identifying a cold-inducible gene of yeast, the DNA fragment of the present invention having a cold-inducible promoter function of yeast can be identified. Genes, the amount of mRNA of which is increased when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C., an optimal culture temperature for yeast, to 10° C., are identified as cold-inducible genes. In order to completely capture these cold-inducible genes, approximately 5,800 genes are obtained by eliminating genes, whose preparation is difficult for reasons such as amplification or the like, from all genes (approximately 6,200) derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Thereafter, cDNA derived from each of the 5,800 genes is fixed on a slide glass, so as to prepare a DNA microarray (manufactured by DNA Chip Research Inc.). As RNA samples allowing to act on the DNA microarray, multiple RNA samples prepared by recovering a cell mass over time after decreasing the culture temperature of Saccharomyces cerevisiae from 30° C. to 10° C. and then extracting RNA from the recovered cell mass can be used. Using the thus prepared multiple samples, genes whose expression level increases immediately after shifting the culture temperature of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to a low temperature, and genes whose expression level gradually increases, can be identified. Using these RNA samples, the mRNA amount of each gene fixed on a DNA microarray is compared between before and after a low temperature treatment, so that a gene whose mRNA amount after the low temperature treatment is greater than the mRNA amount before the low temperature treatment can be identified as a cold-inducible gene. For example, a gene whose mRNA amount after a low temperature treatment is 3 times or more greater than the mRNA amount before the low temperature treatment can be identified as a cold-inducible gene. The thus identified 259 genes which are novel as a cold-inducible gene are shown in the following Table 2. TABLE 2 Systematic No. gene name 1 YAL014C 2 YAL015C 3 YAL025C 4 YAL034C 5 YBL048W 6 YBL049W 7 YBL054W 8 YBL056W 9 YBL065W 10 YBL078C 11 YBR016W 12 YBR018C 13 YBR024W 14 YBR034C 15 YBR045C 16 YBR047W 17 YBR050C 18 YBR072W 19 YBR116C 20 YBR117C 21 YBR126C 22 YBR148W 23 YBR199W 24 YBR223C 25 YBR296C 26 YBR297W 27 YBR298C 28 YBR301W 29 YCL051W 30 YCR005C 31 YCR072C 32 YCR107W 33 YDL022W 34 YDL024C 35 YDL031W 36 YDL037C 37 YDL039C 38 YDL059C 39 YDL070W 40 YDL075W 41 YDL113C 42 YDL115C 43 YDL125C 44 YDL169C 45 YDL204W 46 YDL243C 47 YDR003W 48 YDR018C 49 YDR056C 50 YDR070C 51 YDR111C 52 YDR174W 53 YDR184C 54 YDR219C 55 YDR253C 56 YDR256C 57 YDR262W 58 YDR306C 59 YDR336W 60 YDR346C 61 YDR387C 62 YDR398W 63 YDR435C 64 YDR453C 65 YDR471W 66 YDR492W 67 YDR496C 68 YDR504C 69 YDR516C 70 YDR530C 71 YDR542W 72 YEL011W 73 YEL039C 74 YEL072W 75 YER020W 76 YER042W 77 YER053C 78 YER056C 79 YER065C 80 YER066W 81 YER067W 82 YER078C 83 YER079W 84 YER117W 85 YER150W 86 YFL014W 87 YFL030W 88 YFL055W 89 YFL056C 90 YFL057C 91 YFR014C 92 YFR015C 93 YFR017C 94 YFR053C 95 YGL029W 96 YGL033W 97 YGL045W 98 YGL075C 99 YGL122C 100 YGL135W 101 YGL179C 102 YGL184C 103 YGL255W 104 YGL261C 105 YGR008C 106 YGR043C 107 YGR053C 108 YGR088W 109 YGR102C 110 YGR154C 111 YGR197C 112 YGR222W 113 YGR223C 114 YGR251W 115 YGR256W 116 YGR262C 117 YGR286C 118 YGR294W 119 YHL016C 120 YHL021C 121 YHL036W 122 YHL046C 123 YHR066W 124 YHR087W 125 YHR138C 126 YHR139C 127 YHR141C 128 YHR146W 129 YIL036W 130 YIL045W 131 YIL069C 132 YIL077C 133 YIL107C 134 YIL136W 135 YIL143C 136 YIL153W 137 YJL132W 138 YJL155C 139 YJL223C 140 YJR085C 141 YJR155W 142 YKL026C 143 YKL070W 144 YKL071W 145 YKL078W 146 YKL087C 147 YKL089W 148 YKL090W 149 YKL091C 150 YKL094W 151 YKL103C 152 YKL125W 153 YKL150W 154 YKL151C 155 YKL162C 156 YKL187C 157 YKL224C 158 YKR049C 159 YKR075C 160 YKR077W 161 YKR100C 162 YLL055W 163 YLL056C 164 YLR009W 165 YLR145W 166 YLR149C 167 YLR164W 168 YLR251W 169 YLR252W 170 YLR266C 171 YLR311C 172 YLR312C 173 YLR327C 174 YLR413W 175 YLR421C 176 YML004C 177 YML128C 178 YML131W 179 YMR030W 180 YMR090W 181 YMR100W 182 YMR105C 183 YMR107W 184 YMR139W 185 YMR246W 186 YMR255W 187 YMR258C 188 YMR262W 189 YMR271C 190 YMR316W 191 YMR320W 192 YMR322C 193 YNL011C 194 YNL024C 195 YNL112W 196 YNL117W 197 YNL124W 198 YNL141W 199 YNL142W 200 YNL178W 201 YNL194C 202 YNL195C 203 YNL213C 204 YNL244C 205 YNL331C 206 YNR039C 207 YNR051C 208 YNR053C 209 YNR071C 210 YNR075W 211 YNR076W 212 YOL002C 213 YOL016C 214 YOL084W 215 YOL101C 216 YOL108C 217 YOL116W 218 YOL124C 219 YOL127W 220 YOL132W 221 YOL153C 222 YOL154W 223 YOL161C 224 YOL162W 225 YOL163W 226 YOL165C 227 YOR019W 228 YOR031W 229 YOR043W 230 YOR095C 231 YOR292C 232 YOR298W 233 YOR391C 234 YOR394W 235 YPL004C 236 YPL014W 237 YPL015C 238 YPL043W 239 YPL054W 240 YPL093W 241 YPL107W 242 YPL122C 243 YPL149W 244 YPL171C 245 YPL186C 246 YPL223C 247 YPL224C 248 YPL245W 249 YPL250C 250 YPL280W 251 YPL281C 252 YPL282C 253 YPR045C 254 YPR061C 255 YPR086W 256 YPR121W 257 YPR143W 258 YPR160W 259 YPR200C The DNA fragment of the present invention exists in the non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of a gene selected from the group consisting of genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae described in the above Table 2, and functions as a cold-inducible promoter. Table 2 shows numbers from 1 to 259 imparted to 259 genes in association with systematic gene names thereof. These systematic gene names correspond to the names registered as systematic names in yeast genome database (Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome database; http://genome-www.stanford.edu/Saccharomyces/). Accordingly, the genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae described in the above Table 2 can easily be specified by using such a systematic gene name as a key and searching for the systematic name through the yeast genome database. Moreover, the nucleotide sequences of the genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae described in Table 2 can be obtained by searching through the yeast genome database. Furthermore, other types of information regarding the genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae described in Table 2 can also be obtained by searching through the yeast genome database. The term “a cold-inducible promoter” means a promoter exhibiting higher promoter activity at a temperature lower than the optimal culture temperature for yeast as compared to the promoter activity obtained at the optimal culture temperature for yeast. More specifically, such a cold-inducible promoter exhibits 3 times or more higher promoter activity at a temperature lower than the optimal culture temperature for yeast as compared to the promoter activity obtained at the optimal culture temperature for yeast. Herein, the optimal culture temperature for yeast is approximately 30° C. In addition, the term “a temperature lower than the optimal culture temperature for yeast” means a temperature lower than 30° C., and for example, approximately 10° C. However, if the above temperature is a temperature of 20° C. or lower, and preferably 15° C. or lower, it is not limited to approximately 10° C. Promoter activity can be measured according to conventional methods. For example, an expression vector, in which a reporter gene is ligated downstream of a promoter such that the gene can be expressed, is constructed. Subsequently, a suitable host (e.g. yeast) is transformed with the expression vector. The obtained transformant is cultured under certain conditions, and the expression level of the reporter gene can be assayed at a level of mRNA or protein, so as to measure promoter activity under the above-described conditions. The term “non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of a gene” means a region, which exists on the 5′-terminal side of the coding strand of a gene specified as stated above and is not translated into a protein. In other words, such a non-translation region means a region that is not included in what is called ORF (open reading frame). The non-translation region located upstream of 5′-terminal side of a certain gene (hereinafter referred to as a target gene) can specifically be identified using the yeast genome database. That is to say, first, a search is performed through the yeast genome database using the systematic gene name of a target gene as a key. As a result of the search, various types of information regarding the target gene are obtained. Using various types of information, the position of the target gene on a chromosome is determined. Thereafter, on the basis of the position of the target gene on a chromosome, a gene located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of the target gene (referred to as a 5′ upstream adjacent gene) is specified from the chromosome map registered in the yeast genome database. A region sandwiched between the thus specified target gene and 5′ upstream adjacent gene is a region that is neither translated into a protein, nor contains ORF. Thus, the region sandwiched between the target gene and 5′ upstream adjacent gene can be specified by the above-described processes as a non-translation region on the 5′-terminal side of the target gene. The nucleotide sequence of the thus specified non-translation region on the 5′-terminal side of the target gene can be obtained by searching information regarding total nucleotide sequences of yeast genome registered in the yeast genome database. In addition, the specified non-translation region on the 5′-terminal side of the target gene can easily be obtained by performing PCR using the genome extracted form yeast as a template and also using primers complementary to the nucleotide sequences at both termini of the above region consisting of approximately 20 nucleotides. The DNA fragment of the present invention may be either the entire non-translation region on the 5′-terminal side, or a portion of the non-translation region on 5′-terminal side as long as it has a function as a cold-inducible promoter. Moreover, the DNA fragment of the present invention may be a DNA fragment, which comprises DNA comprising a deletion, substitution or addition of one or several (for example, 1 to 10, or 1 to 5) nucleotides with respect to the above DNA fragment and has a cold-inducible promoter function. Furthermore, in the DNA fragment of the present invention included is a DNA fragment, which hybridizes with a DNA fragment consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to the above DNA fragment under stringent conditions and has a cold-inducible promoter function. Herein, when probe DNA labeled with phosphorus-32 is used, the term “stringent conditions” is used to mean hybridization performed in a hybridization solution consisting of 5×SSC (0.75 M NaCl, 0.75 M sodium citrate), 5× Denhardt's reagent (0.1% ficoll, 0.1% polyvinylpyrrolidone, 0.1% bovine serum albumin), and 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), at a temperature between 45° C. and 65° C., and preferably between 55° C. and 65° C. In addition, in a washing step, washing is performed in a washing solution consisting of 2×SSC and 0.1% SDS at a temperature between 45° C. and 55° C., and more preferably, washing is performed in a washing solution consisting of 0.1×SSC and 0.1% SDS at a temperature between 45° C. and 55° C. When probe DNA labeled with an enzyme using an AlkPhos direct labeling module kit (Amersham Biotech) is used, hybridization is carried out in a hybridization solution (containing 0.5 M NaCl and a 4% blocking reagent), the composition of which is described in a manual attached with the kit, at a temperature between 55° C. and 75° C. In addition, in a washing step, washing is performed in a first washing solution (containing 2 M urea) described in the manual attached with the kit at a temperature between 55° C. and 75° C., and then in a second washing solution at room temperature. Furthermore, other detection methods may also be applied. When other detection methods are applied, standard conditions for the applied detection method may be used. The DNA fragment of the present invention may be a DNA fragment, which comprises DNA described in the following (a) or (b) and has a cold-inducible promoter function: (a) DNA sequence A: GCTCATCG; or (b) DNA sequence B: GAGATGAG. The DNAs described in the above (a) and (b) are sequences (referred to as cis sequences) that are common in the non-translation regions located upstream of the 5′-terminal sides of genes exhibiting cold inducibility at an early stage, which are identified by the above-described method using the above-described DNA microarray. For example, regarding genes exhibiting cold inducibility at an early stage, the culture temperature is first decreased to 10° C. Then, 15 minutes later, genes whose signal is 2 times or more increased can be identified as genes exhibiting cold inducibility at an early stage. The identified 41 genes are shown in the following Table 3. TABLE 3 Systematic No. gene name 1 YDL039C 2 YNL141W 3 YDL037C 4 YKR075C 5 YER056C 6 YOL124C 7 YDR492W 8 YLR413W 9 YCR072C 10 YOR095C 11 YNL175C 12 YDR398W 13 YGR283C 14 YBR296C 15 YDR184C 16 YOR338W 17 YAL025C 18 YOR063W 19 YIL096C 20 YER127W 21 YBL042C 22 YDL063C 23 YOR360C 24 YHR196W 25 YNL065W 26 YHR066W 27 YLR407W 28 YOR101W 29 YNL112W 30 YGR159C 31 YGL055W 32 YNR053C 33 YPL093W 34 YHR170W 35 YHR148W 36 YBR034C 37 YOL010W 38 YKL078W 39 YMR290C 40 YDR101C 41 YBL054W Table 3 shows numbers from 1 to 41 imparted to 41 genes in association with systematic gene names thereof As in the case of Table 2, these systematic gene names correspond to the names registered as systematic names in the above-described yeast genome database. Subsequently, using Gene Spring (Silicon Genetics), cis sequences existing between the ORF and 600 bp upstream of individual genes are searched. As a result, common DNA sequences existing in some of these genes can be obtained. Specifically, the above DNA sequence A is a common cis sequence that can be found in YNL112W, YGR159C, YGL055W, YNR053C, YPL093W, YHR170W, and YHR148W (which correspond to Nos. 29 to 35 in Table 3), and the above DNA sequence B is a common cis sequence that can be found in YBR034C, YOL010W, YKL078W, YMR290C, YDR101C, and YBL054W (which correspond to Nos. 36 to 41 in Table 3). Further, the above DNA fragment may be a DNA fragment, which comprises DNA comprising a deletion, substitution or addition of one or several nucleotides (for example, 1 to 3) with respect to the above DNA fragment, and has a cold-inducible promoter function. Furthermore, a DNA fragment comprising DNA hybridizing with a DNA fragment consisting of a nucleotide sequence complementary to the above DNA fragment under stringent conditions and having a cold-inducible promoter function may also be included in the DNA fragment of the present invention. Herein, when probe DNA labeled with phosphorus-32 is used, the term “stringent conditions” is used to mean hybridization performed in a hybridization solution consisting of 5×SSC (0.75 M NaCl, 0.75 M sodium citrate), 5× Denhardt's reagent (0.1% ficoll, 0.1% polyvinylpyrrolidone, 0.1% bovine serum albumin), and 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), at a temperature between 45° C. and 65° C., and preferably between 55° C. and 65° C. In addition, in a washing step, washing is performed in a washing solution consisting of 2×SSC and 0.1% SDS at a temperature between 45° C. and 55° C., and more preferably, washing is performed in a washing solution consisting of 0.1×SSC and 0.1% SDS at a temperature between 45° C. and 55° C. When probe DNA labeled with an enzyme using an AlkPhos direct labeling module kit (Amersham Biotech) is used, hybridization is carried out in a hybridization solution (containing 0.5 M NaCl and a 4% blocking reagent), the composition of which is described in a manual attached with the kit, at a temperature between 55° C. and 75° C. In addition, in a washing step, washing is performed in a first washing solution (containing 2 M urea) described in a manual attached with the kit at a temperature between 55° C. and 75° C., and then in a second washing solution at room temperature. Furthermore, other detection methods may also be applied. When other detection methods are applied, standard conditions for the applied detection method may be used. Once the nucleotide sequence of the DNA fragment of the present invention is established, then the DNA fragment of the present invention can be obtained by chemical synthesis, by performing PCR using the cloned probe as a template, or by hybridization of a DNA fragment having the above nucleotide sequence as a probe. Moreover, even in the case of a mutant of the DNA fragment of the present invention, a site-directed mutagenesis or other techniques can be applied, so as to synthesize a fragment having the same functions as those of a DNA fragment before mutation. In order to introduce mutation into the DNA fragment of the present invention, known methods such as Kunkel method or Gapped duplex method, or methods equivalent thereto, can be applied. For example, mutation can be introduced by using a kit for introducing mutation (e.g. Mutant-K (manufactured by Takara) or Mutant G (manufactured by Takara)) using the site-directed mutagenesis, or by using a series of LA PCR in vitro Mutagenesis kits manufactured by Takara. The expression vector of the present invention can be obtained by inserting the DNA fragment of the present invention into a suitable vector. A vector into which the DNA fragment of the present invention is inserted is not particularly limited, as long as it can replicate itself in a host. Examples of such a vector may include a plasmid, a shuttle vector, and a helper plasmid. When a vector has no self-replicating ability, a DNA fragment, which can replicate itself when it is inserted into the chromosome of a host, may be used. Examples of plasmid DNA may include plasmids derived from Escherichia coli (e.g. pBR322, pBR325, pUC118, pUC119, pUC18, pUC19, and pBluescript), plasmids derived from Bacillus subtilis (e.g. pUB110 and pTP5), and plasmids derived from yeast (e.g. YEp system such as YEp13, and YCp system such as YCp50). Examples of phage DNA may include λ phages (e.g. Charon 4A, Charon 21A, EMBL 3, EMBL 4, λ gt10, λ gt11, and λ ZAP). Moreover, animal viruses such as retrovirus or vaccinia virus, and insect viruses such as baculovirus, may also be used as viral vectors. In order to insert the DNA fragment of the present invention into a vector, a method comprising, first cleaving the purified DNA with suitable restriction enzymes, and then inserting the obtained DNA portion into a restriction site or multicloning site of suitable vector DNA, and ligating it to the vector, is applied. Otherwise, it may also be possible that both vector and the DNA fragment of the present invention be allowed to have a portion of homologous regions, and that both be ligated by the in vitro method using PCR and the like, or by the in vivo method using yeast and the like. The expression vector of the present invention may further comprise a foreign gene or foreign DNA fragment, which is inserted downstream of the DNA fragment of the present invention. A method of inserting such a foreign gene or foreign DNA fragment into a vector is the same as the method of inserting the DNA fragment of the present invention into a vector. Any protein or peptide may be used as such a foreign gene located downstream of the DNA fragment of the present invention in the expression vector of the present invention. An example may be a protein that is particularly suitable for production at a low temperature. More specifically, examples of such a protein may include an antifreeze protein functioning at a low temperature, a cold-active enzyme that is thermolabile and is likely to denature due to heat, and a fluorescent protein GFP. Furthermore, examples of a foreign DNA fragment located downstream of the DNA fragment of the present invention may include antisense RNA and ribozyme, wherein RNA functions by itself. The transformant of the present invention can be obtained by introducing the expression vector of the present invention into a host. A host is not particularly limited herein, as long as it can allow a promoter and a foreign gene to express. In the present invention, an example of the host may be yeast. Examples of such yeast may include Saccharomyces cerevisiae, experimental yeast, brewer's yeast, edible yeast, and industrial yeast. A method of introducing the expression vector of the present invention into yeast is not particularly limited, as long as it is a method of introducing DNA into yeast. Examples of such a method may include electroporation, the spheroplast method, and the lithium acetate method. In addition, it may also be a yeast transformation method, which involves substitution or insertion into a chromosome, using a vector such as YIp system or a DNA sequence homologous to a certain region in a chromosome. Furthermore, any methods described in common experimental manuals or scientific papers may be applied as methods of introducing the expression vector of the present invention into a yeast cell. The expression vector of the present invention is not only introduced into the aforementioned yeast hosts, but it can be also introduced into bacteria belonging to the genus Escherichia such as Escherichia coli, the genus Bacillus such as Bacillus subtilis, or the genus Pseudomonas such as Pseudomonas putida, animal cells such as COS cells, insect cells such as Sf9, or plants belonging to Brassicaceae, so as to obtain a transformant. When a bacterium is used as a host, it is preferable that the expression vector of the present invention be able to self-replicate in the bacterium, and also that it be composed of the DNA fragment of the present invention, a ribosome-binding sequence, a gene of interest, and a transcription termination sequence. In addition, a gene regulating a promoter may also be comprised in the expression vector. A method of introducing the expression vector of the present invention into a bacterium is not particularly limited, as long as it is a method of introducing DNA into a bacterium. Examples of such a method may include a method of using calcium ions and electroporation. When an animal cell is used as a host, a monkey cell COS-7, Vero, a Chinese hamster ovary cell (CHO cell), a mouse L cell, or the like is used. Examples of a method of introducing the expression vector of the present invention into an animal cell may include electroporation, the calcium phosphate method, and lipofection. When an insect cell is used as a host, an Sf9 cell or the like is used. Examples of a method of introducing the expression vector of the present invention into an insect cell may include the calcium phosphate method, lipofection, and electroporation. When a plant is used as a host, a plant body as a whole, a plant organ (e.g. a leaf, a petal, a stem, a root, and a seed), a plant tissue (e.g. epidermis, phloem, parenchyma, xylem, and vascular bundle), a plant cultured cell, or the like is used. Examples of a method of introducing the expression vector of the present invention into a plant may include electroporation, the Agrobacterium method, particle gun, and the PEG method. Incorporation of a gene into a host can be confirmed by PCR, Southern hybridization, Northern hybridization, and other methods. For example, DNA is prepared from a transformant, DNA-specific primers are designed, and PCR is then carried out. Thereafter, the amplified product is subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, capillary electrophoresis, etc., followed by staining with ethidium bromide, SYBR Green solution, or the like. Thereafter, the amplified product is detected as a single band, so as to confirm that transformation has been carried out. Also, PCR can be carried out using primers that have previously been labeled with fluorescent dye or the like, so as to detect an amplified product. Further, a method of binding an amplified product to a solid phase such as a microplate, and then confirming the amplified product by a fluorescent or enzyme reaction may also be adopted. The method of the present invention for producing a protein comprises: introducing into a host an expression vector comprising the DNA fragment of the present invention and a foreign gene ligated downstream of the above DNA fragment, so as to prepare a transformant; and decreasing a culture temperature and culturing the transformant at the decreased temperature, so as to produce a protein encoded by the foreign gene located downstream thereof. An example of such a culture temperature may be 10° C. or lower. Since, for example, among cold-active enzymes or antifreeze proteins which some organisms living in a low temperature area have, these cold-active enzymes or antifreeze proteins can be extremely thermolabile, they may be denatured when they are produced at an ordinary temperature. In such a case, an expression vector, which comprises a gene encoding the aforementioned cold-active enzyme or antifreeze protein that is ligated downstream of the cold-inducible promoter of the present invention, is introduced into yeast, and the temperature in this system is decreased from approximately 30° C. as an optimal culture temperature for yeast to a lower temperature (for example, 10° C.), so that the amount of mRNA corresponding to the gene ligated downstream of the DNA fragment of the present invention can be increased and that an expression system for efficiently expressing an active protein can be constructed. When a protein (enzyme) to be produced causes cell damage, such as the case of protease, since it inhibits the growth of a recombinant, it is extremely difficult to produce such a protein (enzyme). In this case, according to the protein production method of the present invention, a recombinant is first allowed to grow, while the production amount of a foreign gene product is limited at an optimal culture temperature (approximately 30° C.). Thereafter, at the time when a sufficient amount of cell mass is obtained, the temperature can be decreased, thereby inducibly producing a foreign gene product while suppressing cytotoxicity. Moreover, with regard to a fluorescent protein GFP that has frequently been used for kinetic analysis of intracellular proteins or biomonitoring in recent years, it has been known that when the protein is produced in a recombinant, it requires a maturation process of changing its structure into a protein structure for emitting fluorescence. It is considered that this maturation process is promoted at a low temperature. As a matter of fact, when the protein is produced at a temperature lower than the ordinary culture temperature, a higher amount of fluorescence can be obtained (Matsuzaki et al., a supplementary volume of Jikken Igaku, post genome jidai no jikken koza 3, “GFP to bioimaging,” Yodosha Co., Ltd., (2000) pp. 31-37). Thus, the protein production method of the present invention enables biomonitoring whereby GFP is used at higher sensitivity. Moreover, the method of the present invention for regulating RNA production comprises: preparing an expression vector comprising the DNA fragment of the present invention and a foreign DNA fragment ligated downstream of the above DNA fragment; introducing the expression vector into a host, so as to prepare a transformant; and decreasing a culture temperature and culturing the transformant at the decreased temperature, so that RNA production can be regulated by the foreign DNA fragment located downstream thereof. An example of such a culture temperature may be 10° C. or lower. For example, an expression vector, which comprises the cold-inducible promoter of the present invention and a gene encoding antisense RNA to a specific gene ligated downstream of the above promoter, is introduced into yeast, and the temperature in this system is decreased from approximately 30° C. as an optimal culture temperature for yeast to a lower temperature (for example, 10° C.), so that the amount of antisense RNA corresponding to the gene ligated downstream of the DNA fragment of the present invention can be increased and that the expression of the specific gene can be regulated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of HSP12 mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 2 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of DBP2 mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 3 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of NSR1 mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 4 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of AAH1 mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 5 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of YKR075C mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 6 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of OLE1 mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 7 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of ACT1 mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 8 shows the structure of a plasmid obtained by ligating a DNA fragment having a DBP2 promoter function upstream of the 5′-terminal side of EGFP DNA, using pUG35-MET25 as a reporter vector. The position of a DNA sequence A (GCTCATCG) and the positions of Inverse PCR primers for removing the above DNA sequence (wherein RPC19-DBP2 IGR-cis F and RPC19-DBP2 IGR-cis R are abbreviated as DBP2-cis F and DBP2-cis R, respectively) are also shown in the figure; FIG. 9 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when a DNA fragment having a DBP2 promoter function is ligated to EGFP DNA and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 10 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when a DNA fragment having a DBP2 promoter function is ligated in the direction opposite to EGFP DNA and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 11 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when a DNA fragment having an HMT1 promoter function is ligated to EGFP DNA and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 12 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when a DNA fragment having an HMT1 promoter function is ligated in the direction opposite to EGFP DNA and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 13 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when a DNA fragment having an HSP12 promoter function is ligated to EGFP DNA and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 14 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when a DNA fragment having an HSP12 promoter function is ligated in the direction opposite to EGFP DNA and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 15 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA, which is obtained, when a DNA fragment having a modified DBP2 promoter function (right) obtained by removing a DNA sequence A (GCTCATCG) from a DNA fragment having a DBP2 promoter function comprising the above DNA sequence A and a native DNA fragment having a DBP2 promoter function (left) are used, and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 16 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA, which is obtained, when a DNA fragment having a modified HMT1 promoter function (right) obtained by removing a DNA sequence B (GAGATGAG) from a DNA fragment having an HMT1 promoter function comprising the above DNA sequence B and a native DNA fragment having a HMT1 promoter function (left) are used, and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 17 shows, in the upper case, a plasmid construct comprising an ADH1 promoter, a TDH3 promoter, or a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, and in the middle and lower cases, the results of Northern blotting analysis, which is performed to compare the transcriptional activity of a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function with the transcriptional activities of an ADH1 promoter and a TDH3 promoter in yeast. The amount of EGFP mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 18 shows, in the upper case, a plasmid construct comprising a TDH3 promoter or a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, and in the lower case, the results of Western blotting analysis, which is performed to compare the protein-producing ability of a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function with the protein-producing ability of a TDH3 promoter in yeast. The amount of an EGFP protein is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 19 shows, in the upper case, an expression plasmid construct, which is obtained by inserting an expression cassette comprising a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, the ORF of EGFP, and a CYC1 terminator, into pUG35 having a centromere as a replication origin, pYES2 having 2μ as a replication origin, or pYEX-BX having 2μ as a replication origin and having a weak leucine synthetase gene (leu2-d), from each of which an original promoter has been removed, and in the middle and lower cases, the results of Northern blotting analysis showing the fact that the ability of the transcriptional activation of a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function does not depend on the structure of a plasmid in itself. The amount of EGFP mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 20 shows the results of SDS-PAGE analysis showing the fact that the protein-producing ability of a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function does not depend on the structure of a plasmid in itself The amount of an EGFP protein is represented by the density and size of a band indicated with an arrow in each lane; FIG. 21 shows the results of SDS-PAGE analysis showing the fact that the protein-producing ability of a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function does not depend on the type of yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The amount of an EGFP protein is represented by the density and size of a band indicated with an arrow in each lane; FIG. 22 shows the results of SDS-PAGE analysis showing the fact that the protein-producing ability of an expression vector comprising a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function is more excellent than that of the existing expression vector of yeast. The amount of an EGFP protein is represented by the density and size of a band indicated with an arrow in each lane; FIG. 23 shows the results of SDS-PAGE analysis showing the fact that the protein-producing ability of an expression vector comprising a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function is induced in a wide low temperature range. The amount of an EGFP protein is represented by the density and size of a band indicated with an arrow in each lane; FIG. 24 shows the results of Western blotting analysis showing the fact that a cassette comprising an HSP12 promoter, the ORF of EGFP, and a CYC1 terminator was incorporated into methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris, so that an EGRP protein was inducibly produced in Pichia pastoris at a low temperature; FIG. 25 shows the results of Western blotting analysis showing the fact that an antifreeze protein RD3 is expressed as a soluble protein by a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function. The amount of an RD3 protein is represented by the density and size of a band in each lane; and FIG. 26 shows results obtained by expressing two types of fluorescent proteins, ECFP and DsRed by cold induction using pLTex321. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION EXAMPLES The present invention will be further specifically described in the following examples. However, the examples are not intended to limit the technical scope of the invention. Example 1 Identification of Cold-Inducible Gene A yeast strain, Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH500 (purchased from Stratagene) was inoculated into 10 ml of YEPD medium (2% bactopeptone, 1% bactoyeast extract, 2% glucose), using an inoculating loop, followed by a shake culture at 30° C. for 2 days. 5 ml of the obtained culture solution was then inoculated into 1,000 ml of YEPD medium, followed by a shake culture at 30° C., until the absorbance at 600 nm became approximately 2 (Culture solution 1). Fifty ml of a solution was separated from Culture solution 1, and cells were collected (a pre-low temperature treatment sample). The yeast cell mass was then frozen with liquid nitrogen, and the frozen cell mass was conserved at −80° C. in a deep freezer, until the time when RNA was prepared. The residue of Culture solution 1 was rapidly immersed in a shake water bath, which had previously been set at 10° C., and it was shaken for 30 minutes for quenching. Subsequently, the resultant product was transferred to a low temperature thermostat, which had previously been set at 10° C., and a shake culture was continuously carried out at 10° C. The time when the culture solution was immersed in a shake water bath at 10° C. was determined at 0 minute, and 50 ml each of the culture solution (a post-low temperature treatment sample) was separated by the same method as described above, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 2 hours, 4 hours, and 8 hours later. Every time, a yeast cell mass was recovered and conserved at −80° C. Preparation of RNA from the recovered yeast cell mass was carried out by the hot phenol method. Ten ml of an NaOAc/SDS solution (20 mM NaOAc (pH 5.5), 0.5% SDS, 1 mM EDTA), which had previously been heated to 65° C., was added to the recovered yeast cell mass. Thereafter, 20 mM NaOAc (pH 5.5)-saturated phenol, which had been heated to 65° C., was further added thereto. The mixture was fully stirred at 65° C. for 10 minutes, and it was then cooled on ice for 5 minutes. The mixture was centrifuged to recover a water phase, and 30 ml of ethanol was then added thereto, followed by cooling at −80° C. for 30 minutes. The resultant product was centrifuged to recover RNA. After a supernatant was discarded, 70% ethanol was added to the residue to wash it. The resultant product was centrifuged again, so that RNA was recovered as a precipitate. The obtained RNA was dissolved in 1 ml of NaOAc/SDS, followed by performing phenol extraction twice. Subsequently, 500 μl of 2-propanol was added thereto, and the mixture was then cooled at −80° C. for 20 minutes. Thereafter, the mixture was centrifuged to recover RNA. The residue was washed with 70% ethanol, as described above. RNA recovered as a precipitate was dissolved in 200 μl of NaOAc/SDS, and ethanol precipitation and washing with 70% ethanol were carried out, as described above. Finally, RNA was dissolved in 200 μl of distilled water. Qiagen RNeasy Mini Kit (Qiagen) was used to eliminate small molecule RNA, and RNA was purified in accordance with the protocol attached with the kit. DNA labeled with fluorescent dye was produced using 15 μg of the thus prepared yeast total RNA and 5 μg of oligo (dT) in accordance with the manual prepared by DNA Chip Research Inc. As fluorescent dye markers, Cy3-dUTP (a pre-low temperature treatment sample) and Cy5-dUTP (a post-low temperature treatment sample), which were manufactured by Amersham Biotech, were used. Hybridization of a DNA microarray with a labeled cDNA was carried out in accordance with the manual prepared by DNA Chip Research Inc. Hybridization was carried out. The washed DNA microarray was analyzed using GenePix4000A and Gene Pix Pro programs manufactured by Axon. The intensities of fluorescences derived from Cy3 and Cy5, which hybridized with each gene spotted on the DNA microarray, were measured. Thereafter, the obtained data was analyzed using a Gene Spring program manufactured by Silicon Genetics, so as to carry out the equalization, standardization, and time series analysis of the data. The operations were carried out in accordance with a manual attached with the program. As a result of the analysis, a gene spot, regarding which the fluorescence intensity of Cy5 (a post-low temperature treatment sample) was 3 times or more higher than that of Cy3 (a pre-low temperature treatment sample) at any time of 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 2 hours, 4 hours, and 8 hours, was determined to be a gene controlled by a cold-inducible promoter. Using an arrangement plan of genes provided from DNA Chip Research Inc., the name of the gene was specified. The thus identified genes which are novel as a cold-inducible gene are shown in the following Table 4. TABLE 4 Genes exhibiting 3 times or more of cold inducibility Systematic Common 0.25 hr 0.5 hr 2 hr 4 hr 8 hr No. gene name name (Normalized) (Normalized) (Normalized) (Normalized) (Normalized) 1 YAL014C 1.0033 1.38948 1.72818 2.9439597 4.03293 2 YAL015C NTG1 1.30889 1.37036 2.00195 2.6074 3.3652697 3 YAL025C MAK16 2.23906 3.4162998 2.42264 1.12295 0.8204 4 YAL034C FUN19 0.6976 0.74361 2.20462 4.08124 1.68092 5 YBL048W 0.88448 0.8266 1.09091 2.02884 3.3299603 6 YBL049W 1.03575 1.05359 1.34462 2.65459 4.5075 7 YBL054W 2.15287 3.11488 1.74043 0.62387 0.52929 8 YBL056W PTC3 1.1519 1.17583 2.13383 2.88587 4.9089103 9 YBL065W 0.86021 0.96902 1.54386 2.37517 4.7262497 10 YBL078C AUT7 1.18513 1.2101 1.48343 2.94463 5.8092504 11 YBR016W 0.98765 0.9521 1.62529 3.0799499 2.9415097 12 YBR018C GAL7 0.66284 0.62314 0.7807 1.93283 3.0417998 13 YBR024W SCO2 1.24344 1.20799 1.80866 3.0938697 3.6857402 14 YBR034C HMT1 2.63514 3.09186 0.81714 0.6994 15 YBR045C GIP1 0.95867 1.00611 2.66207 5.17561 3.44039 16 YBR047W 1.05117 0.92493 1.34783 2.19222 3.0629797 17 YBR050C REG2 1.54439 2.35019 4.04587 6.1531 1.82178 18 YBR072W HSP26 1.14509 1.03625 0.67711 1.38069 3.6218097 19 YBR116C 0.8781 0.90162 0.87838 5.7050705 7.27097 20 YBR117C TKL2 0.86577 0.81363 2 3.31154 7.0771995 21 YBR126C TPS1 0.91332 0.74795 1.15979 2.61072 3.6894302 22 YBR148W YSW1 0.89222 1.07221 1.66102 3.1233997 1.70299 23 YBR199W KTR4 1.0203 0.98227 1.44268 1.95379 3.15104 24 YBR223C 0.88953 0.87627 1.36441 3.0317502 3.5880897 25 YBR296C PHO89 2.39344 5.2771997 8.24286 6.0016 1.35429 26 YBR297W MAL33 1.6135 2.16031 1.89716 2.53522 4.09979 27 YBR298C MAL31 1.03296 1.30158 1.65693 2.67207 3.10517 28 YBR301W 0.87094 0.98242 1.74468 3.0934799 2.27173 29 YCL051W LRE1 0.77913 0.98816 2.06154 3.2779498 3.2061903 30 YCR005C CIT2 0.84784 0.8432 1.74417 2.0718 3.03626 31 YCR072C 2.54439 3.15586 1.28448 0.40795 0.59545 32 YCR107W AAD3 1.36231 1.59594 1.75516 2.30492 4.79259 33 YDL022W GPD1 0.95536 0.88068 1.64979 3.97264 3.5084 34 YDL024C DIA3 0.88413 0.75221 1.36538 2.46758 3.6631303 35 YDL031W DBP10 1.61122 2.08052 3.27619 2.20487 1.43297 36 YDL037C 3.0142403 2.70624 0.3301 0.14693 0.47497 37 YDL039C PRM7 4.11342 4.6858206 0.46122 0.18271 0.12441 38 YDL059C RAD59 1.27384 1.32102 2.01786 3.62362 6.0652 39 YDL070W BDF2 1.0365 1.44972 2.60526 2.71815 3.20639 40 YDL075W RPL31A 1.56944 2.0143 3.0091102 2.4121 0.75203 41 YDL113C 0.97938 0.92197 1.28113 2.10491 3.54966 42 YDL115C 1.0908 1.15849 1.37566 1.99613 3.00302 43 YDL125C HNT1 1.22652 1.30884 3.05383 4.68391 8.5493 44 YDL169C UGX2 1.2128 1.28893 2.17714 4.49506 1.66542 45 YDL204W 0.9393 0.73074 1.38918 5.69632 9.932331 46 YDL243C AAD4 1.45847 1.67523 1.94364 2.48658 4.03121 47 YDR003W 1.04936 1.11417 1.96771 2.83599 3.64743 48 YDR018C 1.08121 1.19178 1.31746 2.47958 4.25155 49 YDR056C 1.15346 1.17336 2.27527 3.2575502 3.2205 50 YDR070C 1.02834 0.86121 1.02096 4.63736 11.93918 51 YDR111C 1.34719 1.391 1.91391 3.1618202 4.73053 52 YDR174W HMO1 1.1481 1.36264 1.92944 2.88877 3.26418 53 YDR184C ATC1 2.3198 3.3462002 1.25904 0.76762 0.6323 54 YDR219C 1.14019 1.30057 2.38916 2.91331 3.7844203 55 YDR253C MET32 0.88377 0.92164 1.01786 1.74309 3.23206 56 YDR256C CTA1 1.00678 1.3297 1.0625 2.19923 5.23997 57 YDR262W 1.00281 1.13639 1.90785 2.68828 3.6677098 58 YDR306C 1.03452 0.97753 2.19792 3.3892598 4.26821 59 YDR336W 1.46868 1.70028 2.3625 3.4174497 1.51793 60 YDR346C 1.48413 2.06148 3.6093798 3.1203103 2.72309 61 YDR387C 0.78635 0.72793 1.51411 2.63446 3.0599303 62 YDR398W 2.50124 3.5828202 2.09428 0.81503 0.47692 63 YDR435C PPM1 1.19833 1.26417 1.83004 2.43209 3.35998 64 YDR453C 1.02314 0.89832 1.0219 3.6123 4.25316 65 YDR471W RPL27B 1.50493 2.08128 3.1332302 1.31769 0.42956 66 YDR492W 2.58023 6.62935 13.0743 10.20106 5.89573 67 YDR496C 1.93937 3.0013602 3.0263703 1.37132 0.60135 68 YDR504C 1.00437 1.03392 1.58559 2.33226 3.02352 69 YDR516C 0.81438 0.69661 1.57257 2.9018703 3.2232897 70 YDR530C APA2 1.02962 1.13114 1.66489 3.4215798 3.88631 71 YDR542W 0.92785 1.2273 1.625 3.1067197 2.69385 72 YEL011W GLC3 0.96412 0.75124 2.88229 7.0288205 11.758249 73 YEL039C CYC7 0.92893 0.73858 1.17658 3.8259 3.18927 74 YEL072W 1.19934 1.57944 4.93791 8.34776 12.152559 75 YER020W GPA2 0.95994 1.08487 2.46207 3.864 2.30808 76 YER042W MXR1 1.35873 1.35649 1.62658 2.16199 3.4200802 77 YER053C 0.99461 0.85507 1.66765 3.3705401 4.5278196 78 YER056C FCY2 2.64863 3.2977998 1.35123 0.32066 0.22148 79 YER065C ICL1 1.17778 1.66126 2.44286 2.98419 4.15741 80 YER066W 0.78102 0.87729 2.92213 4.50196 4.60095 81 YER067W 0.50699 0.62875 3.71825 7.8568697 8.223431 82 YER078C 1.03939 1.09121 2.2375 3.31545 1.94628 83 YER079W 0.85437 0.82674 1.50259 3.6082 1.96935 84 YER117W RPL23B 1.51201 1.94439 3.17666 2.00212 0.83311 85 YER150W SPI1 0.84877 0.77781 1.29897 2.80709 3.0019 86 YFL014W HSP12 1.20927 0.9725 0.87215 2.46087 9.3936205 87 YFL030W 1.13982 1.11851 1.65561 2.55246 3.8397 88 YFL055W AGP3 1.00927 1.30234 4.47706 10.714099 18.273357 89 YFL056C AAD6 1.16193 1.32224 1.62179 2.41718 3.5401 90 YFL057C 1.31235 1.54697 1.78583 2.65886 4.9862905 91 YFR014C CMK1 1.23873 1.40431 1.78136 2.79512 4.85549 92 YFR015C GSY1 0.80209 0.61885 1.56667 3.61418 2.04716 93 YFR017C 0.75176 0.65432 1.81091 3.7296097 4.3214703 94 YFR053C HXK1 1.0097 1.14979 3.8469803 4.8080006 4.44604 95 YGL029W CGR1 1.47899 2.80426 3.41014 2.20962 1.07818 96 YGL033W HOP2 0.88809 0.8757 0.86 1.82706 3.46097 97 YGL045W 0.84499 0.88588 1.675 3.94022 3.7547197 98 YGL075C MPS2 0.92903 0.96407 1.08609 1.9752 3.1905599 99 YGL122C NAB2 0.81065 0.98731 2.9251502 3.3459601 4.15031 100 YGL135W RPL1B 1.54394 1.91542 3.12628 2.31277 1.20963 101 YGL179C TOS3 0.92586 0.97704 3.6000001 5.87365 4.88168 102 YGL184C STR3 0.93984 0.96212 1.01517 1.91628 3.90721 103 YGL255W ZRT1 1.94464 2.8635201 3.5871997 4.1866007 10.74703 104 YGL261C 0.93717 1.04224 1.66667 3.0096 3.47758 105 YGR008C STF2 1.01723 0.82271 2.60458 6.17081 12.13232 106 YGR043C 1.10852 1.05999 1.22387 4.53298 12.765181 107 YGR053C 0.87555 0.85445 1.38938 1.89862 3.0796297 108 YGR088W CTT1 0.73144 0.5275 2.61392 8.44166 9.138019 109 YGR102C 1.02841 1.10224 0.92 1.99894 3.01003 110 YGR154C 1.08783 1.16426 1.53119 2.40742 4.68076 111 YGR197C SNG1 1.00376 1.1192 2.2019 3.2474 3.1514597 112 YGR222W PET54 1.26054 1.42349 1.60366 2.08335 3.08212 113 YGR223C 1.19349 1.26046 2.53929 3.2797003 3.1076899 114 YGR251W 1.6456 2.2153 2.10687 1.95891 3.09891 115 YGR256W GND2 1.00473 0.91066 0.80725 1.505 3.26524 116 YGR262C 1.1995 1.26261 1.58052 2.31353 3.66908 117 YGR286C BIO2 1.27075 1.81795 4.17834 4.07809 2.96402 118 YGR294W 0.95577 1.15384 2.4 3.1283402 1.82326 119 YHL016C DUR3 0.87458 1.24974 3.37398 1.98922 1.26147 120 YHL021C 0.53181 0.33107 1.4273 3.25184 3.4255702 121 YHL036W MUP3 0.96214 1.05319 2.00749 2.55455 3.1350303 122 YHL046C 0.88892 1.08159 2.48555 3.8127797 3.1550698 123 YHR066W SSF1 2.03287 3.06945 1.28049 0.39122 0.42343 124 YHR087W 0.96424 0.85725 1.97701 8.501441 11.07285 125 YHR138C 1.38952 1.42322 3.06207 3.10159 4.42282 126 YHR139C SPS100 0.98016 1.02298 2.97178 10.10476 17.492609 127 YHR141C RPL42B 1.67425 2.11846 3.2603197 1.71907 0.50346 128 YHR146W 0.73244 1.10551 1.84584 3.1886997 3.3606603 129 YIL036W CST6 1.0246 1.11707 2.81361 3.82443 3.8948402 130 YIL045W PIG2 0.71006 0.52756 1.42746 3.0158298 2.69356 131 YIL069C RPS24B 1.74011 2.2868 3.1866403 1.75181 0.68099 132 YIL077C 1.10246 1.15074 2.4375 3.40083 2.0907 133 YIL107C PFK26 0.90527 0.77253 1.14115 2.4408 3.8814597 134 YIL136W OM45 0.84002 0.71072 0.72702 2.82218 3.83757 135 YIL143C SSL2 1.12017 1.16916 2.10938 2.7908301 3.29 136 YIL153W RRD1 0.89555 0.93818 1.50312 2.78051 3.1932 137 YJL132W 0.87519 0.78836 1.25191 1.77312 3.03586 138 YJL155C FBP26 0.95693 0.91742 1.43721 2.23459 4.2299094 139 YJL223C PAU1 0.94032 1.07645 2.33929 4.01076 3.37687 140 YJR085C 1.22341 1.13732 1.30019 1.75168 3.03429 141 YJR155W AAD10 1.11394 1.16776 1.52716 2.03351 3.72837 142 YKL026C GPX1 1.0308 0.96926 2.38347 4.73596 8.17473 143 YKL070W 1.77472 3.02877 7.3672304 13.586381 14.590239 144 YKL071W 1.36053 1.46881 1.66965 2.03659 3.51212 145 YKL078W 2.37036 3.2950103 1.38636 0.90211 0.7957 146 YKL087C CYT2 1.08878 1.13993 1.52257 2.52182 4.00504 147 YKL089W MIF2 0.9988 0.93813 1.48333 3.3537698 3.56049 148 YKL090W 0.95164 1.0171 1.17553 3.4655097 2.18442 149 YKL091C 0.75033 0.54752 1.17633 3.13907 4.35414 150 YKL094W YJU3 1.11442 1.15337 1.49033 2.88253 5.11229 151 YKL103C LAP4 1.11797 1.18683 1.50443 2.29227 3.98024 152 YKL125W RRN3 1.28447 1.13671 1.45736 2.11759 3.15104 153 YKL150W MCR1 0.98958 0.91165 1.66348 3.1258898 4.36814 154 YKL151C 1.02779 0.87802 1.28317 2.40705 3.64677 155 YKL162C 0.90755 1.10725 1.61719 2.48505 5.47137 156 YKL187C 0.95593 1.04668 6.15217 22.404268 15.74071 157 YKL224C 0.89848 1.12533 2.81176 3.25963 2.08497 158 YKR049C 1.25539 1.2027 1.75 3.07264 2.44532 159 YKR075C 3.0095403 3.27039 0.50806 0.95682 0.91958 160 YKR077W 1.14206 1.71613 1.91304 4.17779 2.21691 161 YKR100C 0.91584 1.08788 1.70127 2.34189 3.0141 162 YLL055W 1.13227 1.26922 3.6136997 3.98156 4.27876 163 YLL056C 0.98863 1.09245 2.02424 4.75816 7.3932605 164 YLR009W 1.60275 2.40353 3.1268404 1.1439 0.41884 165 YLR145W 0.97333 1.2659 1.44364 4.03507 3.76035 166 YLR149C 0.63981 0.81805 1.11078 2.54315 3.70763 167 YLR164W 0.7098 0.64934 1.0303 3.7946599 3.82147 168 YLR251W 0.80386 0.68135 0.7995 1.78338 3.56716 169 YLR252W 0.88886 0.75325 0.93727 1.98089 3.0293598 170 YLR266C 1.12845 1.25712 1.67885 2.21115 3.2613397 171 YLR311C 0.9542 1.0924 1.99216 3.5065703 5.76001 172 YLR312C 1.12083 1.11103 2.60448 4.70583 7.24224 173 YLR327C 0.69919 0.88948 1.2234 3.0811 1.38007 174 YLR413W 2.57574 3.95178 3.42857 1.36255 0.67484 175 YLR421C RPN13 1.27411 1.25963 1.62864 2.07345 3.52192 176 YML004C GLO1 1.0562 1.13595 1.15769 2.08466 3.8888502 177 YML128C 1.06312 0.88233 1.19443 3.34315 7.0703206 178 YML131W 1.25133 1.36287 1.6693 2.30028 4.31475 179 YMR030W 0.71059 0.81793 1.29167 3.37439 1.48566 180 YMR090W 1.25887 1.12985 1.38467 2.31588 3.95838 181 YMR100W MUB1 0.98043 1.16973 2.1046 2.71536 3.0512598 182 YMR105C PGM2 0.93366 0.67889 0.84615 2.33853 3.23185 183 YMR107W 1.05274 0.9975 3.35795 13.346421 26.729939 184 YMR139W RIM11 0.84478 0.8269 1.88423 2.86575 3.3071597 185 YMR246W FAA4 1.51515 2.70731 7.9028206 5.6360803 2.22328 186 YMR255W GFD1 0.86952 1.19143 1.6185 3.07659 1.97355 187 YMR258C 0.83821 0.75127 1.81532 2.99214 3.62522 188 YMR262W 0.91145 0.88096 1.56184 3.65197 3.4286199 189 YMR271C URA10 1.18771 1.17152 1.64009 3.0692298 6.2542396 190 YMR316W DIA1 1.14344 1.59805 3.15714 2.4773 3.35398 191 YMR320W 1.01219 1.3638 1.81944 3.53727 1.9338 192 YMR322C 1.07036 0.92294 1.04425 3.2590702 3.9411802 193 YNL011C 0.78709 0.83233 1.16337 2.48838 3.23587 194 YNL024C 1.46682 2.16135 4.9626203 6.2175603 3.3494 195 YNL112W DBP2 4.01042 6.8630104 6.7637796 3.18022 0.77863 196 YNL117W MLS1 1.01106 1.25314 1.05263 1.76615 3.1688 197 YNL124W 1.88126 3.18683 1.20395 0.32775 0.43034 198 YNL141W AAH1 3.2322798 4.3802 2.65306 0.76989 0.63074 199 YNL142W MEP2 1.11873 1.76151 3.07634 1.71723 1.73964 200 YNL178W RPS3 1.86694 2.28552 3.26319 2.9932404 1.222 201 YNL194C 0.60936 0.26556 0.54245 3.3947198 2.92208 202 YNL195C 0.77047 0.53543 0.54603 2.8285697 3.674 203 YNL213C 1.21604 1.28292 1.8547 2.64103 3.2764103 204 YNL244C SUI1 1.42833 1.67499 2.85473 3.05486 3.30479 205 YNL331C AAD14 1.27426 1.28444 1.46592 1.74846 3.3124697 206 YNR039C ZRG17 1.35281 1.43951 1.24797 1.87414 3.47606 207 YNR051C BRE5 1.02042 1.58095 2.44323 3.06008 3.4274 208 YNR053C 2.43279 3.8915102 2.9575803 0.96136 0.70268 209 YNR071C 1.4138 1.79554 2.05263 3.85069 1.97059 210 YNR075W COS10 1.01794 1.38808 3.92754 5.2499 3.21607 211 YNR076W PAU6 0.95206 1.06779 1.9951 3.30685 2.41205 212 YOL002C 1.29616 2.15787 9.937701 10.26189 2.54972 213 YOL016C CMK2 0.98959 1.09154 2.51295 2.511 3.29924 214 YOL084W PHM7 0.89374 1.06172 1.34868 3.0450897 2.44176 215 YOL101C 1.45019 2.04909 19.401777 25.94569 5.15477 216 YOL108C INO4 1.00123 1.1017 2.7381 3.71228 4.51399 217 YOL116W MSN1 0.85785 0.93227 1.41 2.236 3.92998 218 YOL124C 2.62574 3.8273304 1.82258 0.59246 0.50758 219 YOL127W RPL25 1.43301 1.79808 3.0211596 2.16872 0.60117 220 YOL132W 1.04835 1.24031 1.54286 3.106 1.38277 221 YOL153C 0.5938 0.52128 1.14079 2.9794703 3.91833 222 YOL154W 1.34726 1.6499 1.56098 3.08407 2.6685 223 YOL161C 0.96664 1.03449 2.15947 3.3816001 2.71004 224 YOL162W 0.96196 1.16852 2.69014 5.84978 2.8762603 225 YOL163W 0.96778 1.11322 2.8315797 5.91772 10.61694 226 YOL165C AAD145 1.22875 1.30924 1.71266 2.40526 3.41076 227 YOR019W 0.9127 0.89891 1.57317 3.0450897 2.8125703 228 YOR031W CRS5 0.99219 0.97751 1.31677 2.15347 4.49082 229 YOR043W WHI2 1.13856 1.49043 2.8123202 2.99276 3.5548503 230 YOR095C RKI1 2.54298 3.30516 2.6587 0.74247 0.51106 231 YOR292C 0.8462 0.8146 1.8877 3.63797 3.36628 232 YOR298W 1.13806 1.34351 2.20339 3.03402 1.37237 233 YOR391C 1.02427 0.93243 1.21622 3.1344903 4.50622 234 YOR394W 0.93912 1.01044 2.27089 3.1992402 3.01734 235 YPL004C 0.96002 0.89191 1.30196 2.85464 4.09551 236 YPL014W 0.52817 0.7035 3.98544 5.42407 2.79718 237 YPL015C HST2 0.9054 0.99103 1.71743 2.89551 3.0497203 238 YPL043W NOP4 1.46609 2.46296 3.48128 1.46577 0.92248 239 YPL054W LEE1 1.2276 1.48657 2.8826299 4.24342 4.39311 240 YPL093W NOG1 2.31796 3.42804 2.76864 0.35724 0.21256 241 YPL107W 1.20868 1.27572 1.78309 4.46614 4.12846 242 YPL122C TFB2 1.20815 1.39332 2.20091 3.24515 1.51419 243 YPL149W APG5 1.24369 1.40163 1.99367 2.35995 3.04209 244 YPL171C OYE3 1.23205 1.16524 1.72912 2.60267 3.9988701 245 YPL186C 0.93532 0.73402 1.39045 4.42236 7.3833003 246 YPL223C GRE1 1.02493 0.95208 0.96131 4.45988 19.046879 247 YPL224C MMT2 1.10505 1.2202 1.81892 2.67785 3.53972 248 YPL245W 1.25743 1.27819 1.94444 3.15968 0.71742 249 YPL250C ICY2 1.35039 1.62825 1.53159 1.8243 3.9844902 250 YPL280W 1.00028 0.8794 1.08612 3.5273502 6.96237 251 YPL281C ERR2 0.85369 0.76881 0.77273 1.15636 3.3315897 252 YPL282C 0.94257 1.01298 2.54118 3.04157 2.20817 253 YPR045C 0.90533 0.81637 1.32194 2.57976 3.18647 254 YPR061C 1.28251 1.48397 2.21667 2.86721 3.37915 255 YPR086W SUA7 1.33226 1.38649 2.12824 2.46114 3.1201 256 YPR121W THI22 0.85368 1.03169 2.96296 4.04236 2.568 257 YPR143W 1.24535 1.88597 3.25366 2.03536 1.03127 258 YPR160W GPH1 0.93853 0.73339 1.57334 3.6765997 3.65112 259 YPR200C ARR2 1.19842 1.10383 1.30505 1.7543 3.19482 Table 4 shows: systematic gene names of yeasts; common names (only in a case where such a common name is given) (wherein, with regard to these gene names and common names, please refer to the yeast genome database (Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome database; http://genome-www.stanford.edu/Saccharomyces/); and the ratios of the normalized values of fluorescence intensities of post-low temperature treatment samples at various periods of time to the normalized values of fluorescence intensities of pre-low temperature treatment samples. Example 2 Confirmation of Cold Inducibility of Cold-Inducible Gene In order to confirm the cold inducibility of each cold-inducible gene identified by DNA microarray analysis, Northern blotting analysis was carried out according to the method described in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. In order to measure the amount of RNA by Northern blotting analysis, probe DNA used to specifically detect RNA of interest was first prepared by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. In the preset example, a method of producing the DNA probe of YFL014W (HSP12), one of the cold-inducible genes identified in Example 1, will be specifically described. Using the genome DNA of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH500 strain, and an HSP12—F primer and an HSP12—R primer complementary to nucleotide sequences in the ORF of an HSP12 gene, and applying Expand High Fidelity PCR system (Roche), an HSP12 fragment consisting of approximately 330 bases was amplified with Takara PCR Thermal Cycler NP in accordance with the manual attached therewith. The sequences of the above primers are as follows. With regard to the positions of the primers, please refer to the above-described yeast genome database. HSP12-F: ATGTCTGACGCAGGTAGAAAAG (SEQ ID NO: 1) HSP12-R: TTACTTCTTGGTTGGGTCTTCTTC (SEQ ID NO: 2) PCR was carried out using 100 μl of a reaction solution containing 300 nM each primer, 200 μM dNTP (a mixed solution consisting of 4 types of deoxynucleotide triphosphate), 100 ng of the genome DNA of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH500 strain, and a buffer (1×) and 2.6 U Expand HiFi DNA polymerase attached with the Expand High Fidelity PCR system, under conditions consisting of a first step of 95° C., 2 minutes; a second step of 35 cycles consisting of 95° C., 30 seconds (denaturation), 55° C., 30 seconds (annealing), and 72° C., 1 minute (elongation); and a third step of 72° C., 5 minutes. Subsequently, the prepared HSP12 fragment was ligated to a pT7Blue T-vector (Novagen), and Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the obtained vector. Several transformants were cultured in a test tube, and a plasmid was then prepared using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit (Bio-Rad). Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. Thereafter, the obtained transformant was cultured in 80 ml of a culture solution, and a plasmid was prepared using QuantumPrep Plasmid MidiPrep kit (Bio-Rad). The nucleotide sequence of the obtained HSP12 fragment was sequenced using DNA sequencing kit (Applied Biosystems), and the obtained nucleotide sequence of the HSP12 fragment was compared with the nucleotide sequence of HSP12 in the genome database (Saccharomyces cerevisiae genome database; http://genome-www.stanford.edu/Saccharomyces/), so as to identify it. Thereafter, an HSP12 fragment was cut out of the pT7Blue T-vector containing the HSP12 fragment, using restriction enzymes. The HSP12 fragment was then separated and recovered by agarose gel electrophoresis using low melting point agarose (FMC). The thus obtained HSP12 fragment was labeled with alkaline phosphatase, using AlkPhos Direct Labeling Module (Amersham Biotech) in accordance with the protocol attached therewith. Likewise, with regard to YNL112W (DBP2), YGR159C(NSR1), YNL141W (AAH1), YKR075C, YGL055W (OLE1), and YFL039C (ACT1), the same above operations were carried out using primers complementary to nucleotide sequences in ORF, so as to produce a probe used in Northern blotting. The sequences of primers are as follows. Primers to DBP2 DBP2-F: GGATGACTTACGGTGGTAGAGATC (SEQ ID NO: 3) DBP2-R: AAGATACCTCTGGCGGCCAC (SEQ ID NO: 4) Primers to NSR1 NSR1-F: GGTAACAAGAAGGAAGTTAAGGCTTC (SEQ ID NO: 5) NSR1-R: TGTTTTCTTTGAACCAGCGAAAG (SEQ ID NO: 6) Primers to AAH1 AAH1-F: GGTTTCTGTGGAGTTTTTACAGGAG (SEQ ID NO: 7) AAH1-R: GCGAATATTTAGTGACTACTTCGTCC (SEQ ID NO: 8) Primers to YKR075C YKR075C-F: TGGACGATACAATAATTTCGTACCA (SEQ ID NO: 9) YKR075C-R: CAACCTGGTTCCTATAAAAAATGTCTT (SEQ ID NO: 10) Primers to OLE1 OLE1-F: GGAAGCTTATGCCAACTTCTGGAACTACTATT (SEQ ID NO: 11) OLE1-R: GGAAGCTTTTAAAAGAACTTACCAGTTTCGTAG (SEQ ID NO: 12) Primers to ACT1 ACT1-F: TCAAAAAGACTCCTACGTTGGTGATGAAGC (SEQ ID NO: 13) ACT1-R: CATACGCGCACAAAAGCAGAGATTAGAAAC (SEQ ID NO: 14) For NSR1, AAH1, and YKR075, PCR was carried out under the same conditions as in the above amplification of the HSP12 fragment. For DBP2, PCR was carried out under the same conditions as in the above amplification of the HSP12 fragment with the exception that the annealing temperature in the second step was changed from 55° C. to 47° C. and that the elongation reaction time (72° C.) was changed from 1 minute to 1.5 minutes. For OLE1 and ACT1, PCR was carried out using 100 μl of a reaction solution containing 200 nM each primer, 200 μM dNTP, 1 μg of the genome DNA of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH500 strain, and a 1× natural Pfu polymerase buffer (Stratagene) and 2.5 U Pfu DNA polymerase, under conditions consisting of: a first step of 94° C., 2 minutes; a second step of 25 cycles consisting of 94° C., 30 seconds (denaturation), 55° C., 30 seconds (annealing), and 72° C., 3 minutes (elongation); and a third step of 72° C., 5 minutes. It is to be noted that with regard to OLE1 and ACT1, DNA amplified by PCR was not phosphorylated, but directly subcloned into a pZErO2 vector (Invitrogen) that had previously been cleaved with EcoRV. Subsequently, 10 μg of RNA prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 was subjected to 1% denatured agarose gel electrophoresis, and RNA was then transferred to Hybond-N+(Amersham Biotech) overnight. The obtained filter was hybridized with the labeled HSP 12 fragment as prepared above in accordance with the protocol of AlkPhos Direct Labeling Module. Thereafter, using CDP-Star Detection Reagent (Amersham Biotech), the hybridized HSP12 mRNA was detected by exposure to an X-ray film, and then assayed. Likewise, using ECF Detection Module, the concentration of the purified fluorescent substance was detected with Molecular Imager FX Pro (Bio-Rad), and then assayed. The results are shown in FIG. 1. From FIG. 1, it became clear that the amount of HSP12 mRNA increased from 4 hours after the culture temperature was decreased to 10° C. Likewise, the results of Northern blotting analysis performed on DBP2, NSR1, AAH1, YKR075C, OLE1, and ACT1 are shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, respectively. In the case of DBP2, NSR1, AAH1, and YKR075C, the amount of mRNA became greater than that of a pre-low temperature treatment sample at 1 hour after the culture temperature was decreased to 10° C. In the case of OLE1 also, an increase in the amount of mRNA by a low temperature treatment was observed, and the amount of mRNA reached the maximum at 2 hours after a decrease in the culture temperature. When Northern blotting analysis was carried out on ACT1 as a negative control, the amount of mRNA of which had not been changed by a low temperature treatment in the DNA microarray, it was found that the amount of the mRNA was hardly changed by such a low temperature treatment (FIG. 7). From these results, in all the cases of HSP12, DBP2, NSR1, AAH1, YKR075C, and OLE1, an increase in the amount of mRNA by a low temperature treatment, obtained by the DNA microarray, could be confirmed by Northern blotting analysis. Accordingly, with regard to these genes, it was found that a promoter for increasing the amount of mRNA in response to a low temperature exists in the non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of each gene. Example 3 Cold Induction of DNA Sequence Located Downstream by DNA Fragment Having Cold-Inducible Promoter Function A DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function was isolated, and heterogenous DNA was ligated downstream thereof, so that the production of RNA from DNA located downstream could be induced by a low temperature treatment. This was confirmed as follows. First, a DNA fragment having a DBP2 cold-inducible promoter function was isolated. The 5′ upstream adjacent gene of DBP2 is YNL113W (RPC19). A region sandwiched between RPC19 and DBP2 (that is, a non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of DBP2) was isolated by PCR, using two primers, each consisting of 24 bases located downstream of the 3′-terminal side adjacent to the ORF of RPC19 (RPC19-DBP2 IGR F) and 28 bases located upstream of the 5′-terminal side adjacent to the ORF of DBP2 (RPC19-DBP2 IGR R), and the genome DNA of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH500 strain. The sequences of the primers are as follows. RPC19-DBP2 IGR F: ATGTTACGGATCGACTCAAAGACC (SEQ ID NO: 15) RPC19-DBP2 IGR R: ATTTGCTCTAAATTTGCCTTAATAGTGC (SEQ ID NO: 16) PCR was carried out under the same conditions as in the above amplification of the HSP12 fragment. Subsequently, the isolated DNA was inserted into the site located upstream of the ORF of an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in a reporter plasmid pUG35-MET25. It is to be noted that the pUG35-MET25 plasmid was produced by cleaving pUG35 (http://www.mips.biochem.mpg.de/proj/yeast/info/tools/index.html) with XbaI and SacI, and blunt-ending the cleaved portion with T4 DNA polymerase, followed by the self-cyclization of the obtained product. The pUG35-MET25 plasmid was cleaved with SalI, and then converted into a blunt end with T4 DNA polymerase. Thereafter, hydroxyl groups at both ends of the DNA fragment having a DBP2 cold-inducible promoter function, which had been isolated by PCR, were phosphorylated with T4 DNA kinase and ATP. The phosphorylated DNA fragment having a DBP2 promoter function was ligated to the blunt-ended pUG35-MET25 plasmid, using TaKaRa DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2 in accordance with the protocol attached with the kit. Thereafter, Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the ligated product. Several transformants as obtained above were cultured in 3 ml of a culture solution overnight, and plasmids were then prepared using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. In addition, at this time, a plasmid in which a DBP2 promoter is adjacent upstream of EGFP ORF (forward direction; FIG. 8), and a plasmid in which a region adjacent to an RPC19 side is ligated immediately upstream of EGFP ORF (reverse direction), were isolated. Thereafter, a transformant obtained in each case was cultured in 80 ml of a culture solution, and a plasmid was then prepared using QuantumPrep Plasmid MidiPrep kit. A yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH500 was transformed with this plasmid. Transformation was carried out by the method described in Yeast Protocol Handbook published from Invitrogen. The obtained transformed yeast was cultured at 30° C., and at the time when the absorbance at 600 nm became 1, sampling was carried out at 0 minute. Thereafter, the culture temperature was decreased from 30° C. to 10° C., and the culture was continuously carried out. Then, sampling was carried out in the same manner as described above. Using these samples, RNA was prepared from yeast by the same method as in Example 2, and the amount of EGFP mRNA was measured by Northern blotting analysis. A probe used in Northern blotting analysis was produced by cleaving pGFPuv (Clontech) with restriction enzymes PstI and EcoRI and recovering a GFP fragment. Northern blotting analysis was carried out by the same method as in Example 2. The results are shown in FIG. 9. From FIG. 9, it was proved that the use of a DNA fragment having a DBP2 cold-inducible promoter function promotes the transcription of DNA located downstream thereof by a low temperature treatment. Such cold inducibility was not observed, when the DNA fragment having a DBP2 cold-inducible promoter function was inserted into pUG35-MET25 in the reverse direction (FIG. 10). Thus, it was confirmed that transcriptional activation by a low temperature shown in FIG. 9 is caused by the function of a DBP2 promoter. Likewise, with regard to DNA fragments having functions of cold-inducible promoters of YBR034C (HMT1) and YFL014W (HSP12), which were identified as cold-inducible genes in Example 1, their cold inducibility was confirmed. First, as with the above DBP2, a DNA fragment having an HMT1 cold-inducible promoter function was isolated. The 5′ upstream adjacent gene of HMT1 is YBR035C (PDX3). A region sandwiched between PDX3 and HMT1 (that is, a non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of HMT1) was isolated by PCR, using two primers, each consisting of 25 bases located downstream of the 3′-terminal side adjacent to the ORF of PDX3 (PDX3-HMT1 IGR F) and 25 bases located upstream of the 5′-terminal side adjacent to the ORF of HMT1 (PDX3-HMT1 IGR R). The sequences of the primers are as follows. PDX3-HMT1 IGR F: GGGACTGTTAATGAAAAATTCAATG (SEQ ID NO: 17) PDX3-HMT1 IGR R: TATTTTCTTTGGATGAATTTGTCGG (SEQ ID NO: 18) PCR was carried out under the same conditions as in the above amplification of the HSP12 fragment with the exception that the annealing temperature was changed from 55° C. to 50° C. in the second step. A DNA fragment having an HMT1 cold-inducible promoter function, which was obtained by the same method as in the case of the above DNA fragment having a DBP2 cold-inducible promoter function, was inserted into pUG35-MET25 (this time, a product in which the DNA fragment was inserted therein in the reverse direction was also prepared). Thereafter, cold inducibility was confirmed in the same manner as described above, using an increase in the amount of EGFP mRNA as an indicator. As a result, when the DNA fragment having an HMT1 cold-inducible promoter function was located immediately upstream of EGFP in a correct direction, cold inducibility could be confirmed (FIG. 11). However, when it was inserted therein in the reverse direction, cold inducibility was not observed (FIG. 12). From these results, it was found that the use of a DNA fragment having an HMT1 cold-inducible promoter function enables induction of the transcription of DNA located downstream thereof by a low temperature. Thereafter, a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function was isolated. The 5′ upstream adjacent gene of HSP12 is YFL015C. However, since both genes were very close to each other and a coding region existed in the opposite chain of DNA, a region comprising a portion of the YFL015C gene and the sandwiched portion between YFL015C and HSP12 (that is, a non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of HSP12), was isolated by PCR, using two primers, each consisting of 19 bases located in the antisense chain in the ORF of YFL015C (−610 HSP12) and 28 bases located upstream of the 5′-terminal side adjacent to the ORF of HSP 12 (HSP12 IGR R). The sequences of the primers are as follows. -610 HSP12 IGR F: GATCCCACTAACGGCCCAG (SEQ ID NO: 19) HSP12 IGR R: TGTTGTATTTAGTTTTTTTTGTTTTGAG (SEQ ID NO: 20) PCR was carried out under the same conditions as in the above amplification of the HSP12 fragment with the exception that the annealing temperature was changed from 55° C. to 50° C. in the second step. A DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, which was obtained by the same method as in the case of the above DNA fragment having a DBP2 or HMT1 cold-inducible promoter function, was inserted into pUG35-MET25 (this time, a product in which the DNA fragment was inserted therein in the reverse direction was also prepared). Thereafter, cold inducibility was confirmed in the same manner as described above, using an increase in the amount of EGFP mRNA as an indicator. As a result, when the DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function was located immediately upstream of EGFP in a correct direction, cold inducibility could be confirmed (FIG. 13). However, when it was inserted therein in the reverse direction, cold inducibility was not observed (FIG. 14). From these results, it was found that the use of a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function enables induction of the transcription of DNA located downstream thereof by a low temperature. Example 4 Identification of Cold-Inducible Cis Sequence A cis sequence of a DNA fragment having the cold-inducible promoter function of a gene exhibiting cold inducibility at an early stage was identified as follows. First, in the experiment described in Example 1, genes whose signal increased to 2 times or more at 15 minutes after the culture temperature was decreased to 10° C. were identified. The identified 41 genes are shown in the following Table 5. TABLE 5 Genes exhibiting 2 times or more of cold inducibility after 15 minutes Systematic Common 15 minutes No. gene name name (Normalized) 1 YDL039C PRM7 4.11342 2 YNL141W AAH1 3.2322798 3 YDL037C 3.0142403 4 YKR075C 3.0095403 5 YER056C FCY2 2.64863 6 YOL124C 2.62574 7 YDR492W 2.58023 8 YLR413W 2.57574 9 YCR072C 2.54439 10 YOR095C RKI1 2.54298 11 YNL175C NOP13 2.5208 12 YDR398W 2.50124 13 YGR283C 2.40094 14 YBR296C PHO89 2.39344 15 YDR184C ATC1 2.3198 16 YOR338W 2.25481 17 YAL025C MAK16 2.23906 18 YOR063W RPL3 2.21192 19 YIL096C 2.19996 20 YER127W LCP5 2.19577 21 YBL042C FUI1 2.16603 22 YDL063C 2.16531 23 YOR360C PDE2 2.08345 24 YHR196W 2.08005 25 YNL065W 2.05877 26 YHR066W SSF1 2.03287 27 YLR407W 2.01923 28 YOR101W RAS1 2.00532 29 YNL112W DBP2 4.01042 30 YGR159C NSR1 2.9673197 31 YGL055W OLE1 2.51904 32 YNR053C 2.43279 33 YPL093W NOG1 2.31796 34 YHR170W NMD3 2.08971 35 YHR148W IMP3 2.04153 36 YBR034C HMT1 2.63514 37 YOL010W RCL1 2.46012 38 YKL078W 2.37036 39 YMR290C HAS1 2.35991 40 YDR101C 2.28186 41 YBL054W 2.15287 As with Table 4, Table 5 shows systematic gene names of yeasts, common names (only in a case where such a common name is given), and the ratios of the normalized values of fluorescence intensities of samples after being subjected to a low temperature treatment for 15 minutes to the normalized values of fluorescence intensities of pre-low temperature treatment samples. Using Gene Spring (Silicon Genetics), cis sequences existing between the ORF of each of the above genes and the site 600 bp upstream thereof were searched. As a result, cis sequences could be obtained as DNA sequences that were common in some of these genes. The cis sequences are as follows. (a) DNA sequence A: GCTCATCG (b) DNA sequence B: GAGATGAG Specifically, the above DNA sequence A was found as a cis sequence that was common in YNL112W (DBP2), YGR159C (NSR1), YGL055W (OLE1), YNR053C, YPL093W (NOG1), YHR170W (NMD3), and YHR148W (IMP3) (which correspond to Nos. 29 to 35 in Table 5), and the above DNA sequence B was found as a cis sequence that was common in YBR034C (HMT1), YOL010W (RCL1), YKL078W, YMR290C (HAS1), YDR101C, and YBL054W (which correspond to Nos. 36 to 41 in Table 5). Example 5 Confirmation of Cold Inducibility of Cold-Inducible Cis Sequences In order to confirm that the DNA sequence A (GCTCATCG) obtained Example 4 has cold inducibility, the DNA sequence A was removed from a DNA fragment with a DBP2 cold-inducible promoter function having the above sequence, so as to confirm whether or not the cold inducibility was lost. First, the DNA fragment having a DBP2 cold-inducible promoter function prepared by PCR in Example 3 was ligated to a pT7Blue T-vector, using TaKaRa DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2. Thereafter, Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the obtained vector. A plasmid was prepared from the obtained transformant, and it was then sequenced, so as to confirm its nucleotide sequence. Subsequently, the plasmid as a whole, excluding the DNA sequence A, was amplified by Inverse PCR using outward primers complementary to sequences located at both ends of the DNA sequence A in the plasmid (see FIG. 8). The sequences of the primers are as follows. RPC19-DBP2 IGR-cis F: CAGAAAATTTTTCCTTCAGTTTATTTG (SEQ ID NO: 21) RPC19-DBP2 IGR-cis R: ATCGGCGTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (SEQ ID NO: 22) PCR was carried out under the same conditions as in the above amplification of the HSP12 fragment with the exception that the annealing temperature was changed from 55° C. to 50° C. and the elongation reaction time (72° C.) was changed from 1 minute to 5 minutes in the second step, and that the reaction time was changed from 5 minutes to 10 minutes in the third step. The amplified DNA was subjected to self-circularization using TaKaRa DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2, and Escherichia coli DH5α was then transformed again with the obtained vector. Thereafter, plasmid DNA was prepared from several transformants as obtained above, and the nucleotide sequence thereof was determined. Thus, a clone was identified, from which only the DNA sequence A was removed but other nucleotide sequence portions of the DNA fragment having a DBP2 cold-inducible promoter function were not changed. Thereafter, using such a modified clone as a template, a DNA fragment having a modified DBP2 cold-inducible promoter function that was modified by the same method as in Example 3 was amplified by PCR. The amplified DNA fragment was phosphorylated, and then inserted into pUG35-MET25, so as to produce a reporter plasmid. A yeast strain, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was transformed with this reporter plasmid, and samples were then prepared in the same manner as in Example 3, followed by performing Northern blotting analysis. The results are shown in FIG. 15. As shown in FIG. 15, when compared with the case where a native DNA fragment having a DBP2 cold-inducible promoter function was ligated upstream of EGFP DNA (FIG. 15, +cis), cold inducibility became weak by removing the DNA sequence A from the above DNA fragment (FIG. 15, −cis). Thus, it could be confirmed that it was a cis sequence in which the DNA sequence A was associated with cold induction. Likewise, the DNA sequence B (GAGATGAG) was removed from a DNA fragment with an HMT1 cold-inducible promoter function having the above sequence, so as to confirm whether or not the cold inducibility of the DNA fragment with an HMT1 cold-inducible promoter function was lost. First, the DNA fragment having an HMT1 cold-inducible promoter function was inserted into a pT7Blue T-vector by the same method as in the case of the DNA sequence A. Then, Inverse PCR was carried out using outward primers complementary to sequences located at both ends of the DNA sequence B in the plasmid. Thereafter, the same above analysis was carried out. The sequences of the primers are as follows. PDX3-HMT1 IGR-cis F: AACAACTATTTTTATAACATATAATTTCCC (SEQ ID NO: 23) PDX3-HMT1 IGR-cis R: CTGCCTACTGCTCACCTTG (SEQ ID NO: 24) PCR was carried out under the same conditions as in the above described PCR for removing a cis sequence from the non-translation region located upstream of the 5′-terminal side of DBP2. The results of Northern blotting analysis are shown in FIG. 16. When compared with the case where a native DNA fragment having a HMT1 cold-inducible promoter function was ligated upstream of EGFP DNA (FIG. 16, +cis), cold inducibility was lost by removing the DNA sequence B from the above DNA fragment (FIG. 16, −cis). Thus, it was confirmed that it was a cis sequence in which the DNA sequence B was associated with cold induction. Example 6 Expression of Protein by DNA Fragment Having Cold-Inducible Promoter Function, and Comparison With Other Yeast Promoters Using a DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function, it was confirmed that the DNA fragment allows a foreign gene ligated downstream thereof to express. In addition, in order to demonstrate the usefulness as an expression system, a cold-inducible promoter was compared with known promoters. Specifically, a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function was compared with an alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1) promoter and a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (TDH3) promoter. 3 types of expression vectors having the same plasmid structure were produced as follows, and compared. As a plasmid comprising the DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, the plasmid described in Example 3 was used. A plasmid comprising an ADH1 promoter was produced as follows. First, a yeast expression vector pAAH5 having an ADH1 promoter (provided from Dr. Ryo Sato, an emeritus professor of Osaka University; Methods Enzymol. 101, 192-201 (1983)) was cleaved with SphI and HindIII. The cleaved portion was then blunt-ended with DNA Blunting Kit (Takara). Thereafter, the DNA fragment was fractionated by agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to recover a fragment containing the ADH1 promoter (approximately 400 bp). On the other hand, as in the case of the DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, a plasmid pUG35-MET25 was cleaved with SalI, and the cleaved portion was then blunt-ended with DNA Blunting Kit, followed by performing dephosphorization with bacterial alkaline phosphatase. The above fragment containing an ADH1 promoter was ligated to the plasmid pUG35-MET25 using DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2 (Takara). Thereafter, Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the ligated product. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight. Thereafter, a plasmid was extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes and sequence analysis, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was distinguished. From this transformant, an expression plasmid having an ADH1 promoter was prepared. A plasmid comprising a TDH3 promoter was produced as follows. First, a yeast expression vector pG-3 having a TDH3 promoter (provided from Dr. Tadashi Nagashima of Shin Nihon Chemical Co., Ltd.; Methods Enzymol. 194, 389-398 (1991)) was cleaved with BamHI and HindIII. The cleaved portion was then blunt-ended with DNA Blunting Kit. Thereafter, the DNA fragment was fractionated by agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to recover a fragment containing the TDH3 promoter (approximately 660 bp). The obtained DNA fragment was inserted into the SalI site of a plasmid pUG35-MET25 by the same method as described above. A transformant having a plasmid with a structure of interest was selected, and finally, an expression plasmid having a TDH3 promoter was prepared. These 3 types of plasmids had the same structure other than their promoters. A yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH500 was transformed with each of these 3 types of plasmids. The obtained transformed yeast was inoculated into a synthetic medium containing no uracil (0.67% yeast nitrogen base (containing no amino acid), 2% glucose, 0.02 mg/ml adenine sulfate, 0.02 mg/ml tryptophan, 0.02 mg/ml histidine, 0.03 mg/ml leucine, and 0.03 mg/ml lysine), followed by performing a shake culture at 30° C. With regard to yeast transformed with an expression plasmid comprising an ADH1 promoter and yeast transformed with an expression plasmid comprising a TDH3 promoter, a culture solution thereof was recovered at the time when the absorbance at 600 nm became approximately 1.3. With regard to yeast transformed with an expression plasmid comprising a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, a culture solution thereof contained in a flask was immersed in a water bath that had previously been set at 10° C., at the time when the absorbance at 600 nm became 0.5. Thereafter, while the flask was gently shaken for 15 minutes, it was quenched. The flask was then transferred into a low temperature thermostat that had previously been set at 10° C., and a shake culture was continued at 10° C. The time when the culture solution was immersed in a water bath at 10° C. was determined at 0 minute, and sampling was carried out over time. Extraction of RNA from yeast was carried out in the same manner as in Example 1. Ten μg of the prepared RNA was subjected to Northern blotting analysis by the method described in Example 2. The results are shown in FIG. 17. The middle case in FIG. 17 shows the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when the culture temperature for yeast transformed with 3 types of plasmids was 30° C., or when the temperature was decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The amount of EGFP mRNA produced from the ADH1 promoter and TDH3 promoter, which are commonly used at 30° C., was compared with the amount of EGFP mRNA produced from a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function in yeast wherein the temperature was decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The obtained results are shown over time. The lower case in FIG. 17 shows the results obtained by comparing the amount of EGFP mRNA produced from a TDH 3 promoter, which was found to be relatively stronger than ADH1 promoter from the results of the middle case, with the amount of EGFP mRNA produced from a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function in yeast, at 30° C., or when the temperature was decreased from 30° C. to 10° C., overtime. From these results, it was found that a higher EGFP mRNA level was obtained when a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function was used, than when known promoters such as an ADH1 promoter or TDH3 promoter were used. Subsequently, the TDH3 promoter showing a higher mRNA level than that of the ADH1 promoter was used as a control, and it was compared with the DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function in terms of a protein production level. Sampling was carried out in the same manner as described above. After completion of the sampling, yeast recovered by centrifugation was added in the presence of 5 mM DTT using CelLytic™ Y (Sigma) and Protease Inhibitor Cocktail (Sigma), such that it had a concentration described in the manual attached with each of the above instruments. It was then vigorously vortexed at 4° C. for 1 hour. Subsequently, the solution was centrifuged at 4° C. at 15,000 rpm for 10 minutes. Thereafter, the supernatant was used as a total protein extract in the subsequent analysis. Thirty μg of the total protein extract was subjected to SDS-PAGE (12.5% gel) according to a common method (described in Tanpakushitsu Jikken Note, edited by Masato Okada and Kaori Miyazaki, Yodosha Co., Ltd., etc.). Thereafter, a protein separated by the method described in the manual was transferred to Immobilon-P (Millipore). Thereafter, using a 1,000 times diluted anti-GFP antibody (Living Colors™ A.v. Peptide Antibody, Clontech) and ECL PLUS Western Blotting Detection Kit (Amersham Biosciences), Western blotting analysis was carried out in accordance with the manual attached with each instrument, so as to detect an EGFP protein. The results are shown in FIG. 18. The lower case in FIG. 18 shows the amount of the EGFP protein over time, which was obtained when the culture temperature for yeast transformed with a plasmid comprising a TDH3 promoter, or DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, was decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. From these results, it was found that a larger amount of protein could be produced when it was inducibly produced at 10° C. using a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, than when it was produced at 30° C. using the existing TDH3 promoter. Example 7 Construction of Other Expression Vectors Comprising DNA Fragment Having Cold-Inducible Promoter Function, and Expression of Protein by Other Types of Yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Strains First, various plasmids were produced by incorporating various types of restriction sites into the positions before and after EGFP. At first, using a plasmid pUG35-MET25, the ORF of EGFP was amplified by PCR. The sequences of the used primers are as follows. EGFP3 ORF F: ATGTCTAAAGGTGAAGAATTATTCACTGG (SEQ ID NO: 25) EGFP3 ORF R: TTATTTGTACAATTCATCCATACCATGGG (SEQ ID NO: 26) EGFP3 ORF F corresponded to a 29-bp downstream portion including an EGFP initiation codon ATG in the plasmid pUG35-MET25 used in Example 3. EGFP3 ORF R was a sequence complementary to a 29-bp upstream portion including an EGFP termination codon in the same above plasmid. PCR was carried out under the same conditions as in the above amplification of the HSP12 fragment in Example 2 with the exception that 1 ng of a plasmid pUG35 was used, that the annealing temperature was set at 50° C., and that 30 cycles of reactions were carried out. The amplified DNA was phosphorylated with T4 polynucleotide kinase (Takara). On the other hand, pYES2 (purchased from Invitrogen) was cleaved with EcoRI, and the cleaved portion was then blunt-ended with DNA Blunting Kit, followed by performing dephosphorization with bacterial alkaline phosphatase. The amplified EGFP ORF was ligated to the blunt-ended pYES2 using DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2. Thereafter, Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the ligated product. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. A plasmid pYES2+EGFP3 was prepared from this transformant. Subsequently, in order to produce a plasmid having a centromere as a replication origin, the plasmid pYES2+EGFP3 was cleaved with HpaI and MluI, so as to recover a DNA fragment having a size of approximately 450 bp. On the other hand, pUG35-MET25 comprising the DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function produced in Example 3 (hereinafter referred to as pUG35+PHSP 12) was also cleaved with HpaI and MluI. Thereafter, the above approx. 450-bp DNA fragment was ligated to the pUG35+PHSP12 (approximately 6 kb) using DNA ligation kit ver. 2. Thereafter, Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the thus ligated product. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. A plasmid pUG35+PHSP12+MCS was prepared from this transformant. Moreover, in order to produce a plasmid having 2μ as a replication origin, the obtained plasmid pUG35+PHSP12+MCS was cleaved with SpeI and MluI. The cleaved portion was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to fractionate and recover an expression unit (approximately 1.6 kb). On the other hand, pYES2 was also cleaved with SpeI and MluI, and the cleaved portion was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to fractionate and recover a pYES2 vector fragment (approximately 5.1 kb). The above expression unit was ligated to the pYES2 vector fragment using Ligation Kit ver. 2, and Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the thus ligated product. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. A plasmid pYES2+PHSP12+EGFP3 was prepared from this transformant. Furthermore, in order to produce a plasmid having 2μ as a replication origin and having a weak leucine synthetase gene (leu2-d), the obtained plasmid pUG35+PHSP12+MCS was cleaved with HindIII and KpnI. The cleaved portion was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to obtain a DNA fragment (approximately 1.7 kb) containing an EGFP3 expression unit. On the other hand, pYEX-BX (purchased from AMRAD Biotech) was also cleaved with HindIII and KpnI, and the cleaved portion was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to recover a pYEX-BX vector fragment (approximately 6.3 kb). The above DNA fragment containing the EGFP3 expression unit was ligated to the pYEX-BX vector fragment using DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2, and Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the thus ligated product. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. A plasmid pYEX+PHSP12+EGFP3+TCYC1 was prepared from this transformant. A yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH500 was transformed with each of these 3 types of plasmids. The obtained transformant was inoculated into a synthetic medium containing no uracil in the same manner as in Example 6, followed by performing a shake culture at 30° C. In the case of the plasmid pYEX+PHSP12+EGFP3+TCYC1, however, since it had a weak leucine synthetase gene, an experiment wherein a medium formed by removing leucine from the above synthetic medium was used was also carried out. Culture, sampling, preparation of RNA, preparation of a protein, Northern blotting analysis, and SDS-PAGE analysis were all carried out in the same manner as in Example 6. The middle and lower cases in FIG. 19 show the amount of EGFP mRNA over time, obtained when the culture temperature for yeast transformed with these plasmids was decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The lower case in FIG. 19 also shows the effects of removing leucine from the culture solution on the amount of the EGFP mRNA in the case of pYEX-BX. As a result of Northern blotting analysis, in all cases of yeast transformed with 3 types of plasmids each having a different replication origin and a different selective marker (all of which comprised a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function), the level of EGFP mRNA was increased by a low temperature treatment (10° C.). FIG. 20 shows the amount of an EGFP protein over time, obtained when the culture temperature for yeast transformed with the plasmids shown in FIG. 19 was decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The figure also shows the effects of removing leucine from the culture solution on the amount of the EGFP protein in the case of pYEX-BX. As shown in FIG. 20, when the expression level of the EGFP protein in yeast transformed with each of 2 types of plasmids pUG35+PHSP12+MCS and pYEX+PHSP12+EGFP3+TCYC1 was examined by SDS-PAGE analysis, it was found that the level of the EGFP protein was increased by a low temperature treatment (10° C.) in both cases, and that a large amount of EGFP could be produced. In particular, the use of a plasmid having a leu2-d marker and a medium containing no leucine resulted in a significant production amount. From the above studies, it was found that an expression plasmid comprising a DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function enables cold-inducible production of a protein, regardless of a replication origin and a selective marker. On the other hand, it was also found that selection of such a replication origin or marker may lead to an increase in the production amount. Subsequently, protein expression was carried out using different types of yeast strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. As such different types of yeast strains, YPH499, YPH501 (purchased from Stratagene), SHY3, KK4 (provided from Dr. Ryo Sato, an emeritus professor of Osaka University), EGY48 (purchased from Takara), and BY4741, BY4742 and BY4743 (purchased from Research Genetics) were used. These yeast strains were transformed with an expression plasmid pYEX+PHSP12+EGFP3+TCYC1. Each transformant was allowed to grow in a synthetic medium, to which necessary amino acids were added except for uracil, in the same manner as in Example 3. Thus, an intracellular protein was prepared, and analyzed by SDS-PAGE. FIG. 21 shows the amount of an EGFP protein obtained when the culture temperature was decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. for various strains transformed with pYEX+PHSP12+EGFP3+TCYC1. Expression of EGFP was observed in all the yeast strains. Thus, it was found that the DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function acts regardless of the type of yeast strain. In particular, when EGY48 strain or BY4743 strain was used, a high production amount of EGFP was obtained. Example 8 Comparison of Expression Vector Containing DNA Fragment Having Cold-Inducible Promoter Function With Existing Expression Vectors in Terms of Expression Level pYES2 containing a galactose-inducible GAL1 promoter, pYEX-BX containing a heavy metal-inducible CUP1 promoter, and an expression plasmid pYEX+PHSP12+EGFP3+TCYC1 containing the aforementioned DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function (hereinafter referred to as pLTex221+EGFP3), were compared to one another under each recommended inducible conditions, in terms of the expression level of EGFP. The plasmid pYES2+EGFP3 produced in Example 7 was used as pYES2 containing EGFP. pYEX-BX containing EGFP was prepared as follows. The above plasmid pYES2+EGFP3 was cleaved with BamHI and XhoI, and the cleaved portion was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to fractionate and recover EGFP3 ORF with a size of approximately 780 bp. On the other hand, pYEX-BX was cleaved with SalI and BamHI. The obtained EGFP3 ORF was ligated to pYEX-BX using DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2. Thereafter, Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the thus ligated product. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. A plasmid pYEX-BX+EGFP3 was prepared from this transformant. A yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH500 was transformed with each of these 3 types of plasmids (pYES2+EGFP3, pYEX-BX+EGFP3, and pLTex221+EGFP3). Culture, sampling, preparation of a protein, and SDS-PAGE analysis were carried out on the obtained transformant in the same manner as in Example 6. FIG. 22 shows the results of SDS-PAGE analysis. As shown in FIG. 22, the expression vector pLTex221+EGFP3 containing a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function produced a larger amount of EGFP3 than those of pYES2+EGFP3 and pYEX-BX+EGFP3. From these results, it became clear that an expression vector containing a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function is more excellent than the existing expression vectors. Example 9 Cold-Inducible Conditions Applied in Case of Using Expression Vector Containing DNA Fragment Having Cold-Inducible Promoter Function Using a yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH500 transformed with the plasmid pYEX+PHSP12+EGFP3+TCYC1 (pLTex221+EGFP3) produced in Example 7, cold-inducible conditions were studied. The present transformed yeast was subjected to culture, sampling, preparation of a protein, and SDS-PAGE analysis by the same methods as in Example 8. Exposure to a low temperature was carried out at 4° C., 10° C., and 20° C., and sampling was carried out at 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after initiation of the low temperature treatment. FIG. 23 shows the results of SDS-PAGE analysis. As shown in FIG. 23, production of an EGFP protein was observed in all the cases of the temperatures of 4° C., 10° C., and 20° C. From these results, it was found that using a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, cold-inducible production of protein can be carried out by a low temperature treatment, not only at 10° C., but also at 4° C. or 20° C. Example 10 Production of Proteins Using DNA Fragment Having Cold-Inducible Promoter Function in Yeasts Other Than Saccharomyces cerevisiae In order to examine whether or not a DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function acts in yeasts other than Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function and EGFP3 ORF were introduced into methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. First, pUG35+PHSP12+MCS produced in Example 7 was cleaved with BamHI and KpnI. The cleaved portion was then subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to fractionate and recover an approx. 1.7-kb DNA fragment comprising a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, EGFP3 ORF, and a CYC1 terminator. On the other hand, a plasmid pPICZ-B (purchased from Invitrogen) used for Pichia pastoris was cleaved with BamHI and KpnI. Thereafter, the cleaved portion was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to fractionate and recover an approx. 3.0-kb plasmid main body excluding an AOX1 terminator. The above DNA fragment was ligated to the plasmid pPICZ-B excluding the AOX1 terminator using DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2. Thereafter, Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the thus ligated product. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. A plasmid pPICZ+PHSP12+EGFP3+TCYC1 was prepared from this transformant. A Pichia pastoris GS115 strain was transformed with this plasmid pPICZ+PHSP12+EGFP3+TCYC1 in accordance with the manual attached with Easy Select Pichia Expression Kit (Invitrogen). Subsequently, a stain resistant to 4 mg/ml Zeocin was selected. The obtained transformant was inoculated into a YPED medium, and it was then cultured at 30° C. until the absorbance at 600 nm became 2.2. Thereafter, the culture temperature was decreased to 10° C. by the same method as in Example 6, and sampling was carried out at 3 days and 10 days after the low temperature treatment. Preparation of a protein and Western blotting analysis were carried out by the same methods as in Example 6. FIG. 24 shows the results of Western blotting analysis. FIG. 24 shows the expression of an EGFP protein observed at 3 days and 10 days after the culture temperature was decreased from 30° C. to 10° C., after the transformant Pichia pastoris had first been cultured at 30° C. As shown in FIG. 24, the EGFP protein was inducibly produced by decreasing the culture temperature for methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris. From these results, it was found that the cold-inducible expression with a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function can be carried out not only in Saccharomyces cerevisiae but also in other types of yeasts. Example 11 Expression of Proteins Other than EGFP Protein Using DNA Fragment Having Cold-Inducible Promoter Function The possibility of expression of proteins other than the EGFP protein using a DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function was confirmed as follows. Specifically, using a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, cDNA of an antifreeze protein RD3 (J. Biol. Chem. 276, 1304-1310 (2001)) was ligated downstream of the aforementioned promoter. Thereafter, expression of the protein was confirmed by Western blotting analysis. It is to be noted that the RD3 protein became insolubilized, when it was allowed to express at 37° C. in an expression system using Escherichia coli as a host. An expression plasmid for RD3 was produced as follows. First, a plasmid pET20b/RD3 containing RD3 ORF (provided from Dr. Yoshiyuki Nishimiya of the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology) was cleaved with NdeI and EcoRI, and the cleaved portion was then blunt-ended with DNA Blunting Kit. The resultant product was then subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to fractionate and recover a DNA fragment containing RD3 ORF (approximately 400 bp). On the other hand, the plasmid pUG35-MET25 produced in Example 3 was cleaved with HpaI and MluI. The cleaved portion was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to fractionate a DNA fragment and to recover a vector fragment with a size of approximately 5.4 kb. Likewise, the plasmid pYES2+EGFP3 produced in Example 7 was cleaved with HpaI and MluI. The cleaved portion was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to fractionate and recover a fragment with a size of approximately 450 bp. The obtained vector fragment was ligated to the approx. 450-bp fragment using DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2. Thereafter, Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the thus ligated product. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. A plasmid pUG35-MET25+MCS of interest was prepared from this transformant. This plasmid pUG35-MET25+MCS was cleaved with EcoRI and NotI. The cleaved portion was then blunt-ended with DNA Blunting Kit, followed by performing dephosphorization with bacterial alkaline phosphatase. Thereafter, the resultant product was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to recover a vector fragment (approximately 5.1 kb). The above DNA fragment containing RD3 ORF was ligated to the above vector fragment using DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2. Thereafter, Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the ligated product. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes and sequence analysis, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. A plasmid pUG35-MET25+MCS+RD3 having RD3 ORF was prepared from this transformant. Subsequently, a plasmid containing a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function was produced. First, a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function was amplified by PCR according to the method described in Example 4. The termini thereof were phosphorylated with T4 polynucleotide kinase, and fractionation of DNA fragments was then carried out by agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to recover a DNA fragment (approximately 610 bp) having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function. On the other hand, pUG35-MET25+MCS+RD3 was cleaved with SpeI. The cleaved portion was then blunt-ended with DNA Blunting Kit, followed by performing dephosphorization with bacterial alkaline phosphatase. The above DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function was ligated to the above vector fragment using DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2. Thereafter, Escherichia coli DH5α was transformed with the ligated product. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes and sequence analysis, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. Thus, an expression plasmid containing a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function was finally prepared from this transformant. Moreover, a plasmid containing a TDH3 promoter was produced as follows. First, a yeast expression vector pG-3 containing a TDH3 promoter was cleaved with BamHI and HindIII. The cleaved portion was then blunt-ended with DNA Blunting Kit, and fractionation of DNA fragments was carried out by agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to recover a fragment containing a TDH3 promoter (approximately 660 bp). The obtained DNA fragment was inserted into the SpeI site of pUG35-MET25+MCS+RD3 by the same method as described above. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes and sequence analysis, a transformant containing a plasmid having a structure of interest was selected. Thus, an expression plasmid containing a TDH3 promoter was finally prepared. These two types of plasmids have the same structure other than their promoters. A yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH500 was transformed with each of these 2 types of plasmids. The obtained transformant was inoculated into a synthetic medium containing no uracil, followed by performing a shake culture at 30° C. With regard to yeast transformed with an expression plasmid containing a TDH3 promoter, a culture solution thereof was recovered at the time when the absorbance at 600 nm became 0.7. With regard to yeast transformed with an expression plasmid containing a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, culture and sampling were carried out by the same experimental methods as in Example 6 with exception that a low temperature treatment was initiated at the time when the absorbance at 600 nm became 1.0. In Western blotting analysis, a 5000 times diluted anti-RD3-N1 antibody was used (which was an antibody recognizing the subunit of RD3, which was produced by Hokudo Co., Ltd., according to our request). FIG. 25 shows the results of Western blotting analysis showing the expression level of the RD3 protein obtained when the transformed yeast was cultured, while decreasing the temperature from 30° C. to 10° C., or at 30° C. From these results, it was found that when the RD3 proteins that are insolubilized in an Escherichia coli expression system are inducibly produced at 10° C. using a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, almost the proteins are produced as soluble proteins. It could also be confirmed that the use of the DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function enables production of a larger amount of protein than the case where the protein is produced at 30° C. using the existing TDH3 promoter. Subsequently, as in the case of RD3, ECFP and DsRed were allowed to express. In order to produce ECFP and DsRed not as fusion proteins but as natural proteins, each ORF region encoding the natural proteins from pECFP and pDsRed-Express (both of which were purchased from Clontech) was amplified by PCR, and each amplified product was then introduced into expression vectors pTrc99A (purchased from Pharmacia). Escherichia coli was transformed with each of these expression plasmids, but no fluorescence derived from a fluorescent protein was observed. First, a cold-inducible expression vector pLTex321 having a multicloning site was constructed. pUG35-MET25+MCS was cleaved with ClaI and XhoI. The cleaved portion was then subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to recover a vector fragment (approximately 5.1 kbp). In order to circularize this vector fragment, the following oligo DNAs were synthesized and used as linkers. MCS linker F: (SEQ ID NO: 27) CCGCTCGAGCGGCCGCGAGCTCGTCGACATCGATGG MCS linker R: (SEQ ID NO: 28) CCATCGATGTCGACGAGCTCGCGGCCGCTCGAGCGG The linker DNAs contain a restriction site of XhoI-NotI-SacI-SalI-ClaI. Both oligo DNAs were annealed, and both termini of each of the linker DNAs were cleaved with XhoI and ClaI. The above vector fragment was ligated to the linker DNA using DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2. Thereafter, the ligated product was introduced into Escherichia coli DH5α. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes and sequence analysis, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. A plasmid of interest was prepared from this transformant. The obtained plasmid was further cleaved with SpeI and BamHI, and the cleaved portion was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to recover a vector fragment (approximately 5.1 kb). In order to introduce a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function into the obtained vector fragment, a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function and containing a SpeI recognition sequence and a BamHI recognition sequence was amplified by PCR using the primers indicated below. PCR was carried out under the same conditions as in amplification of an HSP12 fragment in Example 2. -610-HSP12 IGR Spel F: (SEQ ID NO: 29) GGACTAGTGATCCCACTAACGGCCCAG -610-HSP12 IGR BamHI R: (SEQ ID NO: 30) CGGGATCCTGTTGTATTTAGTTTTTTTTGTTTTGAG Thereafter, the amplified product was cleaved with SpeI and BamHI, followed by fractionation by agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to recover a DNA fragment (approximately 600 bp) having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function. The above vector fragment was ligated to the DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function using DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2. Thereafter, the ligated product was introduced into Escherichia coli DH5α. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes and sequence analysis, a plasmid of interest was prepared. The obtained plasmid was cleaved with SpeI and KpnI, and the cleaved portion was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to recover a DNA fragment (approximately 1 kb) containing the DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, a multicloning site, and a CYC1 terminator. Likewise, a pYEX-BX expression vector was cleaved with SpeI and KpnI, and the cleaved portion was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, so as to recover a vector fragment (approximately 6.4 kb). The above DNA fragment containing the DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, a multicloning site, and a CYC1 terminator was ligated to the above vector fragment using DNA Ligation Kit ver. 2. Thereafter, the ligated product was introduced into Escherichia coli DH5α. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes and sequence analysis, an expression vector pLTex321 was prepared. On the other hand, an expression plasmid of ECFP was produced as follows. First, ECFP ORF was prepared from a plasmid pECFP by PCR. The sequences of the used primers were as follows. BAMCFP1: (SEQ ID NO: 31) AAAAGGATCCAAAAAAATGGTGAGCAAGGGCGAGGAG HNDCFP2: (SEQ ID NO: 32) TTTTAAGCTTTTACTTGTACAGCTCGTCCAT BAMCFP1 comprises, in the order from the 5′-terminal side, 4 A bases, a BamHI recognition sequence, 6 A bases, and the downstream 21-bp portion from the initiation codon of ECFP ORF in pECFP. HNDCFP2 comprises, in the order from the 5′-terminal side, 4 T bases, a HindIII recognition sequence, and a sequence complementary to the upstream 21 bases from the termination codon of ECFP ORF. PCR was carried out using 50 μl of a reaction solution containing 1 ng pECFP, 300 nM each primer, 200 μM dNTP, 1 mM MgSO4, and a 1×PCR buffer used for KOD -Plus- (Toyobo Co., Ltd.) and 1U KOD -Plus- DNA polymerase, under conditions consisting of: a first step of 94° C., 2 minutes; and a second step of 30 cycles consisting of 94° C., 15 seconds (denaturation), 45° C., 30 seconds (annealing), and 68° C., 1 minute (elongation). Thereafter, the amplified DNA was cleaved with BamHI and HindIII. On the other hand, the above produced expression vector pLTex321 was cleaved with BamHI and HindIII. The ECFP ORF amplified by the above PCR was ligated to the pLTex321 vector fragment using Ligation High (Toyobo Co., Ltd.) Thereafter, the ligated product was introduced into Escherichia coli DH5α. The obtained transformant was cultured overnight, and a plasmid was then extracted using QuantumPrep Plasmid MiniPrep kit. Based on a cleavage pattern made by restriction enzymes and sequence analysis, a transformant containing a plasmid of interest was identified. A plasmid pLTex321+ECFP having ECFP was prepared from this transformant. With regard to DsRed, pLTex321+DsRed was produced under the same conditions as for the above ECFP with exception that the primers indicated below were used and that pDsRed-Express was used as a template for PCR. The sequences of the used primers are as follows. BAMIRED1: (SEQ ID NO: 33) AAAAGGATCCAAAAAAATGGCCTCCTCCGAGGACGTC HNDRED2: (SEQ ID NO: 34) AAAAAAGCTTCTACAGGAACAGGTGGTGGCG BAMRED1 comprises, in the order from the 5′-terminal side, 4 A bases, a BamHI recognition sequence, 6 A bases, and the downstream 21-bp portion from the initiation codon of DsRed ORF in pDsRed-Express. HNDRED2 comprises, in the order from the 5′-terminal side, 4 A bases, a HindIII recognition sequence, and a sequence complementary to the upstream 21 bases from the termination codon of DsRed ORF. A yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae YPH500 was transformed with each of these 2 types of plasmids thus produced. The obtained transformant was inoculated into a synthetic medium containing neither uracil nor leucine, followed by performing a shake culture at 30° C. At the time when the absorbance at 600 nm became approximately 0.9, the culture product was subjected to a low temperature treatment at 10° C. Then, culture was continued at 10° C. for 24 hours. The expression of a fluorescent protein was confirmed with fluorescence under a UV lamp (356 nm). The results are shown in FIG. 26. As shown in FIG. 26, in both cases of ECFP expression yeast and DsRed expression yeast, a strong fluorescence due to the produced fluorescent protein was observed. All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention provides a DNA fragment having a cold-inducible promoter function of yeast. The DNA fragment of the present invention is useful in that it can be used in production of a protein and in regulation of production of RNA at a low temperature. The present invention enables the development of a novel protein production system utilizing advantages of a low temperature, such as production of a protein, the expression of which has previously been difficult. In addition, it is considered that the present invention promotes clarification of cold inducibility in terms of molecular mechanism.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Yeast has widely been used for production of foods by fermentation, such as alcoholic beverages including beer or Japanese sake, or breads, for production of metabolites such as amino acids, and also as a host used for production of proteins of homogeneous or heterogenous organisms using the recombinant DNA technique. The characteristics of yeast used in production of proteins by such recombinant DNA technology include: the safety of yeast as an organism, which is assumed from the past record in that yeast has previously been used in the food industry; a relatively high probability of success in the expression of proteins of animals such as a human because yeast is not a prokaryote such as Escherichia coli , but a eukaryote; and sufficiently developed gene recombination technology regarding yeast. In general, it has been already known regarding production of beer or brewage that fermentation at a low temperature such as 10° C. or lower brings on exquisite flavor and taste, and that the quality as food can be improved. Since the existence of a chemical substance for improving flavor or taste is assumed from such improvement of flavor and taste, it is considered that the functions of a gene of an enzyme synthesizing such a chemical substance are appropriately regulated by decreasing the temperature. However, there is only a limited amount of information regarding genes of yeast functioning at a low temperature. Thus, the type of a gene that is important for improvement of the flavor or taste of foods is still unknown. In gene recombination technology using yeast or Escherichia coli as a host, promoters functioning at an ordinary culture temperature (30° C. in the case of yeast and 37° C. in the case of Escherichia coli ) have conventionally been used to produce proteins. In general, strong promoters producing a more large amount of mRNA have been used. It is considered that culture at a low temperature is disadvantageous in the production of proteins by genetic recombination. As a matter of fact, however, there are some cases where a low temperature is intentionally used to produce proteins. For example, when a protein produced at an ordinary temperature does not have a correct three-dimensional structure, a protein having a correct three-dimensional structure may be then produced at a low temperature. Thus, in order that a protein has a correct three-dimensional structure, there are some cases where production of a protein may be carried out at a culture temperature that is 10° C. lower than the ordinary temperature (Prot. Exp. Purif. 2, 432-441 (1991)). In addition, it is also expected that application of such a low temperature prevent the produced protein from being decomposed with protease of a host. Thus, it is considered that production of proteins at a low temperature has advantages. On the other hand, it is also considered that in the case of the currently used promoter functioning at an ordinary temperature, the promoter activity decreases together with a decrease in the temperature. Accordingly, it is appropriate to use a promoter exhibiting high activity in a low temperature range to establish an efficient protein production system at a low temperature. To date, there has been a report that the mRNA of each of YBR067C (TIP1), YER011W (TIR1), YGR159C(NSR1), YGL055W (OLE1), YOR010C (TIR2), YKL060C (FBA1), YIL018W (RPL2B), YDL014W (NOP1), YKL183W, YKL011W, and YDR299W (BFR2), is increased by treating the yeast at a low temperature. However, the degree of cold inducibility of each of the promoters of the above genes has not yet been examined.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of HSP12 mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 2 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of DBP2 mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 3 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of NSR1 mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 4 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of AAH1 mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 5 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of YKR075C mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 6 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of OLE1 mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 7 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of ACT1 mRNA obtained when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 8 shows the structure of a plasmid obtained by ligating a DNA fragment having a DBP2 promoter function upstream of the 5′-terminal side of EGFP DNA, using pUG35-MET25 as a reporter vector. The position of a DNA sequence A (GCTCATCG) and the positions of Inverse PCR primers for removing the above DNA sequence (wherein RPC19-DBP2 IGR-cis F and RPC19-DBP2 IGR-cis R are abbreviated as DBP2-cis F and DBP2-cis R, respectively) are also shown in the figure; FIG. 9 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when a DNA fragment having a DBP2 promoter function is ligated to EGFP DNA and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 10 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when a DNA fragment having a DBP2 promoter function is ligated in the direction opposite to EGFP DNA and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 11 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when a DNA fragment having an HMT1 promoter function is ligated to EGFP DNA and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 12 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when a DNA fragment having an HMT1 promoter function is ligated in the direction opposite to EGFP DNA and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 13 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when a DNA fragment having an HSP12 promoter function is ligated to EGFP DNA and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 14 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA obtained when a DNA fragment having an HSP12 promoter function is ligated in the direction opposite to EGFP DNA and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 15 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA, which is obtained, when a DNA fragment having a modified DBP2 promoter function (right) obtained by removing a DNA sequence A (GCTCATCG) from a DNA fragment having a DBP2 promoter function comprising the above DNA sequence A and a native DNA fragment having a DBP2 promoter function (left) are used, and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 16 shows the results of Northern blotting analysis showing a change in the amount of EGFP mRNA, which is obtained, when a DNA fragment having a modified HMT1 promoter function (right) obtained by removing a DNA sequence B (GAGATGAG) from a DNA fragment having an HMT1 promoter function comprising the above DNA sequence B and a native DNA fragment having a HMT1 promoter function (left) are used, and when the culture temperature is decreased from 30° C. to 10° C. The culture time after a low temperature treatment is shown at the top. The amount of mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 17 shows, in the upper case, a plasmid construct comprising an ADH1 promoter, a TDH3 promoter, or a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, and in the middle and lower cases, the results of Northern blotting analysis, which is performed to compare the transcriptional activity of a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function with the transcriptional activities of an ADH1 promoter and a TDH3 promoter in yeast. The amount of EGFP mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 18 shows, in the upper case, a plasmid construct comprising a TDH3 promoter or a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, and in the lower case, the results of Western blotting analysis, which is performed to compare the protein-producing ability of a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function with the protein-producing ability of a TDH3 promoter in yeast. The amount of an EGFP protein is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 19 shows, in the upper case, an expression plasmid construct, which is obtained by inserting an expression cassette comprising a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function, the ORF of EGFP, and a CYC1 terminator, into pUG35 having a centromere as a replication origin, pYES2 having 2μ as a replication origin, or pYEX-BX having 2μ as a replication origin and having a weak leucine synthetase gene (leu2-d), from each of which an original promoter has been removed, and in the middle and lower cases, the results of Northern blotting analysis showing the fact that the ability of the transcriptional activation of a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function does not depend on the structure of a plasmid in itself. The amount of EGFP mRNA is represented by the density and size of dots in each lane; FIG. 20 shows the results of SDS-PAGE analysis showing the fact that the protein-producing ability of a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function does not depend on the structure of a plasmid in itself The amount of an EGFP protein is represented by the density and size of a band indicated with an arrow in each lane; FIG. 21 shows the results of SDS-PAGE analysis showing the fact that the protein-producing ability of a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function does not depend on the type of yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae . The amount of an EGFP protein is represented by the density and size of a band indicated with an arrow in each lane; FIG. 22 shows the results of SDS-PAGE analysis showing the fact that the protein-producing ability of an expression vector comprising a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function is more excellent than that of the existing expression vector of yeast. The amount of an EGFP protein is represented by the density and size of a band indicated with an arrow in each lane; FIG. 23 shows the results of SDS-PAGE analysis showing the fact that the protein-producing ability of an expression vector comprising a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function is induced in a wide low temperature range. The amount of an EGFP protein is represented by the density and size of a band indicated with an arrow in each lane; FIG. 24 shows the results of Western blotting analysis showing the fact that a cassette comprising an HSP12 promoter, the ORF of EGFP, and a CYC1 terminator was incorporated into methylotrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris , so that an EGRP protein was inducibly produced in Pichia pastoris at a low temperature; FIG. 25 shows the results of Western blotting analysis showing the fact that an antifreeze protein RD3 is expressed as a soluble protein by a DNA fragment having an HSP12 cold-inducible promoter function. The amount of an RD3 protein is represented by the density and size of a band in each lane; and FIG. 26 shows results obtained by expressing two types of fluorescent proteins, ECFP and DsRed by cold induction using pLTex321. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20041228

20080513

20051124

83068.0

JOIKE, MICHELE K

YEAST-ORIGIN PROMOTER AND VECTOR AND EXPRESSION SYSTEM USING THE SAME

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Method and device for monitoring and fault detection in industrial processes

A method for monitoring of and fault detection in an industrial process, comprising at least a first sub-process and at least one second sub-process arranged in a process chain, comprising, for the at least one second sub-process the steps of collecting data and calculating a multivariate sub-model based on the collected data, said method being characterized by the steps of receiving in the first sub-process from the at least second sub-process information related to the multivariate sub-model calculated for the at least second sub-process, collecting data related to the first sub-process, and calculating a multivariate sub-model for the first sub-process based on collected data and received information.

1. A method for monitoring of and fault detection in an industrial process, comprising at least a first sub-process and at least one second sub-process arranged in a process chain, comprising, for the at least one second sub-process the steps of collecting data and calculating a multivariate sub-model based on the collected data, said method being characterized by the steps: receiving in the first sub-process from the at least second sub-process information related to the multivariate sub-model calculated for the at least second sub-process, collecting data related to the first sub-process, and calculating a multivariate sub-model for the first sub-process based on collected data and received information. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized by the step of transmitting information or data related to the multivariate sub-model calculated for the first sub-process to a third sub-process. 3. A method according to claim 1, characterized by the step of performing information or data feedback from the first sub-process to the at least one second sub-process. 4. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the data collected for each sub-process comprises process data. 5. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of transferring information received comprises sequential transferring of quality parameters by means of multivariate sub-model score values (t1, t2, . . . , tn) between the sub-processes in the process chain. 6. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that arranging the collected data for the first sub-process in one matrix and calculating the sub-model for the first sub-process using a principal component analysis like method. 7. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that arranging the collected data for the first sub-process is in a first (X) and a second (Y) matrix and calculating the sub-model for the first sub-process using a PLS like method. 8. A method according to claim 7, characterized by first matrix (X) comprises process data and the second matrix (Y) comprises quality data. 9. A method according to claim 1, characterized by defining at least one plot, such as score plots, residual plots, residual standard deviation (DmodX) plots, contribution plots, or scaled raw data plots for the interpreting the models and occurring process faults. 10. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that outlier detection is provided by analysis of said at least one plot. 11. A method according to claim 1, characterized by using a number of multivariate sub-model observations comprising a prediction set to simulate the process chain. 12. A method according to claim 1, characterized by using a number of multivariate sub-model observations comprising a prediction set to perform on-line monitoring in the process chain. 13. A first apparatus for monitoring of and fault detection in an industrial process employing multivariate data methods, said first apparatus comprising calculating means for calculating a first multivariate sub-model for a first sub-process, said first apparatus being characterized in that it comprises means for receiving from at least a second apparatus information or data related to at a least second multivariate sub-model calculated for at least a second sub-process in the industrial process and that said calculating means is arranged to calculate the first multivariate sub-model based on the information or data received from said apparatus and said second sub-process. 14. A first apparatus according claim 13, characterized in that it comprises means for transmitting information or data to a third apparatus. 15. An apparatus according to claim 13, characterized by means for performing information or data feedback to the second apparatus. 16. A computer program product comprising computer readable code means which, when run on a computer system, makes the computer system perform the following steps: receiving information or data from a first sub-process receiving information or data related to a second multivariate sub-model calculated at a second sub-process calculating a first multivariate sub-model based on the data received from said second multivariate sub-model and said first sub-process. 17. A computer program product according to claim 16 comprising computer read-able code means which, when run on a computer system, makes the computer system perform the following additional step: transmitting relevant information or data to a third sub-process.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method and a device of monitoring and fault detection in industrial processes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of applying multivariate techniques in the sequential transfer of quality parameters by means of score values and monitor the process with early fault detection. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND In today's world of outsourcing, many of the steps in manufacturing process are actually made by other companies than by the company responsible for the final product Examples of products assembled in such a way include cars, computers, and telephone exchanges. The same approach applies to a product manufactured in several steps without assembly, e.g., a pharmaceutical tablet, a roll of printing paper, or a wafer in a semiconductor process. Sequential manufacturing makes for a strong need of tracking quality data through the whole manufacturing tree, assuring that all components and sub-components, as well as their combinations, have adequate quality, faults are early (high up) discovered in the tree, etc. When multiple data are measured in process steps and component quality testing, only multivariate tools can adequately use the information to evaluate the quality in the tree of manufacturing steps. The products of today must meet increasing quality demands. The product quality is measured by many parameters and depends on many process variables in each step of the process chain. During each manufacturing step, process data are measured at certain intervals to control and monitor the process, and after each step intermediate quality data are measured on the sub-components and components, and then final quality data are measured on the final product. However, even if many quality measurements are used, with reliance on traditional Statistical Process Control (SPC) the small tolerated variation of each component leads to major difficulties, and rejection of a portion of well working product. Several techniques are used for the purpose of monitoring a process. Parameters to check include quality, yield, energy, product rejection, etc. A conventional approach for monitoring a process is to consider one variable at a time (univariate SPC). This approach is not adequate for obtaining the best quality, economy, etc. of a product in a manufacturing process, since actually several variables are involved. The most commonly employed type of SPC uses single variable control charts. When a given product or process is outside of a specification it is indicated. The limitation with SPC is that only few variables, generally at the most around 5, can be used for monitoring the process. The quality of intermediate and end products is in most cases described by values of a set of variables, the product specification. The specifications are often used in a univariate mode, i.e. they are checked individually for conformation within the specification value range to both false negative and false positive classification, since the quality variables very rarely are independent in practice, but are treated as if they were, i.e. univariately. It is possible to use traditional. SPC to establish when a process is out of specification when only a few variables are involved. However, when the number of process variables and quality increase or when they interact, problems arise. Very often it is difficult to determine the source of the problem, particularly when the number of process variables increases. Product quality is typically a multivariate property and must be treated as such in order to monitor a process in that respect. In order to optimize and control a process with several variables, projection techniques such as Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Projection to Latent Structure (PLS) have been applied. These techniques are well described (Mac Gregor et. al.) and further development has been made to address the process control need of today. S. Wold et al. (Hierarchical multi-block PLS and PC models, for easier interpretation, and as an alternative to variable selection. J.Chemometrics 10 (1996) 463482), describes a method where the variables are divided into conceptually meaningful blocks before applying hierarchical multi-block PLS or PC models. This allows an interpretation focused on pertinent blocks and their dominant variables. Such blocking can be used in process modeling and modeling. Attempts based on SPC and projection techniques have been made to control a process. WO 99/19780 describes a method and device for controlling an essentially continuous process comprising at least two sub-processes, which minimizes the rejection of the produced product. The method is based upon combining multivariate models with a processed variable value. A variable value for a subsequent second sub process is predicted based on the combination of the multivariate model and the processed variable value. However, the method only utilizes multivariate data analysis in respect of controlling the process and not for checking or monitoring. Furthermore the method is applied only for a specific application and can not be used in general applications. C. Wikström et al. (Multivariate process and quality monitoring applied to an electrolysis process. Part 1. Process supervision with multivariate control charts Chemometrics and intelligent laboratory system 42 (1998) 221-231), describes Multi-variate Statistical Process Control (MSPC) applied to an electrolysis process and the benefit with multivariate analysis over traditional univariate analysis is discussed Moreover the article shows how the result from a multivariate principal component analysis method can be displayed graphically in multivariate statistical control charts. By using this informationally efficient MSPC approach, rather than any inefficient SPC technique, the potential of achieving major improvements in the understanding and monitoring of the process is shown. The improvements are, however, not sufficient to be able to control the quality problems in complex processes unless specific experimentation has been made to make the multivariate model invertable and thus also capable to determine how the process should be modified to minimize deviation from the specification profile. In MSPC as well as SPC “controlling” should be synonymous with “checking” or “monitoring”. Another drawback with the application of prior art to sequential manufacturing is the need to carry relevant information from different process steps in a process chain, which can not be easily achieved by known techniques. Therefore, a need exists to describe product quality in a sequential monitoring process by a multivariate model of the relevant quality variables rather than the individual variables themselves. A problem with prior art (univariate SPC) is that the quality variables are not independent, but their interdependencies get lost if they are analyzed or monitored individually. The risk for false product approval increases and when this occurs and is fed back in the supply chain the specification intervals are usually narrowed in order to secure product. However, this rarely eliminates the problem of false product approval and also give rise to substantial false rejects. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems set forth above especially to monitor and detect faults at the earliest possible stage in a process chain. This is accomplished according the invention by a method for monitoring of and fault detection in an industrial process, comprising at least a first sub-process and at least one second sub-process arranged in a process chain, comprising, for the at least one second sub-process the steps of collecting data and calculating a multivariate sub-model based on the collected data, said method being characterized by the steps of receiving in the first sub-process from the at least second sub-process information related to the multivariate sub-model calculated for the at least second sub-process, collecting data related to the first sub-process, and calculating a multivariate sub-model for the first sub-process based on collected data and received information. The current invention provides a method and a device for multivariate quality assessment and sequential transport of quality measures between subsequent producing entities. Early fault detection in the process chain is achieved by fault diagnosis tools such as outlier detection etc., and on-line monitoring of new data measured from the beginning of the manufacture chain. This methodology has several advantages compared to traditional univariate quality assessment. The risk for false product approval decreases. Multivariate quality assessment allows the number of quality variables to increase and still be meaningful as product specification. This is due to the inherent capability of multivariate techniques to reduce dimensionality without losing relevant information in the data. This allows for instance inclusion of entire spectra from spectroscopic measurements to be used as quality assessment. Near Infra Red (NIR) sepctroscopy has become increasingly used for this purpose. It is also possible to predict product properties directly from the process, i.e. to translate the production state into predicted product properties. This is sometimes called soft sensors. In multivariate quality assessment, the quality data from good product samples are used to build a multivariate model using PCA or PLS. Each produced unit is then projected on this model and classified according to its dissimilarity to the model. The current invention use multivariate models in sequence. The producing entity applies a multivariate model for describing the quality. This model consists of a number of latent variables, the same latent variables are used by the receiving entity as a means of checking the quality of each delivered unit. But they can also be used as X-variables in the receiving entity's process step to give quality assessment of each individual step taken into use into the further processing. The data are arranged in a dynamically updated tree with the root being the final product data and each branch and twig being the data of a component or sub-component. This feature concerns a novel method to analyze multivariate data from a tree structured manufacturing process. In a preferred embodiment this novel method gives information about each manufacturing step and its results, as well as the combined influence of all upstream (“up-tree”) steps on later steps and on the final product. Preferably the novel approach allows the detection of faults and upsets in separate steps as well as in combinations of several or all steps, and points to which process variables and steps that together are related to these faults. Thus, an overview of all the process data are obtained in a way corresponding to the structure of the process, providing information about the overall quality as well as the quality of each individual step. Preferably this novel approach provides an adequate infrastructure to monitor a complicated chain of components manufacturing and assembly in such a way that the adequate quality of the final product is assured. Pertinent graphics are included, showing the status of the overall chain as well as parts and individual steps in terms of one-, two-, and three-dimensional multivariate control charts. Additional multivariate plots are included for the detailed interpretation of the patterns seen in these control charts. We here discuss the novel approach as applied to the discrete manufacturing of a product consisting of components and sub-components, e.g., a computer, a telephone, a car, or a camera. Precisely the same approach applies also to a product manufactured in several steps without assembly, e.g., a pharmaceutical tablet, a roll of printing paper, or a wafer in a semiconductor process. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows the information flow in a simple straight chain sequence and quality data Y. FIG. 2 shows the information flow in a simple example of a “forked” sequence. FIG. 3 shows PLS regression coefficients (b) for step 11, y11 (left), x11 and x12 are seen to dominate both y-models, and x14 is unimportant. FIG. 4 shows PLS regression coefficients (b) for step 11, y12, x11 and x12 are seen to dominate both y-models, and x14 is unimportant. FIG. 5 shows the data structure for a simple process with four steps with two merging branches in the final step. DEFINITIONS An “industrial process” means a process comprising one or several steps performed within that specific process or one or several steps performed at sub processes, and could be described as a multivariate process. Bold characters are used for vectors and matrices, lower case for vectors, e.g., u, and per case for matrices, eg. X. The process consists of I steps (=1, 2, . . . , J), where we assume that the last (J) is the final step, giving the final product. One “NIPALS-PLS round” means from present u's (local and from chain below), use an average of these u's, multiply that into X to give w', normalize w, calculate t and X w, and finally c as t'Y/(t't). The training set is the historical data measured on all steps from instances of acceptable product, N observations with the individual index i (i=1,2, . . . , N), these data will be used to develop a model of how data in all steps and in their combination should look for acceptable product. On each step (j), multiple process variables (xjk) are measured, with the value of the individual observation being xijk. For step j, the training set data comprise the matrix Xj. Optionally, after each step (j), quality variables (yjm) are measured, with the value of the individual observation being yijm. For step j, the training set data comprise the matrix Yj. For steps lacking quality data (y), principal components like calculations will be made, for steps having quality data PLS like calculation will be made. A coefficient bjk shows how much a variablexjk contributes to the model of step 11. A sub-process is a process step in a straight process chain, a forked process chain or a combination of both. A sub-model is a multivariate model calculated for a specific subprocess, which can include information from one or several sub-models. Outliers could be samples that are out of a specification, outside a process control limit, etc. The items displayed in a score plot are the score values of the observations for a specified set of model components (model dimensions), often components one and two, or one, two, and three. The score values are weighted averages of all variables (measurements, properties) with the weights determined by (a) the loadings of the variables of the specified model components, and (b) the scaling parameters of the corresponding model. Thus, the scores are new variables that constitute summaries of the original variables. Deviations in the score values of an observation from the normal intervals of these scores indicate the observation to be different from the ones situated within the normal score intervals; it is an outlier. A scaled raw data (contribution) plot for an observation, shows the difference between its individual variable values in scaled form and the corresponding scaled values of a reference observation. This reference observation is often the (hypothetical) average of all “good” observations (giving good final quality) in the training set, or the set point of manipulated variables together with the average values of the other variables. The scaled raw data (contribution) plot indicates which combination of variables that is related to the significant deviation of the observation (making it an outlier)—these are the variables deviating the most from their “normal” values. Thus the scaled raw data (contribution) plot is useful for finding the reason for an observation deviating from the “normal” ones, as seen in, for instance, a score plot or a residual std dev (DModX) plot. A residual std dev (DModX) plot describes how much the scaled data vector of each observation differs from its “ideal”, this being the model value of the observation, i.e., the weighted sum of the model loadings with the weights being the score values of the observation. A large residual std dev (DModX) value, significantly outside its normal range, indicated that this observation deviates from the model of the normal observations, it is an outlier. The indications for process upsets are often seen first in the residual std dev (DModX) plot DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following the invention will be described in more detail by means of examples which are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Like any modeling, sequential multivariate modeling is made in two phases; (1) a “training” phase based on historical data leading to a multivariate model. In the present case this consists of, a chain of multivariate submodels. (2) a “prediction” phase where the model from phase (1) is used to evaluate new incoming data to detect deviations from “normal operation”, and predict properties of the resulting product or intermediate product of a subprocess. In the present case of sequential modeling, historical data are collected for each step in the manufacturing process chain, and a sub-model is developed for each such step. The models are then connected in a chain corresponding to the process chain (this connection can be done in several slightly different ways), and in the prediction step applied on-line to production data for diagnosis and quality assessment and prediction of quality further down the chain. Early fault detection in the process chain is achieved by fault diagnosis tools such as outlier detection etc. Plots such as contribution, score, coefficients etc. can be used as diagnosis tools. On-line monitoring of new data measured from the beginning of the manufacture chain, give information about the status of the process chain in total as well as each of it's steps, and identifies the from normal process operation in outliers in scores and other diagnostic plots. EXAMPLES In the following two small examples we will indicate how information from one step of a sequential process can be carried “down stream” by means of scores of a multivariate model of the step. Subsequent steps will use these scores as variables together with the process variables in those subsequent steps. In this way one gets a monitoring approach, which a) intermediate product meets specification and b) ensures that all intermediate products from different process streams fit together in intermediate and final products. In addition to process monitoring and only fault detection, this can be used, for instance, to match intermediates when the intermediate product differ in size, large ones go together, and small ones go together or, just to make sure that the final product has all properties in the right proportion, including those of its components. To illustrate the models, information flow, and algorithms, two small illustrative examples are given below with only 5 observations and three steps in each. The simplest sequential algorithm is used for the illustration, where separate standard two block (X,Y) PLS models (no hierarchical structure) are made for the “left end” blocks of each chain, i.e., block (X1, Y1) in FIG. 1, and blocks (X4, Y4) and (X5, Y5) in FIG. 2. Thereafter the scores (t11, t12, t41, t42, t5) of these blocks are included as extra process variables in the blocks (X2, X6) next to the right (down stream) of these “end blocks”, and PLS models made of these blocks. The resulting scores are then used as extra process variables in the blocks next to the right (down stream), etc., until the end. This simplest way of calculation gives two PLS-components for step 11 in FIG. 1, the same for step 21 in FIG. 2, and one component for step 22 in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 1, a straight chain sequence in three steps is shown. We may think of this as a very simple example of a pharmaceutical manufacturing, where a tablet is made in three consecutive steps; granulation (step 11), mixing (step 12), and tabletting (step 13). The three model properties are shown in table 1. TABLE 1 Number of Number of measured Resulting Number of t's from quality number variables previous variables of PLS Model (X's) step (Y's) components step 11 4 — 2 2 step 12 3 2 1 3 step 13 3 3 2 3 Step 11, this first step simulates a simplified granulation with four process variables (e.g., temperature (x11), flow (x12), concentration (x13), spray pressure (x14)) and two measured quality variables (responses), e.g., granulate particle size (y11) and homogeneity (y12) (standard deviation of particle size). The data values below have been centered (average subtracted) and scaled, to make them uninteresting as such. Table 2 shows data X1=[x11, x12, x13, x14] and Y1=[y11, y12] of step 11, together with resulting two score vectors t11 and t12, and PLS coefficients w* and c. In the PLS model, the scores are calculated from the raw data as: tia=Σk xik wak*, and each y-vector is modeled by the scores as: yim=Σa tia cam+fim (residuals), or, equivalently, yim=Σk xik bmk+fim. The data are analyzed in original form, with no additional centering or scaling. TABLE 2 obs/vec x11 x12 x13 x14 y11 y12 t11 t12 1 0.188 0.076 0.175 0.091 0.248 0.191 0.280 0.062 2 −0.316 0.029 −0.367 −0.379 −0.314 −0.250 −0.553 0.143 3 0.599 0.023 0.561 0.591 0.624 0.563 0.951 −0.127 4 −0.033 0.312 −0.213 −0.335 0.028 0.139 −0.175 0.435 5 −0.438 −0.441 −0.156 0.032 −0.587 −0.644 −0.503 −0.513 6 0.63 0.061 0.587 0.507 0.963 −0.047 7 0.83 0.001 0.9 0.807 1.366 −0.212 w* and c 1 0.699 0.295 0.514 0.401 0.717 0.653 w* and c 2 0.368 0.813 −0.139 −0.487 0.415 0.600 b y11 0.653 0.549 0.311 0.085 b y12 0.677 0.680 0.253 −0.031 Data (X1 and Y1), scores (t11 and t12), and model-coefficients (w*, c, and b) of step 11 are shown in table 2. Observation 6 and 7 constitute the “prediction set”, which is not used for model development, but rather to simulate the “on-line” monitoring of the process at a later stage. The regression coefficient plot of y11 shown in FIG. 3, indicates that variable x11 and x12 dominate the y11 model and that x14 is unimportant The regression coefficient plot of y12 shown in FIG. 4, indicates that variable x11 and x12 dominate the y12-model and that x14 is unimportant. Further the variable x13 is seen to be about half as important as the dominating x11 and x12 in both y-models. Step 12, in this simulated mixing step, has three process variables, feed rate of the constituents (x21), stirring rate (x22), and mixing time (x23). There is one y-variable, the resulting homogeneity (y2). As in step 11, the data are centered and scaled to make them uninteresting as such. In this step, the influence of step 11 is modeled by means of the two scores resulting in the step 11 model. These two vectors (t11 and t12) are appended to the X2-matrix of step 12 to give totally five variables (x21, x22, x23, t11, and t12) in the X-matrix of step 12. The PLS analysis of these data gives three components, the scores of which are used as additional variables in step 13. Step 12 data (X2 augmented with the two scores of step 11, and Y2), scores (t21, t22, and t23), and Y=Y2, and models coefficients (w*, c, and b), are shown in table 3. TABLE 3 obs/vec x21 x22 x23 t11 t12 y2 t21 t22 t23 1 −0.364 −0.355 −0.287 0.280 0.062 −0.336 −0.339 −0.278 0.364 2 0.197 0.096 0.164 −0.553 0.143 −0.250 −0.121 0.227 −0.456 3 0.427 0.454 0.423 0.951 −0.127 0.979 1.091 −0.347 −0.026 4 −0.358 −0.279 −0.395 −0.175 0.435 −0.840 −0.726 −0.334 −0.104 5 0.098 0.084 0.095 −0.503 −0.513 0.447 0.095 0.731 0.221 w* and c 1 0.448 0.436 0.453 0.481 −0.416 1.005 w* and c 2 0.064 0.049 0.091 −0.568 −0.830 0.340 w* and c 3 −0.409 −0.282 −0.303 0.305 −0.909 0.380 b y2 0.317 0.347 0.371 0.406 −1.046 Step 13, in this simulated tabletting step, there are three process variables, punching pressure (x31), machine speed (x32), and filling rate (x33). There are two y-variables, the resulting tablet hardness (y31) and uniformity (y32). As previous steps, the data are centered and scaled. In this step, the influence of step 12 (and indirectly of step 11) is modeled by means of the three scores resulting in the step 12 model. These three vectors (t21, t22, and t23) are appended to the X3-matrix of step 13 to give totally six variables (x31, x32, x33, t21, t22, and t23) in the X-matrix of step 13. The PLS analysis of these data gives three components, denoted t31, t32, and t33 below. Step 13 sq data (X3 augmented with the three scores of step 12, and Y=Y3), and model coefficients (w*, c, and b), are shown in table 4. TABLE 4 obs/vec x31 x32 x33 t21 t22 t23 y31 y32 t31 t32 t33 1 0.409 −0.120 0.180 −0.339 −0.278 0.364 0.633 −0.128 −0.105 0.526 0.499 2 −0.098 0.086 −0.013 −0.121 0.227 −0.456 −0.446 −0.189 −0.179 −0.152 −0.478 3 0.099 0.479 0.301 1.091 −0.347 −0.026 0.411 1.310 1.269 −0.047 −0.039 4 −0.156 0.075 −0.086 −0.726 −0.334 −0.104 0.422 −0.875 −0.544 0.547 −0.226 5 −0.254 −0.520 −0.382 0.095 0.731 0.221 −1.020 −0.117 −0.441 −0.874 0.244 w* and c 1 0.178 0.337 0.279 0.835 −0.280 0.049 0.353 1.044 w* and c 2 0.272 0.264 0.262 −0.489 −0.736 0.081 1.102 −0.349 w* and c 3 0.376 −0.397 0.041 0.094 −0.061 0.836 0.286 0.247 b y31 0.470 0.297 0.399 −0.217 −0.927 0.345 b y32 0.183 0.161 0.210 1.065 −0.049 0.230 FIG. 2 has a “fork”, where the last step receives material (and information) from two chains, each with just one step. This may be seen as a simplified version of the manufacturing of a small computer, putting together two components, say a mother board and a power source, as a last step. Here, in addition to the training set of five observations, a prediction set with two additional observations is used to show the prediction phase of the analysis. Note that step 21 is identical to step 11 in FIG. 1 above, and hence not shown again below. The three models have the following properties, shown in table 5. TABLE 5 Number of Number of Resulting Number of t's from measured number variables previous parameters of PLS Model (X's) step (Y's) components step 21 4 — 2 2 step 22 3 — 1 1 step 23 3 3 2 3 Step 21 in FIG. 2 is simulated to have the same data as step 11 above shown in table 2, i.e. X1=X4, Y1=Y4, t11=t41, and t12=t42, and is hence not further discussed. Of course the variables here (for a computer motherboard manufacturing) are different from those of a pharmaceutical granulation, but after centering and scaling they here are identical in values to simplify the examples. Hence also the PLS model of this step is identical to that of step 11. Step 22 in FIG. 2, here the X-data have the same number of variables and the same values as step 12 in FIG. 1. However, since there is no step preceding step 22 in the forked model, the PLS model is not identical, and hence the table of data and results is given below. Only one PLS component is significant. Step 22 data (X5 and Y5), score (t5), and model coefficients (w*, c, and b). Both the prediction set observations, 6 and 7, fit the model within the 5% level, in table 6. TABLE 6 obs/vec x51 x52 x53 y5 t5 DModX PmodX 1 −0.364 −0.355 −0.287 −0.276 −0.580 2 0.197 0.096 0.164 0.153 0.266 3 0.427 0.454 0.423 0.431 0.752 4 −0.358 −0.279 −0.395 −0.422 −0.598 5 0.098 0.084 0.095 0.113 0.160 6 0.332 0.510 0.579 0.816 3.260 0.048 7 −0.368 −0.540 −0.521 −0.820 2.573 0.085 w* and c 1 0.600 0.548 0.584 0.587 b y5 0.352 0.321 0.342 Step 23, in this simulated manufacturing step comprise three process variables, three relative position measurements (x31, x32, and x33) of the motherboard and of the power source. There are two y-variables, two measured voltages (y31, y32) on the mounted computer. As previous steps, the data are centered and scaled. In this step 23, the influence of steps 21 and 22 is modeled by means of the three scores resulting in the step 21 and step 22 models. These three vectors (t41, t42, and t5) are appended to the X-matrix of step 23 to give totally six variables in X6 (x31, x32, x33, t41, t42, and t5) of step 23. The PLS analysis of these data gives three components, denoted t61, t62, and t63, and step 23 data (X6 and Y6), scores, and model coefficients (w*, c, and b) are shown below in table 7. The prediction set observation 7 fits the model, while no 6 is a significant outlier as shown in table 7. In a DmodX-plot no 6 would be significantly outside its normal range, indicating that this observation deviates from the model of the normal observations and classified as an outlier TABLE 7 obs/vec x61 x62 x63 t41 t42 t5 y61 y62 t61 t62 t63 DmodX PModX 1 0.409 −0.12 0.18 0.28 0.062 −0.58 0.633 −0.128 0.05 0.644 0.427 2 −0.098 0.086 −0.013 −0.553 0.143 0.266 −0.446 −0.189 −0.312 −0.28 −0.36 3 0.099 0.479 0.301 0.951 −0.127 0.752 0.411 1.31 1.321 −0.226 −0.065 4 −0.156 0.075 −0.086 −0.175 0.434 −0.598 0.422 −0.875 −0.448 0.587 −0.299 5 −0.254 −0.52 −0.382 −0.503 −0.513 0.16 −1.02 −0.117 −0.611 −0.725 0.297 pred pred y1 y2 6 −0.353 −0.999 −0.683 0.963 −0.048 0.816 −0.573 1.002 0.494 −0.78 0.406 5.555 0.019 7 0 −0.2 −0.1 1.366 −0.213 −0.82 1.072 0.358 0.614 0.81 0.703 4.143 0.057 w1 w2 w3 w4 w5 w6 c1 c2 w* and c 1 0.189 0.336 0.282 0.765 −0.07 0.427 0.474 0.929 w* and c 2 0.22 0.178 0.188 0.255 0.496 −0.757 1.009 −0.534 w* and c 3 0.502 −0.552 0.061 0.222 −0.595 −0.206 −0.051 0.313 b y61 0.286 0.367 0.32 0.609 0.498 −0.551 b y62 0.215 0.044 0.181 0.643 −0.517 0.736 With FIG. 2, the two prediction set observations are then used in the prediction phase of the sequential analysis. The prediction set (observation 6 and 7) give the values of scores and residual standard deviations (DmodX) shown above. It is seen that observation 6 is rather far away from the model and is a significant outlier. With more variables it would definitely be even clearer. A contribution plot would show that the main variables deviating are x31 and x33, i.e., two of the step 23 process variables. Distances to the model (residual standard deviations) of the five training set observations (1-5) and the two prediction set observations. The first one (no 6) is seen to be outside the critical limit, and hence classified as an outlier. Transmitting information and data between the different steps can be performed in different directions. In FIG. 2, step 23 may also transmit information and data to step 21 and/or step 22. Analogously in FIG. 1, step 13 may also transmit information and data to step 12. In the following text the invention will further be described in detail. Data are divided into blocks for each step, with Xj indicating process data measured on step j and Yj indicating quality and other result data measured on the same step. FIG. 5 shows the data structure for a simple process with four steps (71,72,73, and 74) with two merging branches in the final step 74. The scores tj(t7, t8, t9, and t10) carry the information of Xj(X7, X8, X9, and X10) to later steps, and the scores uj (U7, U8, U9, and U10) summarize the Y-block (Y7, Y8, Y9, and Y10) of the same step. For simplicity we assume only one significant component for each step. In reality, of course they are usually more. Hence, the model estimate in phase one has a number of sub models, one for each step (71 to 74 in FIG. 5), plus a mechanism for carrying the sequential transfer of quality parameters from a step forwards (down stream) in the chain. There are several possible variants of algorithms to estimate the sequential model from the training set. A simple algorithm would be to start with a simple PLS model for each step being leftmost in a chain, above step 71 and step 73. The number of components in each step model (Aj) is determined so that the scores of each step (tj) adequately capture the systematic variation in the corresponding Xj matrices. These scores are then included among the X-variables in the next model to the right, either as just extensions of the X-block, or, as separate blocks, one per component. Thus, in the second variant, if there were Aj components in the model to the left of the present step, there will be 1+Aj blocks in a hierarchical PLS model of the present step. The resulting score(s) of the second step models (one per chain in this example) are then carrying the information to the next step to the right in the chain, etc., until either the process chain finishes, or merges with another chain as in FIG. 5. In steps where several chains merge, the procedure is the same, except that a set of scores appear from each chain, and the extension of X includes all these scores, either just as additional variables, or, as a set of one variable blocks, Aj+Ak in number, assuming that the previous models in two merging chains were Aj and Ak, respectively. The model is now finished, and can be used in a prediction phase (with additional variables, data etc.) starting with the earliest steps, and sequentially moving the resulting scores down the chain(s) together with the variables measured in each subsequent step. In a more elaborate model, one can weave the estimation back and forth, using the model with only one component above as a start. Then, in the “back-ward” phase, the models are updated in a standard NIPALS fashion starting from the rightmost (final) Y-block. That will, to begin with, produce a u-vector for this final block, which then is carried backward to previous blocks together with its Y-summaries (uj), giving after one NIPALS-PLS round a joint u-vector for the previous step, which then is carried backwards another step, etc. Once the end is reached, one has t-scores for the leftmost step sub models, and the directions are changed to forwards, etc., until convergence. The X-blocks of all steps are then deflated by t*p', and a second component started just as in any hierarchical PLS model. After an adequate number of model components (cross-validation or other estimation of model complexity), the model is finished, and can be used in a prediction phase staring with the earliest steps, and sequentially moving the resulting scores down the chain(s) together with the variables measured in each subsequent step.

<SOH> TECHNICAL BACKGROUND <EOH>In today's world of outsourcing, many of the steps in manufacturing process are actually made by other companies than by the company responsible for the final product Examples of products assembled in such a way include cars, computers, and telephone exchanges. The same approach applies to a product manufactured in several steps without assembly, e.g., a pharmaceutical tablet, a roll of printing paper, or a wafer in a semiconductor process. Sequential manufacturing makes for a strong need of tracking quality data through the whole manufacturing tree, assuring that all components and sub-components, as well as their combinations, have adequate quality, faults are early (high up) discovered in the tree, etc. When multiple data are measured in process steps and component quality testing, only multivariate tools can adequately use the information to evaluate the quality in the tree of manufacturing steps. The products of today must meet increasing quality demands. The product quality is measured by many parameters and depends on many process variables in each step of the process chain. During each manufacturing step, process data are measured at certain intervals to control and monitor the process, and after each step intermediate quality data are measured on the sub-components and components, and then final quality data are measured on the final product. However, even if many quality measurements are used, with reliance on traditional Statistical Process Control (SPC) the small tolerated variation of each component leads to major difficulties, and rejection of a portion of well working product. Several techniques are used for the purpose of monitoring a process. Parameters to check include quality, yield, energy, product rejection, etc. A conventional approach for monitoring a process is to consider one variable at a time (univariate SPC). This approach is not adequate for obtaining the best quality, economy, etc. of a product in a manufacturing process, since actually several variables are involved. The most commonly employed type of SPC uses single variable control charts. When a given product or process is outside of a specification it is indicated. The limitation with SPC is that only few variables, generally at the most around 5, can be used for monitoring the process. The quality of intermediate and end products is in most cases described by values of a set of variables, the product specification. The specifications are often used in a univariate mode, i.e. they are checked individually for conformation within the specification value range to both false negative and false positive classification, since the quality variables very rarely are independent in practice, but are treated as if they were, i.e. univariately. It is possible to use traditional. SPC to establish when a process is out of specification when only a few variables are involved. However, when the number of process variables and quality increase or when they interact, problems arise. Very often it is difficult to determine the source of the problem, particularly when the number of process variables increases. Product quality is typically a multivariate property and must be treated as such in order to monitor a process in that respect. In order to optimize and control a process with several variables, projection techniques such as Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and Projection to Latent Structure (PLS) have been applied. These techniques are well described (Mac Gregor et. al.) and further development has been made to address the process control need of today. S. Wold et al. (Hierarchical multi-block PLS and PC models, for easier interpretation, and as an alternative to variable selection. J.Chemometrics 10 (1996) 463482), describes a method where the variables are divided into conceptually meaningful blocks before applying hierarchical multi-block PLS or PC models. This allows an interpretation focused on pertinent blocks and their dominant variables. Such blocking can be used in process modeling and modeling. Attempts based on SPC and projection techniques have been made to control a process. WO 99/19780 describes a method and device for controlling an essentially continuous process comprising at least two sub-processes, which minimizes the rejection of the produced product. The method is based upon combining multivariate models with a processed variable value. A variable value for a subsequent second sub process is predicted based on the combination of the multivariate model and the processed variable value. However, the method only utilizes multivariate data analysis in respect of controlling the process and not for checking or monitoring. Furthermore the method is applied only for a specific application and can not be used in general applications. C. Wikström et al. (Multivariate process and quality monitoring applied to an electrolysis process. Part 1. Process supervision with multivariate control charts Chemometrics and intelligent laboratory system 42 (1998) 221-231), describes Multi-variate Statistical Process Control (MSPC) applied to an electrolysis process and the benefit with multivariate analysis over traditional univariate analysis is discussed Moreover the article shows how the result from a multivariate principal component analysis method can be displayed graphically in multivariate statistical control charts. By using this informationally efficient MSPC approach, rather than any inefficient SPC technique, the potential of achieving major improvements in the understanding and monitoring of the process is shown. The improvements are, however, not sufficient to be able to control the quality problems in complex processes unless specific experimentation has been made to make the multivariate model invertable and thus also capable to determine how the process should be modified to minimize deviation from the specification profile. In MSPC as well as SPC “controlling” should be synonymous with “checking” or “monitoring”. Another drawback with the application of prior art to sequential manufacturing is the need to carry relevant information from different process steps in a process chain, which can not be easily achieved by known techniques. Therefore, a need exists to describe product quality in a sequential monitoring process by a multivariate model of the relevant quality variables rather than the individual variables themselves. A problem with prior art (univariate SPC) is that the quality variables are not independent, but their interdependencies get lost if they are analyzed or monitored individually. The risk for false product approval increases and when this occurs and is fed back in the supply chain the specification intervals are usually narrowed in order to secure product. However, this rarely eliminates the problem of false product approval and also give rise to substantial false rejects.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF INVENTION <EOH>The present invention is directed to overcoming the problems set forth above especially to monitor and detect faults at the earliest possible stage in a process chain. This is accomplished according the invention by a method for monitoring of and fault detection in an industrial process, comprising at least a first sub-process and at least one second sub-process arranged in a process chain, comprising, for the at least one second sub-process the steps of collecting data and calculating a multivariate sub-model based on the collected data, said method being characterized by the steps of receiving in the first sub-process from the at least second sub-process information related to the multivariate sub-model calculated for the at least second sub-process, collecting data related to the first sub-process, and calculating a multivariate sub-model for the first sub-process based on collected data and received information. The current invention provides a method and a device for multivariate quality assessment and sequential transport of quality measures between subsequent producing entities. Early fault detection in the process chain is achieved by fault diagnosis tools such as outlier detection etc., and on-line monitoring of new data measured from the beginning of the manufacture chain. This methodology has several advantages compared to traditional univariate quality assessment. The risk for false product approval decreases. Multivariate quality assessment allows the number of quality variables to increase and still be meaningful as product specification. This is due to the inherent capability of multivariate techniques to reduce dimensionality without losing relevant information in the data. This allows for instance inclusion of entire spectra from spectroscopic measurements to be used as quality assessment. Near Infra Red (NIR) sepctroscopy has become increasingly used for this purpose. It is also possible to predict product properties directly from the process, i.e. to translate the production state into predicted product properties. This is sometimes called soft sensors. In multivariate quality assessment, the quality data from good product samples are used to build a multivariate model using PCA or PLS. Each produced unit is then projected on this model and classified according to its dissimilarity to the model. The current invention use multivariate models in sequence. The producing entity applies a multivariate model for describing the quality. This model consists of a number of latent variables, the same latent variables are used by the receiving entity as a means of checking the quality of each delivered unit. But they can also be used as X-variables in the receiving entity's process step to give quality assessment of each individual step taken into use into the further processing. The data are arranged in a dynamically updated tree with the root being the final product data and each branch and twig being the data of a component or sub-component. This feature concerns a novel method to analyze multivariate data from a tree structured manufacturing process. In a preferred embodiment this novel method gives information about each manufacturing step and its results, as well as the combined influence of all upstream (“up-tree”) steps on later steps and on the final product. Preferably the novel approach allows the detection of faults and upsets in separate steps as well as in combinations of several or all steps, and points to which process variables and steps that together are related to these faults. Thus, an overview of all the process data are obtained in a way corresponding to the structure of the process, providing information about the overall quality as well as the quality of each individual step. Preferably this novel approach provides an adequate infrastructure to monitor a complicated chain of components manufacturing and assembly in such a way that the adequate quality of the final product is assured. Pertinent graphics are included, showing the status of the overall chain as well as parts and individual steps in terms of one-, two-, and three-dimensional multivariate control charts. Additional multivariate plots are included for the detailed interpretation of the patterns seen in these control charts. We here discuss the novel approach as applied to the discrete manufacturing of a product consisting of components and sub-components, e.g., a computer, a telephone, a car, or a camera. Precisely the same approach applies also to a product manufactured in several steps without assembly, e.g., a pharmaceutical tablet, a roll of printing paper, or a wafer in a semiconductor process.

20050218

20090421

20051201

73045.0

LAMARRE, GUY J

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING AND FAULT DETECTION IN INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Containment systems, methods, and devices

A tubular mesh enclosure (1040) formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of less than 0.5 inches. The mesh enclosure has opposing pair of ends (1042, 1044) with at least one end (1044) being sealed. A filling (1010) is surrounded by the tubular mesh enclosure with the enclosure defining a length and a generally non-circular longitudinal cross-section defining a major width. A ratio of the length to the width greater than approximately 40.

1. A system comprising: a first tubular mesh enclosure formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of less than 0.5 inches, said first tubular mesh enclosure having a first opposing pair of ends, at least one of said first opposing pair of ends sealed; and a filling surrounded by said first tubular mesh enclosure; said system defining a first length and a first generally non-circular longitudinal cross-section defining a first major width, a first ratio of said first length to said first major width greater than approximately 40. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means for anchoring said first tubular mesh enclosure. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a means for anchoring said first tubular mesh enclosure to a surface, said means for anchoring said first tubular mesh enclosure attached to said first tubular mesh enclosure. 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an anchor flap attached to said first tubular mesh enclosure. 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising an anchor flap attached to said first tubular mesh enclosure, said anchor flap penetrable by a stake. 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an anchor flap attached to said first tubular mesh enclosure, said anchor flap attachable to a surface via a stake. 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising an anchor flap attached to said first tubular mesh enclosure, and a anchor for securing said anchor flap to a geo-surface. 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising an anchor flap attached to said first tubular mesh enclosure, and a means for securing said anchor flap to a geo-surface. 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising an additional quantity of said filling placed against an outer surface of said first tubular mesh enclosure. 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second tubular mesh enclosure stacked above said first tubular mesh enclosure. 11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second tubular mesh enclosure attached to said first tubular mesh enclosure. 12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second tubular mesh enclosure attached to said first tubular mesh enclosure, said second tubular mesh enclosure surrounding said filling. 13. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second tubular mesh enclosure attached to said first tubular mesh enclosure, said second tubular mesh enclosure formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of less than 0.5 inches, said second tubular mesh enclosure having a second opposing pair of ends, at least one of said second opposing pair of ends sealed, said second tubular mesh enclosure surrounding said filling. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is fabricated from a material selected from cotton, hemp, burlap, plastic, biodegradable plastic, UV sensitive plastic, 15. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is fabricated from a material selected from UV inhibited plastic, polyester, polypropylene, multi-filament polypropylene, polyethylene, LDPE, HDPE, rayon, and nylon. 16. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is biodegradable. 17. The system of claim 1, wherein said first generally non-circular cross-section is generally triangular. 18. The system of claim 1, wherein said first generally non-circular cross-section is generally square. 19. The system of claim 1, wherein said first generally non-circular cross-section is generally rectangular. 20. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure defines a generally flat bottom surface extending along said first length. 21. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling is pneumatically-provided. 22. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling is auger-provided. 23. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling is manually-provided. 24. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is filled at a site where said first tubular mesh enclosure is to be installed. 25. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is filled in situ. 26. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling is approximately 100 percent compost. 27. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises compost. 28. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises composted product. 29. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises mulch. 30. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises wood shavings. 31. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises alum. 32. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises lime. 33. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises clay. 34. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises pea gravel. 35. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises gravel. 36. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises sand. 37. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises soil. 38. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises wood chips. 39. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises bark. 40. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises peat. 41. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises soil blends. 42. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises hay. 43. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises leaves. 44. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises sawdust. 45. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises paper mill residuals. 46. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises wood wastes. 47. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises wood pellets. 48. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises hemp. 49. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises bamboo. 50. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises rice hulls. 51. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises soybean hulls. 52. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises palm wastes. 53. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises palm leaves. 54. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises agricultural waste products. 55. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises manure. 56. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises wool. 57. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises hair. 58. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises sugar cane bagasse. 59. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises seed hulls. 60. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises jute. 61. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises flax. 62. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises hulls. 63. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises organic waste. 64. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises cat litter. 65. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises plant seeds. 66. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises spores. 67. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises at least one rhizosphere. 68. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises at least one colony. 69. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises a fungal component. 70. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises a fungal component that is inoculated onto a substrate. 71. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises plugs. 72. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises sprigs. 73. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises fertilizer. 74. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises flocculants. 75. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises chemical binders. 76. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling comprises a water absorbent. 77. The system of claim 1, wherein both of said ends are closed. 78. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is attached to the ground. 79. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is knitted. 80. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is welded. 81. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is extruded. 82. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is sewn. 83. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is stapled. 84. The system of claim 1, wherein said major width is greater than approximately 4 inches. 85. The system of claim 1, wherein said major width is greater than approximately 6 inches. 86. The system of claim 1, wherein said major width is greater than approximately 8 inches. 87. The system of claim 1, wherein said major width is greater than approximately 12 inches. 88. The system of claim 1, wherein said major width is less than approximately 18 inches. 89. The system of claim 1, wherein said major width is less than approximately 21 inches. 90. The system of claim 1, wherein said major width is less than approximately 24 inches. 91. The system of claim 1, wherein said major width is less than approximately 27 inches. 92. The system of claim 1, wherein said major width is less than approximately 30 inches. 93. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling surrounds a means for providing drip irrigation. 94. The system of claim 1, wherein said filling surrounds an irrigation hose. 95. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is fabricated from a starch. 96. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is fabricated from a starch-based polymer. 97. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure is fabricated from a material providing a color-coded product identification system. 98. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tubular mesh enclosure provides a product identification system comprising a plurality of colors. 99. The system of claim 1, further comprising a landscaping material constrained to a predetermined zone by said first tubular mesh enclosure. 100. The system of claim 1, further comprising a landscaping material constrained to a predetermined zone outside of said first tubular mesh enclosure. 101. The system of claim 1, further comprising a landscaping material contained outside said first tubular mesh enclosure. 102. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure is positioned to border a landscaping material. 103. The system of claim 1, further comprising a growing medium contained outside said first tubular mesh enclosure. 104. The system of claim 1, further comprising an elevated growing zone bordering and outside said first tubular mesh enclosure. 105. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure is positioned such that said first opposing pair of ends are in contact with each other. 106. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure is positioned such that said first length surrounds a predetermined zone. 107. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure is positioned such that said first length at least partially surrounds a predetermined zone. 108. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure is positioned such that said first length borders a predetermined zone. 109. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure is positioned such that said first length at least partially contains a predetermined zone. 110. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, a vegetation zone is provided between two of said first tubular mesh enclosures. 111. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of plants growing out of said first tubular mesh enclosure. 112. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure elevates a plurality of plants growing out of said first tubular mesh enclosure. 113. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure elevates a plurality of crop plants growing out of said first tubular mesh enclosure. 114. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure elevates a plurality of vegetable plants growing out of said first tubular mesh enclosure. 115. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure elevates a plurality of fruit plants growing out of said first tubular mesh enclosure. 116. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure is positioned along a landscape architectural element. 117. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure is positioned adjacent a landscape architectural element selected from the group comprising an: archway, arbor, pergola, rafter, purlin, column, balustrade, trellis, post, pedestal, statute, ornament, planter, and a roof. 118. The system of claim 1, wherein, in an operative embodiment, said first tubular mesh enclosure is at least partially supported by a landscape architectural element selected from the group comprising an: archway, arbor, pergola, rafter, purlin, column, balustrade, trellis, post, pedestal, statute, ornament, planter, and a roof. 119. A system comprising: a tubular mesh enclosure formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of less than 0.5 inches, said tubular mesh enclosure having an opposing pair of ends, at least one of said opposing pair of ends sealed; a filling surrounded by said tubular mesh enclosure; and an irrigation hose surrounded by said filling; said system defining a length and a longitudinal cross-section defining a major width, a ratio of said length to said major width greater than approximately 40. 120. A system comprising: a tubular mesh enclosure formed from a mesh material; a filling surrounded by said tubular mesh enclosure; and an irrigation hose surrounded by said filling. 121. A system comprising: a tubular mesh enclosure formed from a mesh material; a filling surrounded by said tubular mesh enclosure; and an irrigation hose adjacent said tubular mesh enclosure. 122. A system comprising: a tubular mesh enclosure formed from a cotton mesh material having a nominal opening size of less than 0.5 inches, said tubular mesh enclosure having an opposing pair of ends, at least one of said opposing pair of ends sealed; and a filling surrounded by said tubular mesh enclosure; said system defining a length and a longitudinal cross-section defining a major width, a ratio of said length to said major width greater than approximately 40. 123. A method comprising the activities of: placing a filling into a mesh tube formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of less than 0.5 inches, a ratio of a length of the mesh tube to a major width of the mesh tube greater than 40, the mesh tube having a substantially flat side; and providing the mesh tube to a predetermined area. 124. A method comprising the activities of: placing a filling into a tubular mesh enclosure formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of less than 0.5 inches, said tubular mesh enclosure having an opposing pair of ends, at least one of said opposing pair of ends sealed, said tubular mesh enclosure defining a length and a non-circular cross-section defining a major width, a ratio of said length to said major width greater than approximately 40; and providing the tubular mesh enclosure to a predetermined area. 125. The method of claim 124, further comprising closing at least one of said opposing pair of ends. 126. The method of claim 124, further comprising sealing at least one of said opposing pair of ends. 127. The method of claim 124, further comprising sealing a distal end selected from said opposing pair of ends. 128. The method of claim 124, further comprising securing the tubular mesh enclosure to a surface. 129. The method of claim 124, further comprising securing the tubular mesh enclosure to a surface prior to said placing a filling activity. 130. The method of claim 124, further comprising securing the tubular mesh enclosure to a surface subsequent to said placing a filling activity. 131. The method of claim 124, further comprising inserting a hose into an open end selected from said opposing pair of ends. 132. The method of claim 124, further comprising inserting an irrigation hose into the tubular mesh enclosure. 133. The method of claim 124, further comprising inserting an irrigation hose into the tubular mesh enclosure prior to said placing a filling activity. 134. The method of claim 124, further comprising inserting a fertigation hose into the tubular mesh enclosure. 135. The method of claim 124, further comprising inserting a liquid fertilizing irrigation hose into the tubular mesh enclosure. 136. The method of claim 124, further comprising inserting a blower hose into an open proximate end selected from said opposing pair of ends. 137. The method of claim 124, further comprising inserting an auger hose into an open proximate end of the tubular mesh enclosure. 138. The method of claim 124, further comprising inserting an attachment coupleable to a hose into an open end selected from said opposing pair of ends, the attachment having a non-circular longitudinal cross-section. 139. The method of claim 124, further comprising inserting an attachment coupleable to a hose into an open end selected from said opposing pair of ends, the attachment having a longitudinal cross-section comprising at least one substantially flat side. 140. The method of claim 124, further comprising discharging the filling from a hose into the tubular mesh enclosure. 141. The method of claim 124, further comprising withdrawing a hose from the tubular mesh enclosure. 142. The method of claim 124, further comprising spooling the tubular mesh enclosure subsequent to said filling activity. 143. The method of claim 124, further comprising palletizing the tubular mesh enclosure subsequent to said filling activity. 144. The method of claim 124, further comprising placing the tubular mesh enclosure adjacent a play area subsequent to said filling activity. 145. The method of claim 124, further comprising placing mulch adjacent to the tubular mesh enclosure. 146. The method of claim 124, further comprising placing a filling supplement into the tubular mesh enclosure. 147. The method of claim 124, further comprising placing a filling supplement into the tubular mesh enclosure, the filling supplement selected from: seeds, spores, plugs, sprigs, fertilizer, flocculant, chemical binder, water absorbent, herbicide, insecticide and pesticide. 148. The method of claim 124, further comprising inserting a plant into the tubular mesh enclosure. 149. The method of claim 124, further comprising inserting a plurality of plants into a top of the tubular mesh enclosure. 150. The method of claim 124, wherein said placing activity occurs in an erosion-control zone. 151. The method of claim 124, wherein said placing activity occurs in-situ. 152. The method of claim 124, wherein the filling is placed via auger. 153. The method of claim 124, wherein the filling is placed via a chipping device. 154. The method of claim 124, wherein the filling is placed via a grinding device. 155. The method of claim 124, wherein the filling is placed pneumatically. 156. The method of claim 124, wherein the filling is placed manually. 157. The method of claim 124, wherein said mesh tube is located in the erosion-prone area prior to said placing activity. 158. The method of claim 124, wherein the predetermined area is prone to effluent flow. 159. The method of claim 124, wherein the predetermined area is prone to storm water flow. 160. The system of claim 124, wherein the predetermined area comprises a landscape architectural element selected from the group comprising an: archway, arbor, pergola, rafter, purlin, column, balustrade, trellis, post, pedestal, statute, ornament, planter, and a roof. 161. The method of claim 124, wherein the tubular mesh enclosure borders the predetermined area. 162. The method of claim 124, wherein the tubular mesh enclosure is placed such that said opposing pair of ends are adjacent each other. 163. The method of claim 124, wherein the tubular mesh enclosure is placed substantially perpendicular to another tubular mesh enclosure. 164. The method of claim 124, wherein the tubular mesh enclosure is placed substantially perpendicular to another tubular mesh enclosure, at least one of the opposing pair of ends of the tubular mesh enclosure adjacent at least one end of the another tubular mesh enclosure. 165. The method of claim 124, wherein the tubular mesh enclosure is placed in concert with a plurality of tubular mesh enclosures, said plurality of tubular mesh enclosures arranged in a herringbone pattern. 166. The method of claim 124, wherein the tubular mesh enclosure is placed in concert with a plurality of tubular mesh enclosures, said plurality of tubular mesh enclosures arranged in a herringbone drainage pattern that creates a meandering effluent treatment system. 167. The method of claim 124, wherein the tubular mesh enclosure is placed substantially parallel to a slope of the predetermined area. 168. The method of claim 124, wherein the tubular mesh enclosure is placed substantially parallel to a direction of water flow for the predetermined area. 169. The method of claim 124, wherein the tubular mesh enclosure is placed substantially parallel to a strip of vegetation. 170. The method of claim 124, wherein the tubular mesh enclosure is placed substantially parallel to a strip of grass. 171. The method of claim 124, wherein the filling comprises compost. 172. The method of claim 124, wherein the filling comprises clay. 173. The method of claim 124, further comprising providing an auxiliary filler. 174. A method for forming a storm water control device comprising: placing a compost-based filling into a mesh tube formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of less than 0.5 inches, a ratio of a length of the tubular mesh enclosure to a width of the tubular mesh enclosure greater than 40; and providing the tubular mesh enclosure to a location prone to storm-water flow. 175. A method for forming a sediment control device comprising: placing a compost-based filling into a mesh tube formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of less than 0.5 inches, a ratio of a length of the tubular mesh enclosure to a width of the tubular mesh enclosure greater than 40; and providing the mesh tub to a location prone to sediment-containing water flow. 176. A vegetated mat planting method comprising: covering a non-soil vegetated mat growing platform with sheeting; applying strips of mesh netting over the sheeting; applying compost over the mesh netting; and applying plant material to the compost. 177. The method of claim 176, further comprising: selecting the non-soil vegetated mat growing platform. 178. The method of claim 176, further comprising: preparing the non-soil vegetated mat growing platform. 179. The method of claim 176, further comprising: leveling the non-soil vegetated mat growing platform. 180. The method of claim 176, further comprising: securing the sheeting. 181. The method of claim 176, further comprising: irrigating the compost. 182. The method of claim 176, further comprising: irrigating the plant material-containing compost. 183. A vegetated mat transplanting method comprising: lifting a netting-reinforced strip of vegetated mat from an underlying sheet covering a non-soil growing platform; and positioning the strip of vegetated mat on a transplantation site. 184. The method of claim 183, further comprising: unsecuring the netting-reinforced strip of vegetated mat. 185. The method of claim 183, further comprising: rolling up the netting-reinforced strip of vegetated mat. 186. The method of claim 183, further comprising: preparing the transplantation site. 187. The method of claim 183, further comprising: leveling the transplantation site. 188. The method of claim 183, further comprising: applying a layer of compost at the transplantation site. 189. The method of claim 183, further comprising: applying a layer of compost over a soil at a transplantation site. 190. The method of claim 183, further comprising: rolling out the netting-reinforced strip of vegetated mat onto the transplantation site. 191. The method of claim 183, further comprising: trimming the netting-reinforced strip of vegetated mat to fit the transplantation site. 192. The method of claim 183, further comprising: irrigating the positioned netting-reinforced vegetated mat. 193. The method of claim 183, wherein the netting-reinforced vegetated mat is compost-nutrified. 194. The method of claim 183, wherein the netting-reinforced vegetated mat is sheeting-grown. 195. The method of claim 183, wherein the netting-reinforced vegetated mat is substantially soil-less. 196. The method of claim 183, wherein the underlying sheet is unattached to the non-soil growing platform. 197. The method of claim 183, wherein the underlying sheet is a rooting barrier. 198. The method of claim 183, wherein the underlying sheet is plastic.

This application claims priority to, and incorporates herein by reference in its entirety, the following pending U.S. Patent Applications: Ser. No. 60/449,415 (Attorney Docket No. 1030-006), titled “Netting-Reinforced Turf Systems and Methods”, filed 24 Feb. 2003; Ser. No. 10/208,631 (Attorney Docket No. 1030-005), titled “Device, System, and Method for Controlling Erosion”, filed 29 Jul. 2002; and Ser. No. 60/392,430 (Attorney Docket No. 1030-004), titled “Agricultural Device”, filed 28 Jun. 2002. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Certain of the wide variety of potential embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000; FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 2000; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a netting-backed vegetated mat system 3000; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 4000; FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 5000; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cropping system 6000; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 7000; and FIG. 8 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a retention pond system 8000. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Certain exemplary embodiments generally relate to devices, systems, and methods, at least some of which can be useful for controlling erosion, retaining sediment, preventing siltation, treating runoff, removing pollutants, remediating environmental damage, protecting plants, bordering play areas, absorbing spills, establishing vegetation, protecting ecosystems, and/or restoring waterways and/or other riparian areas. Certain exemplary embodiments provide netting and/or mesh-based containment systems, methods, and/or devices. Although the following description is frequently directed to filled mesh tubes, it will also be apparent that this description can generally and/or frequently apply to one or more “sheets” of compost-filled or unfilled mesh netting, and/or one or more sections of netting-backed vegetated mat. Moreover, netting-backed vegetated mat can be combined with filled mesh tubes to create one or more exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term “tube” means an elongate member having a longitudinal axis and defining a longitudinal cross-section resembling any closed shape such as, for example, a circle, a non-circle such as an oval (which generally can include a shape that is substantially in the form of an obround, ellipse, limaçon, cardioid, cartesian oval, and/or Cassini oval, etc), and/or a polygon such as a triangle, rectangle, square, hexagon, the shape of the letter “D”, the shape of the letter “P”, etc. Thus, a right circular cylinder is one form of a tube, an elliptic cylinder is another form of a tube having an elliptical longitudinal cross-section, and a generalized cylinder is yet another form of a tube. A tube can be formed of a mesh material, and can be filled with a filler material. Certain exemplary embodiments include a system that can include mesh tubes and/or enclosures that are filled with any of a variety of materials, including compost, composted products, mulch, sawdust, soil, gravel, and/or various other organic and/or inorganic substances. Such filled tubes can be filled on-site, which can reduce the transportation cost of the systems. Moreover, such filled tubes can be relatively heavy, thereby resisting and/or avoiding floating away in heavy rain. Certain embodiments of such filled tubes can be used in a variety of ways such as on an erosion-prone slope, across a small drainage ditch, or surrounding a drain. The tubes can be held in place by their own weight and/or by stakes, which can be driven through the tubes and into the ground. In certain embodiments, attached to the tubes can be additional anchoring mesh, through which anchors can be driven to secure the tubes to the ground. Certain exemplary embodiments include a method for filling and placing the filled tubes on-site. The tubes can be filled using a pneumatic blower truck, an auger, and/or by hand. System 1000 FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000. System 1000 can include a filling 1010, which can be contained in a storage enclosure 1020 and delivered via a delivery mechanism 1030 to a mesh tube 1040 (or a mesh netting). Filling 1010 can comprise any of a number of materials, including compost, composted organic materials, organic feedstocks, composted products, mulch, wood shavings, lime, clay, pea gravel, gravel, sand, soil, wood chips, bark, pine bark, peat, soil blends, straw, hay, leaves, sawdust, paper mill residuals, wood wastes, wood pellets, hemp, bamboo, biosolids, coconut fibers, coir, wheat straw, rice straw, rice hulls, corn husks, corn, grain, corn stalks, oat straw, soybean hulls, palm wastes, palm leaves, agricultural waste products, manure, wool, hair, sugar cane bagasse, seed hulls, jute, flax, hulls, organic waste, cat litter, activated charcoal, diatomaceous earth, chitin, ground glass, alum, aluminum oxide, alum sludge, iron oxide, iron ore, iron ore waste, ironite, iron sulfate, pumice, perlite, rock fragments, mineral fragments, ion exchange substances, resin, and/or beads, zeolites, plant seeds, plugs, sprigs, spores, mycorrizhae, humic acid, and/or biological stimulants, microorganisms, microflora, rhizospheres, mycospheres, and/or ecosystems, etc. Filling 1010 can comprise a base material selected from the preceding list, and one or more additives, selected from the preceding list. Any such additive can be added to and/or blended with the base material prior to, during, and/or after filling of the tube, and/or can be added to the tube prior to and/or during the filling of the tube with the base material. Filling 1010 can comprise a substrate, such as compost, mulch, gravel, bark, fibers, etc., which has been inoculated with a fungus or other microorganism, and/or upon which a fungus and/or other microorganism has been grown. Filling 1010 can comprise a material having a predetermined absorption and/or adsorption capability. Certain embodiments of filling 1010, such as compost, can provide treatment of runoff water by physically straining and/or entrapping the runoff; biologically treating, binding, remediating, and/or degrading unwanted, harmful, and/or polluting substances; and/or chemically binding and/or degrading certain pollutants. Such runoff, substances, and/or pollutants can include metals (e.g., cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, mercury, and/or nickel,), metalloids, (e.g., arsenic, antimony, and/or silicon, etc.), nonmetals (e.g., sulfur, phosphorus, and/or selenium, etc.), hydrocarbons and/or organic chemicals (such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene), nutrients (e.g., fertilizer, nitrates, phosphates, sewage, and/or animal waste, etc.), and/or pathogens (e.g., e. coli, staphylococcus, rotovirus, and/or other bacteria, protozoa, parasites, viruses, and/or prions, etc.), etc. Certain embodiments of filling 1010, such as compost, can be weed seed-free, disease-free, and/or insect-free, and can be derived from a well-decomposed source of organic matter. Certain embodiments of such compost can be free of refuse, contaminants, and/or other materials toxic and/or deleterious to plant growth. In certain embodiments, the compost can have a pH that measures anywhere between approximately 5.0 and approximately 8.0, including all values therebetween, and including all sub-ranges therebetween, such as for example, approximately 5.4 to approximately 7.6, etc. Certain embodiments of such compost can be produced according to an aerobic composting process meeting 40 CFR 503 (or equivalent) regulations. Certain embodiments of such compost can have a moisture content of less than 60%. In certain embodiments, such as perhaps those involving water filtration, the particle size of the compost can conform to the following: 99% passing a 1 inch sieve, 90% passing a 0.75 inch sieve, a minimum of 70% greater than a 0.375 inch sieve, and/or less than 2% exceeding 3 inches in length. The mean, median, minimum, and/or maximum size of the compost can be varied according to the application. For example, if increased filtering is desired, or if no sediment is trapped upstream of the tube, the size of the compost can be decreased, or better ground contact can be attempted. Conversely, if too much water is retained in, for example, an erosion-prevention application, the size of the compost can be increased. In certain embodiments, such as those use for creating a plant growing environment, the minimum particle size can be eliminated, thereby effectively ensuring that some fines will remain that can help vegetation become established. Certain embodiments of compost can be comprised of approximately 100 percent compost, i.e., pure compost. Certain embodiments of compost, such as those used for sediment control, can contain less than a predetermined dry weight of inert, foreign, and/or man-made materials, that amount selected from a range of about 0.1% to about 20%, including every value therebetween, such as for example about 0.25, 0.5, 0.749, 1.001, 1.5, 2, 4.936, 7.5, 9.9999, 15, etc. percent, and including every sub-range therebetween, such as for example about 0.6 to about 10 percent, etc. Certain embodiments of compost can have predetermined materials added thereto, such as any of those filling materials and/or plant materials listed herein. For example, certain embodiments of filling 1010 can include, support, and/or encompass one or more microorganisms, microflora, rhizospheres, mycospheres, and/or ecosystems that can biologically and/or chemically break-down, decompose, degrade, bind, and/or filter unwanted pollutants in the water that flows therethrough. Certain embodiments of filling 1010 can include entities such as colonies, colony forming units, spores, seeds, bulbs, plugs, sprouts, sprigs, and/or seedlings of microorganisms, bacteria, fungi, and/or plants. As these entities become established, these entities can provide numerous beneficial functions. For example, certain living entities can assist with remediating the environmental impact of the expected effluent. For example, plants commonly called cattails, reeds, rushes and/or skunk cabbage can be useful for treating certain types of sewage. Thus, for example, a potential wetland area downstream of a septic field could be surrounded and/or filled with a filled tubes seeded with an appropriate variety of plant. As another example, certain plants, such as mustard, can be useful for absorbing particular heavy metals. As yet another example, the root systems of plants growing from a filled tube can serve to anchor the filled tube into the adjacent soil. This anchoring can serve to prevent run-off from moving or washing away the filled tube. As a further example, certain embodiments of the filled mesh tube can eventually provide plants that can improve the aesthetic image of the filled tube. Thus, rather than permanently presenting a black, brown, or gray-colored compost-filled tube, a sprouted filled tube can present, for example, blooming flowers, groundcovers, vines, shrubs, grasses (such as turn seed, annual rye, crown vetch, birds foot trefoil, and/or fescues), and/or aquatic plants, etc. As another example, via a technique called mycoremediation, certain fungi and/or fungal components, such as macrofungi (including mushrooms commonly referred to as shiitakes, portabellas, criminis, oysters, whites, and/or morels), white-rot fungi (such as P. chrysosporium), brown-rot fungi, mycelium, mycelial hyphae, and/or conidia, can be useful for decomposing and/or breaking down pollutants and/or contaminants, including petroleum, fertilizers, pesticides, explosives, and/or a wide assortment of agricultural, medical, and/or industrial wastes. Certain of such fungi and/or fungal components are available from Fungi Perfecti of Olympia, Wash. In certain embodiments, a microbial community encompassed within the filling of the mesh tube can participate with the fingi and/or fungal components to break down certain contaminants to carbon dioxide and water. Certain wood-degrading fungi can be effective in breaking down aromatic pollutants and/or chlorinated compounds. They also can be natural predators and competitors of microorganisms such as bacteria, nematodes, and/or rotifers. Certain strains of fungi have been developed that can detect, attack, destroy, and/or inhibit the growth of particular bacterial contaminants, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). Certain embodiments of the filling can include one or more fertilizers, flocculants, polymers, chemical binders, and/or water absorbers, etc., any of which can be selected to address a particular need and/or problem, such as to fertilize the growth of a predetermined plant species and/or to bind a predetermined chemical. For example, the filling can include a predetermined quantity of iron ore powder, which can be used to bind phosphorus. Storage enclosure 1020 can at least partially surround filling 1010, and can be a vessel, tank, hopper, truck, and/or pile, etc. Delivery mechanism 1030 can be a hose, tube, pipe, duct, and/or chute, and can include a mechanical and/or pneumatic component, such as an auger, vibrator, and/or fan, etc. for biasing filling 1010 toward and/or into mesh tube 1040 (or over an approximately flat mesh netting, not shown). Delivery mechanism 1030 can provide, meter, blend, and/or mix two or more components of filling 1010 prior to and/or during the filling of mesh tube 1040. Moreover, delivery mechanism 1030 can be replaced with a manual approach, whereby a human places filling 1010 into mesh tube 1040 (and/or a mesh netting, not shown). Delivery mechanism 1030 can include a nozzle, reducer, and/or hose adapter that allows a standard hose (such as a hose having an approximately 4 or 5 inch diameter) to fill a larger and/or smaller diameter mesh tube. Mesh tube 1040 (and/or a mesh netting, not shown) can be fabricated from a flexible netting material, which can be woven, sewn, knitted, welded, molded, and/or extruded, etc. One source of netting material is Tipper Tie-net of West Chicago, Ill. The netting material can be biodegradable, such as cotton, a natural fiber, UV-sensitive plastic, and/or biodegradable polymer, potentially formed from a plastic and/or starch, and in certain embodiments, can biodegrade at a predetermined rate of biodegradation. For example, the netting material can be selected to biodegrade within about 1 month to about 3 years, including every value there between, such as about 3, 4.69, 6.014, 9, 11.98, 15, 16.4, 18, 23.998, 30.1, and/or 35, etc. months, and including every sub-range there between, such as from about 6.1 to about 12.2 months, etc. Alternatively, all and/or any portion of the netting material can resist biodegradation. The netting material can be fabricated from, plastic, UV-inhibited plastic, polyester, polypropylene, multi-filament polypropylene, polyethylene, LDPE, HDPE, rayon, and/or nylon. Thus, when a tube is installed, the netting material can have a non-degradable portion that can be oriented downwards, so that the reinforcement provided by the netting remains, and a degradable portion that can be oriented upwards. The netting material can be of any diameter and/or thickness, ranging from approximately 0.5 mils to approximately 30 mils, including all values therebetween, including approximately 0.5, 0.75, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, and/or 30 mils, and including all sub-ranges therebetween, such as for example, from approximately 1.1 mils to approximately 26.36 mils, etc. The netting material can be in any available mesh size (mesh opening), from a mesh as small as that of women's pantyhose, and including a nominal mesh opening of approximately: 0.001, 0.005, 0.010, 0.025, 0.050, 0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, 0.5, 0.625, 0.75, 0.875, 1.0, 1.125, 1.25, 1.375, and/or 1.5, etc. inches, including all values therebetween, and including all sub-ranges therebetween, such as for example, from approximately 0.0173 inches to approximately 0.7 inches, etc. The netting material can have any mesh opening pattern, including diamond, hexagonal, oval, round, and/or square, etc. Mesh tube 1040 (and/or “sheets” of mesh netting, not shown) can be fabricated in standard lengths, such as any of approximately 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, 150, 200, 250, 300, 400, and/or 500, 1000, 5000 etc. foot lengths, including all values therebetween, and including all sub-ranges therebetween, such as for example, from approximately 17.85 feet to approximately 292 feet, etc. Any number of mesh tubes 1040 can be coupled together in a process called ‘sleeving’, to form a continuous mesh tube (and/or mesh netting sheet, not shown) of any size, including lengths of as long as 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 7500, and/or 10,000, etc. or more feet, including all values therebetween, and including all sub-ranges therebetween, such as for example, from approximately 1243 feet to approximately 14,452 feet, etc. Thus, certain lengths of filled mesh tubes can be intended to be portable, and other lengths of filled mesh tubes can be intended to be immobile. Mesh tube 1040 (and/or one or more “sheets” of mesh netting, not shown) can be filled (and/or covered) completely or incompletely. When filled completely, a longitudinal cross-section of mesh tube 1040 can be generally curvilinear in shape, such as a circle or a non-circle, such as an oval (which generally can include a shape that is substantially in the form of an obround, ellipse, limaçon, cardioid, Cartesian oval, and/or Cassini oval, etc.). Moreover, the cross-section can have a simple, closed, non-circular, curvilinear and/or partially curvilinear shape. For example, the cross section can be shaped substantially like the letter D, rotated such that the flat portion is parallel with and/or adjacent a surface supporting mesh tube 1040. As another example, the cross section can be generally shaped as a polygon, such as a triangle, rectangle, square, hexagon, etc., rotated such that a flat side is parallel with and/or adjacent a surface supporting mesh tube 1040. As still another example, the cross-section can have any substantially closed shape, provided that mesh tube 1040 presents at least one substantially flat side that can be positioned substantially parallel and/or adjacent a surface supporting mesh tube 1040. Placing a flat side downward and/or against a supporting surface can help maintain a position of mesh tube 1040, thereby potentially preventing rolling, sliding, and/or other dislocation. Mesh tube 1040 can have a major cross-sectional width (i.e., major diameter and/or other largest cross-sectional dimension) ranging from approximately 3 inches to approximately 30 inches, including approximately 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, and/or 30, etc. inches, and including all sub-ranges therebetween, such as for example, approximately 4.17 inches to approximately 17.9 inches, etc. Thus, the ratio of the length of mesh tube 1040 to its major width can be approximately 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, and/or 500, etc. or larger, and including all sub-ranges therebetween, such as for example, from approximately 21 to approximately 183, etc. Mesh tube 1040 can have opposing longitudinal ends, the end nearest the delivery device called the proximal end 1042 and the end furthest the delivery device called the distal end 1044. Distal end 1044 can be closed and/or sealed prior to the delivery of filling 1010 into mesh tube 1040. After delivery of filling 1010 into mesh tube 1040, proximal end 1042 can be closed and/or sealed. The method of closing and/or sealing either of ends 1042, 1044 can include knitting, sewing, folding, welding, stapling, clipping, clamping, tying, knotting, and/or fastening, etc. Similarly, sheets of mesh netting can be closed, sealed, and/or attached via knitting, sewing, folding, welding, stapling, clipping, clamping, tying, knotting, and/or fastening, etc. Attached to mesh tube 1040 (and/or one or more “sheets” of mesh netting, not shown) can be an anchoring device 1046, such as a flap fabricated from mesh netting, such as that used to fabricate mesh tube 1040. Such a flap can range in dimensions with the size of the tube and/or the expected forces that might bear upon the tube. For example, an 8-inch diameter tube might have two 4-inch wide flaps that are made from the same mesh material as the tube, and that extend along the entire length of the tube. Stakes 1048 can be driven through each of these flaps and into the underlying substrate. This can secure both sides of the tube, and can create additional stability for the tube. Alternatively, anchoring device 1046 can be fabricated from any fabric. In another alternative embodiment, anchoring device 1046 can comprise a string, rope, cable tie, sod stakes, re-bar, wood stakes, and/or wire, etc. attached to mesh tube 1040 (and/or one or more “sheets” of mesh netting, not shown). Alternatively, anchoring device 1046 can comprise an unfilled end of mesh tube 1040, which can be secured via stakes 1048 to, for example an underlying and/or adjacent support surface (e.g., soil, ground, sand, pavement, etc.). Mesh tube 1040, one or more “sheets” of filled or unfilled mesh netting (not shown), and/or one or more sections of harvested netting-backed vegetated mat (not shown) can be attached to a geo-surface, such as the ground, soil, sand, silt, sod, earth, dirt, clay, mud, peat, gravel, rock, asphalt, concrete, pavement, a streambed, a stream bank, a waterway bank, a pond bank, a ditch, a ditch bank, and/or a slope, etc. The means for attaching mesh tube 1040 can include an attachment device 1048 that protrudes through mesh tube 1040 and/or anchoring device 1046. As an example, an attachment device 1048, such as a metal or wooden stake, could be hammered through a mesh-anchoring device 1046, such as a mesh flap, and into a ditch bed to secure a mesh tube or vegetated mat across the flow path of a ditch to form a “ditch check”. Such a ditch check can slow water flow, encourage the deposition of silt and/or sediment, and/or potentially encourage the growth of plants whose root systems can further discourage run-off and/or erosion. In certain embodiments, a plurality of filled mesh tubes 1040 can be installed adjacent each other and parallel an expected flow of water in a channel or potential channel, such as a stream bed, gully, swale, ditch, and/or trench, etc. Such tubes can form and/or line a floor and/or side walls of the channel, thereby resisting erosion of the channel. In certain embodiments, an installed filled mesh tube and/or one or more sections of harvested netting-backed vegetated mat (not shown) can at least partially impede the flow of water into a storm water basin inlet, thereby potentially preventing clogging of the piping that drains the basin and/or filtering the water that enters the basin. In certain embodiments, multiple mesh tubes 1040 can be stacked, for example following the contour of a steep slope, thereby forming a wall that can function to retain soil and reduce surface erosion. In certain embodiments, mesh tubes located higher up the wall can be of smaller cross-sectional width than those lower in the wall. Uphill from the tubes can be placed and/or backfilled, in some cases pneumatically, a geo-surface material and/or media, such as soil, mesh netting-back turf, sod, earth, dirt, clay, mud, peat, gravel, rock, and/or a filling material, as described earlier. Such a geo-surface material can be used to restore an eroded zone, such as when a stream bank has eroded beneath existing trees, exposing the trees and making them vulnerable to toppling. By installing multiple mesh tubes as a form of retaining wall, and back-filling with suitable material for supporting the tree and/or sustaining the tree's previously-exposed roots, the stream bank can be restored and the tree can potentially be saved. Method 2000 Certain exemplary embodiments can employ a method 2000 for forming a storm water control system, erosion control system, sediment control system, silt reduction system, soil retention system, water protection system, water filtration system, pollution remediation system, plant protection system, plant initiation system, and/or erosion remediation system. Method 2000 can include numerous activities, of which no particular activity or particular sequence of activities is necessarily required. For example, at activity 2010, a distal end of a mesh tube can be closed and/or sealed, such as by typing a knot in the tube. At activity 2020, a delivery mechanism, such as a blower hose or an auger outlet, can be inserted into an open proximate end of the mesh tube. Alternatively, mesh tube can be filled from an outlet of a chipper, shredder, chopper, and/or straw blower. Alternatively, a mesh tube having open ends can be slid over a blower hose, a proximate end of the tube potentially slid over a hose attachment, and a distal end of the tube closed and/or sealed prior to filling. At activity 2030, a filling can be discharged from the delivery mechanism into the mesh tube. The filling can be supplied to the delivery mechanism by, for example, a blower truck that contains a supply of the filling and is coupled pneumatically to the blower hose. Such blower trucks can include a pneumatic blower mounted on a portable truck that can be capable of reaching remote areas. A typical blower truck can blow filler down a hose of up to 700 feet in length or more, and can be obtained from Express Blower Inc. (Cincinnati, Ohio), Finn (Cincinnati, Ohio), and/or Peterson Pacific (Eugene, Oreg.). A typical blower truck can fill 8 or 12″ diameter mesh tubes at a rate of from about 600 to about 1000 feet or more per hour, including all values and all subranges therebetween. The blower truck can be calibrated for proper airflow to filler ratio, thereby preventing the mesh tube from being under or over filled. Water can be added to the filler to reduce dust. During filling, the length of the mesh tube can “shrink” by up to 20 percent, due to an increase in the width of the mesh tube. In certain embodiments, the blower hose can be terminated by a cone or funnel-like attachment (such as a “diffuser” that slows the velocity of the filling) comprising a first proximate end having a longitudinal cross-sectional width that allows the terminal end of the hose to fit around and/or within the attachment. The hose attachment can comprise a second distal end having a longitudinal cross-sectional width that can approximately match the pre-filled nominal width and/or the desired cross-sectional shape, as described herein (e.g., circular, non-circular, curvilinear, partially curvilinear, polygonal, having at least one flat side, etc.), of the unfilled and/or filled mesh tube. The proximate end of the hose attachment can be a permanent attachment or a temporary attachment that is hooked, tied, screwed, taped, and/or otherwise attached to the blower hose. The unfilled mesh tube can be slid over the attachment and hose, with only a distal end of the tube extending beyond the attachment. The distal end of the unfilled mesh tube can be tied, stapled, sealed, and/or otherwise closed. As filler begins to enter the distal end of the mesh tube, additional lengths of unfilled mesh tube can be fed slowly off the end of the hose and the attachment, keeping the filling portion of the mesh tube taught, and allowing the mesh tube to “walk” itself off of the hose. Alternatively, the hose can “back out” of the mesh tube. In certain embodiments, when properly filled, the mesh tubes can be rather fill, creating a tightly stretched, fully expanded material that is difficult to pinch. When the proximal end of the mesh tube is reached, blowing can be stopped and approximately 8 inches, or an appropriate length, of unfilled mesh tube can be left for tying off. In certain embodiments, the blower hose can be terminated by an attachment that applies a shape to the mesh tube and/or filling. For example, the attachment can have a cross-sectional shape in the form of a circle, non-circle, oval, a polygon (e.g., a triangle, square, etc.), etc. Thus, the cross-sectional shape of the filled mesh tube can take on, resemble, and/or be substantially influenced by the cross-sectional shape of the attachment, which might resemble the letter “D”, rotated such that the flat side is facing downward. The use of such an attachment can help maximize contact between the mesh tube and the supporting surface (e.g., ground). As another example, a hopper can drop the filling into an auger that conveys the filling into the mesh tube. Activity 2030 can occur anywhere. That is, the mesh tube can be filled off-site (“ex-situ”) and/or on-site (“in situ”), which can include at the ultimate desired location for the filled tube. At activity 2040, the delivery mechanism can be withdrawn from the mesh tube when the mesh tube has been filled to the desired level. At activity 2050, the proximate end of the mesh tube can be closed and/or sealed. Alternatively, the filled tube can be attached to a second tube in a process called sleeving, in which one tube overlaps the other by anywhere from about 1 to about 4 feet, thereby effectively extending the length of the first tube. If needed, the two tubes can be attached together using, for example, twist ties, zip ties, stakes or the like. Then the filling process can continue. Additional tubes can be further attached to form a continuous tube of any desired length. In certain embodiments, a small amount of filler material can be applied adjacent, outside of, and/or upstream from the filled tube, to potentially resist water from flowing under and/or undercutting the filled tube. In certain embodiments, the filled tube can be stepped on or otherwise compressed to achieve better ground contact. Cropping Applications Certain exemplary embodiments provide tubular mesh netting materials containing growing media useful for crop production. Certain exemplary embodiments provide a cropping system that utilizes specialized sock filling equipment to fill mesh tubes as well as certain techniques for row spacing, fertilizing, irrigation, planting of plugs, weed control, seeding rates, etc. An embodiment of such a cropping system can use a mesh tube that can be filled with one or more chosen growing media, including composted products. The mesh or netting material can be filled with an auger, pneumatically, and/or with other devices to create a growing “roll”, which can by installed to simulate a raised bed garden. In this manner, certain embodiments of the cropping system can allow elevation of roots and can be combined with drip irrigation and/or fertigation (i.e., fertilization via irrigation) techniques. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cropping system 6000. Among its many potential components, system 6000 can comprise a first mesh tube 6100 that is coupled, attached, or placed adjacent to a second mesh tube 6200. A cross-sectional shape 6300 of at least first mesh tube 6100 can be at least partially curvilinear and non-circular, and can have a substantially flat side or bottom 6400, which can be supported by the ground or any other support 6500, such as pavement, concrete, sand, mulch, a table, patio, landscape timbers, a deck, and/or turf, etc. At least first mesh tube 6100 can contain a filling 6600 and can contain an irrigation hose (a.k.a., tube, line, pipe, etc.) 6700 that can deliver water, nutrients, fertilizer, pest treatments, etc., via continuous, intermittent, and/or drip irrigation to plants 6800 growing from and/or adjacent the mesh tube. Irrigation hose 6700 can be positioned anywhere within and/or adjacent tube 6100, including at approximately the center, top, and/or another predetermined location, including along an external surface of the mesh tube. Moreover, any outlets of hose 6700 can be oriented in any predetermined and/or random direction. A landscaping material 6900, such as mulch, wood chips, and/or straw, etc., that serves, for example, a walkway, playground, landscaping bed, etc. can be applied against an outside surface of at least first mesh tube 6100, which can serve to physically constrain, border, and/or resist the dispersal of landscaping material 6900. Because mesh tube 6100 can be filled with a relatively soft filler, the likelihood of human injury from contact with mesh tube 6100 is relatively low. Thus, mesh tube 6100 can provide a relatively soft, non-injuring border for such areas as playgrounds. In certain embodiments, at least first mesh tube 6100 can serve as a portable planter. To irrigation hose 6700 can be connected a garden hose for watering of the portable planter, which can be useful for patio gardening of plants such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, flowers, herbs, and/or other plants. In certain embodiments, at least first mesh tube 6100 can be installed adjacent to, and/or supported by, a landscape architectural element, such as for example, an: archway, arbor, pergola, rafter, purlin, column, balustrade, trellis, post, pedestal, statute, ornament, planter, and/or roof, etc. Thus, such a landscape architectural element can serve as support 6500. Using certain embodiments of mesh tubes and/or the cropping systems can allow a crop farmer to continue cultivation of the soil between the rows of mesh tubes with mechanical devices for weed control and/or to plant these areas in turf that can be mowed and/or maintained. This system can allow crop farmers to grow within an all-organic system, which can raise a market value of crops produced. Using certain embodiments of mesh tubes and/or the cropping systems can be installed substantially below grade, at grade, and/or above grade. For example, a nursery and/or crop farmer might install an irrigated filled mesh tube containing plants above grade. When it is time to harvest and/or transfer a portion of the plants in the tube, a shovel, spade, or other tool could be used to cut through the mesh tube's netting and irrigation hose on either side of the desired plant(s), thereby separating the desired plant(s) from the remaining row of plants. Certain embodiments of the mesh tubes can be biodegradable and can alleviate problems of clean-up when rows or field are replanted with other crops. The degradation of certain embodiments of mesh tubes can be customized to varying times, depending on the cropping system used. For instance, a mesh tube can be manufactured to last a full year in the field or it can degrade in six months or less. Whatever the time frame, materials can be manufactured to meet the degradation time frame. Certain embodiments of the cropping system can employ specialized equipment, which can fill the mesh tubes, and/or a roller that can flatten the socks and/or compress them into an elongated shape having, for example, a non-circular, oval, rectangular, triangular, and/or closed polygonal cross-section. Certain of these forms, such as the obround, elliptical, rectangular, triangular, etc., and other forms having a flat-, pseudo-flat-, or flattenable-bottomed cross-section, can provide a firm seed bed for seeds or plugs to be inserted into the mesh tube via either a direct seeder which penetrates the mesh netting with a punch or an awl-like device which can create a planting hole for pre-started plugs. Other options can include the insertion of bare root plants and/or live cuttings, which can root into the media contained within the mesh tube. Still other options can include using a process called “live staking”, which can involve inserting a freshly cut twig or branch through the netting soon after cutting. Such cuttings can have the ability to grow without requiring rooting times. Exemplary plants include willows, dogwoods, etc. Certain plant diseases can be controlled using an integrated pest management approach with certain embodiments of the cropping system. Since soil-borne diseases can be caused by wet conditions and/or poorly drained soils, the ability of certain embodiments of the system to dissipate water can reduce the prevalence of such diseases. Additionally, certain embodiments of the cropping system can provide disease control via its composted materials. Moreover, certain embodiments of the mesh tubes can include traditional, “natural”, and/or organic chemicals, such as herbicides, pesticides, and/or fertilizers, etc., and even bacteria, fungi, and/or insects, etc., combined with the compost. Other physical items can be added to assist in insect control, including, but not limited to, diatomaceous earth, chitin, ground glass, and/or other rock or mineral fragments. Thus, certain embodiments of mesh tubes and/or the cropping system can provide any one or more of the following: Mesh netting that can be filled (in any manner) with compost, blended soils, soils, and/or other growing medias for the production of crop agriculture; Netting materials that can be biodegradable, tubular in design, and/or used for agricultural production in row crops; Cotton mesh material that can be biodegradable, for containment of a growing media in relation to crop agriculture; A combined system of a mesh tubes containing growing media inoculated with specialized disease resisting agents; A mechanism to provide other innoculants and/or soil additives for a cropping system which may or may not be involved in crop agriculture; A method for portably providing mesh tubes to remote locations; A method for filling mesh tubes at remote locations; A method for using mesh tubes as containment systems for growing plugs, plants, and/or seeds in an agricultural setting; A method for using mesh tubes as containment systems for growing plugs, plants, and/or seeds in a garden setting; A method for using mesh tubes to contain a growing medium for plugs, plants, and/or seeds; A method for using mesh tubes as a wholesale plant distribution mechanism; A method for using mesh tubes as a retail plant distribution mechanism; A method for using mesh tubes as a retail/wholesale distribution mechanism for sales of small growing systems capable of being shipped and/or marketed; A method for using mesh tubes as containment systems for wetland plants; and/or A method for using mesh tubes as a treatment mechanism for agricultural runoff. Certain embodiments of mesh tubes and/or the cropping system can allow portability that is unavailable in many other products. Future evolutions and product introductions may include patio planters, edging, wetland plantings, and other choices that may be pre-seeded and sold at various discount garden centers or mass merchandisers. Finally, since the compost and/or the components which can make-up biodegradable netting (e.g., netting formed from cotton, and/or corn, etc.) are annually renewable, the bio-based appeal for mesh tubes and the system can yield favorable attention from the USDA and other audiences currently placing emphasis on bio-based or sustainable programs. Vegetated Mat Applications Exemplary embodiments can provide methods for growing vegetated mats via rolling out plastic sheeting over a growing platform, rolling out a mesh netting material over certain portions of the plastic sheeting, and applying compost and seed and/or other plant material over the netting. After approximately 4 to 6 weeks of irrigation in appropriate growing conditions, the resulting rollable netting-backed and/or netting-reinforced vegetated mat can be harvested. The vegetated mat is not necessarily grown on and/or in traditional soil (i.e., the top layer of the earth's surface, typically comprising a miscellaneous mix of rock, mineral particles, and organic matter). That is, in certain embodiments, the mat can be grown on a “non-soil” growing platform and/or can be grown “soil-lessly” with and/or in a non-soil growing medium, such as compost. Thus, below-grade cutting is not necessarily required for harvesting the growing vegetation. Instead, the vegetated mat can be simply rolled up off of the plastic sheeting, placed on a pallet, and shipped to an installation site. Exemplary embodiments can provide a non-soil platform grown, rollable, netting-backed and/or netting-reinforced, vegetated mat that is lightweight, soil-less, and/or relatively disease resistant. In certain embodiments, the vegetated mat can be staked into place like traditional sod, but because the vegetated mat can be a one hundred foot or longer strip, the chances of it moving can be slim. In certain embodiments, the vegetated mat system can immediately resist erosion while the vegetated mat system roots in. Via certain exemplary embodiments of a system and/or method, several crops of vegetated mat can be harvested per year on a given growing area. Crops can be based on annually renewable, recycled, organic, bio-based, locally made, organic and natural products (compost), which means costs for shipping to market can be reduced because a number of locally available vegetated mat technicians can be trained to make the netting-back and/or netting-reinforced vegetated mat locally to reduce shipping of the vegetated mat over long distances. Typical crops can require about 6 weeks or less from planting to harvest. This means a given platform area can turn from about 1 to about 10 (including all values and sub-ranges therebetween) or more crops annually, even in a temperate climate range. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a netting-backed vegetated mat system 3000. Among other things, system 3000 can comprise a non-soil vegetated mat growing platform 3100, sheeting material 3200, netting 3300, compost 3400, seed 3500, seedlings 3600, and transplantable vegetated mat 3700. Vegetated Mat Growing Platform 3100 It should be noted that soil is not required to either grow and/or to support exemplary embodiments of the vegetated mat. In fact, parking lots, asphalt, pavement, concrete, gravel, dry streambeds, hard-packed clay, sand areas, beaches, mulched surfaces, brownfields, greenhouse tables, or even an existing vegetated mat can be used as a growing platform on which to place the plastic sheeting upon which to grow vegetated mats. In extreme climates where heat is an issue, care can be taken in the timing of the seeding to make sure that the tender seedlings, sprouts, etc. of the vegetated mat do not overheat in the sun. This can be a particular concern on blacktop. When white plastic sheeting is used, however, cooler vegetated mat platform temperatures can be created. Moreover, exemplary embodiments of the vegetated mat system do not necessarily require or cause any significant removal of soil during harvesting, thereby avoiding removal of valuable minerals and/or organic matter from the underlying platform. Exemplary embodiments of the vegetated mat system can weigh about ½ the weight of traditional sod. Sheeting 3200 Any standard (e.g., generic) nursery grade plastic sheeting can be used, in any color, including white, gray, black, etc. The thickness of the sheeting can be from approximately 0.05 mils to approximately 20 mils, including all values therebetween, such as approximately 1.02, 2.33, 3, 4, 5, 6.17, 7.44, 8, 9, 10, 12.1, 15, 17.2, etc. mils, and including all sub-ranges therebetween, such as for example, approximately 0.11 mils to approximately 16 mils, etc. In certain embodiments, small drain holes can be provided in the sheeting, and/or can be created in the sheeting such as via rolling a spike roller across the sheet. The drain holes can be from approximately 0.1 millimeters to approximately 2 millimeters, including all values therebetween, such as approximately 0.101, 0.251, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.602, 0.749, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.19, 1.5, 1.75, etc. millimeters, and including all sub-ranges therebetween, such as for example, approximately 0.2 millimeters to approximately 1.73 millimeters, etc. In certain embodiments, even smaller drain holes can be provided. In certain embodiments, the drain holes can be sized to be smaller in width than roots of the seedlings. Netting 3300 Exemplary embodiments of the vegetated mat system can use a netting having a number of openings and/or sizes. An average, median, and/or mode for the mesh opening size can be selected from approximately 1/8 inch to approximately 3 inches, and all values therebetween, including for example approximately 0.15, 0.24, 0.5, 0.76, 1.01, 1.5, 2.26, etc., and including all sub-ranges therebetween, such as for example, approximately 0.2 inches to approximately 0.73 inches, etc. These openings can be of any shape, including diamond, square, round, octagon, hexagonal, triangular, or any other shape, including irregular shapes. For vegetated mats expected to be harvested earlier in the growing cycle, a generally smaller mesh size could be used than for those expected to be harvested later. The netting can be made in any length, any width, and any thickness. The netting can be biodegradable and/or non-biodegradable, as described herein. One source of netting material is Tipper Tie-net of West Chicago, Ill., which can provide a netting having strings made of HDPE tape, which are 5 mil before machine orientation, and which have a tensile strength of 2000+ grams. Compost 3400 Exemplary embodiments of the vegetated mat system can utilize a filling such as compost or other growing media capable of supporting plant life, as described herein. In certain embodiments, the compost can be approximately 100% compost. In certain embodiments, the compost can include and/or be present with predetermined additives, such as those described herein, including one or more fertilizers, pre-emergents, herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, admixtures, aggregates, flocculants, polymers, chemical binders, and/or water absorbers, etc., chosen to enhance the vegetated mat system and/or its performance in a predetermined environment. Seed 3500 Exemplary embodiments of the vegetated mat system comprise a plant material, such as seeds, seedlings, bulbs, plugs, sprouts, sprigs, cuttings, spores, colonies, etc., and/or other forms of propagated plant material. The plant material can be mixed with the compost prior to installation of the compost. For example, seed can be mixed with the compost and the mixture blown onto the netting material. The plant material can be installed simultaneously with the compost and/or after the compost. Further, the plant material can be inoculated with fungi, bacteria, and/or other microorganisms. Exemplary embodiments of the vegetated mat system are not necessarily limited to any particular type, genus, and/or species of plant material. For example, vegetables, fungi, berries, flowers, crops, nursery stock, annuals, perennials, wildflowers, turf grasses, native grasses, beach plants, aquatic plants, desert plants, woodland plants, and/or marsh plants, etc., and a host of other plants and/or combinations of plants can possibly be grown in a vegetated mat system. Further, an entire rhizosphere and/or ecosystem can be established in a vegetated mat system. Moreover, any plant that is hard to establish in a mat or vegetated mat environment might benefit from this system because of the benefits of compost and netting. Exemplary embodiments of the vegetated mat system can provide a quickly transplantable vegetated mat when the window of good growing conditions does not allow native seeding procedures to allow for successful establishment. Method 4000—Planting FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a vegetated mat planting method 4000, which can include any number of activities, of which no particular activity or particular sequence of activities is necessarily required. For example, at activity 4100, an area can be selected to serve as a platform for growing the vegetated mat (e.g., one square acre). The platform can be a parking lot, pavement, greenhouse table, sand area, or even existing turf. At activity 4200, the platform can be leveled and covered in plastic sheeting. Normal nursery grade sheeting, such as white Visqueen can be used. At activity 4300, the sheeting can be staked and/or weighted down, if desired. At activity 4400, strips of plastic mesh netting can be rolled out parallel to each other, with about a 1 inch spacing between strips. The netting can be any width from approximately 0.5 feet to approximately 20 feet, including all values therebetween, such as for example approximately 0.75, 1.02, 1.97, 2.49, 3.001, 4, 5.1, 6, 7.98, 10.21, 12.03, 16, or 19.97, etc. feet, and including all sub-ranges therebetween, such as for example, approximately 2 feet to approximately 6 feet, etc. One or more layers of netting can be applied to a given area. In certain embodiments, a bottom layer is provided over the plastic sheeting, then the compost is applied. In certain embodiments, the bottom layer is applied and then a top layer is applied over the compost mixture, thereby forming a “compost sandwich”. In yet another exemplary embodiment, multiple layers of netting are rolled out over each a common area, and compost is installed between the netting layers. The netting can be staked, if desired. At activity 4500, compost and seed can be approximately evenly applied by any of a variety of methods, including manually, mechanically (with a spreader), and/or pneumatically, etc. The seen can be pre-mixed with the compost, delivered with a seed injection system via a blower truck, and/or applied after the compost. The layer of compost can be approximately 0.125 inches to approximately 2 inches thick, including all values therebetween, such as for example 0.2, 0.333, 0.51, 0.748, 1, 1.497, etc. inches, and including all sub-ranges therebetween, such as for example from about 0.25 to about 0.49 inches, etc. At activity 4600, the mat can be irrigated as needed, such as two to four times daily during warm days, by any irrigation means, including manually, via sprinklers, and/or from overhead irrigation or equivalent. Method 5000—Harvesting and Installation Because exemplary embodiments of the vegetated mat system can be laid down in convenient pre-cut strips of netting, all that is needed when harvest begins is a rolling device that pulls up the vegetated mat from the plastic. Thus, conventional harvesting equipment currently available for the traditional lawn turf market can be used to roll up the vegetation strips. The vegetated mats can be provided in convenient shipping sizes, such as in strips of from approximately 1 foot to approximately 10 foot in width, including all values therebetween, such as 2.02, 3.9, 6, etc. feet, and all sub-ranges therebetween. Rolls of the strips in the wider range can be provided if appropriate pallets are provided to assure adequate support. Otherwise, standard 48 inch pallets can be used. Because traditional soil is not required as a growing platform and/or growing medium, exemplary embodiments of the vegetated mat system can eliminate the traditional below-grade “sod cutting” component of harvesting. Once the vegetated mat begins growing on the plastic, reasonable care can be taken to harvest the mat and get the mat to market quickly. However, unsprouted vegetated mats and/or vegetated mats that have not fully rooted can also be a marketable commodity. Once the existing vegetated mat is removed, another crop may be planted immediately, reducing the need for working fields, etc. In this manner, harvested vegetated mats can be harvested, rolled, and/or placed upon pallets for delivery. With certain fast growing varieties of plants, germination can be present when the mat reaches the marketplace and the mat can be rolled into place as a partially or pre-germinated vegetated mat that can resist erosion. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a vegetated mat transplantation method 5000, which can comprise a number of activities, of which no particular activity or particular sequence of activities is necessarily required. At activity 5100, about four to six weeks after planting, the vegetated mat can be simply rolled up either by hand and/or mechanically prior to being shipped. Certain embodiments can utilize mechanized sod rollers, such a Skid-Steer or Bobcat mounted sod harvester and/or roller. At activity 5200, in certain situations, prior to placing the vegetated mat at the installation site, a relatively thin layer of compost can be applied to the soil receiving the vegetated mat. At activity 5300, the vegetated mat can be installed in areas that have adequate irrigation or during times of adequate rainfall to make sure the vegetated mat ‘knits’ into the underlying compost and/or existing soils. At activity 5400, during installation, the vegetated mat can be cut manually and/or mechanically to fit the areas required. At activity 5500, the vegetated mat can be watered. Watering can be frequent at first, tapering off over about 2 weeks to less frequent, more thorough intervals. Environmental Impact Certain exemplary embodiments of the vegetated mat system can use little or no chemicals to produce because compost generally does not need fertilizers and is generally naturally disease resistant to many soil-born diseases. For certain sites, compost used in the creation of exemplary embodiments of the vegetated mat system can benefit poor local soils. Also, the compost and/or vegetated mat can act as a long term soil conditioner, filter, and/or binder of contaminants that migrate onto, into, and/or through the vegetated mat. In specialized areas where cleanup is required, specially designed versions of the vegetated mat system can be employed, these systems created according to prescriptions derived from agronomic formulations for using compost, compost admixtures, and/or plant materials. Such systems can provide for a reduction of leaching; binding, absorbing, and/or adsorbing of nutrients, metals, potentially toxic compounds or chemicals; and/or resisting runoff of nutrients, sediment, and/or other environmental contaminants. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 7000 that can be particularly useful for controlling water flow on a sloped surface. According to system 7000, any number of mesh tubes 7200, 7300, 7400 can be installed on a sloped surface 7100. A mesh tube, such as 7200, can be installed parallel to a local slope of the surface. That is, mesh tube 7200 can be installed parallel to an expected flow of run-off water on an adjacent portion of sloped surface 7100, which can prevent water from accumulating, standing, forming puddles, etc. Avoiding the accumulation of unwanted rain or other water can help decrease the likelihood of disease spread among a crop growing on the surface. Additional mesh tubes, such as 7300 can be installed parallel to water flow in a different portion of the surface having a different local slope. Any number of mesh tubes can be installed end-to-end. In certain embodiments, a plurality of mesh tubes 7350 can be installed in a meandering, zig-zag, and/or herringbone pattern to maximize the mesh tube surface area encountered by water that flows by mesh tubes 7350, thereby potentially maximizing the filtering effect of mesh tubes 7350. Such an embodiment can be particularly useful when industrial, storm, and/or sewer waters must be treated prior to release. Moreover, the ground and/or soil bordered by such mesh tubes can also be lined with compost or other media capable of providing filtration. In certain embodiments, a plurality of filled mesh tubes 7400 can be installed substantially adjacent each other and/or substantially parallel an expected flow of water in a channel or potential channel, such as a stream bed, gully, swale, ditch, and/or trench, etc. Such tubes can form and/or line a floor and/or side walls of the channel, thereby resisting erosion of the channel and/or replacing rip rap (large rocks) or check dams. In certain embodiments, a mesh tube 7450 can be installed perpendicular and/or non-parallel to a local slope of the surface and/or an expected flow of water, to serve to baffle, divert, and/or slow run-off water flow and/or erosion in certain predetermined areas. In certain embodiments, any mesh tube, such as mesh tubes 7350, 7400, 7450 can be used to divert flows of water that might otherwise cause flooding. For example, the mesh tube can be filled with a dense material, such as clay, that would allow a wall to be built capable of withstanding and/or diverting substantial flooding. Such embodiments can be a possible replacement for sand bags, which are commonly used for flood prevention and dike building, but can suffer from having multiple joints where water can penetrate. In certain embodiments, a mesh tube 7500 can be installed such that a first end is adjacent and/or connected to an second end of mesh tube 7500, thereby forming a substantially closed shape, such as a circle, oval, polygon, etc. Mesh tube 7500 can serve to prevent water, sediment, contaminants, fertilizer, etc. from accessing a tree or other plant(s) surrounded by mesh tube 7500. Mesh tube 7500 can also filter any water that does pass through mesh tube 7500. Moreover, mesh tube 7500 can restrain water, sediment, contaminants, fertilizer, mulch, etc. within the substantially closed shape formed by mesh tube 7500, and/or filter water than passes through mesh tube 7500 to escape from within that shape. Thus, tube 7500 can be used to de-water manure, biosolids, factory sludges, papermill residuals, and/or other slurries or slurry-like materials. In certain embodiments, one or more mesh tube, arranged in any configuration, can be installed and back-filled with a growing medium to elevate a growing zone contained therein. Within the fully and/or partially enclosed growing zone can be plants, such as for example, vegetables, berries, fruits, herbs, grains, crops, etc. Alternatively, the plants can grow from the top of the mesh tubes. In either case, growing the plants above-grade can potentially prevent the leaves, flowers, and/or fruit of the plants, or even the entire plants, from being exposed to soil, standing water, puddles, floods, splashes, etc., and thereby help prevent the establishment, growth, and/or spreading of soil-borne and/or water-borne pathogens, such as grey mold, botrytis, leaf spot, leaf blight, red stele, anthracnose, powdery mildew, leather rot, leak, verticillium, black root rot, leaflet rot, bud rot, yellow crinkle, hard rot, leaf blotch, fusarium, rhizoctonia, pythium, crown rot, etc. Moreover, if the plants are surrounded by such growing media as compost, the growing media can create a microclimate that can be slightly warmer than the soil at grade, thereby potentially preventing frost and/or snow damage to the plants and possibly decreasing time to market before fruiting/harvest begins. Using mesh tubes to elevate plants can also raise the plants to a more workable elevation for gardeners, farmers, pickers, and/or others who tend to and/or harvest the plants. In unelevated zones between mesh tubes, vegetated mat and/or other groundcovers can be grown to enhance the drainage, human support attributes, and/or aesthetic performance of the unelevated zones. Any of mesh tubes 7100-7500 can be color-coded to provide easy visual identification of a property of the tube, such as its nominal diameter or width, length, mesh size, material of construction, filling, product code, SKU, manufacturer, and/or distributor, etc. The tube can be primarily a single color, with a second, third, fourth, etc. color potentially used as a banding, stripe, spot, and/or in any other pattern to provide additional information. Such tubes can have stenciled names, numbers, logos, etc. imprinted thereon during the manufacturing process or afterward for product identification, marketing, etc. In certain embodiments, filled mesh tubes can be arranged such that they present a visible pattern, such as words, symbols, etc. when viewed from above, such as from an bridge, hilltop, and/or airplane. FIG. 8 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a retention system 8000. System 8000 can comprise an influent, such as a liquid and/or slurry, flowing via pipe and/or inlet 8100 into a retention zone 8200, such as an enclosure, pond, marsh, etc. A wall 8300 defining retention zone 8200 can be formed of a mesh enclosure, such as a filled mesh tube, substantially as described herein. In certain exemplary embodiments, wall 8300 can be backed by an impermeable membrane and/or liner. The influent can be storm water, spring water, stream water, outfall water from sewer treatment or drinking water plants, factory or farm discharges, contained contamination pumping discharges, run-off, and/or effluent, etc. The influent can follow a serpentine flow path 8400 through retention zone 8200, potentially encountering one or more overflow inlet weirs 8500 that can be substantially perpendicular to flow path 8400. The serpentine flow path 8400 can flow across a floor 8600 of retention zone 8200, which can be formed of a plurality of filled mesh tubes, substantially as described herein, and/or one or more netting-backed and/or netting-reinforced vegetation mats, substantially as described herein. Floor 8600 can be sloped from an entrance to retention zone 8200 toward an exit of retention zone 8200 to facilitate flow. A slope of floor 8600 can be from about 0.25 percent to about 10 percent, including every value therebetween, such as about 0.999, 1.5, 2.1, 2.5, 3.0001, 5, 7.48, etc. percent, and every sub-range therebetween, such as from about 0.8 percent to about 1.25 percent, etc. Serpentine flow path 8400 can be at least partially defined by one or more baffles 8700. The serpentine flow path 8400 also can be at least partially defined by, and/or influenced by, one or more flow diverters and/or erosion buffers 8800. Effluent can exit retention zone 8200 at outlet 8900, potentially after flowing over an outlet weir 8500. Baffles 8700, buffers 8800, outlet 8900, and/or weir 8500 can be formed of one or more filled mesh tubes, substantially as described herein, and/or one or more netting-backed and/or netting-reinforced vegetation mats, substantially as described herein. Any component of system 8000, including inlet 8100, retention zone 8200, wall 8300, flow path 8400, weir 8500, floor 8600, baffle 8700, buffer 8800, and/or outlet 8900 can be designed, selected, constructed, arranged, dimensioned, sized, and/or installed in a predetermined manner to accommodate expected (design) and/or actual site conditions, hydraulic load, volume, flow rate, flow frequency, flow consistency, residence time, contaminant load, sediment load, filtering needs, decontamination needs, etc. For example, components of retention system 8000 can be designed to accommodate a maximum flowrate of from about 0.25 feet per second (fps) to about 15 fps or greater, including every value therebetween, such as about 0.3333, 0.5, 0.75, 0.9123, 1.023, 1.5, 2, 6.7, 9.9, 12.8, etc. fps, and every sub-range therebetween, such as from about 0.8 fps to about 1 fps, from about 1.02 fps to about 9 fps, etc. Any of wall 8300, weir 8500, floor 8600, baffle 8700, buffer 8800, and/or outlet 8900 can be seeded and/or comprise plant material which can be chosen and/or planted in a predetermined manner to accommodate actual and/or expected site conditions. For example, a mesh tube and/or vegetation mat of retention system 8000 can be seeded with local native species, such as high marsh and/or low marsh vegetation, per Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCG) guidelines. It should be understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of one or more exemplary embodiments and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments can be made in accordance with the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined only by the appended claims, every element of which can be replaced by any one of numerous equivalent alternatives without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention, only some of which equivalent alternatives are disclosed in the specification.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>Certain of the wide variety of potential embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1000 ; FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 2000 ; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a netting-backed vegetated mat system 3000 ; FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 4000 ; FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method 5000 ; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a cropping system 6000 ; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a system 7000 ; and FIG. 8 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of a retention pond system 8000 . detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20041228

20081118

20051117

76453.0

SAFAVI, MICHAEL

CONTAINMENT SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Echo processing deives for single-channel or multichannel communication systems

An echo processing technique for attenuating echo components of a direct signal X1n in a return signal Y2n. A receive gain Grn and a send gain Gen are calculated. The receive gain Grn is applied to the direct signal and an input signal X2n is produced and emitted into an echo generator system. The send gain Gen is applied to an output signal Y1n from the echo generator system and the return signal Y2n is produced. A coupling variable COR is calculated which is characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n. The receive gain Grn and the send gain Gen are calculated on the basis of the coupling variable.

1. An echo processing device for attenuating echo components of a direct signal X1n in a return signal Y2n, said device comprising: means for calculating a receive gain Grn and a send gain Gen; first gain application means for applying the receive gain Grn to the direct signal and producing an input signal X2n emitted into an echo generator system; and second gain application means for applying the send gain Gen to an output signal Y1n from the echo generator system and producing the return signal Y2n; said device further comprising means for calculating a coupling variable COR characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n, said gain calculation means being adapted to calculate the receive gain Grn and the send gain Gen on the basis of said coupling variable. 2. An echo processing device according to claim 1, comprising means for estimating the instantaneous power of the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the instantaneous power of the output signal Y1n, said gain calculation means being adapted to calculate the receive gain Grn and the send gain Gen on the basis of a variable G determined as a function of the estimated power of the direct signal or the input signal and the estimated power of the output signal, and as a function of the coupling variable COR, in accordance with the following equation: G = P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n + COR · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n where P1n and P2n are respectively an estimate at the time concerned of the power of the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the power of the output signal Y1n. 3. An echo processing device according to claim 2, in which the gain calculation means determine the receive gain Grn and the send gain Gen recursively from the following equations: Gen=γ·Gen-1+(1−γ)·G Grn=1−δ·Gen where Gen-1 is the send gain at the preceding calculation time and γ and δ are positive constants less than 1. 4. An echo processing device according to claim 1, in which the coupling variable COR is obtained by calculating the correlation between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n. 5. An echo processing device according to claim 4, in which the calculation of the correlation between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n is an envelope correlation calculation. 6. An echo processing device according to claim 5, in which, in said envelope correlation calculation, the coupling variable COR is a function of the maximum value Maxcor of the values corr(j) of the correlation between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n, said correlation values corr(j) being calculated over a time window considered, and each being obtained from the equation: corr ⁡ ( j ) = ∑ i = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ ( i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ ( i + j ) ∑ i = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 2 ⁢ ( i ) in which i is a sampling time in the calculation time window of duration LM, i is a shift value between the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n, and P1(t) and P2(t) are respectively an estimate of the power of the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and an estimate of the power of the output signal Y1n at a time t. 7. An echo processing device according to claim 6, in which the coupling variable COR is linked to the maximum value Maxcor of the correlation values corr(j) calculated over a calculation time window considered from the equation: COR=Exp(k.Maxcor) in which Exp is the exponential function and k is a positive constant. 8. An echo processing device according to claim 1, in which the input signal X2n is emitted into the echo generator system by at least one loudspeaker and the output signal Y1n is obtained from the echo generator system by at least one microphone. 9. An echo processing device according to claim 1, further comprising an echo canceller receiving at its input said input signal X2n emitted into the echo generator system and the signal Y3n from the echo generator system, the echo canceller comprising a finite impulse response identification filter whose response is representative of the response of the echo generator system, and the identification filter being adapted to generate a filtering signal Sn and comprising means for subtracting the filtering signal Sn from the signal Y3n to produce an output signal Y1n that is received at the input of said send gain application means. 10. An echo canceller for attenuating in an output signal Y1n echo components of an input signal X2n emitted into an echo generator system, said device comprising: a finite impulse response identification filter whose response is representative of the response of the echo generator system, receiving the input signal X2n at its input and generating a filtering signal Sn; subtraction means receiving at an input a signal Y3n from the echo generator system, at least one component of which is a response of the echo generator system to the input signal X2n, and the filtering signal Sn, and adapted to subtract the filtering signal Sn from the signal Y3n and to produce the output signal Y1n; means for adapting the coefficients of the identification filter as a function of an adaptation step μn; and means for calculating the adaptation step An, said adaptation step calculation means comprising means for estimating the power P1n of the input signal X2n and the power P3n of the signal Y3n and means for calculating a first coupling variable COR2 characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the input signal X2n and the signal Y3n from the echo generator system, the adaptation step μn of the identification filter being calculated as a function of the estimated powers P1n, P3n and as a function of the first coupling variable COR2. 11. A device according to claim 10, in which the adaptation step μn is obtained from the equation: μ n = P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n α · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n + COR ⁢ ⁢ 2. ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 3 ⁢ ⁢ n in which α is a positive constant and P1n and P3n are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n and an estimate of the power of the signal Y3n from the echo generator system at the time concerned. 12. A device according to claim 10, in which the first coupling variable COR2 is obtained by calculating the correlation between the input signal X2n and the signal Y3n. 13. A device according to claim 12, in which the calculation of the correlation between the input signal X2n and the signal Y3n is an envelope correlation calculation. 14. A device according to claim 13, in which the first coupling variable COR2 is a function of the maximum value Maxcor2 of correlation values corr2(j) calculated over a time window considered, each of the correlation values corr2(j) being calculated from the following equation: corr2 ⁡ ( j ) = ∑ i = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ( i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 3 ⁢ ( i + j ) ∑ i = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 2 ⁢ ( i ) in which: i is a sampling time in the calculation time window of duration LM and j is a shift value between the input signal X2n and the signal Y3n; and P1(t) and P3(t) are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n and an estimate of the power of the signal Y3n at the time t concerned. 15. A device according to claim 14, in which the first coupling variable COR2 is linked to the maximum value Maxcor2 of said correlation values corr2(j) by the following equation, in which k is a positive constant: COR ⁢ ⁢ 2 = k Maxcor ⁢ ⁢ 2 16. An echo canceller according to claim 10, in which the adaptation step calculation means further comprise means for calculating a second coupling variable COR characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the input signal X2n from the echo generator system and the output signal Y1n, the second coupling variable COR being obtained by calculating the correlation between the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n, and the adaptation step μn of the identification filter being calculated as also a function of the second coupling variable COR. 17. An echo canceller according to claim 16, in which the second coupling variable COR is obtained from an envelope correlation calculation between the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n. 18. An echo canceller according to claim 17, in which the second coupling variable COR is a function of the maximum value Maxcor of the values corr(j) of the correlation between the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n, said correlation values corr(j) being calculated over a time window considered and each of them being obtained from the equation: corr ⁡ ( j ) = ∑ i = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ( i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ( i + j ) ∑ i = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 2 ⁢ ( i ) in which i is a sampling time in the calculation window of duration LM, j is a value of a shift value between the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n, and P1(t) and P2(t) are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n and an estimate of the power of the output signal Y1n at a time t. 19. An echo canceller according to claim 16, characterized in that in which the adaptation step μn is calculated from the equation: μ n = COR COR ⁢ ⁢ 2 · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n α . P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n + COR ⁢ ⁢ 2 · P ⁢ ⁢ 3 ⁢ ⁢ n in which α is a positive constant and P1n and P3n are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n and an estimate of the power of the signal Y3n from the echo generator system at the time concerned. 20. (canceled) 21. (canceled) 22. An echo processing device for a multichannel communications system comprising N receive channels, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2, and M send channels, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1, each of the N receive channels i comprising an output transducer (LSi) that produces a sound pressure wave in response to an input signal X2n(i) derived from a direct signal X1n(i), each of the M send channels i comprising an input transducer (MCj) that converts a sound pressure wave into an output signal Y1n(j), said echo processing device being adapted to attenuate in each output signal Y1n(j) echo components stemming from some or all of the N input signals X2n(i) and resulting from the acoustic coupling between the input transducer of the send channel concerned and some or all of the M output transducers, said device comprising: means for calculating receive gains Grn(i) and send gains Gen(j); means for applying receive gains Grn(i) to each direct signal X1n(i) and producing the corresponding input signal X2n(i): means for applying send gains Gen(j) to each output signal Y1n(j) and producing the corresponding return signal Y2n(j); and means for calculating, for each send channel j, N coupling variables COR(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, each of which being characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the output signal Y1n(j) of the send channel and one of the N input signals X2n(i); said gain calculation means being adapted to calculate each receive gain Grn(i) and each send gain Gen(j) on the basis of the N coupling variables COR(j,i) calculated for the associated send channel j. 23. A device according to claim 22, comprising means for estimating the instantaneous power P1ni of each input signal X2n(i) and the instantaneous power P2nj of each output signal Y1n(j), said send gain calculation means being adapted to calculate each send gain Gen(j) on the basis of N variables G(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, each of which is determined as a function of the estimated power of an input signal X2n(i) and the estimated power of the output signal Y1n(j) of the send channel concerned and as a function of the corresponding coupling variable COR(j,i), each of the variables G(j,i) being obtained from the following equation: G ⁡ ( j , i ) = P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j + COR ⁡ ( j , i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i in which P1ni and P2nj are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n(i) concerned and an estimate of the power of the output signal Y1n(j) concerned at the time concerned. 24. A device according to claim 23, in which each send gain Gen(j) is determined from the minimum value of the N variables G(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, calculated for the associated send channel j. 25. A device according to claim 24, in which each send gain Gen(j) is determined from the equation: Gen(j)=γ·Gen-1(j)+(1−γ)·mini(G(j,i)) in which Gen-1(j) is the send gain of the send channel j at the time of the preceding calculation, γ is a positive constant less than 1, and mini(G(j,i)) is the minimum value of the N variables G(j,i) for i varying from 1 to N. 26. A device according to claim 25, in which all the receive gains Grn(i) have the same value, which is determined from the equation: Grn(i)=1δ·maxj(Gen(j)) in which δ is a positive constant less than 1 and maxj(Gen(j)) is the maximum value of the M send gains Gen(j), for j varying from 1 to M. 27. A device according to claim 22, in which each of said receive gains Grn(i) is equal to 1. 28. A device according to claim 22, in which each coupling variable COR(j,i) is obtained by calculating the correlation between the corresponding output signal Y1n(j) and the corresponding input signal X2n(i). 29. A device according to claim 28, in which the calculation of the correlation between an output signal Y1n(j) and an input signal X2n(i) is an envelope correlation calculation. 30. A device according to claim 29, in which, in said envelope correlation calculation, each coupling variable COR(j,i) is a function of the maximum value Maxcor of the values corrji(d) of the correlation between the output signal Y1n(j) and the input signal X2n(i), said correlation values corrji(d) being calculated over a predefined time window and each obtained from the equation: corr ji ⁡ ( d ) = ∑ c = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i ⁡ ( c ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j ⁡ ( c + d ) ∑ c = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i 2 ⁡ ( c ) in which c is a sampling time in the calculation time window of duration LM, d is a shift value between the input signal X2n(i) and the output signal Y1n(j), and P1ni(t) and P2nj(t) are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n(i) and an estimate of the power of the output signal Y1n(j) at a time t. 31. An echo canceller for a multichannel communications system comprising N receive channels, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2, and M send channels, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1, each of the N receive channels i comprising an output transducer (LSi) that produces a sound pressure wave in response to an input signal X2n(i), and each of the M send channels j comprising an input transducer (MCj) that converts a sound pressure wave into an output signal Y1n(j), the echo canceller comprising: for each send channel j, N identification filters Fij with variable coefficients for estimating the acoustic coupling between each of the N output transducers (LSi) and the input transducer (MCj) of the send channel j, and for each filter Fij, means for adapting the coefficients of the filter as a function of an adaptation step μn(i,j) and means for calculating the adaptation step μn(i,j), means for estimating the instantaneous power P1ni of each input signal X2n(i) and the instantaneous power P2nj of each output signal Y1n(j), and means for calculating, for each send channel j, N coupling variables COR(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, each of which being characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the output signal Y1n(j) of the send channel j and one of the N input signals X2n(i), the means for calculating the adaptation step μn(i,j) for a filter Fij associated with a receive channel i and a send channel j being adapted to calculate the adaptation step μn(i,j) as a function of the powers P1ni, for i varying from 1 to N, estimated for the N receive channels, as a function of the estimated power P2nj of the send channel j, and as a function of the N coupling variables COR(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, associated with the send channel j. 32. A device according to claim 31, in which an adaptation step μn(i,j) for a filter Fij associated with a receive channel i and a send channel j is obtained from the following equation, in which bi is a positive constant: μ n ⁡ ( i , j ) = P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i b i · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i + COR ⁡ ( j , i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j + ∑ k ≠ i ⁢ ⁢ COR ⁡ ( j , k ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n k 33. A device according to claim 31, in which a coupling variable COR(j,i) is obtained by calculating the correlation between the output signal Y1n(j) and the input signal X2n(i). 34. A device according to claim 33, in which the calculation of the correlation between the output signal Y1n(j) and the input signal X2n(i) is an envelope correlation calculation. 35. A device according to claim 34, in which the coupling variable COR(j,i) is a function of the maximum value Maxcor(j,i) of the correlation values corrji(d), calculated over a time window considered, each of the correlation values corrji(d) being calculated from the equation: coor ji ⁡ ( d ) = ∑ c = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i ⁡ ( c ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j ⁡ ( c + d ) ∑ c = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i 2 ⁡ ( c ) in which c is a sampling time in the calculation time window of duration LM, d is an offset between the input signal X2n(i) and the output signal Y1n(j), and P1ni(t) and P2nj(t) are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n(i) and an estimate of the power of the output signal Y1n(j) at a time t. 36. A device according to claim 35, in which the coupling variable COR(j,i) is linked to the maximum value Maxcor(j,i) of said correlation values corrji(d) by the following equation, in which k is a positive constant: COR ⁡ ( j , i ) = k Maxcor ⁡ ( j , i ) 37. A device according to claim 31, in which each filter Fij associated with a receive channel i and a send channel j generates a filtering signal that is subtracted from the output signal Y1n(j) to provide a filtered signal Y2n(j), said device further comprising means for calculating, for each send channel j, N second coupling variables COR2(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, each of which being characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the filtered signal Y2n(j) from the send channel and one of the N input signals X2n(i), the adaptation step μn(i,j) of an identification filter Fij associated with a receive channel i and a send channel j being calculated as a function of said N second coupling variables COR2(j,i). 38. A device according to claim 37, in which an adaptation step μn(i,j) for a filter Fij associated with a receive channel i and a send channel j is obtained from the following equation, in which bi is a positive constant: μ n ⁡ ( i , j ) = COR ⁡ ( j , i ) COR2 ⁡ ( j , i ) · P1 ⁢ ⁢ n i b i · P1n i + COR ⁡ ( j , i ) · P2 ⁢ ⁢ n j + ∑ k ≠ i ⁢ ⁢ COR ⁡ ( j , k ) · P1n k 39. A device according to claim 37, further comprising, for each pair comprising a receive channel i and a send channel j, gain application means for applying a receive gain Grn(i) to the input signal X2n(i) and a send gain Gen(j) to the filtered signal Y2n(j), said gains Grn(i), Gen(j) being calculated on the basis of the N second coupling variables COR2(j,i) determined for the send channel j. 40. An echo processing device for attenuating echo components of a direct signal X1n in a return signal Y2n, said device comprising: means for calculating a receive gain Grn and a send gain Gen; first gain application means for applying the receive gain Grn to the direct signal and producing an input signal X2n emitted into an echo generator system; second gain application means for applying the send gain Gen to an output signal Y1n from the echo generator system and producing the return signal Y2n; said device further comprising means for calculating a coupling variable COR characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n, said gain calculation means being adapted to calculate the receive gain Grn and the send gain Gen on the basis of said coupling variable; and an echo canceller receiving at its input said input signal X2n emitted into the echo generator system and the signal Y3n from the echo generator system, the echo canceller comprising a finite impulse response identification filter whose response is representative of the response of the echo generator system, and the identification filter being adapted to generate a filtering signal Sn and comprising means for subtracting the filtering signal Sn from the signal Y3n to produce an output signal Y1n that is received at the input of said send gain application means, said echo canceller comprising: means for adapting the coefficients of the identification filter as a function of an adaptation step μn; and means for calculating the adaptation step μn, said adaptation step calculation means comprising means for estimating the power P1n of the input signal X2n or the direct signal X1n and the power P3n of the signal Y3n, and means for calculating a first coupling variable COR2 characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the input signal X2n and the signal Y3n from the echo generator system, the adaptation step μn of the identification filter being calculated as a function of the estimated powers P1n, P3n and as a function of the first coupling variable COR2. 41. An echo processing device according to claim 40, in which said adaptation step calculation means further comprise means for calculating a second coupling variable COR characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the input signal X2n from the echo generator system and the output signal Y1n, the second coupling variable COR being obtained by calculating the correlation between the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n, the adaptation step μn of the identification filter being calculated as a function of the estimated powers P1n, P3n and as a function of the first and second coupling variables COR2, COR.

The field of the present invention is that of communications. The invention relates more particularly to variable-gain and/or adaptive filtering acoustic echo processing devices for attenuating echo components of a direct signal in a return signal. The invention applies to single-channel and multichannel communications systems. Acoustic echoes occur primarily in certain types of communication in which a remote user terminal comprises one or more directional microphones and one or more loudspeakers instead of an earpiece. Examples include audioconference equipment and hands-free telephones, such as mobile telephones. The source of the echoes is simple: failing special precautions, sound emitted by the loudspeaker(s) is reflected many times (from walls, the ceiling, etc.), constituting as many different echoes which are picked up by the microphone(s) on the same terms as wanted speech. Thus the combination of the loudspeaker(s), the microphone(s), and their physical environment constitutes an echo generator system. The acoustic echo problem has been the subject of much research, both in the case of single-channel systems (one microphone and one loudspeaker) and in the case of multichannel systems (a plurality of microphones and a plurality of loudspeakers). The echo problem in the multichannel situation is similar to that in the single-channel situation except that all possible acoustic couplings between the various microphones and loudspeakers must be considered. The echo processing techniques most widely used include echo suppression techniques using gain variation and echo cancellation techniques using adaptive filtering. In a variable-gain echo suppression system, a receive gain is applied to the signal for application to the loudspeaker (the direct signal at the input of the echo generator system) and a send gain is applied to the signal coming from the microphone (at the output of the echo generator system), forming the return signal. An echo suppression system of this type is described in French Patent No. 2 748 184. Receive voice activity detectors (RVAD), send voice activity detectors (SVAD), and double speech detectors (DSD) typically supply the necessary information to the modules that calculate the send and receive gains. Thus when the remote party is speaking (detected by the RVAD), the send gain is reduced to attenuate the echo. If the local party begins to speak (detected by the SVAD), this constraint on the send gain is removed and the receive gain is reduced. In the event of double speech (both parties speaking simultaneously, detected by the DSD), either a comparator determines which speaker is louder and gives priority to that speaker's sending direction or an intermediate setting of the send and receive gains is established. In an acoustic echo canceller (AEC) using adaptive filtering, an identification filter estimates the acoustic coupling between the loudspeaker and the microphone and generates a signal that is used to cancel the echo. The identification filter is conventionally a programmable finite impulse response filter whose coefficients need to be adapted by a predetermined algorithm for updating coefficients using an adaptation step. The coefficients are adapted on the basis of the signal to be applied to the loudspeaker. An echo canceller of this type is described in French Patent No. 2 738 695. A variable gain echo suppression system is often combined with an echo canceller to eliminate the residual echo that remains after echo cancellation. However, the above-mentioned echo processing systems have the drawback that they are not able to take account of variations in the acoustic coupling between the loudspeaker and the microphone if those variations are independent of the signal applied to the loudspeaker. This is the case, for example, if there is an external facility for adjusting the sound level reproduced by the loudspeaker (for example by means of a potentiometer). Any variation in the reproduced sound level modifies the acoustic coupling between the loudspeaker and the microphone and therefore the echo(es) picked up by the microphone. The echo processing system takes account only of the signal that is applied to the loudspeaker, and not of the sound that is actually reproduced by the loudspeaker, and is therefore unable to take this kind of modification of the acoustic coupling into account in its calculation process. For example, if the sound reproduction level is reduced after the system has been initialized with a maximum sound level setting, in a double speech situation the remote speech emitted by the loudspeaker may be broken up or truncated. Similarly, if the microphone and the loudspeaker in the communications terminal being used are physically independent of each other, the distance between them may be varied, which varies the acoustic coupling between the loudspeaker and the microphone, with the same consequences. The problem is the same in a multichannel situation except that it generalized to the multiple couplings between the various microphones and loudspeakers. One particular object of the present invention is to remedy the drawbacks of prior art echo processing systems described hereinabove. To this end, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an echo processing device for attenuating echo components of a direct signal X1n in a return signal Y2n, said device comprising: means for calculating a receive gain Grn and a send gain Gen; first gain application means for applying the receive gain Grn to the direct signal and producing an input signal X2n emitted into an echo generator system; and second gain application means for applying the send gain Gen to an output signal Y1n from the echo generator system and producing the return signal Y2n. According to the invention, this echo processing device is noteworthy in that it further comprises means for calculating a coupling variable COR characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n and in that said gain calculation means are adapted to calculate the receive gain Grn and the send gain Gen on the basis of said coupling variable. Taking account in the device of the real acoustic coupling between the loudspeaker and the microphone when controlling the variation of the receive and/or send gain applied automatically adapts the sound quality of the sent signal and the received signal as a function of changes in the acoustic environment of the echo processing device and the relative position of the transducers (loudspeaker(s), microphone(s)) and as a function of the sound reproduction level chosen by the user, for example. According to one particular feature of the invention, the echo processing device comprises means for estimating the instantaneous power of the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the instantaneous power of the output signal Y1n. The gain calculation means are adapted to calculate the receive gain Grn and the send gain Gen on the basis of a variable G determined as a function of the estimated power of the direct signal or the input signal and the estimated power of the output signal and as a function of the coupling variable COR, in accordance with the following equation: G = P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n + COR · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n where P1n and P2n are respectively an estimate of the power of the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and an estimate of the power of the output signal Y1n at the time concerned. The term “COR·P1n” in the expression for the variable G represents the energy of the sound actually picked up by the microphone, and therefore taking into account all external adjustments that are not “seen” by the system (for example the sound reproduction level). The variable G therefore varies automatically as a function of real changes in loudspeaker/microphone acoustic coupling and the send and receive gains are therefore adapted automatically. In a second aspect, the invention provides an echo canceller for attenuating, in an output signal Y1n, echo components of an input signal X2n emitted into an echo generator system, said device comprising: a finite impulse response identification filter whose response is representative of the response of the echo generator system, receiving the input signal X2n at its input and generating a filtering signal Sn; subtraction means receiving at an input a signal Y3n from the echo generator system, at least one component of which is a response of the echo generator system to the input signal X2n, and the filtering signal Sn, and adapted to subtract the filtering signal Sn from the signal Y3n and to produce the output signal Y1n; means for adapting the coefficients of the identification filter as a function of an adaptation step μn; and means for calculating the adaptation step μn. This echo canceller is noteworthy in that the adaptation step calculation means comprise means for estimating the power P1n of the input signal X2n and the power P3n of the signal Y3n and means for calculating a first coupling variable COR2 characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the input signal X2n and the signal Y3n from the echo generator system, the adaptation step μn of the identification filter being calculated as a function of the estimated powers P1n, P3n and as a function of the first coupling variable COR2. Evaluating the above coupling variable COR2 means that the adaptation step of the filter may be “driven” as a function of the real acoustic coupling between the input signal and the output signal of the echo generator system. This improves the responsiveness of the echo canceller as a function of changes in the acoustic environment of the device, and therefore improves the result of echo processing. In a preferred embodiment, the adaptation step μn is obtained from the equation: μ n = P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n α · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n + COR ⁢ ⁢ 2. ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 3 ⁢ ⁢ n in which a is a positive constant and P1n and P3n are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n and an estimate of the power of the signal Y3n from the echo generator system, at the time concerned. In one embodiment, the adaptation step calculation means further comprise means for calculating a second coupling variable COR characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the input signal X2n from the echo generator system and the output signal Y1n, the second coupling variable COR being obtained by calculating the correlation between the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n, and the adaptation step μn of the identification filter being calculated as a function of the second coupling variable COR. By additionally taking account of the second coupling variable COR, it is possible to determine the state of convergence of the identification filter and thus to apply finer control of the adaptation step. In a third aspect, the invention provides an echo processing device for a multichannel communications system comprising N receive channels, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2, and M send channels, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1, each of the N receive channels i comprising an output transducer that produces a sound pressure wave in response to an input signal X2n(i) derived from a direct signal X1n(i), each of the M send channels j comprising an input transducer that converts a sound pressure wave into an output signal Y1n(j), and said echo processing device being adapted to attenuate, in each output signal Y1n(j), echo components stemming from some or all of the N input signals X2n(i) and resulting from the acoustic coupling between the input transducer of the send channel concerned and some or all of the M output transducers. According to the invention the device is noteworthy in that it comprises: means for calculating receive gains Grn(i) and send gains Gen(j); means for applying a receive gain Grn(i) to each direct signal X1n(i) and producing the corresponding input signal X2n(i): means for applying a send gain Gen(j) to each output signal Y1n(j) and producing the corresponding return signal Y2n(j); and means for calculating, for each send channel j, N coupling variables COR(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, each of which is characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the output signal Y1n(j) of the send channel and one of the N input signals X2n(i); said gain calculation means being adapted to calculate each receive gain Grn(i) and each send gain Gen(j) on the basis of the N coupling variables COR(j,i) calculated for the associated send channel j. The advantages of this mode of calculating gains in respect of a given pair of send and receive channels (i, j) are of the same kind as are obtained with a variable gain single-channel device of the invention, as briefly set out hereinabove. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the echo processing device comprises means for estimating the instantaneous power P1ni of each input signal X2n(i) and the instantaneous power P2nj of each output signal Y1n(j), said send gain calculation means being adapted to calculate each send gain Gen(j) on the basis of N variables G(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, each of which is determined as a function of the estimated power of an input signal X2n(i) and the estimated power of the output signal Y1n(j) of the send channel concerned and as a function of the corresponding coupling variable COR(j,i), and each of the variables G(j,i) being obtained from the following equation: G ⁡ ( j , i ) = P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j + COR ⁡ ( j , i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i in which P1ni and P2nj are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n(i) concerned and of the power of the output signal Y1n(j) concerned at the time concerned. In a fourth aspect, the invention provides an echo canceller for a multichannel communications system comprising N receive channels, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2, and M send channels, M being an integer greater than or equal to 1, each of the N receive channels i comprising an output transducer that produces a sound pressure wave in response to an input signal X2n(i), and each of the M send channels j comprising an input transducer that converts a sound pressure wave into an output signal Y1n(j), the device comprising: for each send channel j, N identification filters Fij with variable coefficients for estimating the acoustic coupling between each of the N output transducers and the input transducer of the send channel j, and for each filter Fij, means for adapting the coefficients of the filter as a function of an adaptation step μn(i,j) and means for calculating the adaptation step μn(i,j). According to the invention, this device is noteworthy in that it comprises: means for estimating the instantaneous power P1ni of each input signal X2n(i) and the instantaneous power P2nj of each output signal Y1n(j), and means for calculating, for each send channel j, N coupling variables COR(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, each of which being characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the output signal Y1n(j) of the same channel and one of the N input signals X2n(i), the means for calculating the adaptation step μn(i,j) for a filter Fij associated with a receive channel i and a send channel j, being adapted to calculate the adaptation step μn(i,j) as a function of the powers P1ni, for i varying from 1 to N, estimated for the N receive channels, as a function of the power P2nj estimated for the send channel j, and as a function of the N coupling variables COR(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, associated with the send channel j. In a preferred embodiment, an adaptation step μn(i,j) for a filter Fij associated with a receive channel i and a send channel j is obtained from the following equation, in which bi is a positive constant: μ n ⁡ ( i , j ) = P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i b i · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i + COR ⁡ ( j , i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j + ∑ k ≠ i ⁢ ⁢ COR ⁡ ( j , k ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n k Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which is given with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a variable gain single-channel echo processing device according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a single-channel echo processing device combining a variable gain system and an echo canceller, according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a single-channel echo canceller according to a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a single-channel echo canceller according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a single-channel echo processing device of the invention combining the features of the first and fourth embodiments of the invention; FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a variable-gain multichannel echo processing device according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a multichannel echo canceller according to a sixth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a variable-gain single-channel echo processing device according to a first embodiment of the invention. This device is integrated into a hands-free telephone, for example. As shown in FIG. 1, the device receives and sends digital signals X1n, Y2n respectively called the direct signal and the return signal. The echo processing device comprises a module 36 for calculating the receive gain (Grn) and the send gain (Gen). The receive gain Grn is applied to the direct signal X1n by a multiplier 10 to obtain an input signal X2n that is emitted into an echo generator system 26. Similarly, the send gain Gen is applied to an output signal Y1n from the echo generator system by a multiplier 12 to produce the return signal Y2n. The input signal X2n is delivered to a loudspeaker 22 via a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 14 and an amplifier 18. The amplifier 18 is typically a variable-gain amplifier so that a user of the device may adjust the volume of the sound reproduced by the loudspeaker 22 to suit his convenience. In a similar manner, the output signal Y1n is obtained from a microphone 24 via an amplifier 20 and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 16. In the embodiment shown, the device comprises a single loudspeaker 22 and a single microphone 24 forming part of the echo generator system 26. However, the device of the invention shown in FIG. 1 may equally well be applied to a system in which the input signal X2n is emitted into the echo generator system by a plurality of loudspeakers 22 reproducing the same sound signal and the output signal Yin is obtained from the echo generator system by means of a plurality of microphones 24. According to the invention, the echo processing device comprises a module 30 for calculating a coupling variable COR characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n. To this end, the calculation module 30 comprises a calculation unit 34. The coupling variable COR is calculated by the unit 34 and then used by the gain calculation module 36 to calculate the receive gain Grn and the send gain Gen. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the module 30 for calculating the coupling variable COR comprises a unit 28 for estimating the instantaneous power P1n of the input signal X2n and/or the direct signal X1n and an unit for estimating the instantaneous power P2n of the output signal Y1n. In this embodiment, the gain calculation module 36 is designed to calculate the receive gain Grn and the send gain Gen on the basis of a variable G calculated by the calculation unit 34 as a function firstly of the estimated power P1n of the direct signal and/or the input signal and the estimated power P2n of the output signal, and secondly as a function of the coupling variable COR. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the variable G is determined by the calculation unit 34 from the following equation: G = P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n + COR · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n ( 1 ) where P1n and P2n are respectively an estimate of the power of the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and an estimate of the power of the output signal Y1n, at the time concerned. Accordingly, strong coupling (i.e. a high level of correlation) between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n yields a low value of the variable G to cancel echo, whereas weak coupling has the opposite effect on the variable G. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the gain calculation means 36 determine the receive gain Grn and the send gain Gen recursively from the following equations: Gen=γ·Gen-1+(1−γ)·G (2) Grn=1−δ·Gen where Gen-1 is the send gain at the preceding calculation time and γ and δ are positive constants less than 1. The above gain calculation equation (2), which is cited by way of example only, is derived from a calculation disclosed in French patent No. 2 748 184, modified in accordance with the invention to take into account the variable G defined above (equation (1)). In one particular embodiment, good results have been obtained for a calculation at a frequency of 8 kiloHertz (kHz) with γ equal to 0.95. In the above calculation, the send and receive gains are directly linked to the variable G, which enables adaptive echo processing as a function of the real characteristics of the echo generator system. Moreover, the range of variation of the send gain Gen is a decreasing function of the variable G, enabling automatic enhancement, by increasing the gain, of the sound quality as perceived by the remote party if the echo component of the signal picked up by the microphone decreases. Incidentally, it should be noted that the above advantages are obtained without using voice activity detectors and double voice detectors, which in prior art echo processing devices are complex and sometimes insufficiently reliable. Calculation of the Coupling Variable COR According to the invention, the coupling variable COR which characterizes the acoustic coupling between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n is obtained by calculating the correlation between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2 and the output signal Y1n. An envelope correlation calculation may be used, for example. Thus in one particular embodiment the coupling variable COR is defined as a function of the maximum value Maxcor of the values corr(j) of the correlation between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n, said correlation values corr(j) being calculated over a time window considered, and each being obtained from the equation: corr ⁡ ( j ) = ∑ i = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ ( i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ ( i + j ) ∑ i = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 2 ⁢ ( i ) ( 3 ) in which i is a sampling time in the calculation time window of duration LM, j is a shift value between the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n, and P1(t) and P2(t) are respectively an estimate of the power of the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and an estimate of the power of the output signal Y1n, at a time t. In practice, the envelope correlation calculation is effected over time windows of 1 second duration for each signal (input and output) and with a maximum time shift of 300 milliseconds between the signals. The calculation is effected at a reduced sampling frequency of 125 Hertz. In this embodiment, very good results are obtained with the variable COR defined by the following equation, in which Exp designates the exponential function and k is a positive constant: COR=Exp(k.Maxcor) (4) In practice, very good results are obtained with k equal to 3. Limiting the term Exp(3.Maxcor) to 25, corresponding to a maximum correlation of 1.07, is recommended. A single-channel echo processing device according to a second embodiment of the invention is described next with reference to FIG. 2. This device combines a variable gain system like that described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 1 and an echo canceller. The echo processing device represented in FIG. 2 comprises, like that represented in FIG. 1, a module 36 for calculating the receive gain (Grn) and the send gain (Gen) and a module 30 for determining the variable COR to evaluate the acoustic coupling between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n. The features and operation of the FIG. 2 modules 30 and 36 are identical to those of the FIG. 1 modules. According to the invention, the device may further include an echo canceller 40 receiving at its input the input signal X2n emitted into the echo generator system 26 and a signal Y3n from the echo generator system 26. The echo canceller 40 conventionally comprises a finite impulse response identification filter 42 whose response is representative of the response of the echo generator system 26. In operation, the identification filter 42 produces a filtering signal Sn and subtracts the filtering signal Sn from the signal Y3n by means of a subtractor 44. It then produces the output signal Y1n that is received as input by the multiplier 12, in order to apply to it a send gain Gen calculated by the module 36. In this embodiment, the system is initialized with the echo canceller 40 inactive (the identification filter 42 has not yet converged) to guarantee stability with no Larsen effect. Then, when the filter has converged, the coupling variable COR is evaluated non-intrusively by the module 30. In this embodiment the correlation referred to is that between the direct signal X1n or the input signal X2n and the signal Y1n that constitutes the “residual” signal from the echo canceller 40. The acoustic coupling is then evaluated cyclically to adapt the send and receive gains automatically as a function of acoustic coupling variations. In this embodiment, the effects of a conventional echo canceller 40 and those of a variable gain echo processing device of the invention (FIG. 1) are combined to optimize echo processing. In practice, in this embodiment, very good results are obtained with the variable COR defined as follows, as a function of Maxcor (see above): COR=0.75·Exp(Maxcor) (5) A single-channel echo canceller according to a third embodiment of the invention is described next with reference to FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the principle of estimating the acoustic coupling between the input and output signals of an echo generator system, including calculation of the coupling variable COR as described hereinabove, is applied to calculating the adaptation step of the filter of an echo canceller. As shown in FIG. 3, an echo canceller of the invention conventionally comprises a finite impulse response identification filter 42 whose response is representative of the response of the echo generator system 26. The echo generator system comprises the combination of the loudspeaker 22, the microphone 24 and their physical environment (walls, background noise, etc.). The filter 42 receives at its input an input signal X2n that is emitted into the echo generator system 26 via a DAC 14 and an amplifier 18, and generates a filtering signal Sn. The echo canceller comprises a subtractor 44 that receives a signal Y3n from the echo generator system at its input via an amplifier 20 and an ADC 16. At least one component of the signal Y3n is therefore a response of the echo generator system to the input signal X2n. Furthermore, the subtractor 44 receives the filtering signal Sn at its input and therefore subtracts the filtering signal Sn from the signal Y3n to produce an output signal Y1n. The echo canceller comprises a module 46 for updating the coefficients of the identification filter as a function of an adaptation step μn. It finally comprises a calculation module 50 for calculating the adaptation step μn. The module 50 for calculating the adaptation step of the filter comprises units 28, 48 for estimating the power P1n of the input signal X2n and the power P3n of the signal Y3n. The module 50 further comprises a unit 52 for calculating a coupling variable COR2 characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the input signal X2n and the signal Y3n coming from the echo generator system 26. The module 50 finally comprises a unit 54 for calculating the adaptation step. According to the present invention, the adaptation step μn of the identification filter is calculated as a function of the estimated powers P1n, P3n and the coupling variable COR2. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adaptation step μn is obtained from the following equation: μ n = P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n α · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n + COR ⁢ ⁢ 2. ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 3 ⁢ ⁢ n ( 6 ) in which a is a positive constant and P1n and P3n are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n and an estimate of the power of the signal Y3n from the echo generator system, at the time concerned. Evaluating the above coupling variable COR2 therefore enables the adaptation step of the filter to be “driven” as a function of the real acoustic coupling between the input signal and the output signal of the echo generator system. This improves the responsiveness of the echo canceller as a function of changes in the acoustic environment of the device—for example after a variation in the sound reproduction volume by the user of the device or use of the device in a noisy environment (street, car, etc.)—and therefore improves the result of echo processing. According to the same principle as applies to the variable COR defined above in relation to FIG. 1, the coupling variable COR2 is obtained by calculating the correlation between the input signal X2n and the signal Y3n. In practice this is also an envelope correlation calculation. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling variable COR2 is defined as being a function of the maximum value Maxcor2 of the correlation values corr2(j) calculated over a time window. Each of the correlation values corr2(j) is calculated from the following equation: corr2 ⁡ ( j ) = ∑ i = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ ( i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 3 ⁢ ⁢ ( i + j ) ∑ i = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 2 ⁢ ( i ) ( 7 ) in which: i is a sampling time in the calculation time window of duration LM and j is a shift value between the input signal X2n and the signal Y3n; and P1(t) and P3(t) are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n and an estimate of the power of the signal Y3n, at the time t concerned. In this embodiment, very good results have been obtained with the variable COR2 defined by the following equation, in which k is a positive constant: COR ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ = k Maxcor ⁢ ⁢ 2 ( 8 ) In a fourth embodiment of the invention, the single-channel echo canceller described hereinabove has added to it a module for calculating a second coupling variable COR, so named by analogy with that from FIG. 1, that is characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the input signal X2n of the echo generator system and the output signal Y1n coming from the subtractor 44 of the echo canceller. FIG. 4 shows an echo canceller according to this fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the echo canceller comprises a module 50 for calculating the adaptation step μn similar to that described with reference to FIG. 3. The device further comprises a unit 30a for calculating a second coupling variable COR. The variable COR is characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the input signal X2n of the echo generator system 26 and the output signal Y1n. The second coupling variable COR is obtained by calculating the correlation between the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n. The calculation unit 30a is similar to the unit 30 described above with reference to FIG. 1. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the second variable COR is obtained by the same basic process as the variable COR defined above with reference to FIG. 1, i.e. by means of an envelope correlation calculation applied to the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n. In particular, the variable COR is defined as being a function of the maximum value Maxcor of the values of the correlation corr(j) between the input signal X2n and the output signal Y1n. The second coupling variable COR calculated by the unit 30a is supplied to the unit 54 for calculating the adaptation step μn of the filter (see FIG. 3), with the result that this step is also calculated as a function of the second coupling variable COR. In practice, the adaptation step μn is calculated from the following equation: μ n = COR COR ⁢ ⁢ 2 · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n α . P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n + COR ⁢ ⁢ 2 · P ⁢ ⁢ 3 ⁢ ⁢ n ( 9 ) in which a is a positive constant and P1n and P3n are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n and an estimate of the power of the signal Y3n from the echo generator system, at the time concerned. In the embodiment in which the variable COR is a predetermined function f of the variable Maxcor and the variable COR2 is a predetermined function g of the variable Maxcor2 (see above), the above equation (9) may be expressed in the following form: μ n = f ⁡ ( Maxcor ) g ⁡ ( Maxcor ⁢ ⁢ 2 ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n α ⁢ . P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n + COR ⁢ ⁢ 2 · P ⁢ ⁢ 3 ⁢ ⁢ n ( 9 ⁢ a ) By additionally taking into account the second coupling variable COR, it is possible to determine the state of convergence of the identification filter and thus to achieve finer control of the adaptation step. Another embodiment of the invention combines the echo processing device described above with reference to FIG. 1 and the device described above with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 5 shows a device of this kind. In FIG. 5, the items referenced 10, 12, 36, 30 are identical to those represented in FIG. 1 and constitute a variable gain single-channel echo processing device of the invention. Furthermore, the items 50, 46, 40 are identical to those of the echo canceller shown in FIG. 4. When the units 30 and 50 are adapted so that the unit 30 is able to supply the variable COR to the unit 50 and the unit 50 is able to calculate the adaptation step of the filter 42 as a function of the variables COR, COR2, as explained above, then a combination of the systems described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4 is obtained that combines the advantages of each of those two systems. The present invention also applies to echo processing devices intended for a multichannel communications system. A variable gain multichannel echo processing device constituting a fifth embodiment of the invention is described next with reference to FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, a variable gain multichannel echo processing device of the invention is intended to be used in a multichannel communications system comprising N receive channels, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and M send channels, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Each of the N receive channels i comprises an output transducer LSi, typically a loudspeaker, which produces a sound pressure wave in response to an input signal X2n(i) derived from a direct signal X1n(i). Each of the M send channels j comprises an input transducer MCj, typically a microphone, which converts a sound pressure wave into an output signal Y1n(j). An echo processing device of the above kind is intended to attenuate in each output signal Y1n(j) echo components stemming from some or all of the N input signals X2n(i) and resulting from acoustic coupling between the microphone of the send channel concerned and some or all of the N loudspeakers. As shown in FIG. 6, a variable gain multichannel echo processing device of the invention comprises a module 64 for calculating receive gains Grn(i) and send gains Gen(j). It further comprises N multipliers 68 adapted to apply a receive gain Grn(i) to each direct signal X1n(i) and produce the corresponding input signal X2n(i). Similarly, the device comprises multipliers 66 adapted to apply a send gain Gen(j) to each output signal Y1n(j) and produce a corresponding return signal Y2n(j). It further comprises a module 62 for calculating N coupling variables COR(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, for each send channel j, each of the N variables being characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the output signal Y1n(j) of the send channel j concerned and one of the N input signals X2n(i). According to the invention, the gain calculation module 64 calculates each receive gain Grn(i) and each send gain Gen(j) on the basis of the N coupling variables COR(j,i) calculated for the associated send channel j. The advantages relating to this gain calculation method with respect to a given pair (i,j) of receive and send channels are of the same nature as those obtained with the variable gain single-channel device of the invention described above with reference to FIG. 1. Furthermore, a preferred embodiment of the multichannel echo processing device shown in FIG. 6 comprises a power calculation module (not shown) adapted to estimate the instantaneous power P1ni of each input signal X2n(i) and the instantaneous power P2nj of each output signal Y1n(j). In this embodiment, the correlation variable COR calculation module 62 also calculates N variables G(j,i) for i varying from 1 to N, each of which is determined as a function of the estimated power P1n of an input signal X2n(i) and the estimated power P2nj of the output signal Y1n(j) of the send channel concerned. According to the invention, each of the variables G(j,i) is obtained from the following equation: G ⁡ ( j , i ) = P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j + COR ⁡ ( j , i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i ( 10 ) in which P1ni and P2nj are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n(i) concerned and an estimate of the power of the output signal Y1n(j) concerned, at the time concerned. The gain calculation module 64 then calculates each send gain Gen(j) on the basis of the N variables G(j,i) as a function of the corresponding coupling variable COR(j,i). In a preferred embodiment, each send gain Gen(j) is determined from the minimum value of the N variables G(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, calculated for the associated send channel j. In practice, each send gain Gen(j) is determined from the following equation: Gen(j)=γ·Gen-1(j)+(1−γ)·mini(G(j,i)) (11) in which Gen-1(j) is the send gain of the send channel j at the time of the preceding calculation, γ is a positive constant less than 1, and mini(G(j,i)) is the minimum value of the N variables G(j,i) for i varying from 1 to N. Taking the minimum value mini(G(j,i)), the lowest gain (i.e. the highest attenuation) is applied to the channel j concerned, this gain therefore taking into account the greatest coupling value on all possible echo paths of the system. Preferably (although this is not mandatory), in combination with the method of calculating the send gain explained hereinabove, all the receive gains Grn(i) have the same value, determined from the following equation: Grn(i)=1−δ·maxj(Gen(j)) (12) in which δ is a positive constant less than 1 and maxj(Gen(j)) is the maximum value of the M send gains Gen(j), for j varying from 1 to M. However, in a different embodiment of the device, shown in FIG. 6, each receive gain Grn(i) is made equal to 1. This solution has the advantage of simplifying the calculation of the gains, combined with very good echo processing results. Calculation of Each Coupling Variable COR(j,i) According to the invention, each coupling variable COR(j,i) is obtained from a calculation of the correlation between the corresponding output signal Y1n(j) and input signal X2n(i). In a preferred embodiment, the calculation is an envelope correlation calculation. In practice, each coupling variable COR(j,i) is obtained from the maximum value Maxcor of the values corrji(d) of the correlation between the corresponding output signal Y1n(j) and input signal X2n(i), these correlation values corrji(d) being calculated over a predefined time window. Each of the correlation values is obtained from the following equation: corr ji ⁡ ( d ) = ∑ c = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i ⁡ ( c ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j ⁡ ( c + d ) ∑ c = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i 2 ⁡ ( c ) ( 13 ) in which c is a sampling time in the calculation time window of duration LM, d is a shift value between the input signal X2n(i) and the output signal Y1n(j), and P1ni(t) and P2nj(t) are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n(i) and an estimate of the power of the output signal Y1n(j) at a time t. A multichannel echo canceller constituting a sixth embodiment of the invention is described next with reference to FIG. 7. This embodiment may be considered as a generalization to the multichannel situation of the single-channel echo cancellers described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 7, a multichannel echo canceller of the invention comprises N receive channels, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2, and M send channels, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1. Each of the N receive channels i comprises an output transducer (loudspeaker) LSi that produces a sound pressure wave in response to an input signal X2n(i). Each of the M send channels j comprises an input transducer (microphone) MCj that converts a sound pressure wave into an output signal Y1n(j). Furthermore, the echo canceller comprises, for each send channel j, N identification filters Fij with variable coefficients for estimating the acoustic coupling between each of the N loudspeakers LSi and the microphone MCj of the send channel j. It further comprises, for each filter Fij, means (not shown) for adapting the coefficients of the filter as a function of an adaptation step μn(i,j) and means (not shown) for calculating the adaptation step μn(i,j). Each filter Fij associated with a receive channel i and a send channel j generates a filtering signal that is subtracted from the output signal Y1n(j) to produce a filtered signal Y2n(j). According to the invention, the device further comprises means (not shown) for estimating the instantaneous power P1ni of each input signal X2n(i) and the instantaneous power P2nj of each output signal Y1n(j). It also comprises means (not shown) for calculating, for each send channel j, N coupling variables COR(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, each of which being characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the output signal Y1n(j) of the send channel concerned and one of the N input signals X2n(i). The means for calculating the adaptation step μn(i,j) for a filter Fij associated with a given receive channel i and a given send channel j calculate the adaptation step μn(i,j) as a function of: the estimated powers P1ni (for i varying from 1 to N) calculated for the N receive channels i, the estimated power P2nj calculated for the send channel j, and the N coupling variables COR(j,i), for i varying from 1 to N, associated with the send channel j concerned. Calculation of Each Coupling Variable COR(j,i) In this embodiment, each coupling variable COR(j,i) is obtained from a correlation calculation between the output signal Y1n(j) and the input signal X2n(i) associated with the pair of receive and send channels (i,j) concerned. As in the other embodiments of the invention described above, in a preferred embodiment, the correlation calculation is an envelope correlation calculation. In practice, each coupling variable COR(j,i) is obtained from the maximum value Maxcor(j,i) of the values corrji(d) of the correlation calculated over a respective predefined time window, each of the correlation values corrji(d) being calculated from the following equation: corr ji ⁡ ( d ) = ∑ c = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i ⁡ ( c ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j ⁡ ( c + d ) ∑ c = 0 LM - 1 ⁢ ⁢ P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i 2 ⁡ ( c ) ( 14 ) in which c is a sampling time in the calculation time window of duration LM, d is a shift value between the input signal X2n(i) and the output signal Y1n(j), and P1ni(t) and P2nj(t) are respectively an estimate of the power of the input signal X2n(i) and an estimate of the power of the output signal Y1n(j) at a time t. In practice, each coupling variable COR(j,i) is related to the maximum value Maxcor(j,i) of the correlation values corrji(d) by the following equation, in which k is a positive constant: COR ⁡ ( j , i ) = k Maxcor ⁡ ( j , i ) ( 15 ) Calculation of the Adaptation Step μn(i,j) for a Filter Fij In this embodiment, an adaptation step μn(i,j) for a filter Fij associated with a receive channel i and a send channel j is obtained from the following equation, in which bi is a positive constant: μ n ⁡ ( i , j ) = P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i b i · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i + COR ⁡ ( j , i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j + ∑ k ≠ i ⁢ ⁢ COR ⁡ ( j , k ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n k ( 16 ) Thanks to the presence in the above expression of the term ∑ k ≠ i ⁢ ⁢ COR ⁡ ( j , k ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n k for the step μn(i,j), the receive channels other than the channel i concerned do not interfere with the convergence of the filter Fij, and this is achieved in conjunction with automatic reduction of the value of the step. Furthermore, the presence of the variables COR(j,k) provides an indication of the real influence on the send channel j concerned of receive channels other than the channel i concerned. In a similar manner to the single-channel situation described above with reference to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the multichannel echo canceller, shown in FIG. 7, may further comprise means for calculating, for each send channel j, N second coupling variables COR2(j,i) for i varying from 1 to N. Each of the second coupling variables is characteristic of the acoustic coupling between the filtered signal Y2n(j) of the send channel j concerned and one of the N input signals X2n(i). In this embodiment, the adaptation step μn(i,j) of an identification filter Fij associated with a receive channel i and a send channel j is calculated as a function of the first N coupling variables COR(j,i) and the second N coupling variables COR2(j,i). In a preferred embodiment, the adaptation step μn(i,j) for a filter Fij associated with a receive channel i and a send channel j is obtained from the following equation, in which bi is a positive constant: μ n ⁡ ( i , j ) = COR ⁡ ( j , i ) COR ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ( j , i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i b i · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n i + COR ⁡ ( j , i ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 2 ⁢ ⁢ n j + ∑ k ≠ i ⁢ ⁢ COR ⁡ ( j , k ) · P ⁢ ⁢ 1 ⁢ ⁢ n k ( 17 ) A variable gain multichannel echo processing device of the invention (FIG. 6) may be combined with a multichannel echo canceller of the invention (FIG. 7) to combine their advantages. In this case, this kind of multichannel device (not shown in the drawings) comprises, for each pair comprising a receive channel i and a send channel j, gain application means adapted to apply a receive gain Grn(i) to the input signal X2n(i) and a send gain Gen(j) to the filtered signal Y2n(j). The gains Grn(i), Gen(j) are then calculated on the basis of the N second coupling variables COR2(j,i) determined for the send channel j, using the same basic principle as the device described above with reference to FIG. 6. In practice, the various echo processing devices of the present invention described hereinabove may be obtained in the usual way by programming a digital signal processor (DSP). They may also be implemented by means of application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC). Of course, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described here, and to the contrary encompasses any variant that will be evident to the person skilled in the art.

20041228

20080722

20060216

63651.0

H04L516

SINGH, RAMNANDAN P

ECHO PROCESSING DEIVES FOR SINGLE-CHANNEL OR MULTICHANNEL COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04L

ACCEPTED

Mail sorting machine comprising a blower between a system for the injection of mail articles and an injection carrousel

A postal sorting machine comprises an injection carousel (1) and a system (4) for injecting mail items (3) standing on edge into receptacles (2) of the carousel (1). Each receptacle (2) of the carousel (1) is defined by an end wall (7) and two side walls (5, 6). A blower (13) is interposed between the injection system (4) and the carousel (1). The blower (13) delivers two jets (14, 15) of compressed air that are substantially perpendicular to each other, with each mail item (3) being displaced between the jets.

1. A postal sorting machine comprising a carousel (1) and a system (4) for injecting mail items (3) edge on into receptacles (2) of the carousel (1), each receptacle (2) of the carousel (1) being defined by an end wall (7) and two side walls (5, 6), the machine being characterized in that a blower (13) is interposed between the injection system (4) and the carousel (1), the blower (13)! delivering two jets (14, 15) of compressed air that are substantially perpendicular to each other, each mail item (3) being displaced between the two jets (14, 15) of air. 2. A postal sorting machine according to claim 1, in which a flexible deflector (12) is fixed on a first one of the side walls (5) of each receptacle in such a manner that each mail item (3) injected into the receptacle (2) is guided towards the end wall (7) while being pressed substantially against the second side wall (6). 3. A postal sorting machine according to claim 2, in which the flexible deflector (12) is a wide strip of belt reinforced with cloth. 4. A postal sorting machine according to claim 1, in which each jet (14, 15) of compressed air is a flat jet of compressed air delivered by means of one or more flat nozzles (16, 17). 5. A postal sorting machine according to claim 1, in which the pressure of the jets (14, 15) of compressed air lies in the range 0.5 bars to 1.5 bars.

The invention relates to a postal sorting machine comprising a postal sorting machine comprising a carousel and a system for injecting mail items edge on into receptacles of the carousel, each receptacle of the carousel being defined by an end wall and two side walls. In a postal sorting machine, and more particularly in a type 37 TOP 2000” machine manufactured by the supplier “Solystic”, mail items traveling on an inlet conveyor are injected into a sorting conveyor by means of an intermediate injection carousel. This operation of transferring mail items is particularly critical for the performance of the sorting machine. It determines the speed at which mail items are processed by the sorting machine, so the items must be transferred in minimum time and at an injection rate into the carousel of about six items per second. The mail items processed by that machine are mainly flat objects of all kinds that can be rigid, flexible, plasticized, made of paper, of width lying in the range 90 millimeters (mm) to 300 mm, of length lying in the range 140 mm to 400 mm, and of thickness lying in the range 0.2 mm to 32 mm. A postal sorting machine of the kind described above is disclosed in patent document FR-2 795 396. In that prior device, mail items are conveyed standing on edge between two rows of wheels constituting the injection system, and at the outlet they are sent from the rows of wheels into receptacles of the carousel. That injection system enables the speed at which mail items are injected into the receptacles to be adjusted. The mail items are moved standing on edge in the receptacles of the carousel, prior to falling vertically, under gravity, edge-on into slots of a sorting conveyor synchronized with the carousel. The use of such a system for injecting mail items into the receptacles of the carousel is satisfactory only for mail items that are rigid, heavy, and large in size. Flexible mail items tend to sag between the walls of the receptacle. In addition, sending items at high speed into the receptacles of the carousel causes items that are not very rigid to become deformed under the effects of friction generated by the speed and by impacts against the walls. Finally, the stirring of the air, due to the carousel rotating and to air being compressed by variation in the spacing between the walls of the receptacles as the carousel rotates, leads to disturbances of the ambient air in the item injection zone, thereby changing the trajectories of certain lightweight mail items. The deformation of mail items and the changes to their trajectories on being injected into the receptacles of the carousel are the main causes of machines being stopped and of mail items being rejected from the sorting conveyor, thereby slowing down operation of the sorting machine and requiring operators to intervene. A mail item that is poorly injected into a receptacle of the carousel, i.e. that is not standing on its edge at the end of the receptacle corresponding to its entry position, does not drop vertically straight into the corresponding slot of the sorting conveyor, but spreads out flat, e.g. over the surfaces of a plurality of slots, or falls into another slot together with another mail item. Mail items that are badly inserted into the slots of the sorting conveyor are detected and rejected, or else they are removed using an ejection brush, when the articles lie over a plurality of slots. Those injection problems lead to a high ratio of mail items being absent from the slots of the sorting conveyor, which items need to be processed manually. The device for injecting mail items from the inlet conveyor to the intermediate carousel as described above does not come up to the expectations by users of postal sorting machines, since up to 2% of mail items are injected badly. The object of the invention is to remedy the drawbacks described above by proposing a postal sorting machine in which improved means are provided for bringing mail items in a straight vertical position at the ends of the receptacles of the carousel and for maintaining them in that position. To this end, the invention provides a postal sorting machine comprising a carousel and a system for injecting mail items edge on into receptacles of the carousel, each receptacle of the carousel being defined by an end wall and two side walls, the machine being characterized in that a blower is interposed between the injection system and the carousel, the blower delivering two jets of compressed air that are substantially perpendicular to each other, each mail item being displaced between the two jets of air. With this arrangement, the mail item is guided from its exit from the injection system along the second side walls of a receptacle of the carousel until it reaches the end wall of the receptacle. In a particular embodiment of the sorting machine of the invention, a flexible deflector is fixed on a first one of the side walls of each receptacle in such a manner that each mail item injected into the receptacle is guided towards the end wall while being pressed substantially against the second side wall. With this arrangement, mail items are guided and held in the receptacles and they do not sag. The sorting machine of the invention may also present the following features: the flexible deflector is a wide strip of belt reinforced with cloth; each jet of compressed air is a flat jet of compressed air delivered by means of one or more flat nozzles; and the pressure of the jets of compressed air lies in the range 0.5 bars to 1.5 bars (depending on the type of blower). An embodiment of a postal sorting machine of the invention is described below in detail and is shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a highly diagrammatic plan view of a carousel and a system for injecting mail items. FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of the zone where mail items are injected into a carousel of a sorting machine of the invention. FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic side view of a receptacle provided with a deflector in a sorting machine of the invention. FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side view showing the arrangement of blowers in a sorting machine of the invention. FIG. 1 shows an intermediate carousel 1 in a postal sorting machine (not shown), the carousel being provided with receptacles 2 and serving to transfer mail items coming from an inlet conveyor to a sorting conveyor (conveyors not shown). To perform the transfer, the mail items 3 traveling while standing on edge are sent by means of an injection system 4 into the open receptacles 2, each being formed by two side walls 5 and 6 and an end wall 7 opposite from the position of the injection system 4. The injection system 4 is made up of two rows of elastically deformable wheels 8 that enable the mail items 3 to be slowed down in order to limit the magnitude of the impacts of the mail items 3 against the walls, on being injected into the receptacles 2, and enabling the injection of mail items 3 into the carousel to be controlled and synchronized. The rows of wheels 8 comprise two superposed levels of wheels. The end wall 7 is mounted on a shock absorber 9 for damping the impact of a mail item 3 sent at high speed into the receptacle 2, thereby avoiding damage to the item. The injection system 4 is described in detail in patent document FR-2 795 396 The receptacles 2 of the carousel 1 move and turn in the direction represented by arrows 10. The mail items 3 standing on edge between the walls 5 and 6 of the receptacles 2 slide while advancing with the receptacles 2 until they reach an opening in the baseplate into which they drop vertically, under gravity, into slots of the sorting conveyor, where the sorting conveyor (not shown) is arranged beneath the carousel 1. In order to drop properly into the slots of the sorting conveyor, it is necessary for the mail items 3 previously to be standing in a vertical position, on edge in the receptacles 2. As shown in FIG. 1, the carousel 1 follows a closed path of oval shape. The spacing between the walls 5, 6 of a receptacle is greater in the curved portion than is the spacing between them in the straight portion of the path. As a result air becomes compressed and there are disturbances in the air on leaving the curved portion, at the location where the injection system 4 is located (at the exit from a curved portion). In the description below, the side wall 5 whose back faces in the forward direction of the carousel 1 is referred to as being the “first” side wall 5, whereas the side wall facing it is referred to as being the “second” side wall 6. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the zone in which mail items 3 are injected into the carousel 1 of a sorting machine of the invention. The system 4 for injecting mail items 3 as described above sends the mail items 3 towards the carousel 1 in a longitudinal direction that is perpendicular to the movement represented by arrow 10, with the items passing into the receptacles 2 of the carousel 1 in the injection zone. The receptacles 2 of the carousel 1 are all arranged in the same manner. In the injection zone, the side walls 5, 6 of the receptacles 2 are substantially parallel with said longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the end wall 7. The first side wall 1 has a rearwardly open rounded portion 11 at the entrance to the receptacle 2 and. covered in a slippery plastic material for the purpose of guiding the mail items 3 towards the end of the receptacle 2 in the event of the trajectory of the mail items 3 being deflected so that they are not sent to the center of the receptacle 2 but strike into abutment against the rounded portion 11. As shown in FIG. 2, a flexible deflector 12 is secured to the first side wall 5. By way of example, the flexible deflector 12 can be constituted by a broad flat belt or by a broad strip of rubber reinforced with cloth (or carpet) and disposed between the end wall 7 and the rounded portion 11 and advancing within the receptacle 2. In FIG. 3, it can be seen that adding the flexible deflector 12 in the receptacle 2 serves to restrict the spacing between the two side walls 5 and 6 over the full height of the receptacle 2, which spacing was 70 mm. The spacing between the flexible deflector 12 and the second side wall 6 is no more than about 25 mm. The flexible deflector 12 thus enables the items 3 to be guided towards the end wall 7 while remaining pressed substantially against the second side wall 6, but above all and as can be seen in FIG. 3, it serves to keep flexible or not very rigid mail items 3 vertical over their full height by being pressed substantially against the second side wall 6, and it also serves to guide their dropping into the sorting conveyor (not shown). Flexible mail items 3 take up a wavy shape between the deflector 12 and the second side wall 6, but they do not sag. Because the deflector 12 is flexible, items 3 that are rigid and/or thick are not prevented from passing between the second side wall 6 and the deflector 12. In addition, the flexible deflector 12 can flatten and does not jam thick items of mail 3, so it does not interfere with them dropping into the slots of the sorting conveyor (not shown). Integrating a flexible deflector 12 into each receptacle 2 of the carousel 1 is easy and inexpensive. In FIG. 2, it can also be seen in the injection zone that a blower 13 is interposed between the injection system 4 and the carousel 1. The blower 13 delivers two flat jets 14 and 15 of compressed air that are substantially perpendicular to each other or that present a slightly obtuse angle between each other and that are delivered by means of flat nozzles 16 and 17. A jet 14 applied along said longitudinal direction towards the carousel 1 between the mail item 3 and the corresponding second side wall 6 of the receptacle 2 serves to deflect the trajectories of flexible mail items 3 towards the second wall 6 by the Venturi effect. Under the effect of this jet 14 of compressed air, the mail item 3 is attracted towards the second side wall 6 and is then pushed along the wall to the end wall 7. The trajectory of the mail item 3 is represented by a dashed line arrow 18 in FIG. 2. A reference plate 19 is placed parallel to the mail item 3 on the side of the mail item 3 that is opposite from its side adjacent to the jet 14, with the plate 19 serving to close the space between the head of the nozzle 16 and the open ends of the receptacle 2, minimizing the distance between the open ends of the receptacles 2 and the head of the nozzle 16 delivering the jet 14 longitudinally, so as to keep the direction of the jet 14 well under control and so as to limit disturbances to the air. Another jet 15 is applied against the mail item 3 in a direction that is substantially parallel and opposite to the direction of movement of the receptacle 2. The jet 15 then applies pressure against the mail item 3, and more particularly to the rear portion of the mail item 3 after the mail item 3 has been released by the wheels 8 of the injection system 4, thereby deflecting it against the second side wall 6. As a result, the blower 13 improves guidance of mail items 3 as soon as they leave the injection system 4, and it mitigates the large disturbances to the air that are generated by the movement and the relative closing of the walls 5 and 6 upstream from the injection zone. As a result, the trajectories 18 of mail items 3 that are lightweight and/or flexible are under control and the mail items 3 are properly guided into the receptacles 2. FIG. 4 is a side view showing the arrangement of the blowers 13 in the sorting machine. The flat jet 15 of compressed air is delivered by one or more flat nozzles 17 against part or all of the height of the receptacle 2. The jet 14 of compressed air is delivered by a flat nozzle 16 against the central portion of the receptacle 2 since the flat nozzle is inserted between the two superposed levels of wheels 8. For this purpose, it is possible to use one or more flat nozzles 16, 17 in alignment, e.g. of the “727ABS” type from the supplier “Windjet” or of the “921” type from the supplier “Silvent”. The jets 14, 15 of compressed air are applied in continuous manner so long as the carousel 1 is moving. It is possible to apply air jet pressures lying in the range 0.5 bars to 1.5 bars, but it is preferable to use a pressure of 1 bar as determined by testing and producing an optimum effect of causing the mail items 3 to adhere against the second walls 6 of the receptacles 2. In “TOP 2000” type postal sorting machines, the spacing between the injection system 4 and the carousel 1 is sufficient for the blower 13 to be integrated therein. The deflectors 12 and the blower 13 can be arranged individually or simultaneously in the sorting machine of the invention. The combination of the two techniques improves the performance of mail item transfer between the entry conveyor and the sorting conveyor by a factor of better than 30. With this arrangement, the number of items presenting faulty injection into the carousel can be reduced to about 0.06%, thus making it possible to satisfy the present requirements of sorting machine users, and also making it possible to enlarge the range of items that can be processed. Clearly the invention is not limited in any way to the particular embodiment described, but extends to any variant within the competence of the person skilled in the art for injecting mail items into receptacles.

20041229

20070213

20060119

59847.0

G06K900

RODRIGUEZ, JOSEPH C

MAIL SORTING MACHINE COMPRISING A BLOWER BETWEEN A SYSTEM FOR THE INJECTION OF MAIL ARTICLES AND AN INJECTION CARROUSEL

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G06K

ACCEPTED

CUTTING DEVICE

A cutting device includes a cutter rod, and a movable cutting tool of a length greater than the diameter of the cutter rod. The movable cutting tool is prevented from cracking and breaking. A movable cutting tool (7) has protruding parts (7b) protruding radially outward from a large-diameter part (40b) of a cutter rod (4) and having cylindrical surfaces (7c) of a cylinder of a radius equal to that of the large-diameter part (40b). The movable cutting tool (7) is attached to a flat surface (40c) formed in the cutter rod (4) with the cylindrical surfaces (7c) in close contact with the circumference of the large-diameter part (40b) of the cutter rod (4) to bear external force exerted on the protruding parts (7b) by the cutter rod (4).

1. A cutting device comprising: a fixed cutting tool; a reciprocating, cylindrical cutter rod having a front part having a flat surface and capable of being axially moved; and a flat movable cutting tool having a cutting edge of a length greater than the diameter of the cutter rod and attached to the flat surface of the front part of the cutter rod; characterized in that the front part of the cutter rod has a small-diameter part of a small diameter and a large-diameter part of a large diameter, the flat surface is formed in the small-diameter part, cylindrical surfaces of a cylinder of a radius equal to that of the large-diameter part of the cutter rod are formed in protruding parts, protruding radially outward from the large-diameter part of the cutter rod, of the movable cutting tool, respectively, and the movable cutting tool is attached to the flat surface of the cutter rod with the cylindrical surfaces in close contact with the circumference of the cutter rod. 2. The cutting device according to claim 1 characterized in that the pair of cylindrical surfaces are formed in the movable cutting tool, and the movable cutting tool is attached to the cutter rod with its middle part in coincidence with the axis of the cutter rod.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a cutting device for cutting a metal plate or a metal round bar. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cutting device characterized by a movable cutting tool holding structure. BACKGROUND ART A cutting device that cuts a metal workpiece by sliding a movable cutting tool attached to a free end of a reciprocating rod relative to a fixed cutting tool is used widely. FIG. 6 shows a conventional cutting device 60 by way of example in a sectional view. The cutting device 60 has a base 61, a fixed cutting tool 62 having the shape of a flat plate and fixedly held on the base 61, and a movable cutting tool 64 having the shape of a flat plate and attached to a front part of a reciprocating cutter rod 63 that reciprocates relative to the fixed cutting tool 62. The movable cutting tool 64 is slidably moved to cut a workpiece, such as a metal round bar P. This cutting device 60 is capable of cutting not only round bars but also metal plates having a comparatively large width. The movable cutting tool 64 has a cutting edge 64a of a length greater than the diameter of the cutter rod 63. The cutting tool 64 is applied to a longitudinal flat surface formed by longitudinally cutting a part of the front part of the cutter rod 63, and is fastened to the cutter rod 63 with bolts 65. The cutter rod 63 is advanced by the agency of a high-pressure oil supplied through a high-pressure pipe 66 to cut the round bar P by sliding the movable cutting tool 64 relative to the fixed cutting tool 62. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION However, when cutting the round bar P by the cutting device with only a protruding part 64b, protruding radially outward from the cutter rod 63, of the movable cutting tool 64 having the cutting edge 64a as shown in FIG. 6, a large bending moment acts on the protruding part 64b of the movable cutting tool 64. Consequently, in some cases, the movable cutting tool 64 cracks and breaks at a part corresponding to the joint of the protruding part 64b and the cutter rod 63. The present invention has been made to solve such a problem and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cutting device having a cutter rod and a flat cutting tool having a cutting edge and a length greater than the diameter of the cutter rod, and capable of preventing the cracking fracture of the movable cutting tool. To solve the foregoing problem, the present invention provides a cutting device including: a fixed cutting tool; a reciprocating, cylindrical cutter rod having a front part having a flat surface and capable of being axially moved; a flat movable cutting tool having a cutting edge of a length greater than the diameter of the cutter rod and attached to the flat surface of the front part of the cutter rod; characterized in that the front part of the cutter rod has a small-diameter part of a small diameter and a large-diameter part of a large diameter, the flat surface is formed in the small-diameter part, cylindrical surfaces of a cylinder of a radius equal to that of the large-diameter part of the cutter rod are formed in protruding parts, protruding radially outward from the large-diameter part of the cutter rod, of the movable cutting tool, respectively, and the movable cutting tool is attached to the flat surface of the cutter rod with the cylindrical surfaces in close contact with the circumference of the cutter rod. The cutting device of the present invention is characterized by the pair of cylindrical surfaces, and the movable cutting tool is attached to the cutter rod with its middle part in coincidence with the axis of the cutter rod. According to the present invention, external forces acting on the protruding parts of the movable cutting tool extending radially outside the cutter rod are borne by the circumference of the cutter rod to prevent the cracking breakage of the protruding parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a cutting device in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cutting device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a front part of a cutter rod; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a movable cutting tool; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a movable cutting tool attached to a front part of a cutter rod; and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional cutting device. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A cutting device 10 in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the cutting device 10 embodying the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cutting device 10 shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a flat fixed cutting tool 2 is fixedly attached to a front part of a base 1. A cylinder 3 is formed in a back part of the base 1. A cutter rod 4 is inserted in the cylinder 3 so as to be axially movable. The cutter rod 4 is advanced by high-pressure oil supplied through a high-pressure pipe into the cylinder 3 and is retracted by a return spring 6 disposed in the cylinder 3. Referring to FIG. 3, a front part 40 of the cutter rod 4 projecting from the cylinder 3 has a small-diameter part 40a and a large-diameter part 40b. A part of the small-diameter part 40a is cut off axially to form a flat surface 40c. Through holes 40d to be used for attaching the movable cutting tool 7 to the cutter rod 4 are formed in the flat surface 40c. A flat end surface 40e is formed between the small-diameter part 40a and the large-diameter part 40b. Referring to FIG. 4 showing the movable cutting tool 7 in a perspective view, the movable cutting tool 7 is formed in the shape of a flat plate and has a cutting edge 7a. The length of the cutting edge 7a is greater than the diameter of the large-diameter part 40b. The movable cutting tool 7 has protruding parts 7b protruding radially outward from the cutter rod 4. Cylindrical surfaces 7c of a cylinder of a radius equal to that of the large-diameter part 40a are formed in back end parts of the protruding parts 7b, respectively. The cylindrical surfaces 7c are formed in a shape and dimensions such that the cylindrical surfaces 7c are in close contact with the circumference of the large-diameter part 40b of the cutter rod 4 when the movable cutting tool 7 is attached to the flat surface 40c of the cutter rod 4. In this embodiment, the paired cylindrical surfaces are formed on the opposite sides, respectively, of the middle part of the cutting edge 7a. Threaded holes 7d are formed in a flat part of the movable cutting tool 7 so as to coincide with the through holes 40d formed in the small-diameter part 40c of the cutter rod 4, respectively. A vertical surface 7e extends between the paired cylindrical surfaces 7c. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the movable cutting tool 7 attached to the cutter rod 4. Bolts 8 passed through the through holes of the small-diameter part 40a are screwed in the threaded holes 7d to fasten the movable cutting tool 7 to the front part 40 of the cutter rod 4. In this state, the cylindrical surfaces 7c of the protruding parts 7b protruding radially outward from the large-diameter part 40a are in close contact with the circumference of the large-diameter part 40b, and the vertical surface 7e of the movable cutting tool 7 is in close contact with the flat end surface 40e of the front part 40 of the cutter rod 4. The cutter rod 4 of the cutting device 10 embodying the present invention thus constructed is advanced by supplying the high-pressure oil through the high-pressure pipe 5 into the cylinder 3. Consequently, the movable cutting tool 7 slides relative to the fixed cutting tool 2 to cut a metal plate B or a metal round bar P. When, for example, the protruding part 7b is used for cutting a round bar P as shown in FIG. 1, a large bending moment acts on the protruding part 7b. Since the cylindrical surface 7c of the protruding part 7b is in close contact with the circumference of the large-diameter part 40b of the cutter rod 4, this bending moment is borne by the large-diameter part 40b of the cutter rod 4. Consequently, the load-bearing ability of the protruding part 7b is enhanced to prevent the cracking breakage of the protruding part 7b. The vertical surface 7e in close contact with the flat end surface 40e further enhances the load-bearing ability. In this embodiment, the movable cutting tool 7 is attached to the cutter rod 4 such that the middle part of the cutting edge 7a coincides with the axis of the cutter rod 4, and the two protruding parts 7b protrude radially outward from the cutter rod 4. The movable cutting tool 7 may have a single protruding part. As apparent from the foregoing description, according to the present invention, the movable cutting tool has the protruding parts protruding radially outward from the large-diameter part of the cutter rod and respectively having the cylindrical surfaces, and the movable cutting tool is attached to the flat surface of the cutter rod with the cylindrical surfaces of the protruding parts in close contact with the circumference of the large-diameter part of the cutter rod. Therefore, high external force exerted on the protruding parts can be satisfactorily borne by the cutting rod and thereby the protruding parts are prevented from cracking and breaking. The present invention is particularly effective for and applicable to a cutting device for cutting comparatively wide flat members and round bars, such as an emergency rescue device for cutting the brake pedal or the accelerator pedal of an automobile when the driver's foot is caught in the brake pedal or the accelerator pedal during an auto accident.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>A cutting device that cuts a metal workpiece by sliding a movable cutting tool attached to a free end of a reciprocating rod relative to a fixed cutting tool is used widely. FIG. 6 shows a conventional cutting device 60 by way of example in a sectional view. The cutting device 60 has a base 61 , a fixed cutting tool 62 having the shape of a flat plate and fixedly held on the base 61 , and a movable cutting tool 64 having the shape of a flat plate and attached to a front part of a reciprocating cutter rod 63 that reciprocates relative to the fixed cutting tool 62 . The movable cutting tool 64 is slidably moved to cut a workpiece, such as a metal round bar P. This cutting device 60 is capable of cutting not only round bars but also metal plates having a comparatively large width. The movable cutting tool 64 has a cutting edge 64 a of a length greater than the diameter of the cutter rod 63 . The cutting tool 64 is applied to a longitudinal flat surface formed by longitudinally cutting a part of the front part of the cutter rod 63 , and is fastened to the cutter rod 63 with bolts 65 . The cutter rod 63 is advanced by the agency of a high-pressure oil supplied through a high-pressure pipe 66 to cut the round bar P by sliding the movable cutting tool 64 relative to the fixed cutting tool 62 .

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a cutting device in a preferred embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cutting device shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a front part of a cutter rod; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a movable cutting tool; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a movable cutting tool attached to a front part of a cutter rod; and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a conventional cutting device. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050106

20060926

20060727

96534.0

B26D100

GOODMAN, CHARLES

CUTTING DEVICE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B26D

ACCEPTED

Secure communication system and method using shared random source for key changing

Apparatus for use by a first party for key management for secure communication with a second party, said key management being to provide at each party, simultaneously remotely, identical keys for said secure communication without transferring said keys over any communication link, the apparatus comprising: a datastream extractor, for obtaining from data exchanged between said parties a bitstream, a random selector for selecting, from said bitstream, a series of bits in accordance with a randomization seeded by said data exchanged between said parties, a key generator for generating a key for encryption/decryption based on said series of bits, thereby to manage key generation in a manner repeatable at said parties.

1. Apparatus for use by a first party for key management for secure communication with a second party, said key management being to provide at each party, simultaneously remotely, identical keys for said secure communication without transferring said keys over any communication link, the apparatus comprising: a datastream extractor, for obtaining from data exchanged between said parties a bitstream, a random selector for selecting, from said bitstream, a series of bits in accordance with a randomization seeded by said data exchanged between said parties, a key generator for generating a key for encryption/decryption based on said series of bits, thereby to manage key generation in a manner repeatable at said parties. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, the random selector being operable to use results of said randomization as addresses to point to bits in said datastream. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, said key generator operable to generate a new key after a predetermined number of message bits have been exchanged between said parties. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, said predetermined number of message bits being substantially equal to a length in bits of said key. 5. Apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control messager for sending control messages to said remote party, thereby to indicate to said remote party a state of said apparatus to enable said remote party to determine whether said remote party is synchronized therewith to generate an identical key. 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a synchronized state determiner, for determining from control messages received from a remote party whether said apparatus is synchronized therewith to generate an identical key. 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a resynchronizer, associated with said synchronous state determiner, said resynchronizer having a resynchronization random selector for selecting, from a part of said bitstream previously used by said random selector, a series of bits in accordance with a randomization seeded by said data exchanged between said parties, in the event of determination of synchronization loss, thereby to regain synchronization. 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said series of bits is a series of bits previously used by said random selector. 9. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control messager is operatively connected to said synchronous state determiner, thereby to include within said control messages a determination of synchronization loss. 10. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said control messager is operatively connected with said resynchronizer, to control said resynchronizer to carry out said selection in the event of receipt of a message from said remote party that said remote party has lost synchronization. 11. Apparatus according to claim 7, said data communication being arranged in cycles, said part of said bitstream being exchangeable in each cycle. 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, said cycle being arranged into sub-units, each said cycle having an exchange point at its beginning for carrying out said exchange. 13. Apparatus according to claim 10, said messager being usable to exchange control messages with said remote party to ensure that a same bitstream part is used for resynchronization at both said parties. 14. Apparatus according to claim 12, said messager being usable to vary a control message in accordance with a sub-cycle current at a synchronization loss event, thereby to control said remote party to resynchronize using a same bitstream part. 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, operable to respond to messages sent by a remote party following said synchronization loss event, to revert to same said bitstream part as said message indicates that said remote party intends to use. 16. Apparatus according to claim 1, comprising circuitry for determining which of itself and said remote party is a transmitting party and being operable to control said synchronization when it is a transmitting party and to respond to control commands of said remote party when said remote party is said transmitting party. 17. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said synchronized state determiner comprises: a calculation circuit for carrying out an irreversible calculation on any one of said bitstream, said randomization, said key and derivations thereof, and a comparator for comparing a result of said calculation with a result received from said remote party, thereby to determine whether said parties are in synchronization. 18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said irreversible calculation comprises a one-way function. 19. Apparatus according to claim 1, said system being operable to provide key management for a symmetric cryptography algorithm. 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, being constructed modularwise such that said cryptography algorithm is exchangeable. 21. A system for providing key management between at least two separate parties, the system comprising a primary bitstream for exchange between said parties, and at each party: a selector for randomly selecting, at predetermined selection intervals, parts of said primary bitstream to form a derived bit source, each selector being operable to use said derived bit source, in an identical manner, to randomize said selecting, and a key generator for generating cryptography keys at predetermined key generating intervals using said derived bit source of a corresponding selection interval. 22. A system according to claim 21, wherein said primary bitstream is obtainable as a stream of bits from a data communication process between said two parties. 23. A system according to claim 21, wherein said bits in said primary bitstream are separately identifiable by an address, and wherein said selector is operable to select said bits by random selection of addresses. 24. A system according to claim 21, wherein each selector comprises an address generator and each address generator is identically set. 25. A system according to claim 21, further comprising a controller for exchanging control data between said parties to enable each party to determine that each selector is operating synchronously at each party. 26. A system according to claim 25, wherein said control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data, and a hash encoding result, of at least some of the bits from said derived bit source. 27. A system according to claim 25, wherein said control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data, and a hash encoding result, of at least some of the bits of said randomization. 28. A system according to claim 25, wherein said control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data, and a hash encoding result, of at least some of the bits from said key. 29. A system according to claim 25, wherein said control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data of at least some of said addresses, and a hash encoding result of at least some of said addresses. 30. A system according to claim 25, further comprising at each party a resynchronizer operable to determine from said control data that synchronization has been lost between the parties and to regain synchronization based on a predetermined earlier part of said derived bit source. 31. A system according to claim 22, further comprising at each party a resynchronizer operable to determine from control data exchanged between said parties that synchronization has been lost between said parties and to regain synchronization based on a predetermined earlier part of said derived bit source. 32. A system according to claim 31, said data communication process being arranged in cycles, said predetermined earlier part being exchangeable in each cycle. 33. A system according to claim 32, said cycles being arranged into sub-units, each said cycle having an exchange point at its beginning for carrying out said exchange of said predetermined earlier part of said derived bit source. 34. A system according to claim 30, said controller being usable to include in said control messages, data to ensure that a predetermined earlier part of said derived bit source of a same cycle is used for resynchronization at both said parties. 35. A system according to claim 33, said controller being usable to vary a control message in accordance with a sub-cycle current at a synchronization loss event, thereby to control said remote party to resynchronize using same said predetermined earlier part of said derived bit source. 36. A system according to claim 35, operable to respond to messages sent by a remote party following said synchronization loss event, to revert to same said predetermined earlier part of said derived bit source as said message indicates that said remote party intends to use. 37. A method of key management with at least one remote party, comprising the steps of: sharing with said remote party a primary data stream, using said primary data stream to form a randomizer, selecting parts of said primary data stream using said randomizer to form a derived data source, and using said derived data source to form cryptography keys at predetermined intervals. 38. A method according to claim 37, wherein said primary data source is obtainable as a stream of bits from a communication process between said two parties. 39. A method according to claim 37, wherein said primary data source comprises a stream of data bits divisible into data units and comprising selecting at random from the data bits of each data unit. 40. A method according to claim 39, wherein said bits in said data units are separately identifiable by addresses, and comprising selecting said bits by using said randomizer as an address pointer. 41. A method according to claim 37, wherein selecting is carried out by using identically set pseudorandom data generation at each party, and using said derived data source as a seed for said pseudorandom data generation. 42. A method according to claim 37, further comprising exchanging control data between said parties to enable each party to determine whether they are operating synchronously with said other party. 43. A method according to claim 42, wherein said control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data of at least some of said derived data source, and a hash encoding result of at least some of said derived data source. 44. A method according to claim 42, comprising determining from said control data that synchronization has been lost between the parties and regaining synchronization based on a predetermined earlier part of said derived data source. 45. A method according to claim 44, further comprising a step of exchanging said predetermined earlier part of said derived data source at predetermined intervals. 46. A method according to claim 45, further comprising steps of: determining a possibility of each party being at a different cycle at synchronization loss, and controlling said resynchronization to use a same predetermined earlier part of said derived data source at both parties. 47. A method according to claim 45, further comprising creating in advance a future cycle's predetermined earlier part of said derived data source for resynchronizing with a party that has already moved to such a cycle. 48. A method according to claim 37, in use to provide key management for a symmetric cryptography algorithm.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Randomness is a basic and well-known tool in many disciplines of science and technology and finds application in fields such as communications, data security, access-control, and processes based on chaos theory. In some systems, such as frequency hopping based systems, there is a need for identical and simultaneous randomness at different remote locations. Furthermore, a random result employed at the remote locations is preferably confidential and unknown to an unauthorized party. Examples include (i) secret key data encryption methods, in which both communicating parties need to have the same secret key, which is typically a random key; (ii) remote access control, in which a distant operator needs to have the same password as that installed in a ‘machine’ to be accessed—this password is preferably a random password; and (iii) chaos processes which are executed remotely. Encryption, in particular, is a necessary tool in electronic communications, wherein data of highly sensitive content is propagated through public networks. An ideal data security system using encryption technology as the principle tool should be able to provide the following three features: 1) provide identification and authentication of the data source and destination, 2) prevent unauthorized access to the data, and 3) protect the data from unauthorized tampering. Generally speaking, encryption involves turning a meaningful series of data into a meaningless and apparently random sequence. Recovery of the original meaningful sequence is only possible with certain additional information. Certain encryption systems allow a receiver of data to determine that the data has been altered following encryption. Likewise, certain ways of using encryption keys allows for electronic signature of the data, so that the receiver of the data is able to be sure who the sender is, and suitable use of the electronic signature allows both parties to be sure of the other party. The vast majority of encryption systems include two components, an algorithm, or encryption method, and a key, which, generally speaking, contains values to be used at various steps in the algorithm. For the most part, the algorithms used in encryption systems are known. The exceptions are in certain government applications, and generally it is very inadvisable for an encryption system to rely on the secrecy of the algorithm. Thus, the security of most encryption systems lies with the secrecy of the key. Generally speaking, encryption methods may be classified into groups as follows: symmetric (secret key) encryption,—as opposed to asymmetric (public key) encryption, random (one time pad) encryption,—as opposed to algorithmic encryption, block enciphering, as opposed to stream enciphering, etc. However, in each case, in the broad sense outlined above, in order to obtain a closed solution having all features of data security, there is the need to share secret information in order for the system to work Approaches for breaking into encryption systems to allow unauthorized access to the data, may be grouped into four. They are: 1. Reverse engineering 2. Cryptanalysis and mathematical methods, 3. Tape and retransmit, 4. Exploitation of human weakness. The above approaches are often used in combination and in general, secure encryption has to be based on the assumption that any key, after being used for a certain amount of time, will tend to become known. Secure communication thus requires frequent changes to the key. In particular, as available computing power is growing, key lifetime is becoming shorter and shorter. The process of regularly changing keys is known as key management, and key management is thus becoming a more and more important part of encryption and secure communication. When using symmetric encryption systems, the exact same key is needed at both parties and thus key management involves the transfer of the key from one party to another. When using asymmetric systems, key changeover is simpler. If one party changes his key, then internally he changes his private key, which is needed for reading any messages. He then only has to transmit the public key, which does not need to be kept secret. The public key is needed for encryption but is completely useless for decryption of the message. However, even in the case of asymmetric systems, there remains the issue of changeover occurrence. If one party starts to use the key before the other, then there will be a short period of unintelligible conversation. Furthermore, when one party receives a new key, he needs to be sure that the key he has received indeed comes from the other party and not from an eavesdropper. Generally, asymmetric systems use a system of mutually exchanging keys so that they are able to rely on each other. Nevertheless, difficulties remain, for example where authorized parties lose synchronization at the crucial moment of key exchange. One approach in key management involves the use of a trusted third party, a so-called certificate authority. The certificate authority manages key changes for all the users. However, the use of a certificate authority does not actually solve any of the key management problems as such, it simply moves them all on one stage. Thus, modern secure communication essentially is a question of key management, and the key management issue may be summed up by the following statements: Communication security relies on secret information (the key). A secure communication system may be regarded as a chain, and the level of security provided is that of the weakest link in that chain. The more a key has been used the less secret it is. Computing power increases at a steady rate, and as that power increases, so does the lifetime of the key decrease, thus necessitating more and more frequent changing of the key or the use of computationally more complex keys. The regular exchange of keys necessitated by the above must be carried out without giving any information away to eavesdroppers. Current key management systems include two major categories, the master key category and the public key category. The master key category preferably utilizes a key hierarchy in which heavy master keys are used for secure transfer of session keys, which session keys are used for the encryption of the bulk of the communicated data. The approach fails to solve in depth any of the problems discussed above since weaknesses associated with the lower level session keys are simply transferred to the higher level master keys. Whilst it is true that it is harder for an eavesdropper to deal with the higher level keys the approach does not provide any conceptual increase in security level since the higher level keys are not generally changed. The public key approach to key management is simply to exchange public keys at intervals. In general the public key is a computationally intensive key to generate, and is regarded as being computationally intensive for decryption and thus the keys are not changed regularly. However, it should be borne in mind that the computational effort to break the key is important only to one out of the four methods for breaking the system, and indeed is of no importance at all to the reverse engineering and human weakness approaches or to hacking, in which the eavesdropper attempts to enter a computer system and obtain the keys. Thus, failure to carry out regular key exchange even in public key encryption systems is here regarded as a mistake. As mentioned above, the public key system relies for the user identification part of the key transfer on a mutual key transfer with each side using his private key to sign the message. The identification step may be carried out with the help of a certificate authority acting as a trusted third party. However, in either case, the computational complexity of generating new keys together with the identification needs, management effort and administration tasks discourage effective key management practice and key exchange using the public key system boils down in practice to using a fixed key. In order for a key to be secure, it requires an element of unpredictability. For example with the RSA public key, which is the multiple of two large prime numbers, if the prime numbers themselves, from which the key is built are in any way predictable, the RSA key is not secure. Keys or key systems for encrypted data as described above, preferably rely on random processes for their creation. Authorized parties to a given communication must have compatible keys. However it is preferable to avoid sending keys, both in order to avoid interception, and to make the encryption process itself simpler and faster. The sending of keys is especially risky in the case of symmetric key systems where the key transmitted is the key needed for decrypting the message. Also the sending of keys delays the communication process. Preferably, therefore, the ideal key management system should allow users to produce the same random key independently. If the key is to be generated using a random process, however, then the two parties cannot conventionally generate the same random process separately, because if it can be exactly repeated then it cannot be random. Indeed the ability to reproduce the process defies the definition of randomness, and no process that can be repeated may be truly random. A particular environment in which encryption is important is the Internet. Increasingly, the Internet is becoming the forum for business and other transactions in which confidentiality is necessary. Generally, over the Internet, most users expect encryption to work substantially transparently, at the very least not to hold up communication. The communication itself takes place over an open channel in which data is passed from one node to another and may actually be stored on intermediate nodes where it can be accessed later by eavesdroppers. An efficient system of key management, which does not slow down communication and also does not leave keys lying around on intermediate Internet nodes, is therefore needed. Current approaches for providing simultaneous availability of random results may be grouped into two general families of solutions: (i) generating randomness at one party, and sending it to the other party; and (ii) using a pseudo random process at both parties, e.g., a PRNG (Pseudo Random Number Generator) which gives the same random bit stream as an output at both ends if fed by the same input seed. The above approaches are limited because both the key and the seed may be intercepted by an unauthorized party. The latter approach is demonstrated by, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,948, in which a system and method are described, for transmitting encrypted messages between two parties, wherein the encrypting key is generated by two state machines, one at each party, which state machines are both identically initialized. The state machines dynamically produce changing keys, by using, each time, some randomly selected bits of a message as seeds for the next key. The machines at both ends are synchronized by using the same seed bits each time, thereby producing the same keys at both ends. Apparently, the parties have to worry about the confidentiality of the initial seed and of the dynamically changing seeds during the course of the message. There is thus required a system of randomly setting encryption keys identically at remote locations wherein the random data for setting the keys, and certainly the keys themselves, are not available to an eavesdropper. It would further be advantageous if such a system were to include the other listed requirements of an encryption system, namely allowing for mutual identification between users and a way of recognizing whether data has been interfered with en route. A preferred system should also include a way of checking on synchronization and a way of restoring synchronization in the event of synchronization loss. In the context of mutual identification and maintenance of synchronization, reference is made to the Byzantine agreement problem. Two remote armies, A and B, approach from different directions to besiege a powerful city. Neither army alone is powerful enough to overcome the city and should it appear on the battlefield alone it will be destroyed. Only if both armies appear simultaneously and from opposite directions is there any chance of success. The overall commander, located with army A, has to co-ordinate an attack, but has at his disposal dispatch riders as his only means of communication. The overall commander thus sends a message to the commander of Army B, by dispatch rider, which conveys time of and directions for the intended attack. However, having sent the message by a courier, the commander of army A cannot be certain that the message has reached its destination, (and if it has, that it has not been tampered with on the way). Thus, logic dictates that he will not attack, due to his instinct for self-preservation. Having received the message, the commander of Army B is faced with the same problem, he cannot be certain that the content of the message is real and that it indeed comes from his ally. It could be a false message sent by the enemy and intended to lure him to his destruction. Furthermore, he knows that commander A has an instinct for self-preservation which is no less real than his own. Thus he must assume that A will not attack and hence he too, does not attack. Furthermore, he knows that his ally, the commander of army A, will be faced with the same dilemma when receiving his acknowledgement and is unlikely to launch an attack on the basis of this information. Army B, in any case sends back to Army A an acknowledgment message, of the time of and directions for of the attack. Army A receives the acknowledgement but also cannot be sure that the acknowledgement is genuine and has not been sent by the enemy to lure them to their destruction. Furthermore, A knows of B's instinct for self-preservation. Bearing this in mind, army A must assume that army B will not attack. The situation is not improved however many further rounds of acknowledgement or confirmation are carried out. That is to say, having sent the acknowledgment message, both army A and army B keep facing the same dilemma of not being able to assume that the other will attack and, as a result, an attack will never be launched. The “Byzantine Agreement Problem”, is a logical dilemma that is relevant when translated into modern communications, especially when considering for example, open communication modes such as the Internet, which are exposed to hackers, imposters etc. and to errors and breaks in communications. The issues that this logical dilemma presents, and need to be solved are (i) synchronization; (ii) simultaneity; (iii) identification; and (iv) authentication. At the basis of the problem lies the fact that at any given step, one party knows less than the other, and there is a lag between the knowledge of the parties (about the situation of one party in regard to the other party, and in their mutual understanding) The Byzantine agreement problem thus raises the following issues, synchronization, simultaneity, identification and authentication. The root of the problem is that at any given leg of the communication procedure, one party leads and one party lags, even if by nanoseconds, thus leading to scope for dispute and for impersonation. The depth of the problem may be demonstrated by illustrating two approaches that have been used in attempted solutions in the past. 1) Clock timing synchronization. Each party has an identically set clock. A parameter changes at predetermined clock settings. Unfortunately the two clocks cannot be set so accurately with respect to one another that no dispute occurs at any time. Even a difference of nanoseconds can lead to dispute over some of the data. 2) Synchronization by announcement. A parameter change is made upon receipt of a predetermined announcement. Unfortunately, this approach begs the very essence of the Byzantine agreement problem, since I do not know whether the other side has received the announcement, or whether it originates from a legitimate source at all. There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a simple and practical way to produce identical ongoing randomness at separate and remote locations, that is confidential in nature and which enables a mode of communication, synchronization or authentication between two parties that is not vulnerable to the logical dilemmas of the Byzantine agreement problem, and which may provide a comprehensive solution to secure key management. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system and apparatus for utilization, for setting encryption keys, by remotely located parties, of a mutually remotely located random data generation process. Preferably, the remotely located random data generation process generates a large amount of random data and the two parties secretly share starting information telling them where to look initially for random data from the process. The parties each have identically set arrangements for using the current random data to select the next required random data from the process. In an embodiment, the remotely located random data process preferably utilizes a plurality of individual random processes and a means for the parties to respectively select the same one of the plurality of processes at any given time. Data from previous processes is used subsequently to select new processes in such a way that the process selection remains confidential to anyone eavesdropping on the remotely located random process itself. Moreover, the process following comprises feature that allow for correct working even in noisy and/or other less than perfect conditions. The system comprises a working synchronization feature for allowing the parties to be sure that they are in synchronization with each other and, when synchronization loss is detected, there is a resynchronization method which redirects each party to a same new random process. The unique synchronization technique and resynchronization features provide for a stable communication system that preferably overcomes the difficulties represented by the Byzantine agreement problem. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is thus provided apparatus for use by a first party for key management for secure communication with a second party, the key management being to provide at each party, simultaneously remotely, identical keys for the secure communication without transferring the keys over any communication link, the apparatus comprising: a datastream extractor, for obtaining from data exchanged between the parties a bitstream, a random selector for selecting, from the bitstream, a series of bits in accordance with a randomization seeded by the data exchanged between the parties, a key generator for generating a key for encryption/decryption based on the series of bits, thereby to manage key generation in a manner repeatable at the parties. Preferably, the random selector is operable to use results of the randomization as addresses to point to bits in the datastream. Preferably, the key generator is operable to generate a new key after a predetermined number of message bits have been exchanged between the parties. Preferably, the predetermined number of message bits being substantially equal to a length in bits of the key. The apparatus preferably comprises a control messager for sending control messages to the remote party, thereby to indicate to the remote party a state of the apparatus to enable the remote party to determine whether the remote party is synchronized therewith to generate an identical key. The apparatus preferably comprises a synchronized state determiner, for determining from control messages received from a remote party whether the apparatus is synchronized therewith to generate an identical key. The apparatus preferably further comprises a resynchronizer, associated with the synchronous state determiner, the resynchronizer having a resynchronization random selector for selecting, from a part of the bitstream previously used by the random selector, a series of bits in accordance with a randomization seeded by the data exchanged between the parties, in the event of determination of synchronization loss, thereby to regain synchronization. Preferably, the series of bits is a series of bits previously used by the random selector. Preferably, the control messager is operatively connected to the synchronous state determiner, thereby to include within the control messages a determination of synchronization loss. Preferably, the control messager is operatively connected with the resynchronizer, to control the resynchronizer to carry out the selection in the event of receipt of a message from the remote party that the remote party has lost synchronization. Preferably, the data communication is arranged in cycles, the part of the bitstream being exchangeable in each cycle. Preferably, the cycle is arranged into sub-units, each the cycle having an exchange point at its beginning for carrying out the exchange. Preferably, the messager is usable to exchange control messages with the remote party to ensure that a same bitstream part is used for resynchronization at both the parties. Preferably, the messager is usable to vary a control message in accordance with a sub-cycle current at a synchronization loss event, thereby to control the remote party to resynchronize using a same bitstream part. Preferably, the apparatus is operable to respond to messages sent by a remote party following the synchronization loss event, to revert to same the bitstream part as the message indicates that the remote party intends to use. The apparatus preferably comprises circuitry for determining which of itself and the remote party is a transmitting party and being operable to control the synchronization when it is a transmitting party and to respond to control commands of the remote party when the remote party is the transmitting party. Preferably, the synchronized state determiner comprises: a calculation circuit for carrying out an irreversible calculation on any one of the bitstream, the randomization, the key and derivations thereof, and a comparator for comparing a result of the calculation with a result received from the remote party, thereby to determine whether the parties are in synchronization. Preferably, the irreversible calculation comprises a one-way function. Preferably, the system is operable to provide key management for a symmetric cryptography algorithm. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is constructed modularwise such that the cryptography algorithm is exchangeable. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for providing key management between at least two separate parties, the system comprising a primary bitstream for exchange between the parties, and at each party: a selector for randomly selecting, at predetermined selection intervals, parts of the primary bitstream to form a derived bit source, each selector being operable to use the derived bit source, in an identical manner, to randomize the selecting, and a key generator for generating cryptography keys at predetermined key generating intervals using the derived bit source of a corresponding selection interval. Preferably, the primary bitstream is obtainable as a stream of bits from a data communication process between the two parties. Preferably, the bits in the primary bitstream are separately identifiable by an address, and wherein the selector is operable to select the bits by random selection of addresses. Preferably, each selector comprises an address generator and each address generator is identically set. Preferably, the system further comprises a controller for exchanging control data between the parties to enable each party to determine that each selector is operating synchronously at each party. Preferably, the control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data, and a hash encoding result, of at least some of the bits from the derived bit source. Preferably, the control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data, and a hash encoding result, of at least some of the bits of the randomization. Preferably, the control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data, and a hash encoding result, of at least some of the bits from the key. Preferably, the control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data of at least some of the addresses, and a hash encoding result of at least some of the addresses. A preferred embodiment further comprises at each party a resynchronizer operable to determine from the control data that synchronization has been lost between the parties and to regain synchronization based on a predetermined earlier part of the derived bit source. A preferred embodiment further comprises at each party a resynchronizer operable to determine from control data exchanged between the parties that synchronization has been lost between the parties and to regain synchronization based on a predetermined earlier part of the derived bit source. Preferably, the data communication process is arranged in cycles, the predetermined earlier part being exchangeable in each cycle. Preferably, the cycles are arranged into sub-units, each the cycle having an exchange point at its beginning for carrying out the exchange of the predetermined earlier part of the derived bit source. Preferably, the controller is usable to include in the control messages, data to ensure that a predetermined earlier part of the derived bit source of a same cycle is used for resynchronization at both the parties. Preferably, the controller is usable to vary a control message in accordance with a sub-cycle current at a synchronization loss event, thereby to control the remote party to resynchronize using same the predetermined earlier part of the derived bit source. A preferred embodiment is operable to respond to messages sent by a remote party following the synchronization loss event, to revert to same the predetermined earlier part of the derived bit source as the message indicates that the remote party intends to use. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of key management with at least one remote party, comprising the steps of: sharing with the remote party a primary data stream, using the primary data stream to form a randomizer, selecting parts of the primary data stream using the randomizer to form a derived data source, and using the derived data source to form cryptography keys at predetermined intervals. Preferably, the primary data source is obtainable as a stream of bits from a communication process between the two parties. Preferably, the primary data source comprises a stream of data bits divisible into data units and comprising selecting at random from the data bits of each data unit. Preferably the bits in the data units are separately identifiable by addresses, and the method comprises selecting the bits by using the randomizer as an address pointer. Preferably, selecting is carried out by using identically set pseudorandom data generation at each party, and using the derived data source as a seed for the pseudorandom data generation. Preferably, the method further comprises exchanging control data between the parties to enable each party to determine whether they are operating synchronously with the other party. Preferably, the control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data of at least some of the derived data source, and a hash encoding result of at least some of the derived data source. The method preferably comprises determining from the control data whether synchronization has been lost between the parties and, if so, regaining synchronization based on a predetermined earlier part of the derived data source. The method preferably further comprises a step of exchanging the predetermined earlier part of the derived data source at predetermined intervals. The method preferably further comprises: determining a possibility of each party being at a different cycle at synchronization loss, and controlling the resynchronization to use a same predetermined earlier part of the derived data source at both parties. The method preferably further comprises creating in advance a future cycle's predetermined earlier part of the derived data source for resynchronizing with a party that has already moved to such a cycle. The method may be used to provide key management for a symmetric cryptography algorithm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 is a generalized block diagram showing two parties communicating over an open network in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a generalized block diagram showing a communication device for use in the embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram showing how each party may obtain an identical random data stream for use in the embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram illustrating apparatus located with a given party for obtaining a random data stream from a bitstream data source in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating a random data production procedure comprising two consecutive random processes of the kind shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram showing a device for secure communication according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram showing two communication devices of the embodiment of FIG. 6, connected together over a communication channel. FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram showing a secure communication device further incorporating functionality for maintaining and regaining synchronization during secure communication, according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a simplified diagram showing how a process using random data may be structured for resynchronization, the structure being useful for the resynchronization embodiment of FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of FIG. 9 in greater detail according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram showing in tabular form a protocol for ensuring that parties successfully resynchronize, in particular allowing for the possibility that the parties may not be in the same resynchronization state. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram showing two users, Party A and Party B, communicating using a secure communication link over an open network 2 using an identical key, key x, generated by random processes, the key never having been transferred across any communication link, as will be explained in more detail below. In the following, key management according to the present invention will be described with reference to symmetric encryption systems, which means that it requires an identical key for encryption and decryption at each of the parties to the communication. Possession of the key by an outsider allows an eavesdropper to read the message and also to alter messages as they pass by, the altered message appearing to the receiver as having been sent from the legitimate originator. Key management according to embodiments of the present invention allows the two parties to the communication to be in possession of the identical key without the key having been transferred in any way across any communication channel, the key nevertheless being the result of a random process. FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating a preferred secure communication link management device 10 for location at a party for secure management of a communication link according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The link management device 10 carries out key management by using a random process available at a party (Party A in FIG. 2). The diagram shows principle features of the link management device 10 and interconnection therebetween. The skilled person will be aware that a key management device of the kind described can be executed in hardware and/or in software. The device is usable to provide continuous production of new keys for use in the communication link, and as will be explained below, two such devices remotely located, are able to work on the same random process to produce identical keys at remote locations without making the random data available for an eavesdropper. Link management device 10 comprises six major functional components, each for the fulfillment of a different task. Each of the components is interconnected as shown. A main process unit 20 carries out local user processing. It may be the interface through which the user enters his plaintext for communication and through which he reads decrypted incoming messages. It may typically be a general purpose PC or part thereof. A Manage/control unit 30 manages and controls the key management issue, especially the randomly produced keys. A router and arranger unit 40 routes messages to a communication port 44, and receives messages therefrom which have arrived from the network. The router and arranger unit 40 additionally supports other units, by arranging, preparing and distributing message bits in a desired manner, as will be explained in more detail below. An encryption engine 50 is responsible for encrypting messages for secure transmission, and decrypting received encrypted messages, and also preferably carries out key management mission, including generation of keys. A pointer generator RndGenPLRB 62 prepares or generates pointers, hereinafter ‘PLRB’ (places to pick random bits) for use in executing random processes as will be explained below. A random processor 70, associated with the pointer generator 62, uses the output of the pointer generator 62 to carry out random processes. Main processor 20 transmits/receives regular messages (unencrypted) via a regular or plaintext link 41. The message is preferably passed untouched through Router & Arranger 40, to or from the communication port 44, while messages requiring secure transmission are sent via plaintext, PLN, line 42 to encryption engine 50, where the plaintext is encrypted by encryptor/decryptor, hereinafter Enc/Dec unit 52, to be output, in the form of cipher text,—via cipher text, CIPH, line 43, to Router & Arranger 40. The router & arranger 40 arranges the cipher text and sends it to random processor 70, as well as to the Communication Port 44 for output via link 46 to the open network. Similarly, secure encrypted received messages are received from the communication line 46, through Communication Port 44, into Router & Arranger 40 to be arranged and sent to random processor 70. The router & arranger also sends the message via CIPH line 43 to encryption engine 50, for decryption by Enc/Dec unit 52. The decrypted message is then sent to the main processor 20 via PLN line 42. Enc/Dec unit 52, is preferably fed with changing keys, randomly produced in a key generation unit 54, as will be explained in more detail below and distributed via key line 53, to a key input to the Enc/Dec box 52. The random processor 70 is preferably loaded with a bit sequence via connection 71, hereinafter loader SB line, the bit sequence being from secure messages currently being exchanged and output by the Router & Arranger unit 40 as described above. The bits sequence is supplied from the router and arranger but a selection thereof is made using the pointers sequence obtained via loader PLRB line 72, from the pointer generator 62. A sequence of random bits is thus output from the random processor via ‘RndForUse’ line 73, and is input to the key generation unit 54, for randomly producing keys. The sequence is preferably additionally fed as an input into the random generator 62, for randomly producing new random pointers. Manage/control unit 30 is responsible for the activation, synchronization and simultaneous & correct working of the link management device 10 and in particular all of the parts thereof involved in secure transmission, including key production and key management. Management and control is exerted via control lines, for example C1 . . . C5. In the link management device 10, control line C1, 31 is connected to main unit 20, control line C2, 32, is connected to encryption engine 50, control line C3, 33 is connected to pointer generator 62, control line C4, 34 is connected to random processor 70 and control line C5, 35 is connected to Router & Arranger 40. The link management device 10 thus encrypts secure messages using continually changing keys, which keys are randomly produced using random data, the random data being produced by random processes that work alongside and in parallel with the encryption process as it proceeds. Furthermore, when receiving secure messages, the messages are decrypted using continually changing keys, which keys are produced randomly, that is using random data which is itself produced by random processes that work alongside and in parallel with the decryption process as it proceeds. As described above, there is provided a system which, when duplicated at two parties, may provide a secure channel between two communicating parties, for transmitting and receiving encrypted messages in either direction, using continually randomly produced and exchanged keys, which same continually randomly produced and exchanged keys may be used by the receiver for decryption, even though no actual key is transferred. The system thereby solves the key management issue as presented in the background. Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a simplified diagram of a process for the production of a random data stream for use with the embodiment of FIG. 2. The diagram illustrates in tabular form a preferred process for use in the random processor 70 of FIG. 2. The random process illustrated in FIG. 3 may be considered in simple terms as a digital analog of a straightforward “choose balls out of boxes” process as featured in texts about random processes and probability, in which questions are asked about how many are black and how many are white and in what order. It will of course be appreciated that the random process illustrated in FIG. 3 uses bits (having values 0 and 1) instead of colored balls. The random process may be illustrated as follows: Given a sequence (or stream) of N bits, denoted ‘SB’ sequence 74, each bit has an addressable position in the stream which may be denoted sb#—meaning that the stream bits are ordered and numbered from 1 to N, each thus denoted bit position having a content—x1, x2, xN−1, xN (0 or 1). The content may be analogous to the colors black white of the ball analogy. The SB sequence comprising N ordered stream bits, is held in a field 74 which is analogous to an arrangement of boxes holding the colored balls. Separately from the SB bit sequence is a separate random bit field denoted ‘RB’—comprising M columns and 3 rows: row 1 being the ‘rb#’ row, which indicates a random bit position in the M ordered random bits sequence (random bit number), row 2 is the PLRB row (Place of Random Bit) which indicates in each of its cells—plrb1, plrb2 plrb3, . . . , plrbM—a different address in the SB stream to find a bit, that is to say each cell in the row contains a pointer to any of the bits in the SB bitstream. The pointer is preferably used in order to pick out a bit from the SB stream and copy it into the cell corresponding thereto in row 3 denoted the ‘RB-Content’ row—which is to say the row containing the random bit content. Thus for example, if the SB were to comprise the following 10 ordered stream bits (N=10) 1,0,0,0,1,1,0,0,1,1, which is to say that the content of SB position 1 is 1, the content of SB position 2 is 0, the content of SB position 3 is 0, the content of SB position 4 is 0, the content of SB position 5 is 1 and so on. Now, in the same example, let us say that RB is of length 4 (M=4) and the PLRB row positions contain data content 3,5,9,3, respectively. Then random bit number 1 (rb#=1) has a plrb1=3, and therefore bit number 3 is selected from the SB, which happens to have a content of 0. Likewise, random bit number 2 (rb#=2) has a plrb2=5, and thus bit number 5 is selected from the SB, bit position no. 5 having a content of 1. Again, random bit number 3 (rb#=3) has a plrb3=9. Thus, bit number 9 is selected from the SB, which bit position has a content of 1. Finally random bit number 4 (rb#=4) has a plrb4=3, and thus bit number 3 is selected from the SB, which has a content of 0. Thus, an ordered sequence of 4 random bits: 0,1,1,0 (the content of the cells of ‘RB-Content’ in order, respectively) is obtained. Now, preferably the SB stream is relatively long and comprises well distributed bits, that is to say a good distribution of distributed zeros and ones. In the present context the term “well distributed” is taken to mean that the bits are not in any kind of pattern, and the quantities of zeros and ones are close to equal. Preferably, even for large numbers the ratio should not be exactly 50%:50%. Furthermore the number of random bits to be picked out of that stream bits is preferably relatively much lower than the total number of bits present in the SB stream, that is to say M<<N. Furthermore it is preferable that the PLRB stream, the addresses for picking bits from the SB stream is obtained and introduced entirely independently of the SB stream. Provided the above conditions are fulfilled then the above mechanism may be regarded as a random process, just like tossing a fair coin M times. Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified schematic diagram showing a mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for carrying out bit selection as described above with FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, broken line arrows 75 symbolize selection by pointers of a bit from the respective bit stream, that is to say—which of the SB stream bits to copy, and the back directed full line arrows symbolize the act of copying of the content of that bit (0 or 1) into the respective RB position. The PLRB pointer data items (plrbj, where 1≦j≦M) are defined such that 1≦plrbj≦N, and allowing repetitions means allowing two or more ‘plrb’s to be the same. Thus two or more random bits may be copied from the same stream bit as was in fact shown in the numeral example above, as the 1 st and the 4th random bits were selected from stream bit # 3. If not allowing repetitions then of course each ‘plrb’ will be different. Generally, and possibly counter-intuitively, allowing repetitions gives the greater mix of possibilities and therefore is preferably set as the default setting. Now, it is known that 2M<<NM if N>2 and M≧1. As each bit can be a zero or a one, then having M random bits gives 2M possibilities for the sequence of M random bits, but choosing M bits out of N ordered bits, with repetitions gives NM possibilities. Thus guessing the final random bit stream obtained from the longer sequence using pointers is intrinsically harder than guessing an M bit sequence in itself. Returning to FIG. 4, there is shown a structure, which may be implemented in software, hardware or a hybrid thereof, for implementation of the random process of the kind illustrated in FIG. 4. The structure may be incorporated within random processor 70 in device 10 of FIG. 2. Random processor 70 preferably comprises PLRB register 66, which holds M random bit pointers. The pointers are preferably input into random selector (FISH) 76 via a connection denoted InpPlRnd. The random processor 70 further comprises an SB register 74 which holds the N SB stream bits, and also comprises an RB register 77, which holds M output random bits, the output random bits being obtained as described above. Random selector (FISH) 76 receives as an input the content of PLRB register 66, through line InpPlRnd, as described above. Thus the random selector 76 is able to select bits from the SB register 74, using Pointer 75, and to copy the selected bits via the Copy connection into the random selector 76. The M random bits may then be output, through line OutRnd into RB register 77, from which they may be used as random data in whatever random process is needed. Random processor 70 preferably has two inputs as follows: a) Loader PLRB line 72 from pointer generator 62, for supplying PLRB register 66 with M pointers, and b) Loader SB line 71, from the Router & Arrange box 40, for loading SB register 74 with N ordered stream bits. In addition there is provided a RndForUse output line 73, from RB register 77 for supplying the output M random bits to destinations such as encryption engine 50 and pointer generator 62, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which is a simplified schematic diagram showing in tabular form two consecutive random processes of the kind shown in FIG. 3. The random processes illustrated in FIG. 5 are named RndProci and RndProci+1 respectively, wherein the index i (or i+1) is used for indicating the number of the random process in a sequence of successively activated random processes (each activation being one round of obtaining an output of M ordered random bits from the SB). The index may be added to those parameters used already in FIG. 3. In the embodiment, a series of different processes are used in order, thus: RndProc1, RndProc2 RndProc3, RndProc4 It is preferable to ensure that each random process differs from each other random process, meaning that its output of M random bits is different from each other process in a random way. Thus preferably, for each process different stream bits—SB are used, or different address bits—PLRB. In a particularly preferred embodiment, both inputs, the SB and the PLRB, are changed for each process, and are selected from independent sources, in order to improve the level of randomness. Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a block diagram illustrating a structure, implementable in software, hardware, or a hybrid thereof, for implementation of the random processes of the kind illustrated in FIG. 5. The figure illustrates the sequential manner of the system. Parts that appear in earlier figures are given the same reference numerals and are not discussed in detail again except as needed for an understanding of the present embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates in greater detail the device of FIG. 2 above, for achieving consecutive execution. To understand the figure, it is necessary to bear in mind that a current execution step is indicated by index i, and the next consecutive step is indicated by index i+1. Thus, FIG. 6, differs from foregoing figures by including in encryption engine 50, a D1 delay register 55. In any process step i the key generator 54 preferably obtains, via RndForUse line 73, the ith step random sequence of M random bits, and in turn generates a key Ki+1, which is transferred via Ki+1 line 56, into D1 delay register 55 ready for use in the next, i+1 process, to provide a key therefor. Meanwhile, in step i, D1 delay register 55 outputs, via Ki line 53, into Encryption unit 52, a previously generated key, Ki, for use as an encryption/decryption key, for the current process. FIG. 2 above had a pointer, or random address, generator 62. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the pointer generator is replaced by a random address unit 60 of which the pointer generator 62 is only one part. Thus, with reference to FIG. 6, random address unit 60 is preferably responsible for generating and handling, in a consecutive manner, serially generated PLRB's, the addressing or pointer sequences. Preferably, the pointer generator 62, obtains, in step i, via RndForUse line 73, the ith step random sequence of M random bits, and in turn generates PLRBi+1, which it places in PLRBi+1 register 64. From register 64 the generated PLRBi+1 is transferred into D2 delay register 65, where it is stored for the next i+1 process, to be used in that process as an input PLRB. At the next process it is thus loaded, via LoaderPLRB line 72, into PLRBi register 66 of RndProc Section 70, as the PLRB pointer sequence. Meanwhile, in step i, D2 delay register 65 outputs the step i PLRBi pointers, via LoaderPLRB line 72, into PLRBi, for use in current process i. Thus, FIG. 6 illustrates consecutive process activation. Consecutive process activation may be summarized as follows: In process i, encryption engine 50 encrypts or decrypts a secure piece of a message using a key ki. At the same time and preferably operating in parallel, random processor 70 receives input data from inputs as follows: a.) SBi, The N stream bits of the current process are received from Router & Arranger Section 40, via Loader SB line 71 into SBi register 74 (the stream bits are preferably obtained from the ciphertext piece currently passing through the Router & Arranger 40 as discussed above), and b) PLRBi, the M pointers of the current process are obtained from random address unit 60, via Loader PLRB line 72 and are loaded into a PLRBi pointer register 66. Preferably, the pointers were generated one process earlier, that is to say as part of process i−1, in the random address generator unit 60. Random Processor 70 is now able to produce the M random bits of the ith step, which may now be placed in RB register 77. At the same time and preferably in parallel, key generation unit 54 preferably generates a key Ki+1 for use in the next process. The key is preferably generated using the current set of random bits Rbi, and pointer generator 62 preferably generates the pointers for the next step, by use of the same current random bits Rbi. In the following process, the index i is preferably incremented and the above described procedure is repeated. Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a simplified block diagram showing two of the devices of FIG. 6 connected together for the purpose of carrying out a secure communication. In FIG. 7, two parties are illustrated, each having the device of FIG. 6. Individual parts are given the same reference numerals and are not discussed again except as needed for an understanding of the communication link. Party A transmits a secure message to party B. It is assumed that the parties have attained synchronization and retained the synchronous state. Thus, Party A can in each case use the ciphertext before transmitting it to the Communication Channel 46, via communication Port 44. The ciphertext is preferably used as a source for Router & Arranger 40 to provide successive streams of bits SBi, SBi+1, SBi+2, SBi+3, and so on throughout the duration of the message, to support consecutive random processes. As discussed above, the successive SB streams may be used to produce encryption keys Ki+1, Ki+2, Ki+3, to be used successively along the message length; At the same time, party B uses the ciphertext, following receipt from the Communication Channel 46, via party B's Communication Port 44, as a source from which Router & Arranger box 40 is able to provide successive streams of bits SBi, SBi+1, SBi+2, SBi+3, and so on throughout the duration of the message, to support consecutive random processes. As with party A, the successive SB streams may be used to produce encryption keys Ki+1, Ki+2, Ki+3, to be used successively along the message length; The following notation is used in FIG. 7: a) PLN line 42 is here notated as PLN (x)—‘x’ being the symbol for plaintext in the literature, b) CIPH line 43 is here notated as CIPH (y) as ‘y’ is a common symbol for ciphertext in the literature c) the Communication Channel 46 is headed with the symbols ‘y*’ and ‘y**’, The symbol ‘y*’ indicates actual data being output to the channel, which is not the same as the pure ciphertext ‘y’, but has, for example, added control bits, headers, etc. The symbol ‘y**’ indicates data as it arrives from the channel, which may be a noisy and distorted version of the message as output to the channel, message bits may change from ‘0’ to ‘1’ and vice versa. It will be appreciated that as long as the parties remain in synchronization, a new encrypted message may be started using the last produced key of the previous message. Such a key may have been retained, for example in the D1 key register 55. Thus as long as the parties remain in synchronization, they are able to maintain a secure communication link using cryptography without transferring keys or like secrets over the lines. There is thus provided a closed solution for the key management issue discussed above. In fact, once synchronization has been carried out, key changes may be made as often as required, to achieve a desired level of security, without requiring any substantial increase in the complexity of the link. Now, as will be described below, the preferred embodiments include features for maintaining synchronization between the parties and for allowing each party to be aware that it is in synchronization. The features include an ability to overcome normal levels of channel noise and distortion. It will be appreciated that since bits of the cipher text itself are used as one parameter to produce the random bits (RB) and the very same bits are used for generation of a future key, correct versions of the message bits which are choosen to be the random bits are needed at the receiver. Thus, known bit error correction techniques are preferably used as part of the synchronization maintenance features. A system of acknowledgements between the parties preferably prevents occurrence of the kind of situation in which one of the parties moves from one process to the next whilst the other fails to receive a section of ciphertext and thus gets left at an earlier stage. In the event of total loss of synchronization a feature for regaining synchronization that provides positive identification of the parties and excludes eavesdroppers, is also described hereinbelow. It will be apparent from the above description that key management, as provided in the present embodiments, is a process that takes place simultaneously and synchronously at all parties over the duration of the communication. Thus, in any given step i, pointer bits PLRBi are selected, stream bits SBi are selected, preferably from current ciphertext, and output random bits RBi are produced. Further on in the apparatus, a key Ki is used for encryption/decryption of a message, which key was obtained a process step earlier, and was held in memory in readiness for use. The currently obtained random bits RBi are preferably used for generating for the next step, step i+1. Preferably the random bits Rbi are used to obtain both the pointers PLRBi+1 for the next stage and to generate the key Ki+1. The foregoing is referred to hereinbelow as key management. In the following, the issue of synchronization loss is considered, namely with what the parties may do in case they lose synchronization in respect of key management, that is, in respect of the random processes, and consequent key generation. In the event of synchronization loss, one party may be in process i+1, or even i+2 or higher, while the other party remains in step i. Consequently one of the parties may be using key Ki+1 or even Ki+2, or higher, while the other party is still using key Ki. In such circumstances, continued communication is not possible, which is to say the parties cannot operate a simultaneous, synchronized or identical random process, and consequently cannot produce the same encryption/decryption key, even though the bit stream itself (SB) may be correctly represented at both of the parties. The issue of synchronization is preferably dealt with as three separate issues as follows: a). Identification of synchronization loss. b). Overcoming of low level synchronization loss, and. c). Resynchronization in the event of total synchronization loss. Identification of synchronization loss is dealt with in the present embodiments by exchanging control messages between the parties. The control messages preferably carry information about mutual synchronization between the parties, about the key management process as a whole, and information allowing each party to tell about the current random process that the other party is in. The parties are thus able to determine whether or not they are both in the same random process (both in process i or i+1 etc.) in terms of random bit production, pointer production and key production. It will be appreciated that the control messages preferably do not contain sufficient information to allow an eavesdropper to discover sufficient data about the processes In a preferred embodiment, control messaging is carried out as follows: The control messages themselves may be in plain text—that is to say not in themselves encrypted, and preferably comprise indicator bits indicating states of sensitive process data. Sensitive process data includes any of the random output bits, the bits of the key being used, and the pointers. The indicator bits are preferably produced by carrying out a one way function on any of the ‘sensitive data’, or by carrying out a one way hush function on such sensitive data, or are taken from redundancy bits which are the result of an error detection code used on the sensitive data, for example a CRC of the sensitive data. The indicator bits allow another party to realize immediately if it is in synchronism or not, by comparing received indicator bits with self calculated indicator bits. However, in the case of one way or hush functions the indicator bits are of no use to anyone who does not have his own identical process to compare it to, even if he possesses the same one way function. The CRC check bits are preferably too sparse to give away any information, and thus confidentiality is sustained. Overcoming of low level synchronization loss is solved in the present embodiments by using the control messages between the parties to carry out an error correction code procedure on the random bits produced. Thus the control messaging serves not only as an error detection mechanism as explained above, but also as an error correction feature for minor cases of bits errors in the communication process. Generally, the correction is applied to the SB stream bits, from which eventually the RB random bits are selected. For the present purpose, however, it is preferable that the bit selection is followed by executing an error correction mechanism at least on the particular stream bits that are eventually used as random bits, or on the precise resulting random bits, RB. Thus the parties are able to correct the particular stream bits, or the precise random bits RB in the face of expected or normal bit error rates over the communication link. Thus in the face of expected error rates, the parties remain mutually synchronized. Standard error correction procedures such as may be used in the error correction mechanism described above, comprise limits on the number of bit errors they are able to correct for. The limits are generally set on system design and involve a trade-off between data rate and correction level. Thus it is possible to design in very high levels of error correction but at the cost of communication overhead. In any case, there is always a maximum error level that is protected against and there is always a finite probability that such a maximum may be exceeded, for example during a burst of unexpectedly high error rates on the line. Such high error levels are liable to lead to de-synchronization between the parties, despite the error correction ability described above. Nevertheless, proper setting of the error rate maximum should ensure that loss of synchronization is rare. In one preferred embodiment the maximum error rate is set dynamically in that a measurement is made of the current noise level on the line and an error correction encoding level is set in accordance with the most recent measurement. Using dynamic error rate setting ensures that only very sudden changes in noise levels lead to loss of synchronization. Thus, the parties are able to: 1. recognize whether they are or are not in synchronization, and 2. prevent synchronization loss due to bit errors by correcting bits up to a maximum error correction level. If the error rate is exceeded then synchronization loss is unavoidable. Such loss may occur for example as the result of a high noise event or a cut in the communication link etc. In such a case, synchronization is preferably regained without loss of confidentiality to outsiders and without giving the opportunity for outsiders to impersonate the other party. One known attack method against secure communications is to insert noise into the communication, causing synchronization loss and the to attempt to gain synchronization with one or both of the parties, in the former case impersonating the second party. The parties are generally remotely located, and the aim of the resynchronization is to achieve identical sensitive data sets, as defined above, at each of the parties, in the right places to carry out the current step in synchronism and to return to the correct process sequence. The present embodiment achieves the above described re-synchronization by keeping an agreed backup set of the sensitive data, to use as what may be described as a resynchronization point. Thus, when synchronization loss is recognized by any party, the other party is notified and both the parties to the communication preferably re-synchronize to the agreed resynchronization point, from which they are able to execute a mutually identical random process and use a mutually identical random key. From the resynchronization point onwards the parties are able to continue as before. It will be appreciated that the backup data set must be randomly changed regularly or the resynchronization point would be a major breach of security in the system. How such changes may be performed securely and without the random changes themselves leading to further loss of synchronization, will be explained hereinbelow. Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a simplified block diagram showing part of the device of FIG. 2 in greater detail, showing features necessary for executing resynchronization by use of backup data as referred to above. Parts that are identical to those shown above are given the same reference numerals and are not referred to again except as necessary for an understanding of the present embodiment. Given that synchronization loss occurs only relatively infrequently, the present embodiments preferably exchange the resynchronization points randomly at a lower frequency than the regular random processes. Preferably in the regular random processes for each piece of data of such a message, stepping or advancing between one process and the next is timed such as to allow the length (in bits) of a key to be the same as the length of the data the key encrypts, which is to say, any given key is retained for the length of time taken to output a number of message bits equal to the length of the key. Consequently, for any given rate of data transfer, there is multiple key changing for any message of significant length. On the other hand, the resynchronization points are randomly exchanged only once in many regular key changes. The exchange of resynchronization points is carried out silently in the background, to be ready for use as needed. FIG. 8 shows more detailed versions of encryption engine 50 and random address generator unit 60, showing additional features for handling resynchronization. Encryption engine 50, thus additionally comprises a backup key register BU-Kgm 59, a backup key memory MEM BU-K 58, a key in use register K-InUse 51, and backup key connection BU-K 57. The random address generator 60, additionally comprises a backup random pointer generator BU-RndGenPLRB 69, backup pointer register BUPLRB 68 and pointers in use register PLRBInUse 67. Additionally there is provided a self standing back up random bits register BU-RB 78. During normal synchronized processing, the pointers in use register PLRBInUse 67 takes from D2 register 65, the set of pointers prepared during the previous process for use in the current process. In the event of synchronization loss, for activating a backup procedure, PLRBInUse 67 takes data for use as pointers from backup pointer register BUPLRB 68 instead of D2 box 65. The backup pointer register BUPLRB 68 has preferably been used to store, at an earlier stage, back up data for providing pointers for use in resynchronization. The backup data for providing pointers that has been stored in backup pointer register BUPLRB box 68, is preferably data that has been generated earlier on in backup random pointer generator BU-RndGenPLRB 69, using random input bits stored in back up random bit register BU-RB 78, which has been accumulating random bits for such a purpose. Thus, pointers in use register PLRBInUse 67, takes on the role of a gate that decides what input—either from BUPLRB 68 or from D2 register 65—to pass on to the pointers in use register PLRBInUse 67 for use in the current random process. Meanwhile, in encryption engine 50, during regular processing, the key in use register K-InUse 51 obtains, via Ki line 53, from D1 register 55, a regular key, formed in the normal way as described above for executing a regular encryption/decryption step. By contrast, during synchronization loss, as part of the activation of a backup procedure, the key in use register K-InUse 51 takes, via BU-K line 57, a backup key from backup key memory MEM BU-K 58. Preferably, the backup key stored in backup key memory MEM BU-K 58, has been generated beforehand in backup key generator BU-Kgn 59, by a generator using random input bits from backup random bit register BU-RB 78, which has been accumulating random bits as described above in respect of backup pointer generation. Thus, in-use key register K-InUse 51 plays the role of a gate that decides which input—either from backup key memory MEM BU-K 58 (connection 57) or from the D1 register 55 (connection 53)—to pass to the key in use register K-InUse 51 for use as the key, in current encryption/decryption processing. The backup random bits register BU-RB 78, preferably accumulates and stores back up random bits. The back up random bits it stores may be an outcome of individual or multiple regular random processes, as will be described in more detail below. As described above, the backup random bits are used as random input for generating backup keys and also backup pointers, thereby to create the data necessary for effective resynchronization. The backup key—stored in backup key memory MEM BU-K 58—and the backup pointers—stored in backup pointer register BUPLRB 68—may be considered as a last resort for the parties to regain synchronization. As mentioned above, the backup data is preferably changed randomly, and the changing-over of backup data therefore must not itself lead to an inability to synchronize. In the following, a mechanism is described for preventing loss of synchronization due to exchange of backup data, in other words a mechanism for ensuring reliable backup data exchange and ensuring that the two parties attempt to synchronize using the same backup data. In order to describe the mechanism a number of definitions are introduced as follows: a. The back up synchronization, or sensitive, data refers to the backup pointers preferably stored in the backup pointer register BUPLRB 68, together with the key stored in the backup key register MEM BU-K 58. The back up sensitive data changes in a random way but identically and synchronously at each of the two parties, once in a series of a predetermined number of L Regular Successful Connections between the parties—Such a series of a predetermined number of L Connections is referred to as a cycle. (e.g.—number of connections in a cycle=L=28) b. A connection refers to an encrypted communication from one party to the other, having a definable beginning and a definable end. Such a connection may often be followed by a connection from the other party back to the first party. In the course of the connections both parties use—as the transmitter for encryption, and as the receiver for decryption—randomly generated and regularly changing keys, which are generated, as described above by use of randomness produced by executing serial consecutive processing. As discussed above, a random process produces a random bit stream using randomly produced pointers PLRB, and stream bits SB obtained either directly or otherwise, from the ciphertext of the connection itself. In alternative embodiments the bits may be obtained from other sources, as long as the bit source is something to which both parties have confidential access. c. A connection preferably comprises consecutive units defined here as sections, each section being a stream of ciphertext bits of a defined length. A new random process is begun for each section including the use of a newly generated random key. d. Each section thus represents a specific random process, and includes obtaining the output random bits (M random bits) of the respective random process, and a production of a section key, and section pointers. A connection comprises at least one section, the total number of sections in the connection depending on the total length of the connection. e. A Regular connection is a connection that begins in synchronization, that is to say begins by using the sensitive data left from the previous connection. f. A Successful connection is a any connection that ends with the parties still in synchronization. g. Thus, A cycle is built of L consecutive successful regular connections, and a connection is built of 1 or more sections. h. At the end of a cycle the back up sensitive data—namely the back up key stored in back up key register MEM BU-K 58, and the backup pointers stored in backup pointer register BUPLRB 68—are changed randomly and in the background, that is, a new back up key is produced by backup key generator BU-Kgn 59, and the result is entering and stored in backup key memory MEM BU-K 58, to replace the previous backup key. Likewise new back up pointers produced in backup random generator BU-RndGenPLRB 69, are entered and stored in backup pointer register BUPLRB 68 to replace the previous backup pointers. Both the back up key and the back up pointers are preferably generated from back up random bits gathered during the first K Sections of the respective Cycle. Typically the first K Sections may be from the first connection in the cycle, or at most from the very first few connections of a cycle. i. Any party that notices, as described above, that it is out of synchronization, preferably ceases counting regular connections within the cycle and preferably freezes at the current position in the cycle. That is to say the cycle counting ceases, not the connections themselves j. After recognition of loss of synchronization, the parties preferably begin, as part of a new connection, that is, at the connection immediately following, to execute a back up activation procedure. The procedure involves taking the back up key and the back up pointers—to begin the first section of the new connection. Following the first section based on the backup data, the consecutive sections of that connection are begun in the normal way of advanced regular keys and pointers and the connection continues as any other. k. After a back up activation, the first following successful regular connection begins a new cycle, meaning that new random data is initially gathered to form a new set of backup random data. The successful regular connection may be considered the first successful regular connection of the new cycle and the successful regular connections are counted hereon from 1 to L. Reference is now made to FIG. 9 which is a simplified diagram showing connections and how they are counted in cycles. In FIG. 9 there are shown cycles of successful regular connections. As described above, at the end of a cycle—meaning at the end of successful regular connection number L of that cycle—the parties change the back up sensitive data. The actual point of changeover is marked ‘Bu Chang Point’ in the figure, and a new cycle begins, again running from successful regular connection number 1 to successful regular connection number L, at which point a new ‘Bu Chang Point’, is reached. As discussed above, the changes in the back up sensitive data consist for their production on randomness gathered and saved in BU-RB 78 during the first few sections of the first successful regular connection(s) of a Cycle, and which randomness preferably has already been used for and by the regular keys and pointers production, during the course of the regular sections, prior to its use at the change over point, that is, at the end of a cycle. That is to say, the random bits are used at one part of the cycle to form a regular connection and the same bits are later used to form the backup data, far apart from the regular use of those random bits. The fact that the backup uses data that has already been used in the regular process, means that, since the regular processing has succeeded without loss of synchronization, the data must be correctly held at the two parties. Had the data been incorrectly held at one of the parties then the regular cycle would have lost synchronization at that point, leading to the backup procedure being carried out at that point and new backup data being selected for the new cycle. One issue remains from the Byzantine agreement problem, namely how to ensure that each party is still on the same cycle. That is to say loss of synchronization may occur at or near one of the changeover points. In such a case, it cannot be guaranteed that moving into a new cycle and changing over the backup sensitive data is carried out synchronously between the two parties. That is, one party may have moved on and changed over the back up sensitive data before the other party—perhaps due to the loss in synchronization. If the parties subsequently attempt to resynchronize using different backup sensitive data then it may be appreciated that resynchronization is not likely to succeed. Reference is now made to FIG. 10, which is a simplified connections diagram showing internal structure of areas that may be applied to a single cycle in order to overcome the above-described problem of loss of synchronization in regard to the backup sensitive data being used if back up activation is needed in the vicinity of a change over point. In accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 10, a cycle is preferably divided into 4 Areas. The four areas are herein denoted as follows: a steady area, a transient−2 area, a transient−1 area and a transient+1 area. The areas described above are defined over the cycle and the parties are preferably constrained in that they are not allowed at any time to deviate from each other by more than one area. Such a rule may be enforced using the control messaging described above. Thus, in the case of loss of synchronization, then provided that loss of synchronization is spotted quickly, it may be presumed that the parties move away from each other by a maximum of one more area. Thus a worst case separation of two areas may be assumed. In the case of communications which are smaller than a section in length it may be assumed that a worst case separation of one area is in operation. Thus, a Cycle is divided into 4 areas, and a constraint is set in that the parties can be separated from each other by one area only. Thus, if the parties are out of synchronization, and if they recognize the synchronization loss immediately then the cycle counting ceases in accordance with rule i above. Thus the parties may be separated by 1 or 2 Connections counting, a separation of two connections being a worst-case scenario. Given areas that themselves consist of more than 2 Connections, the constraint works by preventing the separation from exceeding one area. Thus, in a preferred embodiment areas comprising three connections are used, to provide leeway for effective resynchronization The Bu Change Point has what we may define as gray areas close by on either side. The gray areas are areas in which it is possible that that one party has crossed the change over point and the other party has not. Thus, in the gray areas the position of the other party is undefined, leading to a dilemma as to what to do. The parties therefore carefully follow the procedure as will be outlined below, and must take care with discarding backup information following a changeover. In achieving a synchronized changeover the considerations of the Byzantine agreement problem are taken into account. The Steady Area, as shown in FIG. 10, is relatively far from the last change over point, and relatively far before the next change over point. In case of de-synchronization, a party in the steady area may use the current back up sensitive data in full confidence that the other party is using the same back up sensitive data, based on the presumption that the other party is in the same area or in a nearby one, either one before or one ahead. In either case both have the same stored back up ‘sensitive data’, and are thus able to resynchronize. The Transient−1 Area, is a gray area, which is the area just before the changeover point. Here the party must bear in mind that one possibility is that the other party may have moved to the next area, to The Transient+1 Area, that is crossed the changeover point, and have in storage the new back up ‘sensitive data’. The Transient−2 Area, is one more gray area just before The Transient−1 Area and just after the Steady Area. The transient+1 area immediately follows the changeover point. A party in the transient+1 region at the time of synchronization loss must bear in mind that there is a possibility that the other party may not have changed over and may still be in the previous cycle. The resynchronization arrangement includes the following rules: The gray areas each comprise only a few connections, for example three connections. At the change point (at the end of connection L) new, fresh back up sensitive data replaces the old data in the main memory storage. Thus upon entering into the transient+1 area the main memory comprises the new ‘sensitive data’. At the transient−1 area and at the transient−2 area i the old back up sensitive data is stored in the main memory. However, it is possible to use, the new data, as necessary, even though it is not yet in the main storage, by generating it as required from the back up randomness stored at the beginning of the Cycle. If the gray areas have been reached then the new back up sensitive data if used is clearly accurate, for the reasons outlined above, namely that the back up random data used to generate the new sensitive data has already been used successfully for regular connections. Nevertheless, at this point, the old sensitive information is still held as it is in the main memory storage. Thus at the transient−1 area and at the transient−2 area the main memory retains the old back up sensitive data. However the new sensitive data may be generated as required, from the back up randomness gathered at the beginning of the cycle. Operation of the resynchronization using the areas as described above is now explained with reference to FIG. 11, which shows in tabular form how each of the parties reacts to the different possible circumstances when synchronization loss occurs in each of the areas. It will be appreciated that there are numerous variations of the way that two parties can achieve successful resynchronization based on the use of areas and the following is exemplary only. Preferably, at each connection, the parties exchange control messages. Each connection has one party defined as the transmitter and one party defined as the receiver. The transmitter preferably checks its own local control parameters to determine whether it is in synchronization or not. If its own local control parameters indicate it to be in synchronization, then it recognizes the situation as a regular connection and uses regular sensitive data to start the connection. The transmitter preferably sends to the receiver a control message indicating a regular connection. If its local control parameters indicate synchronization loss, then the transmitter recognizes the situation as a back up connection and uses back up sensitive data to start the connection. The transmitter preferably sends to the receiver a control message indicating a back up connection. The Transmitter then adds an additional field to the control message indicating which back up sensitive data is to be used: the old data or the new data. The Receiver receives the control message from the transmitter and either agrees to the mode (regular or back up) or disagrees. Agreement and disagreement depends on the receiver's own analysis of the control message received, and on the local control parameters. In general the receiver is allowed to force the transmitter into a backup mode but it is not allowed to force the transmitter out of a backup mode, giving the effective result that any party discovering synchronization loss is able to force resynchronization, that is, the activation of back up mode. For back up mode the transmitter acts as follows: Selection of which backup Sensitive data to use is made by the transmitter. The transmitter notes which area it is in. If it is in the steady area then it has, in its permanent memory the current (old) back up sensitive data. The transmitter thus uses the current (old) backup sensitive data and signals “Old” to the receiver. If the transmitter is in the transients Area it has in its permanent memory the current (old) back up sensitive data. It thus signals to the Receiver “Old” and uses the current (old) back up Sensitive data. If the transmitter is in the transient−1 area it has in its permanent memory the current (old) back up sensitive data, but it messages to the receiver ‘New’ and uses the new backup sensitive data—‘new1’ in the table—by generating it specifically, as explained above, from the back up random data gathered beforehand, at the beginning of the Cycle. This is because the receiver may already have changed over and is in the transient+1 area of the next cycle, thus no longer having the old sensitive data, but in its current permanent memory has the new sensitive data, that is of the new cycle. If the transmitter is in the transient+1 area the transmitter has in its permanent memory the next (new) back up sensitive data. It signals “new” to the receiver and uses its current (in memory) backup sensitive data, which is the next (new) one relative to the last cycle. At the same time the receiver acts as follows: If the receiver is in the steady area it simply uses the current (old) backup sensitive data, that is the backup sensitive data it has in its permanent memory, and ignores the control message received from the transmitter. If the Receiver is in the transient−2 area it selects whether to use the current or next (new) ad-hoc backup Sensitive data depending on the control message received. If the receiver is in transient−1 area then again it uses either the current or new (that is created on demand) backup sensitive data depending on the control message received. If the Receiver is in The Transient+1 Area, then it ignores the control message and uses its current (in memory) backup Sensitive data, which is the next (new) one relative to the last soon ended Cycle. It is appreciated that the above embodiment has been described in terms of the transmitting party controlling the resynchronization process. However alternative embodiments are possible in which a single party is initially designated as the master or the receiving party controls the resynchronization, as the skilled person sees fit. It is noted that whichever of the versions of backup sensitive data is used (the that of the cycle ending, that of the cycle beginning or on demand prior creation of that of the following cycle) then all that is needed is for succeeding connections to be successful for it to be clear that the resynchronization has worked. One more point is that, following the backup resynchronization procedure, a new cycle is initialized, initiating the counting of successful regular connections from 1 to L again. Preferably, new back up random bits are gathered and stored from first sections of the newly begun cycle to be used at the end of that the newly begun cycle for generating new back up sensitive data for use in any of the ways mentioned above. The above system provides key management and a result of the above is a valid strong encryption/decryption key. The key management system is suitable for symmetric encryption and in particular may support DES. Alternatively where the key matches the message bits in length it can be used in simple bitwise arithmetic with the message bits in a procedure similar to that commonly used with one-time pads. It will be appreciated that, whereas the invention has been described above in terms of communication between two parties, further embodiments are applicable in which there are three or more parties to a communication. Thus the invention is usable in a mobile radio system having a base station and numerous mobile stations, or in an intercom system, whether star connected or net connected or connected in any other way. In such embodiments the randomness is obtained in an identical manner and resynchronization is controlled as before by whichever of the parties is the transmitting party, or according to any other control arrangement that may be considered. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Randomness is a basic and well-known tool in many disciplines of science and technology and finds application in fields such as communications, data security, access-control, and processes based on chaos theory. In some systems, such as frequency hopping based systems, there is a need for identical and simultaneous randomness at different remote locations. Furthermore, a random result employed at the remote locations is preferably confidential and unknown to an unauthorized party. Examples include (i) secret key data encryption methods, in which both communicating parties need to have the same secret key, which is typically a random key; (ii) remote access control, in which a distant operator needs to have the same password as that installed in a ‘machine’ to be accessed—this password is preferably a random password; and (iii) chaos processes which are executed remotely. Encryption, in particular, is a necessary tool in electronic communications, wherein data of highly sensitive content is propagated through public networks. An ideal data security system using encryption technology as the principle tool should be able to provide the following three features: 1) provide identification and authentication of the data source and destination, 2) prevent unauthorized access to the data, and 3) protect the data from unauthorized tampering. Generally speaking, encryption involves turning a meaningful series of data into a meaningless and apparently random sequence. Recovery of the original meaningful sequence is only possible with certain additional information. Certain encryption systems allow a receiver of data to determine that the data has been altered following encryption. Likewise, certain ways of using encryption keys allows for electronic signature of the data, so that the receiver of the data is able to be sure who the sender is, and suitable use of the electronic signature allows both parties to be sure of the other party. The vast majority of encryption systems include two components, an algorithm, or encryption method, and a key, which, generally speaking, contains values to be used at various steps in the algorithm. For the most part, the algorithms used in encryption systems are known. The exceptions are in certain government applications, and generally it is very inadvisable for an encryption system to rely on the secrecy of the algorithm. Thus, the security of most encryption systems lies with the secrecy of the key. Generally speaking, encryption methods may be classified into groups as follows: symmetric (secret key) encryption,—as opposed to asymmetric (public key) encryption, random (one time pad) encryption,—as opposed to algorithmic encryption, block enciphering, as opposed to stream enciphering, etc. However, in each case, in the broad sense outlined above, in order to obtain a closed solution having all features of data security, there is the need to share secret information in order for the system to work Approaches for breaking into encryption systems to allow unauthorized access to the data, may be grouped into four. They are: 1. Reverse engineering 2. Cryptanalysis and mathematical methods, 3. Tape and retransmit, 4. Exploitation of human weakness. The above approaches are often used in combination and in general, secure encryption has to be based on the assumption that any key, after being used for a certain amount of time, will tend to become known. Secure communication thus requires frequent changes to the key. In particular, as available computing power is growing, key lifetime is becoming shorter and shorter. The process of regularly changing keys is known as key management, and key management is thus becoming a more and more important part of encryption and secure communication. When using symmetric encryption systems, the exact same key is needed at both parties and thus key management involves the transfer of the key from one party to another. When using asymmetric systems, key changeover is simpler. If one party changes his key, then internally he changes his private key, which is needed for reading any messages. He then only has to transmit the public key, which does not need to be kept secret. The public key is needed for encryption but is completely useless for decryption of the message. However, even in the case of asymmetric systems, there remains the issue of changeover occurrence. If one party starts to use the key before the other, then there will be a short period of unintelligible conversation. Furthermore, when one party receives a new key, he needs to be sure that the key he has received indeed comes from the other party and not from an eavesdropper. Generally, asymmetric systems use a system of mutually exchanging keys so that they are able to rely on each other. Nevertheless, difficulties remain, for example where authorized parties lose synchronization at the crucial moment of key exchange. One approach in key management involves the use of a trusted third party, a so-called certificate authority. The certificate authority manages key changes for all the users. However, the use of a certificate authority does not actually solve any of the key management problems as such, it simply moves them all on one stage. Thus, modern secure communication essentially is a question of key management, and the key management issue may be summed up by the following statements: Communication security relies on secret information (the key). A secure communication system may be regarded as a chain, and the level of security provided is that of the weakest link in that chain. The more a key has been used the less secret it is. Computing power increases at a steady rate, and as that power increases, so does the lifetime of the key decrease, thus necessitating more and more frequent changing of the key or the use of computationally more complex keys. The regular exchange of keys necessitated by the above must be carried out without giving any information away to eavesdroppers. Current key management systems include two major categories, the master key category and the public key category. The master key category preferably utilizes a key hierarchy in which heavy master keys are used for secure transfer of session keys, which session keys are used for the encryption of the bulk of the communicated data. The approach fails to solve in depth any of the problems discussed above since weaknesses associated with the lower level session keys are simply transferred to the higher level master keys. Whilst it is true that it is harder for an eavesdropper to deal with the higher level keys the approach does not provide any conceptual increase in security level since the higher level keys are not generally changed. The public key approach to key management is simply to exchange public keys at intervals. In general the public key is a computationally intensive key to generate, and is regarded as being computationally intensive for decryption and thus the keys are not changed regularly. However, it should be borne in mind that the computational effort to break the key is important only to one out of the four methods for breaking the system, and indeed is of no importance at all to the reverse engineering and human weakness approaches or to hacking, in which the eavesdropper attempts to enter a computer system and obtain the keys. Thus, failure to carry out regular key exchange even in public key encryption systems is here regarded as a mistake. As mentioned above, the public key system relies for the user identification part of the key transfer on a mutual key transfer with each side using his private key to sign the message. The identification step may be carried out with the help of a certificate authority acting as a trusted third party. However, in either case, the computational complexity of generating new keys together with the identification needs, management effort and administration tasks discourage effective key management practice and key exchange using the public key system boils down in practice to using a fixed key. In order for a key to be secure, it requires an element of unpredictability. For example with the RSA public key, which is the multiple of two large prime numbers, if the prime numbers themselves, from which the key is built are in any way predictable, the RSA key is not secure. Keys or key systems for encrypted data as described above, preferably rely on random processes for their creation. Authorized parties to a given communication must have compatible keys. However it is preferable to avoid sending keys, both in order to avoid interception, and to make the encryption process itself simpler and faster. The sending of keys is especially risky in the case of symmetric key systems where the key transmitted is the key needed for decrypting the message. Also the sending of keys delays the communication process. Preferably, therefore, the ideal key management system should allow users to produce the same random key independently. If the key is to be generated using a random process, however, then the two parties cannot conventionally generate the same random process separately, because if it can be exactly repeated then it cannot be random. Indeed the ability to reproduce the process defies the definition of randomness, and no process that can be repeated may be truly random. A particular environment in which encryption is important is the Internet. Increasingly, the Internet is becoming the forum for business and other transactions in which confidentiality is necessary. Generally, over the Internet, most users expect encryption to work substantially transparently, at the very least not to hold up communication. The communication itself takes place over an open channel in which data is passed from one node to another and may actually be stored on intermediate nodes where it can be accessed later by eavesdroppers. An efficient system of key management, which does not slow down communication and also does not leave keys lying around on intermediate Internet nodes, is therefore needed. Current approaches for providing simultaneous availability of random results may be grouped into two general families of solutions: (i) generating randomness at one party, and sending it to the other party; and (ii) using a pseudo random process at both parties, e.g., a PRNG (Pseudo Random Number Generator) which gives the same random bit stream as an output at both ends if fed by the same input seed. The above approaches are limited because both the key and the seed may be intercepted by an unauthorized party. The latter approach is demonstrated by, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,703,948, in which a system and method are described, for transmitting encrypted messages between two parties, wherein the encrypting key is generated by two state machines, one at each party, which state machines are both identically initialized. The state machines dynamically produce changing keys, by using, each time, some randomly selected bits of a message as seeds for the next key. The machines at both ends are synchronized by using the same seed bits each time, thereby producing the same keys at both ends. Apparently, the parties have to worry about the confidentiality of the initial seed and of the dynamically changing seeds during the course of the message. There is thus required a system of randomly setting encryption keys identically at remote locations wherein the random data for setting the keys, and certainly the keys themselves, are not available to an eavesdropper. It would further be advantageous if such a system were to include the other listed requirements of an encryption system, namely allowing for mutual identification between users and a way of recognizing whether data has been interfered with en route. A preferred system should also include a way of checking on synchronization and a way of restoring synchronization in the event of synchronization loss. In the context of mutual identification and maintenance of synchronization, reference is made to the Byzantine agreement problem. Two remote armies, A and B, approach from different directions to besiege a powerful city. Neither army alone is powerful enough to overcome the city and should it appear on the battlefield alone it will be destroyed. Only if both armies appear simultaneously and from opposite directions is there any chance of success. The overall commander, located with army A, has to co-ordinate an attack, but has at his disposal dispatch riders as his only means of communication. The overall commander thus sends a message to the commander of Army B, by dispatch rider, which conveys time of and directions for the intended attack. However, having sent the message by a courier, the commander of army A cannot be certain that the message has reached its destination, (and if it has, that it has not been tampered with on the way). Thus, logic dictates that he will not attack, due to his instinct for self-preservation. Having received the message, the commander of Army B is faced with the same problem, he cannot be certain that the content of the message is real and that it indeed comes from his ally. It could be a false message sent by the enemy and intended to lure him to his destruction. Furthermore, he knows that commander A has an instinct for self-preservation which is no less real than his own. Thus he must assume that A will not attack and hence he too, does not attack. Furthermore, he knows that his ally, the commander of army A, will be faced with the same dilemma when receiving his acknowledgement and is unlikely to launch an attack on the basis of this information. Army B, in any case sends back to Army A an acknowledgment message, of the time of and directions for of the attack. Army A receives the acknowledgement but also cannot be sure that the acknowledgement is genuine and has not been sent by the enemy to lure them to their destruction. Furthermore, A knows of B's instinct for self-preservation. Bearing this in mind, army A must assume that army B will not attack. The situation is not improved however many further rounds of acknowledgement or confirmation are carried out. That is to say, having sent the acknowledgment message, both army A and army B keep facing the same dilemma of not being able to assume that the other will attack and, as a result, an attack will never be launched. The “Byzantine Agreement Problem”, is a logical dilemma that is relevant when translated into modern communications, especially when considering for example, open communication modes such as the Internet, which are exposed to hackers, imposters etc. and to errors and breaks in communications. The issues that this logical dilemma presents, and need to be solved are (i) synchronization; (ii) simultaneity; (iii) identification; and (iv) authentication. At the basis of the problem lies the fact that at any given step, one party knows less than the other, and there is a lag between the knowledge of the parties (about the situation of one party in regard to the other party, and in their mutual understanding) The Byzantine agreement problem thus raises the following issues, synchronization, simultaneity, identification and authentication. The root of the problem is that at any given leg of the communication procedure, one party leads and one party lags, even if by nanoseconds, thus leading to scope for dispute and for impersonation. The depth of the problem may be demonstrated by illustrating two approaches that have been used in attempted solutions in the past. 1) Clock timing synchronization. Each party has an identically set clock. A parameter changes at predetermined clock settings. Unfortunately the two clocks cannot be set so accurately with respect to one another that no dispute occurs at any time. Even a difference of nanoseconds can lead to dispute over some of the data. 2) Synchronization by announcement. A parameter change is made upon receipt of a predetermined announcement. Unfortunately, this approach begs the very essence of the Byzantine agreement problem, since I do not know whether the other side has received the announcement, or whether it originates from a legitimate source at all. There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a simple and practical way to produce identical ongoing randomness at separate and remote locations, that is confidential in nature and which enables a mode of communication, synchronization or authentication between two parties that is not vulnerable to the logical dilemmas of the Byzantine agreement problem, and which may provide a comprehensive solution to secure key management.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a system and apparatus for utilization, for setting encryption keys, by remotely located parties, of a mutually remotely located random data generation process. Preferably, the remotely located random data generation process generates a large amount of random data and the two parties secretly share starting information telling them where to look initially for random data from the process. The parties each have identically set arrangements for using the current random data to select the next required random data from the process. In an embodiment, the remotely located random data process preferably utilizes a plurality of individual random processes and a means for the parties to respectively select the same one of the plurality of processes at any given time. Data from previous processes is used subsequently to select new processes in such a way that the process selection remains confidential to anyone eavesdropping on the remotely located random process itself. Moreover, the process following comprises feature that allow for correct working even in noisy and/or other less than perfect conditions. The system comprises a working synchronization feature for allowing the parties to be sure that they are in synchronization with each other and, when synchronization loss is detected, there is a resynchronization method which redirects each party to a same new random process. The unique synchronization technique and resynchronization features provide for a stable communication system that preferably overcomes the difficulties represented by the Byzantine agreement problem. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is thus provided apparatus for use by a first party for key management for secure communication with a second party, the key management being to provide at each party, simultaneously remotely, identical keys for the secure communication without transferring the keys over any communication link, the apparatus comprising: a datastream extractor, for obtaining from data exchanged between the parties a bitstream, a random selector for selecting, from the bitstream, a series of bits in accordance with a randomization seeded by the data exchanged between the parties, a key generator for generating a key for encryption/decryption based on the series of bits, thereby to manage key generation in a manner repeatable at the parties. Preferably, the random selector is operable to use results of the randomization as addresses to point to bits in the datastream. Preferably, the key generator is operable to generate a new key after a predetermined number of message bits have been exchanged between the parties. Preferably, the predetermined number of message bits being substantially equal to a length in bits of the key. The apparatus preferably comprises a control messager for sending control messages to the remote party, thereby to indicate to the remote party a state of the apparatus to enable the remote party to determine whether the remote party is synchronized therewith to generate an identical key. The apparatus preferably comprises a synchronized state determiner, for determining from control messages received from a remote party whether the apparatus is synchronized therewith to generate an identical key. The apparatus preferably further comprises a resynchronizer, associated with the synchronous state determiner, the resynchronizer having a resynchronization random selector for selecting, from a part of the bitstream previously used by the random selector, a series of bits in accordance with a randomization seeded by the data exchanged between the parties, in the event of determination of synchronization loss, thereby to regain synchronization. Preferably, the series of bits is a series of bits previously used by the random selector. Preferably, the control messager is operatively connected to the synchronous state determiner, thereby to include within the control messages a determination of synchronization loss. Preferably, the control messager is operatively connected with the resynchronizer, to control the resynchronizer to carry out the selection in the event of receipt of a message from the remote party that the remote party has lost synchronization. Preferably, the data communication is arranged in cycles, the part of the bitstream being exchangeable in each cycle. Preferably, the cycle is arranged into sub-units, each the cycle having an exchange point at its beginning for carrying out the exchange. Preferably, the messager is usable to exchange control messages with the remote party to ensure that a same bitstream part is used for resynchronization at both the parties. Preferably, the messager is usable to vary a control message in accordance with a sub-cycle current at a synchronization loss event, thereby to control the remote party to resynchronize using a same bitstream part. Preferably, the apparatus is operable to respond to messages sent by a remote party following the synchronization loss event, to revert to same the bitstream part as the message indicates that the remote party intends to use. The apparatus preferably comprises circuitry for determining which of itself and the remote party is a transmitting party and being operable to control the synchronization when it is a transmitting party and to respond to control commands of the remote party when the remote party is the transmitting party. Preferably, the synchronized state determiner comprises: a calculation circuit for carrying out an irreversible calculation on any one of the bitstream, the randomization, the key and derivations thereof, and a comparator for comparing a result of the calculation with a result received from the remote party, thereby to determine whether the parties are in synchronization. Preferably, the irreversible calculation comprises a one-way function. Preferably, the system is operable to provide key management for a symmetric cryptography algorithm. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is constructed modularwise such that the cryptography algorithm is exchangeable. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for providing key management between at least two separate parties, the system comprising a primary bitstream for exchange between the parties, and at each party: a selector for randomly selecting, at predetermined selection intervals, parts of the primary bitstream to form a derived bit source, each selector being operable to use the derived bit source, in an identical manner, to randomize the selecting, and a key generator for generating cryptography keys at predetermined key generating intervals using the derived bit source of a corresponding selection interval. Preferably, the primary bitstream is obtainable as a stream of bits from a data communication process between the two parties. Preferably, the bits in the primary bitstream are separately identifiable by an address, and wherein the selector is operable to select the bits by random selection of addresses. Preferably, each selector comprises an address generator and each address generator is identically set. Preferably, the system further comprises a controller for exchanging control data between the parties to enable each party to determine that each selector is operating synchronously at each party. Preferably, the control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data, and a hash encoding result, of at least some of the bits from the derived bit source. Preferably, the control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data, and a hash encoding result, of at least some of the bits of the randomization. Preferably, the control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data, and a hash encoding result, of at least some of the bits from the key. Preferably, the control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data of at least some of the addresses, and a hash encoding result of at least some of the addresses. A preferred embodiment further comprises at each party a resynchronizer operable to determine from the control data that synchronization has been lost between the parties and to regain synchronization based on a predetermined earlier part of the derived bit source. A preferred embodiment further comprises at each party a resynchronizer operable to determine from control data exchanged between the parties that synchronization has been lost between the parties and to regain synchronization based on a predetermined earlier part of the derived bit source. Preferably, the data communication process is arranged in cycles, the predetermined earlier part being exchangeable in each cycle. Preferably, the cycles are arranged into sub-units, each the cycle having an exchange point at its beginning for carrying out the exchange of the predetermined earlier part of the derived bit source. Preferably, the controller is usable to include in the control messages, data to ensure that a predetermined earlier part of the derived bit source of a same cycle is used for resynchronization at both the parties. Preferably, the controller is usable to vary a control message in accordance with a sub-cycle current at a synchronization loss event, thereby to control the remote party to resynchronize using same the predetermined earlier part of the derived bit source. A preferred embodiment is operable to respond to messages sent by a remote party following the synchronization loss event, to revert to same the predetermined earlier part of the derived bit source as the message indicates that the remote party intends to use. According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of key management with at least one remote party, comprising the steps of: sharing with the remote party a primary data stream, using the primary data stream to form a randomizer, selecting parts of the primary data stream using the randomizer to form a derived data source, and using the derived data source to form cryptography keys at predetermined intervals. Preferably, the primary data source is obtainable as a stream of bits from a communication process between the two parties. Preferably, the primary data source comprises a stream of data bits divisible into data units and comprising selecting at random from the data bits of each data unit. Preferably the bits in the data units are separately identifiable by addresses, and the method comprises selecting the bits by using the randomizer as an address pointer. Preferably, selecting is carried out by using identically set pseudorandom data generation at each party, and using the derived data source as a seed for the pseudorandom data generation. Preferably, the method further comprises exchanging control data between the parties to enable each party to determine whether they are operating synchronously with the other party. Preferably, the control data includes any one of a group comprising: redundancy check data of at least some of the derived data source, and a hash encoding result of at least some of the derived data source. The method preferably comprises determining from the control data whether synchronization has been lost between the parties and, if so, regaining synchronization based on a predetermined earlier part of the derived data source. The method preferably further comprises a step of exchanging the predetermined earlier part of the derived data source at predetermined intervals. The method preferably further comprises: determining a possibility of each party being at a different cycle at synchronization loss, and controlling the resynchronization to use a same predetermined earlier part of the derived data source at both parties. The method preferably further comprises creating in advance a future cycle's predetermined earlier part of the derived data source for resynchronizing with a party that has already moved to such a cycle. The method may be used to provide key management for a symmetric cryptography algorithm.

20050118

20120117

20060330

71312.0

H04L900

KANAAN, SIMON P

SECURE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD USING SHARED RANDOM SOURCE FOR KEY CHANGING

SMALL

ACCEPTED

H04L

ACCEPTED

Method fo emptying container, and use of the method

A method of emptying a large container of e.g. 12000 litres for the storage of fish, such as shellfish, e.g. shrimps, said container being emptied through a pipe in the container, air being supplied simultaneously with the emptying. The air is expediently supplied through/near the bottom of the container via holes which are provided in a pattern, or via a pipe distribution system which is lowered into the container. By supplying the air to the container during emptying it is ensured that the pipe, through which the fish are discharged from the container, does not clog, and that the contents are discharged as a uniformly distributed mass.

1. A method of emptying a container (1) for the storage of fish, such as shellfish, said fish being stored in a container together with water, said emptying taking place through a pipe (5) provided in the bottom (4) of the container, a medium being supplied into the container during emptying, characterized in that the medium is constituted by air (8), which is supplied through holes (3, 7) provided near the bottom of the container. 2. A method to claim 1, characterized in that the holes (3,7) are provided in a pattern. 3. Use of the method according to claim 1 for emptying a container of e.g. 12000 litres which contains a mixture of shrimps, ice and water.

The invention relates to a method of emptying a container for the storage of fish, such shellfish, said fish being stored in the container together with water, said emptying taking place through a pipe provided in the bottom of the container, a medium being supplied into the container during emptying. Containers of this type, which may be made of plastics, are used for the ripening of e.g. shrimps. Typically, they have a size of 660 or 1000 litres and are emptied after completed ripening simply by tilting them. For operational reasons, it is desirable to be able to ripe shrimps in larger containers, e.g. containers having a capacity of 12000 litres. However, containers of this size are not easy to handle in connection with empting where the container is to be tilted. It would therefore be an advantage if the container could be emptied through a pipe provided in the container. However, it has been found that, with so large containers for the storage, of shrimps in water, emptying through the pipe will rapidly result in clogging, as the liquid will leave the container faster than the shrimps. A container of the type defined in the introductory portion of claim 1 is known from DD Patent Specification No. 61451. In this method, a mixture of fish and water is pumped from a pipe located at the bottom of the container vertically upwards to a conveyor belt above the container, where water is conveyed back to the container, while the fish are transported further on. Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a method of emptying the initially mentioned large containers, which requires fewer installations, while maintaining a minimal risk of clogging. The object of the invention is achieved by a method of the type stated in the introductory portion of claim 1, which is characterized in that the medium is constituted by air, which is supplied through holes provided near the bottom of the container. Hereby, emptying takes place through the pipe as a very homogeneous uniform mass without the pipe becoming clogged. As mentioned, the invention also relates to use of the method. This use is defined in claim 3. The invention will now be explained more fully with reference to the drawing, in which FIG. 1 shows the container according to the invention seen from the side in cross-section, while FIG. 2 shows the right-hand side of the container bottom seen from below relative to FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, a container according to the invention is generally designated 1. As will be seen, the shown container has a vertical side wall 5 and a bottom 4 which are connected with each other by an inclined wall. A pipe is connected at the bottom 4, said pipe being intended for discharging e.g. shrimps admixed with ice/water. With a view to avoid clogging of the container, the bottom and optionally the inclined walls are formed with holes through which a medium, such as air may be conveyed, indicated e.g. by the reference numeral 8. As will be seen in FIG. 2, the holes are here formed in a pattern which consists of two rows of holes 3, 7. These holes may be surrounded by a wall (not shown), thereby creating a cavity through which a pipe stub may be connected for the admission of a medium, such as water or air under pressure. Alternatively, a pipe distribution system (not shown) may be lowered into the container for the supply of water or air under pressure, which may e.g. be an advantage if existing containers are to be upgraded. In addition, FIG. 1 shows a pipe or hose 6 which is located at the bottom 4 and is intended to empty the container. Alternatively, the pipe or the hose may be disposed inside the container, as shown by the reference numeral 2. When the contents of the container are to be emptied, water or air is optionally supplied via the hole-shaped pattern. It is ensured hereby that the pipe 2 of the container does not clog when its contents are discharged from the pipe 2 in the direction of the arrow 9. The rate of this discharge may generally be increased if suction is applied to the pipe 2. The container may be made of plastics or metal and have a size of e.g. 12000 litres.

20050321

20080429

20050721

96797.0

ABBOTT-LEWIS, YVONNE RENEE

METHOD OF EMPTYING A CONTAINER, AND USE OF THE METHOD

SMALL

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Method and device for notifying the driver of a motor vehicle

A device and a method for notifying the driver of a motor vehicle, equipped with an adaptive distance and speed controller, by activating a takeover prompt, informing the driver that the vehicle is coming critically close to a target object. The takeover prompt is activated and deactivated as a function of a fixed minimum distance between the distance- and speed-controlled vehicle and the target object and/or a relative speed-dependent minimum distance between the distance- and speed-controlled vehicle and a target object and/or a maximum vehicle deceleration producible by the distance and speed controller.

1-8. (canceled) 9. A method for notifying a driver of a motor vehicle equipped with an adaptive distance and speed controller, comprising: one of activating or deactivating a takeover prompt which informs the driver that the vehicle is coming critically close to a target object; wherein the activation or deactivation of the takeover prompt occurs as a function of at least one of: i) a fixed minimum distance between a distance-controlled and speed-controlled vehicle and the target object, ii) a relative speed-dependent minimum distance of the distance-controlled and speed-controlled vehicle in relation to the target object, and iii) a maximum vehicle deceleration producible by the distance and speed controller. 10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the takeover prompt is at least one of: a visual display in a field of view of the driver, and an acoustic signal in an interior of the vehicle. 11. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the takeover prompt is further output when the driver overrides the distance and speed controller. 12. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein activation thresholds and deactivation thresholds of the takeover prompt are not identical. 13. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the distance and speed controller emits and receives radar signals, with the aid of which preceding vehicles can be recognized as target objects. 14. A device for the distance and speed control of a motor vehicle, comprising: an arrangement which outputs a takeover prompt, informing a driver that the vehicle is coming critically close to a target object, the arrangement being configured so that activation and deactivation of the takeover prompt occurs as a function at least one of: i) a fixed minimum distance between the distance- and speed-controlled vehicle and the target object, ii) a relative speed-dependent minimum distance between the distance- and speed-controlled vehicle and the target object, and iii) a maximum vehicle deceleration producible by the distance and speed controller. 15. The device as recited in claim 14, further comprising: a display device, the display device displaying the takeover prompt in a field of view of the driver. 16. The device as recited in claim 14, further comprising: an acoustic device, the takeover prompt being about output as an acoustic signal by the acoustic device in an interior of the vehicle. 17. The device as recited in one of claim 14, further comprising: a radar device, the radar device configured to emit and receive radar signals so that a preceding vehicle can be recognized as a target object.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device and a method for notifying the driver of a motor vehicle equipped with an adaptive distance and speed controller, in which a takeover prompt is activated, informing the driver that the vehicle is coming critically close to a target object. The takeover prompt is activated and deactivated as a function of a fixed minimum distance between the distance- and speed-controlled vehicle and the target object and/or a relative speed-dependent minimum distance between the distance- and speed-controlled vehicle and a target object and/or a maximum vehicle deceleration producible by the distance and speed controller. BACKGROUND INFORMATION German Patent Application No. DE 100 15 299 A1 describes a method and a corresponding device for triggering a takeover prompt, which signals the driver of a vehicle equipped with adaptive cruise control that the adaptive cruise control system is probably no longer able to control the driving situation and that the driver must intervene. By monitoring two or more vehicle variables, which are causal in triggering the takeover prompt, the probability of a false alarm by the system is reduced, and the triggering of the takeover prompt is adapted to the current vehicle speed. SUMMARY In accordance with example embodiments of the present invention, a method and a corresponding device are provided, which notify the driver of a motor vehicle equipped with an adaptive distance and speed controller via a takeover prompt when the vehicle gets critically close to a target object. In this instance, the activation and deactivation of the takeover prompt is to occur in such a way that the driver is always able to understand it and that the driving comfort of the adaptive distance and speed control system is not impaired by an activation or deactivation of the takeover prompt that is either too early or too late. The takeover prompt may be advantageously implemented as an visual display in the driver's field of view and/or as an acoustic signal in the vehicle interior. Providing the takeover prompt as a visual display or as an acoustic signal or as a combination of both ensures that the driver takes note of the activation of the takeover prompt even in distracting surrounding conditions. It is furthermore advantageous if the takeover prompt is also issued when the driver overrides the distance and speed control system. Overriding of the distance and speed control system occurs, for example, when the driver depresses the accelerator and therefore causes an acceleration of the vehicle that is not provided for by distance and speed control variables. In this case, the takeover prompt is also activated and deactivated, when the vehicle comes critically close to a target object, so as to inform the driver that by his overriding he is leaving the dynamic range of the distance and speed control system and that abruptly terminating the override can result in an uncomfortable controller reaction. Advantageously, the activation thresholds and the deactivation thresholds of the takeover prompt are not identical. Due to the fact that the deactivation thresholds of the takeover prompt are shifted with respect to the activation thresholds to less critical distance and relative speed combinations, a hysteresis effect is achieved, which prevents the takeover control from jittering, so that the driver is not confused by a frequent activation and deactivation of the takeover prompt. It is especially advantageous if the system for the distance and speed control, which controls the takeover prompt for notifying the driver, emits and receives radar or lidar signals, with the aid of which preceding vehicles can be recognized as target objects. The method according to an example embodiment of the present invention may be in the form of a control element, which is provided for a control unit of an adaptive distance or speed control of a motor vehicle. To this end, a program executable on a computer, in particular on a microprocessor or signal processor, and suitable for implementing the method according to the present invention, is stored on the control element. Thus, in this case, the present invention is implemented by a program stored on the control element, so that this control element equipped with the program constitutes the present invention in the same manner as does the method, for the execution of which the program is suitable. In particular, an electric storage medium, e.g., a read only memory, may be used as the control element. Further features, uses and advantages of the present invention are derived from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention which are shown in the figures. All the features described or illustrated here, either alone or in any desired combination, constitute the subject matter of the present invention, regardless of their combination in the description or illustrated in the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained with reference to figures. FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a distance-relative speed diagram for explaining a method according to the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a state transition diagram of the method according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a device according to an example embodiment of the present invention. One can see the distance and speed controller 1, which has an input circuit 2. Input signals 3 from a radar or lidar sensor 4 are fed to the distance and speed controller via input circuit 2. In this context, radar or lidar sensor 4 emits radar or laser radiation, which is in part reflected by objects and received by the radar or lidar sensor. In the case of a radar sensor, the radar radiation can have an FMCW modulation or a pulse modulation. From the measured input signals, radar or lidar sensor 4 generates output signals 3, which are fed to distance and speed controller 1 as input signals. These signals include at least the variables distance of the objects d and relative speeds Vrel of the objects with respect to the distance- and speed-controlled vehicle. Via input circuit 2, these variables are fed to distance and speed controller 1, which forwards them to a processing device 5 via a data exchange system 6, which may be a CAN bus for example. This processing device 5 may be a microprocessor or a signal processor, for example, in which actuating and control variables are formed from the variables measured by sensor 4. For this purpose, processing device 5 ascertains from the relative position of the objects detected by sensor 4 as well as from their distance d and their relative speed Vrel at least one target object that is of particular relevance for the distance and speed control, since these target objects have a particularly strong influence on the output variables. Thus, processing device 5 generates control signals for a deceleration device 9 of the vehicle, control signals for a power-regulating actuating element 11 of a vehicle drive unit, which may take the form of a throttle-valve actuator, as well as signals for activating and deactivating a takeover prompt for the driver of the vehicle. These output signals generated by processing device 5 are output to an output circuit 7 via data exchange system 6. Via output circuit 7, a deceleration signal 8 is output to a deceleration device 9 of the vehicle. This deceleration signal 8 is normally fed to a brake control device, which actuates the brakes of the vehicle according to deceleration signal 8. Moreover, via output circuit 7, an acceleration signal 10 is output, which is fed to a power-regulating actuating element 11 of a vehicle drive unit. Normally, this power-regulating actuating element 11 is an electrically operated throttle valve or a fuel injection pump. Via acceleration signal 10, the vehicle drive unit is correspondingly modified in accordance with the controller output variables. Moreover, via output circuit 7, a takeover prompt signal 12 may be output, which is fed to a visual takeover prompt device 13. This visual takeover prompt device, for example, is a light source in the visual range of the driver or a plain text display, which is located in the visual range of the driver, and which visually signals the driver that the limited decelerating ability of the distance and speed control system is insufficient to prevent the vehicle from coming critically close to a target object. In a similar way, output circuit 7 can output an additional takeover prompt signal 14 to an acoustic takeover prompt device 15. This acoustic takeover prompt device 15 may be, for example, a buzzer or a ring tone in the vehicle interior or a voice output device, which prompts the driver to perform a deceleration intervention. Since distance and speed controllers are often designed as comfort systems and are not supposed to relieve the driver in critical situation from the responsibility of personally initiating a deceleration or of reinforcing an automatically initiated deceleration, the deceleration dynamics, which the distance and speed controller is able to control, is often limited to 2 to 3 m/sec2. This limited decelerating ability of the distance and speed controller makes it necessary to inform the driver when the driver must intervene to abandon the range of the automatic deceleration dynamics so as to prevent the vehicle from coming critically close to a detected object. FIG. 2 shows a distance-relative speed diagram, in which the distance from the target object to the distance- and speed-controlled vehicle is plotted on abscissa 16 and the relative speed of the target object with respect to the distance- and speed-controlled vehicle is plotted on ordinate 17. In the case of positive relative speed values Vrel, the relative speed plotted on ordinate 17 describes the case in which the target object moves at a higher speed than one's own vehicle, that is to say, that the distance d between the target object and one's own vehicle increases over time, and, in the case of negative relative speed values Vrel, it means that the distance d between the target object and one's own vehicle decreases over time, since the preceding target object moves more slowly than one's own vehicle. Whether takeover prompt 13, 15 is to be activated or deactivated depends on the combination of the relative speed Vrel and the distance d between the target object and one's own vehicle. Line 18 drawn vertically into the diagram of FIG. 2 represents a first activation and deactivation threshold. This line 18 defines an absolute minimum distance dmin between the target object and one's own vehicle, the takeover prompt being activated when the threshold is undershot and deactivated when it is exceeded. This absolute minimum distance dmin is set to be independent of speed. The straight line 19 represents a second activation threshold for the takeover prompt, which represents a speed-dependent [minimum distance]. The straight line 20 situated parallel to this straight line 19 represents the deactivation threshold such that, in this speed-dependent activation and deactivation threshold, a hysteresis effect is generated, which is to prevent a quick and repeated activation and deactivation of the takeover prompt. If the combination of relative speed Vrel and distance d occurs in such a way that it is represented by a point on the diagram on the left below straight line 19, then the takeover prompt is activated and will only be deactivated again when the combination of relative speed Vrel and distance d describes a point on the diagram which is located on the right above deactivation line 20. This speed-dependent minimum distance ensures that in case of a negative relative speed, that is, in case the speed of one's own vehicle is higher than that of the target object, the takeover prompt is activated already at a greater distance d as compared to positive relative speeds Vrel, at which the target object moves away, since it has a higher speed than one's own vehicle. Furthermore, a third activation and deactivation threshold 21 is charted, which takes into account the maximum vehicle deceleration producible by the distance and speed controller. Because the distance and speed controllers are designed as comfort systems, the maximum deceleration producible by such a system lies far below the maximum possible vehicle deceleration. Normally, distance and speed controllers are able to control vehicle decelerations in the range of 2 to 3 m/sec2. Line 21 in FIG. 2 indicates the pairs of values, made up of the relative speed Vrel and the distance d, at which the vehicle speed control system decelerates at the maximum possible system deceleration of 2 to 3 m/sec2, for example, and a collision with the preceding target object can only just be avoided. With a combination of relative speed Vrel and distance d, whose diagram point, according to FIG. 2, lies on the left below curve 21, the distance and speed controller, due to the limited deceleration capability, would not be able to prevent a collision with the preceding target object. In this case, the driver of the vehicle is prompted personally to initiate a deceleration, the deceleration values of which are quantitatively higher than those achievable by the system, so that the driver can avoid a collision by a brake intervention. To this end, however, the driver is notified, which is done by triggering the takeover prompt. A crossing of line 21 from pairs of values, made up of relative speed Vrel and distance d, lying on the right above line 21, to pairs of values lying on the left below curve 21 results in an activation of the takeover prompt, which prompts the driver to perform a brake intervention. If the operating point according to FIG. 2, made up of the values relative speed Vrel and distance d, changes in such a way that line 21 shifts from points lying on the left below curve 21 to pairs of values lying on the right above curve 21, then the takeover prompt is deactivated, since the distance and speed controller is again able to avoid a collision with the preceding target object considering the maximum possible, limited system deceleration. FIG. 3 shows a state transition diagram describing the activation and deactivation of the takeover prompt as well as the conditions required for such state transitions. FIG. 3 shows the rectangular state blocks 22 and 23. In this context, state block 22 describes the state of the deactivated takeover prompt, in which the visual or acoustic takeover prompt is switched off. Block 23 represents the state in which the takeover prompt is activated, i.e., in which the visual takeover prompt is illuminated or a plain text indicator is displayed to the driver, or an acoustic takeover prompt is sounded. Changes of state in accordance with FIG. 3 between an activated takeover prompt and a deactivated takeover prompt occur as a function of the change of the pairs of values for the relative speed Vrel and the distance d to the target object in accordance with FIG. 2. Thus, the takeover prompt is activated, for example, if an absolute minimum distance dmin is undershot according to block 24. According to FIG. 2, this is the case if the distance d decreases in such a way that a pair of values made up of relative speed Vrel and distance d traverses the straight line 19 from right to left, i.e., if the distance d decreases in such a way that it becomes smaller than the minimum distance dmin. Such a change of the pair of values Vrel and d, in which the representation in the diagram according to FIG. 2 shifts from points left of straight line 18 to points right of straight line 18, i.e., an increase of the distance d such that dmin is exceeded, results in a deactivation of the takeover prompt, in which there is a transition from state 23 to state 22 as long as no other triggering conditions are fulfilled. In the same way, there is an activation as a consequence of a transition of state from block 22 to block 23 if a relative speed-dependent minimum distance is undershot. This is the case as soon as pairs of values made up of relative speed Vrel and distance d change according to FIG. 2 in such a way that the point in FIG. 2 representing this pair of values shifts from the half-plane on the right above straight line 19 to pairs of values according to the half-plane on the left below straight line 19. A third transition condition shown in block 26, which likewise represents a transition of state from block 22 to block 23, consists in the crossing of line 21 from pairs of value on the right above this line 21 to pairs of values on the left below this line 21. In this case, the driver is alerted to the fact that the maximum possible system deceleration is insufficient to prevent a collision with the preceding target object. A deactivation of the takeover prompt is represented by transition 27, which triggers a transition of state from block 23 to block 22. In this case, the activated takeover prompt is deactivated, thus informing the driver that it is not or no longer necessary to intervene in the driving events since the danger of coming critically close to a target object currently does not or does no longer exist. This transition according to 27 occurs when none of the activation conditions according to transitions 24, 25 or 26 continue to be fulfilled. According to the pairs of values from FIG. 2, this is the case when the current distance d to the target object as well as the current relative speed Vrel are such that a point on the diagram is assumed, which according to FIG. 2 lies to the right of straight line 18, on the right above deactivation line 20 as well as on the right above hyperbolic line 21. If these three conditions are fulfilled, then state 23, in which the takeover prompt is active, passes over according to transition 27 into state 22 in that the takeover prompt is deactivated. According to additional exemplary embodiments, an activation 23 or deactivation 22 of takeover prompt 13, 15 is provided only in the case of an undershooting or exceeding of fixed minimum distance 18 between the preceding target object and the distance- and speed-controlled vehicle. It is likewise possible that, instead of fixed minimum distance 18, an activation 23 or deactivation 22 of takeover prompt 13, 15 occurs only as a function of the relative speed-dependent minimum distance when activation line 19 is undershot or deactivation line 20 is exceeded. Furthermore, it is likewise possible that activation 23 or deactivation 22 of takeover prompt 13, 15 occurs only as a function of a maximum vehicle deceleration producible by distance and speed controller 1, depending on whether, on the basis of the maximum vehicle deceleration producible by distance and speed controller 1, it is probable that the following vehicle is no longer able to stop or is again able to stop in time prior to reaching the target object. Further exemplary embodiments of the present invention include methods and devices which provide for an activation or deactivation of the takeover prompt as a function of two of the individual conditions described above. FIG. 3 is simplified accordingly in that one or two transition conditions of transitions 24, 25 or 26 are eliminated and block 27 is simplified correspondingly.

<SOH> BACKGROUND INFORMATION <EOH>German Patent Application No. DE 100 15 299 A1 describes a method and a corresponding device for triggering a takeover prompt, which signals the driver of a vehicle equipped with adaptive cruise control that the adaptive cruise control system is probably no longer able to control the driving situation and that the driver must intervene. By monitoring two or more vehicle variables, which are causal in triggering the takeover prompt, the probability of a false alarm by the system is reduced, and the triggering of the takeover prompt is adapted to the current vehicle speed.

<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>In accordance with example embodiments of the present invention, a method and a corresponding device are provided, which notify the driver of a motor vehicle equipped with an adaptive distance and speed controller via a takeover prompt when the vehicle gets critically close to a target object. In this instance, the activation and deactivation of the takeover prompt is to occur in such a way that the driver is always able to understand it and that the driving comfort of the adaptive distance and speed control system is not impaired by an activation or deactivation of the takeover prompt that is either too early or too late. The takeover prompt may be advantageously implemented as an visual display in the driver's field of view and/or as an acoustic signal in the vehicle interior. Providing the takeover prompt as a visual display or as an acoustic signal or as a combination of both ensures that the driver takes note of the activation of the takeover prompt even in distracting surrounding conditions. It is furthermore advantageous if the takeover prompt is also issued when the driver overrides the distance and speed control system. Overriding of the distance and speed control system occurs, for example, when the driver depresses the accelerator and therefore causes an acceleration of the vehicle that is not provided for by distance and speed control variables. In this case, the takeover prompt is also activated and deactivated, when the vehicle comes critically close to a target object, so as to inform the driver that by his overriding he is leaving the dynamic range of the distance and speed control system and that abruptly terminating the override can result in an uncomfortable controller reaction. Advantageously, the activation thresholds and the deactivation thresholds of the takeover prompt are not identical. Due to the fact that the deactivation thresholds of the takeover prompt are shifted with respect to the activation thresholds to less critical distance and relative speed combinations, a hysteresis effect is achieved, which prevents the takeover control from jittering, so that the driver is not confused by a frequent activation and deactivation of the takeover prompt. It is especially advantageous if the system for the distance and speed control, which controls the takeover prompt for notifying the driver, emits and receives radar or lidar signals, with the aid of which preceding vehicles can be recognized as target objects. The method according to an example embodiment of the present invention may be in the form of a control element, which is provided for a control unit of an adaptive distance or speed control of a motor vehicle. To this end, a program executable on a computer, in particular on a microprocessor or signal processor, and suitable for implementing the method according to the present invention, is stored on the control element. Thus, in this case, the present invention is implemented by a program stored on the control element, so that this control element equipped with the program constitutes the present invention in the same manner as does the method, for the execution of which the program is suitable. In particular, an electric storage medium, e.g., a read only memory, may be used as the control element. Further features, uses and advantages of the present invention are derived from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention which are shown in the figures. All the features described or illustrated here, either alone or in any desired combination, constitute the subject matter of the present invention, regardless of their combination in the description or illustrated in the drawings.

20050926

20110920

20060713

78428.0

B60Q100

OLSEN, LIN B

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR NOTIFYING THE DRIVER OF A MOTOR VEHICLE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B60Q

ACCEPTED

Tb, b-based yellow phosphor, its preparation method, and white semiconductor light emitting device incorporating the same

The present invention relates to a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor, a preparation method thereof, and a white semiconductor light emitting device incorporating the same. The terbium borate-based yellow phosphor of the present invention is represented by the general formula (Tb1-x-y-zREXAy)3DaBbO12:Cez (where, RE is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, Lu, Sc, La, Gd, Sm, Pr, Nd, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb; A is a typical metal element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Fr; D is a typical amphoteric element selected from the group consisting of Al, In and Ga; 0≦x<0.5; 0≦y<0.5; 0<z<0.5; 0<a<5; and 0<b<5). The white semiconductor light emitting device of the present invention comprises a semiconductor light emitting diode and the yellow phosphor, which absorbs a portion of light emitted by the semiconductor light emitting diode and emits light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light. It offers white light from the combination of the light emitted by the semiconductor light emitting diode and the light emitted by the yellow phosphor. The white semiconductor light emitting device of the present invention offers a greatly improved color rendering and experiences less deterioration in light emission efficiency over a long period of service.

1. A terbium borate-based yellow phosphor represented by the following general formula: (Tb1-x-y-zRexAy)3DaBbO12:Cez wherein: RE is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, Lu, Sc, La, Gd, Sm, Pr, Nd, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb; A is at least one typical metal element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Fr; D is at least one typical amphoteric element selected from the group consisting of Al, In and Ga; 0≦x<0.5; 0≦y<0.5; 0<z<0.5; 0<a<5; and 0<b<5. 2. The terbium borate -based yellow phosphor according to claim 1, wherein x, y, z, a and b are selected to satisfy: 0<x+y+z<1; and 4≦a+b≦7. 3. The terbium borate -based yellow phosphor according to claim 1, wherein the phosphor has an absorption peak in the range from about 420 nm to 480 nm and an emission peak in the range from about 530 nm to 570 nm. 4. A preparation method of a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor comprising: preparing a precursor solution containing a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, indium and gallium, a terbium-containing compound, a cerium-containing compound and boric acid; forming droplets by spraying said precursor solution; and drying and pyrolyzing said droplets at 200 to 1,500° C. and heat treating the same at 800 to 1,800° C. 5. A white semiconductor light emitting device comprising: a semiconductor light emitting diode; and a phosphor coating layer comprising a yellow phosphor that absorbs a portion of light emitted by said semiconductor light emitting diode and emits light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light and a transparent resin: wherein said yellow phosphor comprises cerium-activated terbium, boron and amphoteric typical element, and said amphoteric typical element is selected from a group consisting of Al, In and Ga, and the mixture of the foregoing. 6. The white semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 5, wherein said phosphor is represented by the following general formula: (Tb1-x-y-zRexAy)3DaBbO12:Cez wherein: RE is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, Lu, Sc, La, Gd, Sm, Pr, Nd, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb; A is at least one typical metal element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Fr; D is at least one typical amphoteric element selected from the group consisting of Al, In and Ga; 0≦x<0.5; 0≦y<0.5; 0<z<0.5; 0<a<5; and 0<b<5. 7. The white semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 5, wherein said yellow phosphor has an absorption peak in the range from about 420 nm to 480 nm and an emission peak in the range from about 530 nm to 570 nm 8. The white semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 5, wherein said semiconductor light emitting diode comprises a substrate and a nitride semiconductor layer on top of the substrate. 9. The white semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 8, wherein said substrate is made of sapphire or silicon carbide. 10. The white semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 8, wherein said nitride semiconductor layer includes a GaN, InGaN, AlGaN or AlGaInN-based semiconductor. 11. The white semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 5, wherein said phosphor coating layer further comprises a zinc selenium-based red phosphor. 12. The white semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 11, wherein the content of said zinc selenium-based red phosphor is 1 to 40 wt % based on the weight of the yellow phosphor. 13. The white semiconductor light emitting device according to claim 5, wherein said transparent resin is a transparent epoxy resin or silicone resin. 14. A lead type white semiconductor light emitting device comprising: a mount lead comprising a lead and a recess portion on said lead; a blue light emitting LED chip which is disposed in said recess portion, and anode and cathode of which are connected to the lead of said mount lead by metal wires; a phosphor coating layer filled inside said recess portion to cover said LED chip; and a casing that seals the mount lead excluding lower portions of said mount lead, said LED chip and phosphor coating layer: wherein said phosphor coating layer comprises a transparent resin and a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor represented by the following general formula: (Tb1-x-y-zRexAy)3DaBbO12:Cez wherein: RE is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, Lu, Sc, La, Gd, Sm, Pr, Nd, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb; A is at least one typical metal element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Fr; D is at least one typical amphoteric element selected from the group consisting of Al, In and Ga; 0≦x<0.5; 0≦y<0.5; 0<z<0.5; 0<a<5; and 0<b<5. 15. A surface mount type white semiconductor light emitting device of an injection-molded reflector type comprising: a casing having a recess portion at a top thereof and equipped with metal terminals; a blue light emitting LED chip which is located in said recess portion, and anode and cathode of which are connected to said metal terminals by metal wires; and a phosphor coating layer filled inside said recess portion to cover said LED chip: wherein said phosphor coating layer comprises a transparent resin and a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor represented by the following general formula: (Tb1-x-y-zRexAy)3DaBbO12:Cez wherein: RE is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, Lu, Sc, La, Gd, Sm, Pr, Nd, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb; A is at least one typical metal element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Fr, D is at least one typical amphoteric element selected from the group consisting of Al, In and Ga; 0≦x<0.5; 0≦y<0.5; 0<z<0.5; 0<a<5; and 0<b<5. 16. A surface mount type white semiconductor light emitting device of the PCB (printed circuit board) type comprising a blue LED chip and a phosphor coating layer on a PCB layer, wherein said phosphor coating layer comprises a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor represented by the following general formula: (Tb1-x-y-zRexAy)3DaBbO12:Cez wherein: RE is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, Lu, Sc, La, Gd, Sm, Pr, Nd, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb; A is at least one typical metal element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Fr; D is at least one typical amphoteric element selected from the group consisting of Al, In and Ga; 0≦x<0.5; 0≦y<0.5; 0<z<0.5; 0<a<5; and 0<b<5. 17. A liquid crystal display incorporating the white semiconductor light emitting device according to any one of claims 5 to 13 as a back light source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a semiconductor light emitting device. More particularly, it relates to a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor, a preparation method thereof, and a semiconductor light emitting device incorporating the yellow phosphor which absorbs a portion of light emitted by a light emitting diode, and emits light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light, thereby implementing such white light as purely white light and bluish white light by incorporating the yellow phosphor. (b) Description of the Related Art A semiconductor light emitting diode (LED) is a PN-junctioned compound semiconductor. It is a kind of optoelectronic device that emits light energy corresponding to the band gap of a semiconductor generated by a combination of an electron and a hole when a voltage is applied. As full colorization of LED was realized with the development of high luminance blue LED using a GaN-based nitride semiconductor fluorescent material, application of LEDs are expanding from display devices to illumination devices. LEDs offer about 10 to 15% less power consumption compared with conventional illumination devices such as fluorescence bulbs and incandescent bulbs, semi-permanent life of over 100,000 hours, and environmental friendliness, when used for illumination devices, so that they can significantly improve energy efficiency. For a semiconductor light emitting diode to be used for illumination purpose, white light should be obtainable using LEDs. Largely, three methods of fabricating white semiconductor light emitting devices have been used. One of them is to obtain white light by combining three LEDs of red, green and blue colors. In this method, an InGaN or AlInGaP phosphor is used as a fluorescent material. According to this method, it is difficult to constructing three RGB LEDs on a single chip and it is difficult to control a current strength because each LED is made from different material and by different method, and driving voltage of each LED is different. In another method, a UV LED is used as a light source to excite a three-color (RGB) phosphor to obtain white light. It uses an InGaN/R,G,B phosphor as a fluorescent material. This method is applicable under a high current and improves color sensation. However, the above two methods have the following problems: a satisfactory material to obtain green light has not been developed as yet; and light emitted from the blue LED may be absorbed by the red LED to lower the overall light emitting efficiency. As an alternative method, a blue LED is used as a light source to excite a yellow phosphor to obtain white light. In general, an InGaN/YAG:Ce phosphor is used as a fluorescent material in this method. When a phosphor is used, it's emitting efficiency increases as a difference in wavelengths of an exciting radiation and an emitted radiation gets small. Thus, the light emitting characteristic of a phosphor plays a very important role in determining the color and luminance of a semiconductor light emitting device incorporating thereof. Generally, a phosphor includes a matrix made of a crystalline inorganic compound and an activator that converts the matrix into an effective fluorescent material. It emits light mainly in the visible wavelength region when an electron excited by absorbing a variety form of energies returns to its ground state. The color of emitted light can be adjusted by controlling the combination of the matrix and activator. Examples of white semiconductor light emitting devices are disclosed in many documents. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,998,925 and 6,069,440 (Nichia Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha) disclose a white semiconductor light emitting device using a nitride semiconductor, which comprises a blue light emitting diode containing the nitride semiconductor represented by the formula: IniGajAlkN (0≦i, 0≦j, 0≦k, i+j+k=1) and a yellow phosphor containing a YAG (yttrium, aluminum, garnet)-based garnet fluorescent material that absorbs a portion of light emitted from the blue light emitting diode and emits light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light. For the YAG-based phosphor, a mixture of a first phosphor, Y3(Al1-SGaS)5O12:Ce, and a second phosphor, RE3Al5O12:Ce, (0≦s≦1; RE is at least one of Y, Ga and La) are used. U.S. Pat. No. 6,504,179 (Osram Optosemiconductors GmbH) discloses a white-emitting illuminating unit using a BYG approach (combination of blue, yellow and green) instead of the conventional RGB approach (combination of red, green and blue) or BY approach (combination of blue and yellow). This white-emitting illumination unit has an LED emitting a first light in the range of 300 nm to 470 nm as a light source, and the first light is converted into light of longer wavelength by the phosphor exposed to the first light. To aid the conversion, a Eu-activated calcium magnesium chlorosilicate-based green phosphor and a Ce-activated rare earth garnet-based yellow phosphor is used. For the Ce-activated rare earth garnet-based yellow phosphor, a phosphor represented by the formula RE3(Al, Ga)5O12:Ce (RE is Y and/or Tb), at least 20% of the total emission of which lies in the visible region of over 620 nm, is used. U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,195 of General Electric discloses a phosphor which is excitable between the near UV and blue wavelength region (ranging from about 315 nm to about 480 nm) and has an emission peak between the green to yellow wavelength region (ranging from about 490 nm to about 770 nm), and a white light source incorporating the same. This phosphor has a garnet structure and is represented by the formula: (Tb1-x-yAxREy)3DzO12 (A is selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Gd and Sm; RE is selected from the group consisting of Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; D is selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga and In; A is selected such that A is different from RE; x is in the range from 0 to 0.5; y is in the range from 0.0005 to 0.2; and z is in the range from 4 to 5). As described above, conventional white semiconductor light emitting devices excite YAG-based yellow phosphors to emit light mainly using UV to blue LEDs and obtain white light from combination thereof. However, the YAG-based yellow phosphor emits yellowish green light, and if other materials are added in place of yttrium and aluminum to cause a change in emitted light toward a longer wavelength, the emitting luminance is reduced. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems described above and provide a phosphor that can improve the emitting luminance and color rendering of a white light emitting device, a preparation method thereof, and a white semiconductor light emitting device which experiences only extremely low degrees of deterioration in emission intensity, emission efficiency and color shift over a long period of service and implements wide range of colors. Thus, the present invention provides a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor represented by the following general formula: (Tb1-x-y-zRexAy)3DaBbO12:Cez In the formula, Re is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, Lu, Sc, La, Gd, Sm, Pr, Nd, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb; A is at least one typical metal element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Fr; D is at least one typical amphoteric element selected from the group consisting of Al, In and Ga; 0≦x<0.5; 0≦y<0.5; 0<z<0.5; 0<a<5; and 0<b<5. The present invention also provides a preparation method of a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor, which comprises: preparing a precursor solution including a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, indium and gallium, a terbium-containing compound, a cerium-containing compound and boric acid; forming droplets by spraying the precursor solution; and heat treating the liquid drops at 800 to 1800° C. after drying and pyrolyzing them at 200 to 1500° C. The present invention further provides a white semiconductor light emitting device comprising a semiconductor light emitting diode and a phosphor coating layer comprising a yellow phosphor, which absorbs a portion of light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting diode and emits light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light, and a transparent resin, wherein the yellow phosphor comprises cerium-activated terbium, boron and an amphoteric typical element, and the amphoteric typical element is selected from the group consisting of Al, In and Ga. The present invention also provides a lead type white semiconductor light emitting device, which comprises: a mount lead comprising a lead and a recess portion in the lead; a blue light emitting LED chip which is disposed in the recess portion, and anode and cathode of which are connected to the lead of the mount lead by metal wires; a phosphor coating layer filled inside the recess portion to cover the LED chip; and a casing that seals the mount lead (excluding a lower part of the mount lead), the LED chip and phosphor coating layer, wherein the phosphor coating layer comprises a transparent resin and a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor represented by the general formula above. The present invention further provides a surface mount type white semiconductor light emitting device, which comprises: a casing having a recess portion disposed thereon and equipped with metal terminals; a blue light emitting LED chip which is disposed in the recess portion, and anode and cathode of which are connected to the metal terminals by metal wires; and a phosphor coating layer filled inside the recess portion to cover the LED chip, wherein the phosphor coating layer comprises a transparent resin and a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor represented by the general formula above. The white semiconductor light emitting device of the present invention may be used for a back light source of a liquid crystal display (LCD). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a lead type white semiconductor light emitting device incorporating a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and partial enlarged view thereof. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a surface mount type white semiconductor light emitting device of the reflector injection type incorporating a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a surface mount type white semiconductor light emitting device of the PCB type incorporating a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a graph showing the absorption spectrum and emission spectrum of a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a graph showing the emission spectrum of a white semiconductor light emitting device in which the terbium borate-based yellow phosphor of FIG. 4 is combined with a blue LED. FIG. 6 is a graph showing the absorption spectrum and emission spectrum of a zinc selenium-based red phosphor. FIG. 7 is a color coordinate showing the colorization range that can be implemented by a light emitting diode in which a borate-based yellow phosphor, a zinc selenium-based red phosphor and a blue LED. DETAILED DESCRITPION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention is described in more detail. The yellow phosphor provided by the present invention comprises cerium-activated terbium, boron and an amphoteric typical element, and as the amphoteric typical element, Al, In, Ga or their mixture is used. Preferably, the yellow phosphor of the present invention is a terbium borate-based phosphor represented by the following general formula: (Tb1-x-y-zRexAy)3DaBbO12:Cez In the formula, RE is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, Lu, Sc, La, Gd, Sm, Pr, Nd, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb; A is at least one typical metal element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Fr, D is at least one typical amphoteric element selected from the group consisting of Al, In and Ga; 0≦x<0.5; 0≦y<0.5; 0<z<0.5; 0<a<5; and 0<b<5. Preferably, x, y, and z are selected to satisfy: 0<x+y+z<1, and more preferably, 0<x+y+z<0.5. In the formula above, preferably, a and b are selected to satisfy 4≦a+b≦7, and more preferably, 4≦a+b≦6. Also, it is preferable to select x, y and z to satisfy: 0.05≦x<0.3; 0.05≦y<0.25; and 0.005≦z<0.015. In the above general formula, a desirable light emission efficiency can be obtained when x and z are in the described ranges. Also, Ce can satisfactorily act as an activator when y lies in the above range. If they fall outside the range, the luminance may be decreased due to the quenching effect. The yellow phosphor has an absorption peak at about 420 nm to 480 nm and an emission peak at about 530 nm to 570 nm. The terbium borate-based yellow phosphor can be prepared by several methods known to one of ordinary in the art, including the solid phase method, liquid phase method and gas phase method. In the preparation of a terbium borate-based phosphor powder according to the present invention, the phosphor structure may become different depending on a metal compound for forming the phosphor matrix and a metal compound doped into the matrix. Now, preparation of a phosphor by the gas phase method will be described in detail. In the gas phase method, a phosphor is prepared by three steps of: (1) preparing a precursor solution by dissolving terbium, aluminum and cerium compounds and boric acid in a solvent; (2) supplying the precursor solution to a spraying unit to form droplets; and (3) drying, pyrolyzing and heat treating the droplets using a spraying and pyrolyzing unit. <Step 1: Preparation of Spray Solution> In preparing a precursor spray solution to obtain a phosphor powder, a terbium compound, an aluminum compound, a boron compound, etc. are used for preparing a phosphor powder matrix, and a cerium compound is used for preparing an activator to dope into the matrix. Water or alcohol is used as a solvent to dissolve the metal compounds for phosphor matrix, and as the matrix metal compound, nitrates, acetates, chlorides, hydroxides or oxide forms that easily dissolve in the solvent are used. Because the phosphor particle size is determined by the concentration of the precursor solution, the concentration of the precursor solution should be controlled to obtain particles of a desirable size. Preferably, the concentration is controlled in the range of 0.002 M to 3.0 M. If the concentration is below 0.002 M, the phosphor powder yield decreases. Otherwise, if it is over 3.0 M, the precursor solution is not sprayed well due to the solubility problem. <Step 2: Spraying Droplets> The obtained precursor solution is supplied to a spraying unit and sprayed as liquid droplets, It is preferable that the diameter of the liquid drop lies in the range of from 0.1 to 100 μm in consideration of the final phosphor particle size. For the spraying unit, an ultrasonic spraying unit, air nozzle spraying unit, ultrasonic nozzle spraying unit, etc. can be used. When an ultrasonic spraying unit is used, fine phosphor powders of sub-micron dimension can be prepared in high concentration, and when an air nozzle or ultrasonic nozzle units are used, particles of micron to sub-micron dimensions can be prepared in large scale. To obtain phosphor powders, an ultrasonic liquid drop generation unit, which produces fine liquid drops having a size of several microns, is preferable. <Step 3: Preparation of Phosphor Powder> Fine liquid drops formed by the liquid drop generation unit are converted to phosphor particle precursors in a hot tube reactor. Preferably, the temperature of the reaction electric furnace is maintained in the range from 200 to 1,500° C., which is the range that the precursor materials can be dried and pyrolyzed. In the spraying and pyrolyzing step, the liquid drops pass through the reactor within a few seconds. Therefore, heat treatment is performed for crystal growth of the phosphor particles. This heat treatment is performed at a temperature range of 800 to 1,800° C., more preferably 1,100 to 1,300° C. for 1 to 20 hours. The heat treatment temperature may be varied depending on the phosphor. The terbium borate-based yellow phosphor absorbs a portion of light emitted from the blue LED and emits light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light, and white color is implemented from combination of blue and yellow. Accordingly, the terbium borate-based yellow phosphor of the present invention can be used for a white semiconductor light emitting device. The white semiconductor light emitting device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a blue light emitting LED, as a light source, and the terbium borate-based yellow phosphor. The LED comprises a substrate made of sapphire or silicon carbide and a GaN, InGaN, AlGaN or AlGaInN nitride semiconductor whose main emission spectrum peak lies in the range from 400 nm to 530 nm. Preferably, the main emission wavelength of the yellow phosphor is longer than the main peak wavelength of the nitride semiconductor. In the white semiconductor light emitting device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the yellow phosphor is contained at the phosphor coating layer on top of the semiconductor light emitting diode, in combination with the transparent resin. For the transparent resin, any resin available in the art for such purpose can be used. Preferably, an epoxy resin or a silicone resin is used. The phosphor coating layer may further comprise a zinc selenium-based red phosphor. Preferably, the zinc selenium-based red phosphor is contained in 1 to 40 wt %, more preferably 10 to 20 wt %, based on the weight of the terbium borate-based phosphor. The white semiconductor light emitting device of the present invention can be fabricated in surface mount type or lead type during the packaging process. Such materials as metal stem, lead frame, ceramic, printed circuit board, etc. can be used for packaging. The packaging is performed to protect the device from electric connection with outside and from external mechanical, electric and environmental factors, offer a heat dissipation path, increase the light emission efficiency, optimize orientation, and so forth. FIG. 1 shows an example of a lead type white semiconductor light emitting device. The lead type white semiconductor light emitting device comprises a cup-shaped recess portion 9 on top of a lead frame, an LED chip 3 and a phosphor coating layer 6 at the recess portion 9. The LED chip 3 is connected to an anode lead 4 and a cathode lead 5 by metal wires 1, 2. A portion of the anode lead 4 and cathode lead 5 is exposed to outside and all the other components are sealed in a casing 7 made of transparent or colored light-transmitting material. The inner wall of the recess portion 9 acts as a reflection plate, and the phosphor coating layer 6 comprises yellow phosphor particles 8 and a transparent epoxy resin or silicone resin. FIG. 2 shows an injection molded-reflector type white semiconductor light emitting device as an example of the surface mount type device. In FIG. 2, the white semiconductor light emitting device has a casing 16 on which a recess portion 17 is located. The casing 16 has metal terminals 11, 12 which act anode lead and cathode lead. The LED chip 10 and the metal terminals 11, 12 are connected to N type electrode and P type electrode, respectively, by metal wires 14. The LED chip 10 is located in the recess portion. Over the LED chip, a phosphor coating layer 13 comprising a transparent resin and yellow phosphor particles is disposed, and over the phosphor coating layer 13, a molding layer 15 is disposed such that it lies in the same plane with an upper end of the recess portion 17, so that the metal wires are buried inside and not exposed to outside. The inner wall of the recess portion 17 acts as a reflection plate, and the recess portion 17 may be prepared by injection molding. FIG. 3 shows an example of a PCB (printed circuit board) type surface mounted white semiconductor light emitting device. As shown in FIG. 3, an LED chip 20 is located on top of a PCB layer 25, and an anode lead 22 and a cathode lead 21 are connected to N type electrode and the P type electrode of the LED chip 20, respectively, by metal wires 24. Over the LED chip 20, a phosphor coating layer 23 and a molding layer 26 are disposed in that order. The phosphor coating layer 23 comprises a transparent resin and the terbium borate-based yellow phosphor of the present invention. When the height of the mounted LED chip is 100 μm, it is preferable that the thickness of the yellow phosphor coating layer from the bottom of the recess portion lies in the range of from 100 μm to 300 μm, that is about one to three times the height of the LED chip, more preferably in the range of from 150 μm to 250 μm. If the filling height is below 100 μm, the surface of the chip is not sufficiently coated by the phosphor, so that it is difficult to obtain white color. Otherwise, if it is over 300 μm, the light emitting characteristic of the semiconductor light emitting device is deteriorated due to the optical interruption and attenuation by the phosphor. The LED chip used in the white semiconductor light emitting device as a light source comprises a sapphire or silicon carbide substrate and a GaN, InGaN or AlGaInN nitride semiconductor. FIG. 4 shows the absorption spectrum and emission spectrum of the terbium borate-based yellow phosphor according to one embodiment of the present invention. The absorption spectrum shows a high absorption peak at 400 nm to 470 nm region, and the emission spectrum shows a high emission peak at about 530 nm. Since it emits deep yellow light without using an additive, it can solve the emitting luminance decrease due to additives. Therefore, the terbium borate-based yellow phosphor of the present invention can be effectively used for implementing white light in combination with a blue LED chip. FIG. 5 shows the emission spectrum of a white emitting diode prepared from combination of a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor and a blue LED. As seen in FIG. 5, the yellow phosphor absorbs a portion of light emitted from the blue LED chip and emits a second light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light, thus the combination of the second light and the reference light produces white light. The white semiconductor light emitting device of the present invention may further comprise a zinc selenium-based red phosphor in addition to the yellow phosphor. Preferably, the zinc selenium-based red phosphor is included in 1 to 40 wt % based on the weight of the yellow phosphor. FIG. 6 shows the absorption spectrum and emission spectrum of the zinc selenium-based red phosphor. The absorption spectrum shows a high absorption peak at 400 to 475 nm region, and the emission spectrum shows a high emission peak at about 620 nm. Accordingly, the zinc selenium-based red phosphor can be effectively used for implementing red light in combination with a UV chip and pink light in combination with a blue chip. FIG. 7 is a color coordinate showing the colorization range that can be obtained by a light emitting diode including a borate-based yellow phosphor, a zinc selenium-based red phosphor and a blue LED. Colors belonging to the color coordinate can be obtained by the selection of the blue chip (in the range from 420 to 480 nm), and controlling the mixing proportion of the terbium borate-based yellow phosphor and zinc selenium-based red phosphor. Accordingly, the white semiconductor light emitting device of the present invention produces white light, by incorporating the terbium borate-based yellow phosphor to a semiconductor light emitting diode containing a blue light emitting nitride semiconductor. Further, the white emitting diode of the present invention incorporating the terbium borate-based yellow phosphor and the zinc selenium-based red phosphor experiences only extremely low degrees of deterioration in emission luminance and color shift over a long period of service, and is capable of offering white and bluish white colors. As described above, the terbium borate-based yellow phosphor of the present invention absorbs a portion of light in the blue wavelength region emitted from a light emitting diode and emits light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light to produce white color. Therefore, it can be applied in such LED fields that light of blue region is used as an energy source. Particularly, it is suitable as a back light source of LCDs since it has superior emission luminance and color rendering. While the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and alterations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>(a) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a semiconductor light emitting device. More particularly, it relates to a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor, a preparation method thereof, and a semiconductor light emitting device incorporating the yellow phosphor which absorbs a portion of light emitted by a light emitting diode, and emits light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light, thereby implementing such white light as purely white light and bluish white light by incorporating the yellow phosphor. (b) Description of the Related Art A semiconductor light emitting diode (LED) is a PN-junctioned compound semiconductor. It is a kind of optoelectronic device that emits light energy corresponding to the band gap of a semiconductor generated by a combination of an electron and a hole when a voltage is applied. As full colorization of LED was realized with the development of high luminance blue LED using a GaN-based nitride semiconductor fluorescent material, application of LEDs are expanding from display devices to illumination devices. LEDs offer about 10 to 15% less power consumption compared with conventional illumination devices such as fluorescence bulbs and incandescent bulbs, semi-permanent life of over 100,000 hours, and environmental friendliness, when used for illumination devices, so that they can significantly improve energy efficiency. For a semiconductor light emitting diode to be used for illumination purpose, white light should be obtainable using LEDs. Largely, three methods of fabricating white semiconductor light emitting devices have been used. One of them is to obtain white light by combining three LEDs of red, green and blue colors. In this method, an InGaN or AlInGaP phosphor is used as a fluorescent material. According to this method, it is difficult to constructing three RGB LEDs on a single chip and it is difficult to control a current strength because each LED is made from different material and by different method, and driving voltage of each LED is different. In another method, a UV LED is used as a light source to excite a three-color (RGB) phosphor to obtain white light. It uses an InGaN/R,G,B phosphor as a fluorescent material. This method is applicable under a high current and improves color sensation. However, the above two methods have the following problems: a satisfactory material to obtain green light has not been developed as yet; and light emitted from the blue LED may be absorbed by the red LED to lower the overall light emitting efficiency. As an alternative method, a blue LED is used as a light source to excite a yellow phosphor to obtain white light. In general, an InGaN/YAG:Ce phosphor is used as a fluorescent material in this method. When a phosphor is used, it's emitting efficiency increases as a difference in wavelengths of an exciting radiation and an emitted radiation gets small. Thus, the light emitting characteristic of a phosphor plays a very important role in determining the color and luminance of a semiconductor light emitting device incorporating thereof. Generally, a phosphor includes a matrix made of a crystalline inorganic compound and an activator that converts the matrix into an effective fluorescent material. It emits light mainly in the visible wavelength region when an electron excited by absorbing a variety form of energies returns to its ground state. The color of emitted light can be adjusted by controlling the combination of the matrix and activator. Examples of white semiconductor light emitting devices are disclosed in many documents. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,998,925 and 6,069,440 (Nichia Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha) disclose a white semiconductor light emitting device using a nitride semiconductor, which comprises a blue light emitting diode containing the nitride semiconductor represented by the formula: In i Ga j Al k N (0≦i, 0≦j, 0≦k, i+j+k=1) and a yellow phosphor containing a YAG (yttrium, aluminum, garnet)-based garnet fluorescent material that absorbs a portion of light emitted from the blue light emitting diode and emits light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light. For the YAG-based phosphor, a mixture of a first phosphor, Y 3 (Al 1-S Ga S ) 5 O 12 :Ce, and a second phosphor, RE 3 Al 5 O 12 :Ce, (0≦s≦1; RE is at least one of Y, Ga and La) are used. U.S. Pat. No. 6,504,179 (Osram Optosemiconductors GmbH) discloses a white-emitting illuminating unit using a BYG approach (combination of blue, yellow and green) instead of the conventional RGB approach (combination of red, green and blue) or BY approach (combination of blue and yellow). This white-emitting illumination unit has an LED emitting a first light in the range of 300 nm to 470 nm as a light source, and the first light is converted into light of longer wavelength by the phosphor exposed to the first light. To aid the conversion, a Eu-activated calcium magnesium chlorosilicate-based green phosphor and a Ce-activated rare earth garnet-based yellow phosphor is used. For the Ce-activated rare earth garnet-based yellow phosphor, a phosphor represented by the formula RE 3 (Al, Ga) 5 O 12 :Ce (RE is Y and/or Tb), at least 20% of the total emission of which lies in the visible region of over 620 nm, is used. U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,195 of General Electric discloses a phosphor which is excitable between the near UV and blue wavelength region (ranging from about 315 nm to about 480 nm) and has an emission peak between the green to yellow wavelength region (ranging from about 490 nm to about 770 nm), and a white light source incorporating the same. This phosphor has a garnet structure and is represented by the formula: (Tb 1-x-y A x RE y ) 3 D z O 12 (A is selected from the group consisting of Y, La, Gd and Sm; RE is selected from the group consisting of Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb and Lu; D is selected from the group consisting of Al, Ga and In; A is selected such that A is different from RE; x is in the range from 0 to 0.5; y is in the range from 0.0005 to 0.2; and z is in the range from 4 to 5). As described above, conventional white semiconductor light emitting devices excite YAG-based yellow phosphors to emit light mainly using UV to blue LEDs and obtain white light from combination thereof. However, the YAG-based yellow phosphor emits yellowish green light, and if other materials are added in place of yttrium and aluminum to cause a change in emitted light toward a longer wavelength, the emitting luminance is reduced.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Thus, an object of the present invention is to solve the problems described above and provide a phosphor that can improve the emitting luminance and color rendering of a white light emitting device, a preparation method thereof, and a white semiconductor light emitting device which experiences only extremely low degrees of deterioration in emission intensity, emission efficiency and color shift over a long period of service and implements wide range of colors. Thus, the present invention provides a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor represented by the following general formula: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? (Tb 1-x-y-z Re x A y ) 3 D a B b O 12 :Ce z in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? In the formula, Re is at least one rare earth element selected from the group consisting of Y, Lu, Sc, La, Gd, Sm, Pr, Nd, Eu, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb; A is at least one typical metal element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs and Fr; D is at least one typical amphoteric element selected from the group consisting of Al, In and Ga; 0≦x<0.5; 0≦y<0.5; 0<z<0.5; 0<a<5; and 0<b<5. The present invention also provides a preparation method of a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor, which comprises: preparing a precursor solution including a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, indium and gallium, a terbium-containing compound, a cerium-containing compound and boric acid; forming droplets by spraying the precursor solution; and heat treating the liquid drops at 800 to 1800° C. after drying and pyrolyzing them at 200 to 1500° C. The present invention further provides a white semiconductor light emitting device comprising a semiconductor light emitting diode and a phosphor coating layer comprising a yellow phosphor, which absorbs a portion of light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting diode and emits light of wavelength different from that of the absorbed light, and a transparent resin, wherein the yellow phosphor comprises cerium-activated terbium, boron and an amphoteric typical element, and the amphoteric typical element is selected from the group consisting of Al, In and Ga. The present invention also provides a lead type white semiconductor light emitting device, which comprises: a mount lead comprising a lead and a recess portion in the lead; a blue light emitting LED chip which is disposed in the recess portion, and anode and cathode of which are connected to the lead of the mount lead by metal wires; a phosphor coating layer filled inside the recess portion to cover the LED chip; and a casing that seals the mount lead (excluding a lower part of the mount lead), the LED chip and phosphor coating layer, wherein the phosphor coating layer comprises a transparent resin and a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor represented by the general formula above. The present invention further provides a surface mount type white semiconductor light emitting device, which comprises: a casing having a recess portion disposed thereon and equipped with metal terminals; a blue light emitting LED chip which is disposed in the recess portion, and anode and cathode of which are connected to the metal terminals by metal wires; and a phosphor coating layer filled inside the recess portion to cover the LED chip, wherein the phosphor coating layer comprises a transparent resin and a terbium borate-based yellow phosphor represented by the general formula above. The white semiconductor light emitting device of the present invention may be used for a back light source of a liquid crystal display (LCD).

20050111

20070213

20051208

93491.0

NGUYEN, CUONG QUANG

TB, B-BASED YELLOW PHOSPHOR, ITS PREPARATION METHOD, AND WHITE SEMICONDUCTOR LIGHT EMITTING DEVICE INCORPORATING THE SAME

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Audio coding

In binaural stereo coding, only one monaural channel is encoded. An additional layer holds the parameters to retrieve the left and right signal. An encoder is disclosed which links transient information extracted from the mono encoded signal to parametric multi-channel layers to provide increased performance. Transient positions can either be directly derived from the bit-stream or be estimated from other encoded parameters (e.g. window-switching flag in mp3).

1. A method of coding an audio signal, the method comprising: generating a monaural signal, analyzing the spatial characteristics of at least two audio channels to obtain one or more sets of spatial parameters for successive time slots, responsive to said monaural signal containing a transient at a given time, determining a non-uniform time segmentation of said sets of spatial parameters for a period including said transient time, and generating an encoded signal comprising the monaural signal and the one or more sets of spatial parameters. 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said monaural signal comprises a combination of at least two input audio channels. 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said monaural signal is generated with a parametric sinusoidal coder, said coder generating frames corresponding to successive time slots of said monaural signal, at least some of said frames including parameters representing a transient occurring in the respective time slots represented by said frames. 4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said monaural signal is generated with a waveform encoder, said coder determining a non-uniform time segmentation of said monaural signal for a period including said transient time. 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said waveform encoder is a mp3 encoder. 6. A method according to claim 1 wherein said sets of spatial parameters include at least two localization cues. 7. A method according to claim 6 wherein said sets of spatial parameters further comprises a parameter that describes a similarity or dissimilarity of waveforms that cannot be accounted for by the localization cues. 8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the parameter is a maximum of a cross-correlation function. 9. An encoder for coding an audio signal, the encoder comprising: means for generating a monaural signal, means for analyzing the spatial characteristics of at least two audio channels to obtain one or more sets of spatial parameters for successive time slots, means, responsive to said monaural signal containing a transient at a given time, for determining a non-uniform time segmentation of said sets of spatial parameters for a period including said transient time, and means for generating an encoded signal comprising the monaural signal and the one or more sets of spatial parameters. 10. An apparatus for supplying an audio signal, the apparatus comprising: an input for receiving an audio signal, an encoder as claimed in claim 9 for encoding the audio signal to obtain an encoded audio signal, and an output for supplying the encoded audio signal. 11. An encoded audio signal, the signal comprising: a monaural signal containing at least one indication of a transient occurring at a given time in said monaural signal; and one or more sets of spatial parameters for successive time slots of said signal, said sets of spatial parameters providing a non-uniform time segmentation of audio signal for a period including said transient time. 12. A storage medium on which an encoded signal as claimed in claim 11 has been stored. 13. A method of decoding an encoded audio signal, the method comprising: obtaining a monaural signal from the encoded audio signal, obtaining one or more sets of spatial parameters from the encoded audio signal, and responsive to said monaural signal containing a transient at a given time, determining a non-uniform time segmentation of said sets of spatial parameters for a period including said transient time, and applying the one or more sets of spatial parameters to the monaural signal to generate a multi-channel output signal. 14. A decoder for decoding an encoded audio signal means for obtaining a monaural signal from the encoded audio signal, means for obtaining one or more sets of spatial parameters from the encoded audio signal, and means, responsive to said monaural signal containing a transient at a given time, for determining a non-uniform time segmentation of said sets of spatial parameters for a period including said transient time, and means for applying the one or more sets of spatial parameters to the monaural signal to generate a multi-channel output signal. 15. An apparatus for supplying a decoded audio signal, the apparatus comprising: an input for receiving an encoded audio signal, a decoder as claimed in claim 14 for decoding the encoded audio signal to obtain a multi-channel output signal, an output for supplying or reproducing the multi-channel output signal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to audio coding. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In traditional waveform based audio coding schemes such as MPEG-LII, mp3 and AAC (MPEG-2 Advanced Audio Coding), stereo signals are encoded by encoding two monaural audio signals into one bit-stream. However, by exploiting inter-channel correlation and irrelevancy with techniques such as mid/side stereo coding and intensity coding bit rate savings can be made. In the case of mid/side stereo coding, stereo signals with a high amount of mono content can be split into a sum M=(L+R)/2 and a difference S=(L−R)/2 signal. This decomposition is sometimes combined with principle component analysis or time-varying scale-factors. The signals are then coded independently, either by a parametric coder or a waveform coder (e.g. transform or subband coder). For certain frequency regions this technique can result in a slightly higher energy for either the M or S signal. However, for certain frequency regions a significant reduction of energy can be obtained for either the M or S signal. The amount of information reduction achieved by this technique strongly depends on the spatial properties of the source signal. For example, if the source signal is monaural, the difference signal is zero and can be discarded. However, if the correlation of the left and right audio signals is low (which is often the case for the higher frequency regions), this scheme offers only little advantage. In the case of intensity stereo coding, for a certain frequency region, only one signal I=(L+R)/2 is encoded along with intensity information for the L and R signal. At the decoder side this signal I is used for both the L and R signal after scaling it with the corresponding intensity information. In this technique, high frequencies (typically above 5 kHz) are represented by a single audio signal (i.e., mono), combined with time-varying and frequency-dependent scale-factors Parametric descriptions of audio signals have gained interest during the last years, especially in the field of audio coding. It has been shown that transmitting (quantized) parameters that describe audio signals requires only little transmission capacity to re-synthesize a perceptually equal signal at the receiving end. However, current parametric audio coders focus on coding monaural signals, and stereo signals are often processed as dual mono. EP-A-1107232 discloses a parametric coding scheme to generate a representation of a stereo audio signal which is composed of a left channel signal and a right channel signal. To efficiently utilize transmission bandwidth, such a representation contains information concerning only a monaural signal which is either the left channel signal or the right channel signal, and parametric information. The other stereo signal can be recovered based on the monaural signal together with the parametric information. The parametric information comprises localization cues of the stereo audio signal, including intensity and phase characteristics of the left and the right channel. In binaural stereo coding, similar to intensity stereo coding, only one monaural channel is encoded. Additional side information holds the parameters to retrieve the left and right signal. European Patent Application No. 02076588.9 filed April, 2002 (Attorney Docket No. PHNL020356) discloses a parametric description of multi-channel audio related to a binaural processing model presented by Breebaart et al in “Binaural processing model based on contralateral inhibition. I. Model setup”, J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 110, 1074-1088, August 2001 and “Binaural processing model based on contralateral inhibition. II. Dependence on spectral parameters”, J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 110, 1089-1104, August 2001, and “Binaural processing model based on contralateral inhibition. III. Dependence on temporal parameters”, J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 110, 1105-1117, August 2001 discloses a binaural processing model. This comprises splitting an input audio signal into several band-limited signals, which are spaced linearly at an (Equivalent Rectangular Bandwidth) ERB-rate scale. The bandwidth of these signals depends on the center frequency, following the ERB rate. Subsequently, for every frequency band, the following properties of the incoming signals are analyzed: the interaural level difference (ILD) defined by the relative levels of the band-limited signal stemming from the left and right ears, the interaural time (or phase) difference (ITD or IPD), defined by the interaural delay (or phase shift) corresponding to the peak in the interaural cross-correlation function, and the (dis)similarity of the waveforms that can not be accounted for by ITDs or ILDs, which can be parameterized by the maximum interaural cross-correlation (i.e., the value of the cross-correlation at the position of the maximum peak). It is therefore known from the above disclosures that spatial attributes of any multi-channel audio signal may be described by specifying the ILD, ITD (or IPD) and maximum correlation as a function of time and frequency. This parametric coding technique provides reasonably good quality for general audio signals. However, particularly for signals having a higher non-stationary behaviour, e.g. castanets, harpsichord, glockenspiel, etc, the technique suffers from pre-echo artifacts. It is an object of this invention to provide an audio coder and decoder and corresponding methods that mitigate the artifacts related to parametric multi-channel coding. DISCLOSURE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a method of coding an audio signal according to claim 1 and a method of decoding a bitstream according to claim 13. According to an aspect of the invention, spatial attributes of multi-channel audio signals are parameterized. Preferably, the spatial attributes comprise: level differences, temporal differences and correlations between the left and right signal. Using the invention, transient positions either directly or indirectly are extracted from a monaural signal and are linked to parametric multi-channel representation layers. Utilizing this transient information in a parametric multi-channel layer provides increased performance. It is acknowledged that in many audio coders, transient information is used to guide the coding process for better performance. For example, in the sinusoidal coder described in WO01/69593-A1 transient positions are encoded in the bitstream. The coder may use these transient positions for adaptive segmentation (adaptive framing) of the bitstream. Also, in the decoder, these positions may be used to guide the windowing for the sinusoidal and noise synthesis. However, these techniques have been limited to monaural signals. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when decoding a bitstream where the monaural content has been produced by such a sinusoidal coder, the transient positions can be directly derived from the bit-stream. In waveform coders, such as mp3 and AAC, transient positions are not directly encoded in the bitstream; rather it is assumed in the case of mp3, for example, that transient intervals are marked by switching to shorter window-lengths (window switching) in the monaural layer and so transient positions can be estimated from parameters such as the mp3 window-switching flag. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an encoder according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a decoder according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 shows transient positions encoded in respective sub-frames of a monaural signal and the corresponding frames of a multi-channel layer; and FIG. 4 shows an example of the exploitation of the transient position from the monaural encoded layer for decoding a parametric multi-channel layer. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an encoder 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention for encoding a stereo audio signal comprising left (L) and right (R) input signals. In the preferred embodiment, as in European Patent Application No. 02076588.9 filed April, 2002 (Attorney Docket No. PHNL020356), the encoder describes a multi-channel audio signal with: one monaural signal 12, comprising a combination of the multiple input audio signals, and for each additional auditory channel, a set of spatial parameters 14 comprising: two localization cues (ILD, and ITD or IPD) and a parameter (r) that describes the similarity or dissimilarity of the waveforms that cannot be accounted for by ILDs and/or ITDs (e.g., the maximum of the cross-correlation function) preferably for every time/frequency slot. The set(s) of spatial parameters can be used as an enhancement layer by audio coders. For example, a mono signal is transmitted if only a low bit-rate is allowed, while by including the spatial enhancement layer(s), a decoder can reproduce stereo or multi-channel sound. It will be seen that while in this embodiment, a set of spatial parameters is combined with a monaural (single channel) audio coder to encode a stereo audio signal, the general idea can be applied to n-channel audio signals, with n>1. Thus, the invention can in principle be used to generate n channels from one mono signal, if (n-1) sets of spatial parameters are transmitted. In such cases, the spatial parameters describe how to form the n different audio channels from the single mono signal. Thus, in a decoder, by combining a subsequent set of spatial parameters with the monaural coded signal, a subsequent channel is obtained. Analysis Methods In general, the encoder 10 comprises respective transform modules 20 which split each incoming signal (L,R) into sub-band signals 16 (preferably with a bandwidth which increases with frequency). In the preferred embodiment, the modules 20 use time-windowing followed by a transform operation to perform time/frequency slicing, however, time-continuous methods could also be used (e.g., filterbanks). The next steps for determination of the sum signal 12 and extraction of the parameters 14 are carried out within an analysis module 18 and comprise: finding the level difference (ILD) of corresponding sub-band signals 16, finding the time difference (ITD or IPD) of corresponding sub-band signals 16, and describing the amount of similarity or dissimilarity of the waveforms which cannot be accounted for by ILDs or ITDs. Analysis of ILDs The ILD is determined by the level difference of the signals at a certain time instance for a given frequency band. One method to determine the ILD is to measure the rms value of the corresponding frequency band of both input channels and compute the ratio of these rms values (preferably expressed in dB). Analysis of the ITDs The ITDs are determined by the time or phase alignment which gives the best match between the waveforms of both channels. One method to obtain the ITD is to compute the cross-correlation function between two corresponding subband signals and searching for the maximum. The delay that corresponds to this maximum in the cross-correlation function can be used as ITD value. A second method is to compute the analytic signals of the left and right subband (i.e., computing phase and envelope values) and use the phase difference between the channels as IPD parameter. Here, a complex filterbank (e.g. an FFT) is used and by looking at a certain bin (frequency region) a phase function can be derived over time. By doing this for both left and right channel, the phase difference IPD (rather then cross-correlating two filtered signals) can be estimated. Analysis of the Correlation The correlation is obtained by first finding the ILD and ITD that gives the best match between the corresponding subband signals and subsequently measuring the similarity of the waveforms after compensation for the ITD and/or ILD. Thus, in this framework, the correlation is defined as the similarity or dissimilarity of corresponding subband signals which can not be attributed to ILDs and/or ITDs. A suitable measure for this parameter is the maximum value of the cross-correlation function (i.e., the maximum across a set of delays). However, also other measures could be used, such as the relative energy of the difference signal after ILD and/or ITD compensation compared to the sum signal of corresponding subbands (preferably also compensated for ILDs and/or ITDs). This difference parameter is basically a linear transformation of the (maximum) correlation. Parameter Quantization An important issue of transmission of parameters is the accuracy of the parameter representation (i.e., the size of quantization errors), which is directly related to the necessary transmission capacity and the audio quality. In this section, several issues with respect to the quantization of the spatial parameters will be discussed. The basic idea is to base the quantization errors on so-called just-noticeable differences (JNDs) of the spatial cues. To be more specific, the quantization error is determined by the sensitivity of the human auditory system to changes in the parameters. Since it is well known that the sensitivity to changes in the parameters strongly depends on the values of the parameters itself, the following methods are applied to determine the discrete quantization steps. Quantization of ILDs It is known from psychoacoustic research that the sensitivity to changes in the IID depends on the ILD itself. If the ILD is expressed in dB, deviations of approximately 1 dB from a reference of 0 dB are detectable, while changes in the order of 3 dB are required if the reference level difference amounts 20 dB. Therefore, quantization errors can be larger if the signals of the left and right channels have a larger level difference. For example, this can be applied by first measuring the level difference between the channels, followed by a non-linear (compressive) transformation of the obtained level difference and subsequently a linear quantization process, or by using a lookup table for the available ILD values which have a nonlinear distribution. In the preferred embodiment, ILDs (in dB) are quantized to the closest value out of the following set I: I=[−19 −16 −13 −10 −8 −6 −4 −2 0 2 4 6 8 10 13 16 19] Quantization of the ITDs The sensitivity to changes in the ITDs of human subjects can be characterized as having a constant phase threshold. This means that in terms of delay times, the quantization steps for the ITD should decrease with frequency. Alternatively, if the ITD is represented in the form of phase differences, the quantization steps should be independent of frequency. One method to implement this would be to take a fixed phase difference as quantization step and determine the corresponding time delay for each frequency band. This ITD value is then used as quantization step. In the preferred embodiment, ITD quantization steps are determined by a constant phase difference in each subband of 0.1 radians (rad). Thus, for each subband, the time difference that corresponds to 0.1 rad of the subband center frequency is used as quantization step. For frequencies above 2 kHz, no ITD information is transmitted. Another method would be to transmit phase differences which follow a frequency-independent quantization scheme. It is also known that above a certain frequency, the human auditory system is not sensitive to ITDs in the fine structure waveforms. This phenomenon can be exploited by only transmitting ITD parameters up to a certain frequency (typically 2 kHz). A third method of bitstream reduction is to incorporate ITD quantization steps that depend on the ILD and/or the correlation parameters of the same subband. For large ILDs, the ITDs can be coded less accurately. Furthermore, if the correlation it very low, it is known that the human sensitivity to changes in the ITD is reduced. Hence larger ITD quantization errors may be applied if the correlation is small. An extreme example of this idea is to not transmit ITDs at all if the correlation is below a certain threshold. Quantization of the Correlation The quantization error of the correlation depends on (1) the correlation value itself and possibly (2) on the ILD. Correlation values near +1 are coded with a high accuracy (i.e., a small quantization step), while correlation values near 0 are coded with a low accuracy (a large quantization step). In the preferred embodiment, a set of non-linearly distributed correlation values (r) are quantized to the closest value of the following ensemble R: R=[1 0.95 0.9 0.82 0.75 0.6 0.3 0] and this costs another 3 bits per correlation value. If the absolute value of the (quantized) ILD of the current subband amounts 19 dB, no ITD and correlation values are transmitted for this subband. If the (quantized) correlation value of a certain subband amounts zero, no ITD value is transmitted for that subband. In this way, each frame requires a maximum of 233 bits to transmit the spatial parameters. With an update framelength of 1024 samples and a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz, the maximum bitrate for transmission amounts less than 10.25 kbit/s [233*44100/1024=10.034 kbit/s]. (It should be noted that using entropy coding or differential coding, this bitrate can be reduced further.) A second possibility is to use quantization steps for the correlation that depend on the measured ILD of the same subband: for large ILDs (i.e., one channel is dominant in terms of energy), the quantization errors in the correlation become larger. An extreme example of this principle would be to not transmit correlation values for a certain subband at all if the absolute value of the IID for that subband is beyond a certain threshold. Detailed Implementation In more detail, in the modules 20, the left and right incoming signals are split up in various time frames (2048 samples at 44.1 kHz sampling rate) and windowed with a square-root Hanning window. Subsequently, FFTs are computed. The negative FFT frequencies are discarded and the resulting FFTs are subdivided into groups or subbands 16 of FFT bins. The number of FFT bins that are combined in a subband g depends on the frequency: at higher frequencies more bins are combined than at lower frequencies. In the current implementation, FFT bins corresponding to approximately 1.8 ERBs are grouped, resulting in 20 subbands to represent the entire audible frequency range. The resulting number of FFT bins S[g] of each subsequent subband (starting at the lowest frequency) is S=[4 4 4 5 6 8 9 12 13 17 21 25 30 38 45 55 68 82 100 477] Thus, the first three subbands contain 4 FFT bins, the fourth subband contains 5 FFT bins, etc. For each subband, the analysis module 18 computes corresponding ILD, ITD and correlation (r). The ITD and correlation are computed simply by setting all FFT bins which belong to other groups to zero, multiplying the resulting (band-limited) FFTs from the left and right channels, followed by an inverse FFT transform. The resulting cross-correlation function is scanned for a peak within an interchannel delay between −64 and +63 samples. The internal delay corresponding to the peak is used as ITD value, and the value of the cross-correlation function at this peak is used as this subband's interaural correlation. Finally, the ILD is simply computed by taking the power ratio of the left and right channels for each subband. Generation of the Sum Signal The analyser 18 contains a sum signal generator 17 which performs phase correction (temporal alignment) on the left and right subbands before summing the signals. This phase correction follows from the computed ITD for that subband and comprises delaying the left-channel subband with ITD/2 and the right-channel subband with −ITD/2. The delay is performed in the frequency domain by appropriate modification of the phase angles of each FFT bin. Subsequently, a summed signal is computed by adding the phase-modified versions of the left and right subband signals. Finally, to compensate for uncorrelated or correlated addition, each subband of the summed signal is multiplied with sqrt(2/(1+r)), with correlation (r) of the corresponding subband to generate the final sum signal 12. If necessary, the sum signal can be converted to the time domain by (1) inserting complex conjugates at negative frequencies, (2) inverse FFT, (3) windowing, and (4) overlap-add. Given the representation of the sum signal 12 in the time and/or frequency domain as described above, the signal can be encoded in a monaural layer 40 of a bitstream 50 in any number of conventional ways. For example, a mp3 encoder can be used to generate the monaural layer 40 of the bitstream. When such an encoder detects rapid changes in an input signal, it can change the window length it employs for that particular time period so as to improve time and or frequency localization when encoding that portion of the input signal. A window switching flag is then embedded in the bitstream to indicate this switch to a decoder which later synthesizes the signal. For the purposes of the present invention, this window switching flag is used as an estimate of a transient position in an input signal. In the preferred embodiment, however, a sinusoidal coder 30 of the type described in WO01/69593-A1 is used to generate the monaural layer 40. The coder 30 comprises a transient coder 11, a sinusoidal coder 13 and a noise coder 15. When the signal 12 enters the transient coder 11, for each update interval, the coder estimates if there is a transient signal component and its position (to sample accuracy) within the analysis window. If the position of a transient signal component is determined, the coder 11 tries to extract (the main part of) the transient signal component. It matches a shape function to a signal segment preferably starting at an estimated start position, and determines content underneath the shape function, by employing for example a (small) number of sinusoidal components and this information is contained in the transient code CT. The sum signal 12 less the transient component is furnished to the sinusoidal coder 13 where it is analyzed to determine the (deterministic) sinusoidal components. In brief, the sinusoidal coder encodes the input signal as tracks of sinusoidal components linked from one frame segment to the next. The tracks are initially represented by a start frequency, a start amplitude and a start phase for a sinusoid beginning in a given segment—a birth. Thereafter, the track is represented in subsequent segments by frequency differences, amplitude differences and, possibly, phase differences (continuations) until the segment in which the track ends (death) and this information is contained in the sinusoidal code CS. The signal less both the transient and sinusoidal components is assumed to mainly comprise noise and the noise analyzer 15 of the preferred embodiment produces a noise code CN representative of this noise. Conventionally, as in, for example, WO 01/89086-A1 a spectrum of the noise is modeled by the noise coder with combined AR (auto-regressive) MA (moving average) filter parameters (pi,qi) according to an Equivalent Rectangular Bandwidth (ERB) scale. Within a decoder, the filter parameters are fed to a noise synthesizer, which is mainly a filter, having a frequency response approximating the spectrum of the noise. The synthesizer generates reconstructed noise by filtering a white noise signal with the ARMA filtering parameters (pi,qi) and subsequently adds this to the synthesized transient and sinusoid signals to generate an estimate of the original sum signal. The multiplexer 41 produces the monaural audio layer 40 which is divided into frames 42 which represent overlapping time segments of length 16 ms and which are updated every 8 ms, FIG. 4. Each frame includes respective codes CT, CS and CN and in a decoder the codes for successive frames are blended in their overlap regions when synthesizing the monaural sum signal. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that each frame may only include up to 1 transient code CT and an example of such a transient is indicated by the numeral 44. Generation of the Sets Spatial Parameters The analyser 18 further comprises a spatial parameter layer generator 19. This component performs the quantization of the spatial parameters for each spatial parameter frame as described above. In general, the generator 19 divides each spatial layer channel 14 into frames 46 which represent overlapping time segments of length 64 ms and which are updated every 32 ms, FIG. 4. Each frame includes respective ILD, ITD or IPD and correlation coefficients and in the decoder the values for successive frames are blended in their overlap regions to determine the spatial layer parameters for any given time when synthesizing the signal. In the preferred embodiment, transient positions detected by the transient coder 11 in the monaural layer 40 (or by a corresponding analyser module in the summed signal 12) are used by the generator 19 to determine if non-uniform time segmentation in the spatial parameter layer(s) 14 is required. If the encoder is using an mp3 coder to generate the monaural layer, then the presence of a window switching flag in the monaural stream is used by the generator as an estimate of a transient position. Referring to FIG. 4, the generator 19 may receive an indication that a transient 44 needs to be encoded in one of the subsequent frames of the monaural layer corresponding to the time window of the spatial parameter layer(s) for which it is about to generate frame(s). It will be seen that because each spatial parameter layer comprises frames representing overlapping time segments, for any given time the generator will be producing two frames per spatial parameter layer. In any case, the generator proceeds to generate spatial parameters for a frame representing a shorter length window 48 around the transient position. It should be noted that this frame will be of the same format as normal spatial parameter layer frames and calculated in the same manner except that it relates to a shorter time window around the transient position 44. This short window length frame provides increased time resolution for the multi-channel image. The frame(s) which would otherwise have been generated before and after the transient window frame are then used to represent special transition windows 47, 49 connecting the short transient window 48 to the windows 46 represented by normal frames. In the preferred embodiment, the frame representing the transient window 48 is an additional frame in the spatial representation layer bitstream 14, however, because transients occur so infrequently, it adds little to the overall bitrate. It is nonetheless critical that a decoder reading a bitstream produced using the preferred embodiment takes into account this additional frame as otherwise the synchronization of the monaural and the spatial representation layers would be compromised. It is also assumed in the present embodiment, because transients occur so infrequently, that only one transient within the window length of a normal frame 46 may be relevant to the spatial parameter layer(s) representation. Even if two transients do occur during the period of a normal frame, it is assumed that the non-uniform segmentation will occur around the first transient as indicated in FIG. 3. Here three transients 44 are shown encoded in respective monaural frames. However, it is the second rather than the third transient which will be used to indicate that the spatial parameter layer frame representing the same time period (shown below these transients) should be used as a first transition window, prior to the transient window derived from an additional spatial parameter layer frame inserted by the encoder and in turn followed by a frame which represents a second transition window. Nonetheless, it is possible that not all transient positions encoded in the monaural layer will be relevant for the spatial parameter layer(s) as is the case of the first transient 44 in FIG. 3. Thus, the bit-stream syntax for either the monaural or the spatial representation layer can include indicators of transient positions that are relevant or not for the spatial representation layer. In the preferred embodiment, it is the generator 19 which makes the determination of the relevance of a transient for the spatial representation layer by looking at the difference between the estimated spatial parameters (ILD, ITD and correlation (r)) derived from a larger window (e.g. 1024 samples) that surrounds the transient location 44 and those derived from the shorter window 48 around the transient location. If there is a significant change between the parameters from the short and coarse time intervals, then the extra spatial parameters estimated around the transient location are inserted in an additional frame representing the short time window 48. If there is little difference, the transient location is not selected for use in the spatial representation and an indication is included in the bitstream accordingly. Finally, once the monaural 40 and spatial representation 14 layers have been generated, they are in turn written by a multiplexer 43 to a bitstream 50. This audio stream 50 is in turn furnished to e.g. a data bus, an antenna system, a storage medium etc. Synthesis Referring now to FIG. 2, a decoder 60 includes a de-multiplexer 62 which splits an incoming audio stream 50 into the monaural layer 40′ and in this case a single spatial representation layer 14′. The monaural layer 40′ is read by a conventional synthesizer 64 corresponding to the encoder which generated the layer to provide a time domain estimation of the original summed signal 12′. Spatial parameters 14′ extracted by the de-multiplexer 62 are then applied by a post-processing module 66 to the sum signal 12′ to generate left and right output signals. The post-processing module of the preferred embodiment also reads the monaural layer 14′ information to locate the positions of transients in this signal. (Alternatively, the synthesizer 64 could provide such an indication to the post-processor; however, this would require some slight modification of the otherwise conventional synthesizer 64.) In any case, when the post-processor detects a transient 44 within a monaural layer frame 42 corresponding to the normal time window of the frame of the spatial parameter layer(s) 14′ which it is about to process, it knows that this frame represents a transition window 47 prior to a short transient window 48. The post-processor knows the time location of the transient 44 and so knows the length of the transition window 47 prior to the transient window and also that of the transition window 49 after the transient window 48. In the preferred embodiment, the post-processor 66 includes a blending module 68 which, for the first portion of the window 47, mixes the parameters for the window 47 with those of the previous frame in synthesizing the spatial representation layer(s). From then until the beginning of the transient window 48, only the parameters for the frame representing the window 47 are used in synthesizing the spatial representation layer(s). For the first portion of the transient window 48 the parameters of the transition window 47 and the transient window 48 are blended and for the second portion of the transient window 48 the parameters of the transition window 49 and the transient window 48 are blended and so on until the middle of the transition window 49 after which inter-frame blending continues as normal. As explained above, the spatial parameters used at any given time are a blend of either the parameters for two normal window 46 frames, a blend of parameters for a normal 46 and a transition frame 47, 49, those of a transition window frame 47, 49 alone or a blend of those of a transition window frame 47, 49 and those of a transient window frame 48. Using the syntax of the spatial representation layer, the module 68 can select those transients which indicate non-uniform time segmentation of the spatial representation layer and at these appropriate transient locations, the short length transient windows provide for better time localisation of the multi-channel image. Within the post-processor 66, it is assumed that a frequency-domain representation of the sum signal 12′ as described in the analysis section is available for processing. This representation may be obtained by windowing and FFT operations of the time-domain waveform generated by the synthesizer 64. Then, the sum signal is copied to left and right output signal paths. Subsequently, the correlation between the left and right signals is modified with a decorrelator 69′, 69″ using the parameter r. For a detailed description on how this can be implemented, reference is made to European patent application, titled “Signal synthesizing”, filed on 12 Jul. 2002 of which D. J. Breebaart is the first inventor (our reference PHNL020639). That European patent application discloses a method of synthesizing a first and a second output signal from an input signal, which method comprises filtering the input signal to generate a filtered signal, obtaining the correlation parameter, obtaining a level parameter indicative of a desired level difference between the first and the second output signals, and transforming the input signal and the filtered signal by a matrixing operation into the first and second output signals, where the matrixing operation depends on the correlation parameter and the level parameter. Subsequently, in respective stages 70′, 70″, each subband of the left signal is delayed by −ITD/2, and the right signal is delayed by ITD/2 given the (quantized) ITD corresponding to that subband. Finally, the left and right subbands are scaled according to the ILD for that subband in respective stages 71′, 71″. Respective transform stages 72′, 72″ then convert the output signals to the time domain, by performing the following steps: (1) inserting complex conjugates at negative frequencies, (2) inverse FFT, (3) windowing, and (4) overlap-add. The preferred embodiments of decoder and encoder have been described in terms of producing a monaural signal which is a combination of two signals—primarily in case only the monaural signal is used in a decoder. However, it should be seen that the invention is not limited to these embodiments and the monaural signal can correspond with a single input and/or output channel with the spatial parameter layer(s) being applied to respective copies of this channel to produce the additional channels. It is observed that the present invention can be implemented in dedicated hardware, in software running on a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or on a general-purpose computer. The present invention can be embodied in a tangible medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM carrying a computer program for executing an encoding method according to the invention. The invention can also be embodied as a signal transmitted over a data network such as the Internet, or a signal transmitted by a broadcast service. The invention has particular application in the fields of Internet download, Internet Radio, Solid State Audio (SSA), bandwidth extension schemes, for example, mp3PRO, CT-aacPlus (see www.codingtechnologies.com), and most audio coding schemes.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In traditional waveform based audio coding schemes such as MPEG-LII, mp3 and AAC (MPEG-2 Advanced Audio Coding), stereo signals are encoded by encoding two monaural audio signals into one bit-stream. However, by exploiting inter-channel correlation and irrelevancy with techniques such as mid/side stereo coding and intensity coding bit rate savings can be made. In the case of mid/side stereo coding, stereo signals with a high amount of mono content can be split into a sum M=(L+R)/2 and a difference S=(L−R)/2 signal. This decomposition is sometimes combined with principle component analysis or time-varying scale-factors. The signals are then coded independently, either by a parametric coder or a waveform coder (e.g. transform or subband coder). For certain frequency regions this technique can result in a slightly higher energy for either the M or S signal. However, for certain frequency regions a significant reduction of energy can be obtained for either the M or S signal. The amount of information reduction achieved by this technique strongly depends on the spatial properties of the source signal. For example, if the source signal is monaural, the difference signal is zero and can be discarded. However, if the correlation of the left and right audio signals is low (which is often the case for the higher frequency regions), this scheme offers only little advantage. In the case of intensity stereo coding, for a certain frequency region, only one signal I=(L+R)/2 is encoded along with intensity information for the L and R signal. At the decoder side this signal I is used for both the L and R signal after scaling it with the corresponding intensity information. In this technique, high frequencies (typically above 5 kHz) are represented by a single audio signal (i.e., mono), combined with time-varying and frequency-dependent scale-factors Parametric descriptions of audio signals have gained interest during the last years, especially in the field of audio coding. It has been shown that transmitting (quantized) parameters that describe audio signals requires only little transmission capacity to re-synthesize a perceptually equal signal at the receiving end. However, current parametric audio coders focus on coding monaural signals, and stereo signals are often processed as dual mono. EP-A-1107232 discloses a parametric coding scheme to generate a representation of a stereo audio signal which is composed of a left channel signal and a right channel signal. To efficiently utilize transmission bandwidth, such a representation contains information concerning only a monaural signal which is either the left channel signal or the right channel signal, and parametric information. The other stereo signal can be recovered based on the monaural signal together with the parametric information. The parametric information comprises localization cues of the stereo audio signal, including intensity and phase characteristics of the left and the right channel. In binaural stereo coding, similar to intensity stereo coding, only one monaural channel is encoded. Additional side information holds the parameters to retrieve the left and right signal. European Patent Application No. 02076588.9 filed April, 2002 (Attorney Docket No. PHNL020356) discloses a parametric description of multi-channel audio related to a binaural processing model presented by Breebaart et al in “Binaural processing model based on contralateral inhibition. I. Model setup”, J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 110, 1074-1088, August 2001 and “Binaural processing model based on contralateral inhibition. II. Dependence on spectral parameters”, J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 110, 1089-1104, August 2001, and “Binaural processing model based on contralateral inhibition. III. Dependence on temporal parameters”, J. Acoust. Soc. Am., 110, 1105-1117, August 2001 discloses a binaural processing model. This comprises splitting an input audio signal into several band-limited signals, which are spaced linearly at an (Equivalent Rectangular Bandwidth) ERB-rate scale. The bandwidth of these signals depends on the center frequency, following the ERB rate. Subsequently, for every frequency band, the following properties of the incoming signals are analyzed: the interaural level difference (ILD) defined by the relative levels of the band-limited signal stemming from the left and right ears, the interaural time (or phase) difference (ITD or IPD), defined by the interaural delay (or phase shift) corresponding to the peak in the interaural cross-correlation function, and the (dis)similarity of the waveforms that can not be accounted for by ITDs or ILDs, which can be parameterized by the maximum interaural cross-correlation (i.e., the value of the cross-correlation at the position of the maximum peak). It is therefore known from the above disclosures that spatial attributes of any multi-channel audio signal may be described by specifying the ILD, ITD (or IPD) and maximum correlation as a function of time and frequency. This parametric coding technique provides reasonably good quality for general audio signals. However, particularly for signals having a higher non-stationary behaviour, e.g. castanets, harpsichord, glockenspiel, etc, the technique suffers from pre-echo artifacts. It is an object of this invention to provide an audio coder and decoder and corresponding methods that mitigate the artifacts related to parametric multi-channel coding.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an encoder according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a decoder according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 shows transient positions encoded in respective sub-frames of a monaural signal and the corresponding frames of a multi-channel layer; and FIG. 4 shows an example of the exploitation of the transient position from the monaural encoded layer for decoding a parametric multi-channel layer. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050111

20090602

20050811

92111.0

LERNER, MARTIN

AUDIO CODING/DECODING WITH SPATIAL PARAMETERS AND NON-UNIFORM SEGMENTATION FO TRANSIENTS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a marine oil using a volatile working fluid

The invention relates to a process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a marine oil, the marine oil containing the cholesterol, which process comprises the steps of adding a volatile working fluid to the mixture, where the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide and a hydrocarbon, and subjecting the mixture with the added volatile working fluid to at least one stripping processing step, in which an amount of cholesterol present in the marine oil in free form is separated from the mixture together with the volatile working fluid. The present invention also relates to a volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid and a health supplement and a pharmaceutical, based on a marine oil, prepared according to the process mentioned above.

1. A process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a marine oil, the marine oil containing the cholesterol, characterized in that the process comprises the steps of; adding a volatile working fluid to the mixture, where the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide and a hydrocarbon, and subjecting the mixture with the added volatile working fluid to at least one stripping processing step, in which an amount of cholesterol present in the marine oil in free form is separated from the mixture together with the volatile working fluid. 2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the volatile working fluid is essentially equally or less volatile than the cholesterol in free form that is to be separated from the marine oil mixture. 3. A process according to claim 1, wherein said at least one of a fatty acid ester and a fatty acid amide constituting said volatile working fluid is obtained from at least one of a vegetable, microbial and animal fat or oil. 4. A process according to claim 3, wherein the animal fat or oil is a marine oil. 5. A process according to claim 1, wherein the volatile working fluid comprises at least one fatty acid ester composed of C10-C22 fatty acids and C1-C4 alcohols, or a combination of two or more fatty acid ester each composed of C10-C22 fatty acids and C1-C4 alcohols. 6. A process according to claim 1, wherein the marine oil containing saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the form of triglycerides, and the marine oil is obtained from fish or sea mammals. 7. A process according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of (volatile working fluid):(marine oil) is about 1:100 to 15:100. 8. A process according to claim 7, wherein the ratio of (volatile working fluid):(marine oil) is about 3:100 to 8:100. 9. A process according to claim 1, wherein said stripping processing step is carried out at temperatures in the interval of 120-270° C. 10. A process according to claim 1, wherein said stripping processing step is carried out at temperatures in the interval of 150-220° C. 11. A process according to claim 1, wherein said stripping processing step is carried out at a pressure below 1 mbar. 12. A process according to claim 1, wherein the at least one stripping processing step is one of a thin-film evaporation process, a molecular distillation or a short-path distillation or any combination thereof. 13. A process according to claim 12, wherein the at least one thin-film evaporation process is carried out at a mixture flow rate in the interval of 30-150 kg/h·m2. 14. A process according to claim 1, wherein said stripping processing step is carried out effectively at a mixture flow rate in the interval of 80-150 kg/h·m2. 15. A volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid, for use in decreasing an amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form, the volatile working fluid comprising at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide and a hydrocarbon, or any combination thereof. 16. A volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid according to claim 15, wherein at least one of a fatty acid ester and a fatty acid amide is obtained from at least one of vegetable, microbial and animal fat or oil. 17. A volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid according to claim 16, wherein the animal fat or oil is a fish oil and/or an oil obtained from sea mammals. 18. Use of a volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid according to claim 15, in a process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a marine oil, the marine oil containing the cholesterol, in which process the volatile working fluid is added to the mixture and then the mixture is subjected to at least one stripping processing step, preferably a thin-film evaporation process, a molecular distillation or a short-path distillation or any combination thereof, and in which process an amount of cholesterol present in the marine oil in free form is separated from the oil mixture together with the volatile working fluid. 19. A volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid, wherein the volatile working fluid is a by-product, such as a distillate fraction, from a regular process for production of ethyl and/or methyl ester concentrates. 20. A process according to claim 1, wherein the stripping processing step is followed by the steps of; subjecting the stripped marine oil mixture to at least one trans-esterification reaction with a C1-C6 alcohol under substantially anhydrous conditions, and thereafter subjecting the product obtained in the step above to at least one or more distillations, preferably one or more molecular distillations, to achieve a distillate fraction with reduced concentrations of both free and bound cholesterol from which product an amount of cholesterol in bound form has been separated in the residue fraction. 21. A process according to claim 20, wherein said C1-C6 alcohol is ethanol. 22. A health supplement, containing at least a marine oil, which marine oil is prepared according to the process presented in claim 1 or 20, in order to decrease a total amount of cholesterol in the marine oil. 23. A health supplement according to claim 22, wherein said marine oil is fish oil. 24. A pharmaceutical, containing at least a marine oil, which marine oil is prepared according to the process presented in claim 1 or 20, in order to decrease a total amount of cholesterol in the marine oil.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a marine oil, containing the cholesterol. The present invention also relates to a volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid, a health supplement and a pharmaceutical, prepared according to the process mentioned above. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known that cholesterol is an important steroid found in the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all body's cells in mammals. Cholesterol is used to form cell membranes, some hormones and other needed tissues. A mammal will get cholesterol in two ways; the body produces some of it, and the rest comes from products that the mammal consumes, such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, cheese and whole milk. Food from plants like fruits, vegetables and cereals do not include cholesterol. Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoproteins, named on basis of their density. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, transport cholesterol from the liver to peripheral tissues and LDL transported cholesterol is known as the “bad” cholesterol, because too much LDL cholesterol can clog the arteries to the heart and increase the risk of heart attack. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, transport cholesterol back to the liver where surplus cholesterol is disposed of by the liver as bile acids. HDL transported cholesterol is known as the “good” cholesterol and high levels of HDL may reduce cholesterol deposits in arteries. For an organism to remain healthy, there has to be an intricate balance between the biosynthesis of cholesterol and its utilization, so that arterial deposition is kept at a minimum. In e.g. marine oils, cholesterol is stored as “free” respectively as “bound” cholesterol. In the bound form, cholesterol is esterified on the OH-group by a fatty acid. The commercially important polyunsaturated fatty acids in marine oils, such as fish oil, are preferably EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, C20:5), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, C22:6). The full nomenclature of these acids according to the IUPAC system is: EPA cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid. For many purposes it is necessary that the marine oils should be refined in order to increase the content of EPA and/or DHA to suitable levels, or to reduce the concentrations of, or even eliminate, certain other substances which occur naturally in the raw oil, e.g. cholesterol. The fatty acids EPA and DHA are also proving increasingly valuable in the pharmaceutical and food supplement industries in particular. It is also very important for fish oils and other temperature sensitive oils (i.e. oils that contains long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) to keep the load of the temperature as low as possible. Concerning the amount of cholesterol in the oils, it is specially a problem in fish oils and milk fat. Further, as the link between high serum cholesterol levels and heart disease has become increasingly apparent, cholesterol-free and cholesterol-reduced food products have become more attractive to consumers, and food products that have no or reduced cholesterol are gaining popularity as well as an increasing share of the market. Consequently, removal or reduction of cholesterol in high cholesterol foods has the potential to substantially increase marketability and value. The removal or reduction of cholesterol in marine oils is not a trivial matter. Several different techniques to accomplish this task have been developed, each with varying levels of success. The content of cholesterol in marine oils will become a much more important parameter for the process industry in the future. Some methods of treating a fish oil is known from the prior art. Such methods include conventional vacuum steam distillation of fish oils at high temperatures which creates undesirable side reactions, decreases the content of EPA and DHA in the oil and the resulting product has a poor flavour stability and poor resistance to oxidation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One object of the invention is to offer an effective process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a marine oil, containing the cholesterol, preferably by decreasing and separating the amount of cholesterol present in free form. According to a first aspect of the invention, this and other objects are achieved with a process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a marine oil, the marine oil containing the cholesterol, which process comprises the steps of adding a volatile working fluid to the mixture, where the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide and a hydrocarbon, and subjecting the mixture with the added volatile working fluid to at least one stripping processing step, in which an amount of cholesterol in the marine oil is separated from the mixture together with the volatile working fluid. Most preferably, the amount of cholesterol present in the marine oil that is separated from the mixture together with the volatile working fluid is constituted by cholesterol in free form. Herein, “an amount” is interpreted to include decreasing of an amount up to almost 100% of cholesterol present in free form, i.e. a substantial removal of cholesterol in free form from a marine fat or oil composition, at low mixture flow rates. The content of bound cholesterol is less affected by the stripping process according to the invention, since cholesterol in bound form has a higher boiling point compared to the working fluid according to the invention. The use of a volatile working fluid, where the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide and a hydrocarbon, or any combination thereof, in a stripping process (or processing step) for decreasing the amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form has a number of advantages. An advantage of using a volatile working fluid in a stripping process is that the cholesterol present in free form can more easily be stripped off together with the volatile working fluid. Preferably, this is possible as long as the volatile working fluid is essentially equally or less volatile than the cholesterol that shall be removed from the oil mixture. The stripped cholesterol present in free form and the volatile working fluid will be found in the distillate. When the volatile working fluid have the mentioned property, in combination with beneficial stripping process conditions, it is possible to separate, or strip off, almost all cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form more effectively. The effect of adding a volatile working fluid to a marine oil mixture before stripping is larger and also more commercial useful, compared to a general process for decreasing cholesterol in an oil mixture, at higher flow rates. Herein, “high flow rates” is interpreted to include mixture flow rate in the interval of 80-150 kg/h·m2. Under the process conditions mentioned above, the use of a volatile working fluid open up for a much better utilization of the capacity of the process equipment and a more rapid stripping process. Further, according to the present stripping process it is also possible to decrease an effective amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form at lower temperatures, preferably at a temperature in the interval of 150-220° C., compared to the techniques known from the prior art. It is especially important to keep the temperature as low as possible during processing of marine oils, such as fish oils, and other temperature accommodating oils (i.e. oils comprising long chains of polyunsaturated fatty acids). This is not so critical for oils not included above. In addition, the volatile working fluid according to the invention allows cholesterol present in free form to be stripped off by e.g. molecular distillation even from oils of lower quality, i.e. oil for feed purposes. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the volatile working fluid is an organic solvent or solvent mixture with a volatility comparable to the cholesterol in free form. The volatile working fluid of the present invention is at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide, and a hydrocarbon, also including any combinations thereof. In another preferred embodiment the volatile working fluid comprises at least one fatty acid ester composed of C10-C22 fatty acids and C1-C4 alcohols, or a combination of two or more fatty acid ester each composed of C10-C22 fatty acids and C1-C4 alcohols. Preferably, the volatile working fluid is at least one of amides composed of C10-C22 fatty acids and C1-C4 amines, C10-C22 free fatty acids, and hydrocarbons with a total number of carbon atoms from 10 to 40. Most preferably, the volatile working fluid is a mixture of fatty acids from marine oils, e.g. fish body oil and/or fish liver oil, and/or ethyl or methyl esters of such marine fatty acids. In another embodiment of the invention a volatile working fluid may be produced by subjecting fats or oils from an available source, for instance fats or oils obtained from at least one of animal, microbial or vegetable origin, to an inter-esterification process, in which process the triglycerides in the fats or oils are converted into esters of aliphatic alcohols. Additionally, a bio-diesel and/or a mineral oil can be used as a volatile working fluid. In the case when the volatile working fluid is a biodiesel, it can be produced by a process, which is in common use for production of engine fuels (biodiesel), and therefore also known by a man skilled in the art, which process comprises mixing the fat or oil with a suitable amount of aliphatic alcohol, adding a suitable catalyst and heating the mixture for a period of time. Similar esters of aliphatic alcohols may also be produced by a high-temperature catalytic direct esterification process reacting a free fatty acid mixture with the appropriate aliphatic alcohol. The fatty acid ester mixture produced in this manner may be used as a volatile working fluid as it is, but normally the conversion to esters of aliphatic alcohols is not complete, the conversion process preferably leaving some un-reacted non-volatile glycerides in the mixture. Further, some fats or oils may also contain certain amounts of non-volatile, non-glyceride components (e.g. polymers). Such non-volatile components will be transferred to, and mixed with the final product, which product is low in cholesterol, when the fatty acid ester mixture is used as working fluid. A working fluid produced in this manner should therefore be subjected to a distillation, preferably a molecular and/or short path distillation, in at least one step, which distillation process generates a distillate more suitable to be used as a new volatile working fluid. In addition, the volatile working fluid according to the invention allows cholesterol to be stripped off by e.g. molecular distillation even from oils of lower quality. In another preferred embodiment of the process, at least one of a fatty acid ester and a fatty acid amide constituting said volatile working fluid is obtained from at least one of a vegetable, microbial and animal fat or oil, being edible or for use in cosmetics. Preferably, the animal fat or oil is a marine oil, e.g. a fish oil or an oil from other marine organism e.g. sea mammals. It is also possible that the fatty acid esters mentioned above can e.g. be a byproduct from distillation of an ethyl ester mixture prepared by ethylation of preferably a fish oil. In the process industry trade with intermediates is increasing and opens up for an extra financial income. In fish oils cholesterol is typically present in concentrations of 5-10 mg/g, but higher concentrations have been observed. In this case 2-4 mg/g is typically bound cholesterol and 3-6 mg/g is free cholesterol. Free cholesterol can be effectively removed by adding a volatile working fluid prior to at least one of the stripping processes according to the invention. In another embodiment of the process according to the invention, the marine oil containing saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the form of triglycerides, and the marine oil is obtained from fish and/or sea mammals. Marine oils that contains no or reduced amounts of cholesterol present in free form are gaining popularity as well as an increasing share of the market. It is important to note that the invention is not limited to procedures were the working fluid is prepared from the same origin as the oil that is being purified. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ratio of (volatile working fluid):(marine oil) is about 1:100 to 15:100. In a more preferred embodiment the ratio of (volatile working fluid):(marine oil) is about 3:100 to 8:100. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said stripping process step is carried out at temperatures in the interval of 120-270° C. In a most preferred embodiment, the stripping processing step is carried out at temperatures in the interval of 150-220° C. By adding a volatile working fluid to the marine oil mixture at this temperatures the invention surprisingly shows that even termolabile polyunsaturated oils can be treated with good effect, without causing degradation of the quality of the oil. In another preferred embodiment, the stripping processing step is carried out at a pressure below 1 mbar. In further preferred embodiment, the stripping processing step is at least one of a thin-film evaporation process, a molecular distillation or a short-path distillation, or any combination thereof. If at least one stripping process step is a thin-film evaporation the process is also carried out at mixture flow rates in the intervall of 30-150 kg/h·m2, most preferably in the range of 80-150 kg/h·m2. The effect of adding a volatile working fluid to a marine oil mixture before stripping is larger and also more commercial useful, compared to a general process for decreasing cholesterol present in a marine fat or oil in free form at higher flow rates. By using a stripping process, e.g. a distillation method, for decreasing the amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form, the marine oil mixture comprising a volatile working fluid, it is possible to carry out the stripping processes at lower temperatures, which spare the oil and is at the same time favourable to the end oil product. Another embodiment of the present invention is a stripping process wherein a working fluid is added to a mixture comprising a marine oil, containing cholesterol, prior to a thin-film evaporation process, and the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of a fatty acid ethyl ester and a fatty acid methyl ester (or any combinations thereof), and subjecting the mixture with the added working fluid to a thin-film evaporation step, in wich an amount of cholesterol present in free form in the marine oil is separated from the mixture together with the volatile working fluid. In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the stripping process is carried out by a molecular distillation in the following intervals; mixture flow rates in the interval of 30-150 kg/h·m2, temperatures in the interval of 120-270° C. and a pressure below 1 .mbar. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention the molecular distillation is carried out at temperatures in the interval of 150-220° C. and at a pressure below 0.05 mbar, or by a thin-film process, which process is carried out at 80-150 kg/h·m2 or at flow rates in the range of 800-1600 kg/h at a heated thin film area of 11 m2; 73-146 kg/h·m2. Please note, that the present invention can also be carried out in one or more subsequent stripping processing steps. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid, for use in decreasing an amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form, the volatile working fluid is comprising at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide and a hydrocarbon, with essentially equally or less volatility compared to the cholesterol that is to be separated from the marine oil, or any combination thereof. Preferably, the volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid is generated as a fractionation product. Additionally, the volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid is a by-product, such as a distillation fraction, from a regular process for production of ethyl and/or methyl ester concentrates. This by-product according to the invention can be used in a new process preferably for fat or oil being edible or for use in cosmetics. More preferably, the volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid, for use in decreasing an amount of cholesterol present in a marine fat or oil, can be a by-product (a distillate fraction) from a regular process for production of ethyl ester concentrates, wherein a mixture comprising an edible or a non-edible fat or oil, preferably a fish oil, is subjected to an ethylating process and preferably a two-step molecular distillation. In the two-step molecular distillation process a mixture consisting of many fatty acids on ethyl ester form is separated from each other in; a volatile (light fraction), a heavy (residuum fraction) and a product fraction. The volatile fraction from the first distillation is distilled once more and the volatile fraction from the second distillation process is then at least composed of the volatile working fluid, preferably a fatty acid ethyl ester fraction. This fraction consists of at least one of C14 and C16 fatty acids and at least one of the C18 fatty acids from the fat or oil, and is therefore also compatible with the edible or non-edible oil. The fraction can be redistilled one or more times if that is deemed to be suitable. This prepared working fluid can then be used as a working fluid in a new process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form, wherein the edible or non-edible fats or oils and the marine oil are of the same or different types. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of an ester and/or an amide composed of shorter fatty acids and longer alcohols or amines, or any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid, for use in decreasing an amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil, is preferably a fatty acid ester (e.g. fatty acid ethyl ester or fatty acid methyl ester) or a fatty acid amide obtained from at least one of vegetable, microbial and animal fat or oil, or any combination thereof. Preferably, said animal fat or oil is a marine oil, for instance a fish oil and/or an oil from sea mammals. In another embodiment of the invention, a volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid according to the present invention, is used in a process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a marine oil, the marine oil containing the cholesterol, in which process the volatile working fluid is added to the mixture and then the mixture is subjected to at least one stripping processing step, preferably a thin-film evaporation process, a molecular distillation or a short-path distillation or any combination thereof, and in which process an amount of cholesterol present in the marine oil in free form is separated from the oil mixture In a more preferred embodiment, the volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid is a by-product, such as a distillate fraction, from a regular process for production of ethyl and/or methyl ester concentrates. In another preferred embodiment a health supplement, or a pharmaceutical containing oil (end) products with a decreased amount of cholesterol, preferably strongly limited amounts of cholesterol present in free form, prepared according to at least one of the previously mentioned processes is disclosed. For the pharmaceutical and food supplement industries, marine oils often is processed in order to increase the content of EPA and/or DHA to suitable levels and the removal or reduction of cholesterol have the potential to substantially increase marketability and value. Therefore, the present invention also discloses a health supplement and a pharmaceutical respectively, containing at least a marine oil, such as fish oil, which marine oil is prepared according to the previously mentioned process, in order to decrease the total amount of cholesterol present in the marine oil. It shall be noted that the invented process may also be used for marine oils which has not been processed in order to increase the content of EPA and/or DHA to suitable levels. In another embodiment of the invention the pharmaceutical and/or health supplement is preferably intended for treating cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and inflammatory diseases, but they also have positive effects on other CVD risk factors such as the plasma lipid profile, hypertension and vascular inflammation. In more preferred embodiment of the invention the pharmaceutical and/or health supplement comprises at least one of EPA/DHA triglycerides/ethyl esters and is intended for a range of potential therapeutic applications including; treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia, secondary prevention of myocardial infarction, prevention of atherosclerosis, treatment of hypertension, mental disorders and/or kidney disease and to improve children's learning ability. Preferably, the pharmaceutical and/or health supplement prepared according to at least one of the previously mentioned processes is based on fish oil. Further, the present invention also disclose a marine oil product, prepared according to at least one of the previously mentioned processes. Preferably, the marine oil product is based on fish oil or a fish oil composition. In another preferred embodiment the stripping process is followed by a trans-esterification process. Preferably, the stripping processing step is followed by the steps of; subjecting the stripped marine oil mixture to at least one trans-esterification reaction with a C1-C6 alcohol under substantially anhydrous conditions, and in the presence of a suitable catalyst (a chemical catalyst or an enzyme) to convert the fatty acids present as triglycerides in the marine oil mixture into esters of the corresponding alcohol, and thereafter subjecting the product obtained in the step above to at least one or more distillations, preferably one or more molecular distillations. After the trans-esterification reaction some glycerides and most of the bound cholesterol will remain unreacted. Both the unreacted glycerides and the bound (esterified) cholesterol will have higher boiling points than the valuable esters of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and will therefore be concentrated in the residue (waste) fraction. Thereby a substantial reduction in bound cholesterol can be obtained in the distillate (product) fraction. By combining the steps of first stripping the cholesterol in free form from the marine oil triglycerides using a volatile working fluid, followed by catalysed esterification of the marine oil with a C1-C6 alcohol under substantially anhydrous conditions, and thereafter distillation under conditions suitable to enrich the bound cholesterol in the residium (waste) fraction, a fatty acid ester product with a significant reduction in both free and bound cholesterol can be produced. More preferably, said C1-C6 alcohol is ethanol. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of an ester, amides and/or esters composed of longer fatty acids and shorter alcohols or amines, or any combination thereof. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjugation with the accompanying drawings, in which; FIG. 1 is a schematic flow chart of one embodiment illustrating a method for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a marine oil, by adding a volatile working fluid prior to a molecular distillation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A number of preferred embodiments of the process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a volatile working fluid and a marine oil, containing the cholesterol, will be disclosed below. A first embodiment of a process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a marine oil by adding a volatile working fluid prior to a molecular distillation is presented in FIG. 1. The starting marine oil in the first embodiment of the invention is a fish oil whether freshly refined, reverted or mixtures thereof characterized by an initial or native cholesterol level. The exact amount of cholesterol varies depending upon such factors as fish species, seasonality, geographical catch location and the like. As used herein the term molecular distillation is a distillation process performed at high vacuum and preferably low temperature (above 120° C.). Herein, the condensation and evaporation surfaces are within a short distance from each other, so as to cause the least damage to the oil composition. The molecular distillation plant (1) illustrated in FIG. 1, comprises a mixer (2), a pre-heater (3), a degasser (4), a distillation unit (5) and a vacuum pump (6). In accordance with this embodiment, a volatile working fluid comprising an ethyl ester fraction (6% relative to the oil) is added to a fish oil mixture and blended in a mixer (2). The fish oil mixture is then optionally passed through a means for controlling the oil feed rate, such as an ordinary throttling valve. The fish oil mixture is then preheated with a heating means (3) such as a plate heat exchanger to provide a preheated fish oil mixture. The mixture is then passed through a degassing step (4) and admitted into the short path evaporator (5), a tube (7) including the condensation (8) and evaporation (9) surface. The fish oil mixture to be concentrated is picked up as it enters the tube (7a) by rotating blades (not shown). The blades extend nearly to the bottom of the tube and mounted so that there is a clearance of about 1.3 mm between their tips and the inner surface of the tube. In addition, the blades are driven by an external motor. The fish oil mixture is thrown against the tube wall and is immediately spread into a thin film and is forced quickly down (A) the evaporation surface. The film flows down by gravity, and as it falls the light and heavy fractions are separated because of differences in boiling point. Heated walls and high vacuum strips off the volatile working fluid together with the cholesterol, i.e. the more volatile components (distillate) is derived to the closely positioned internal condenser (8), the less volatile components (residue) continues down the cylinder. The resulting fraction, the stripped fish oil mixture containing at least the fatty acids EPA and DHA is separated and exit through an individual discharge outlet (10). In a second embodiment a falling film evaporator is used. In falling film evaporators liquid and vapours flow downwards in parallel flow. The liquid to be concentrated, herein the fish oil mixture, is preheated to boiling temperature. The oil mixture enters the heating tubes via a distribution device in the head of the evaporator, flows downward at boiling temperature, and is partially evaporated. This gravity-induced downward movement is increasingly augmented by the co-current vapour flow. Falling film evaporators can be operated with low temperature differences between the heating media and the boiling liquid, and they also have short product contact times, typically just a few seconds per pass. In a third embodiment of the invention the process is carried out by a short path distillation, which includes the use of a short path evaporator that integrates the features and advantages of thin film or wiped film evaporators but adds internal condensing for applications. Short path evaporators are widely used in fine and specialty chemicals for thermal separation of intermediates, concentration of high value products, and molecular distillation under fine vacuum conditions. Their key features make them uniquely suitable for gentle evaporation and concentration of heat sensitive products at low pressures and temperatures. In a fourth embodiment of the invention the stripping process is followed by the steps of subjecting the stripped marine oil mixture to at least one transesterification reaction with a C1-C6 alcohol under substantially anhydrous conditions and thereafter subjecting the product obtained in the step above to at least one or more distillations, preferably one or more molecular distillations. The key step in all trans-esterification reactions is the reaction between an ester mixture, composed of fatty acids bound to an alcohol A, and an alcohol B where the reaction products are an ester mixture, composed of the same fatty acids bound to alcolhol B, and alcohol A as shown in this general formula: The reaction is preferably catalysed and the reaction is an equilibrium and the yield of the expected fatty acid ester is to a large extent controlled by the concentration of the alcohols. Herein, for instance the stripping process is followed by a catalysed transesterification of marine oil triglycerides. The separation of the ethyl ester fraction from the fraction containing the unreacted glycerides and bound cholesterol is suitably carried out by at least one of a molecular distillation technique, whereby the less volatile residual mixture can be readily removed from the relatively volatile ethyl esters. It should be understood that many modifications of the above embodiments of the invention are possible within the scope of the invention such as the latter is defined in the appended claims. It will be apparent for one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications, i.e. other combinations of temperatures, pressures, and flow rates during the stripping process can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. EXAMPLES The invention will now be illustrated by means of the following non-limiting example. This example is set forth merely for illustrative purposes and many other variations of the process may be used. The example below summarize some results from different purification of fish oils by molecular distillation. Example 1 A Stripping Process for Decreasing the Amount of Cholesterol Present in a Fish Oil Mixture in Free Form with Respectively without Using a Volatile Working Fluid This example shows an industrial scale process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a refined fish oil mixture in free form, with and without adding a volatile working fluid to the fish oil mixture, and subjecting the mixture to a molecular distillation process. Herein, an Anchovy oil from Peru, with a fatty acid composition of 18% EPA and 12% DHA was used. The oil contains about 9 mg cholesterol/g fish oil, of which 6 mg/g was constituted by cholesterol present in free form and about 3 mg/g in bound form. In tests 1 and 3 a volatile working fluid constituted by a fatty acid ethyl ester mixture, 6% ethyl ester relative to the fish oil, i.e. the ratio of (volatile working fluid):(fish oil) about 6:100, was added to the fish oil mixture before subjecting the mixture to a molecular distillation process. All tests below were carried out at mixture flow rates of 900 or 400 kg/h in a molecular distillation unit with an evaporation surface of 11 m2. Test 1 and 2 were carried out at a temperature of 210° C. and at a mixture flow rate of 900 kg/h. Test 3 and 4 were carried out at a lower temperature, 205° C., and at a lower flow rate, 400 kg/h. The amount of cholesterol present in the fish oil mixture in free form was analysed by a method based on standard high performance liquid chromatographic analyses. TABLE 1 Amounts of cholesterol present in a fish oil in free form after molecular distillation Flow rate % added Free cholesterol Test Temp. (° C.) (kg/h) ethyl ester (mg/g) 1 210 900 6 1.4 2 210 900 0 2.4 3 205 400 6 0.2 4 205 400 0 0.4 The results in the table above illustrates that it is possible to decrease (to separate) an amount of free cholesterol in a marine oil more effective by adding a volatile working fluid to a marine oil composition and thereafter subjecting the fish oil composition to a stripping processing step according to the invention. It is important to note that the effect by adding a volatile working fluid to a marine oil composition, before subjecting at least one stripping processing step, is better, and more interesting, when the stripping process is carried out at higher mixture flow rates, preferably flow rate in the interval of 80-150 kg/h·m2. Under these conditions, the use of a volatile working fluid opens up for a much better utilization of the capacity of the process equipment and a more rapid stripping process. Another advantage by using a volatile working fluid according to the invention is that the stripping effect is satisfactory at low temperatures [temperatures in the interval of 120-220° C.] for marine oils. Namely, for marine oils, such as fish oils, and other temperature accommodating oils (oils comprising long chains of polyunsaturated fatty acids) it is important to keep the temperature load during the processes as low as possible. But, this is less important for other oils not mentioned above. Further, the effect of adding a volatile working fluid, compared with no adding of the same, is less noticeable in the case when the stripping process is carried out at low mixture flow rates [i.e. flow rates<30 kg/h·m2]. But on the other hand, it is not known commercially interesting to carry out a stripping process using low feed rates and relatively high temperatures because the stripping process will take too long to finish. Additionally, today it is a problem for the marine oil industry to find effective and rapid techniques that are able to decrease the amount of cholesterol in marine oils at higher flow rates. The tests above also show that the amount of free cholesterol is reduced from about 6 mg/g to about 1.4 mg/g by adding a volatile working fluid to a fish oil mixture prior to a molecular distillation process, which process being carried out at a temperature of 210° C. and at a mixture flow rate of 900 kg/h pr. Here, the amount of cholesterol in free form is decreased with about 75-80%. When the stripping process is carried out at 900 kg/h the amount of free cholesterol is reduced further compared to the stripping process where no ethyl ester (working fluid) has been added, at the same flow rate. Note that the content of bound cholesterol is less affected by the stripping process according to the invention. Additionally, the use of very high temperatures, i.e. temperatures above 270° C., isn't of interest. Such temperatures will cause damage to the oil. Too high temperatures also can be harmful for the production equipment. Further, the amount (%) of addition of ethyl ester is also of importance. Addition of at least 4% ethyl ester or an ethyl ester fraction has also generated good results. Preferably, the ratio of (volatile working fluid):(marine oil) is about 1:100 to 15:100 and more preferably, the ratio of (volatile working fluid):(marine oil) is about 3:100 to 8:100. While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent for one skilled in the art that various change and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Definitions As used herein the term marine oil also includes marine fat and a fermented or refined product containing at least n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, predominately EPA and DHA from a raw marine oil. Further, the marine oil is preferably oil from at least one of fish, shellfish (crustaceans) and sea mammals, or any combination thereof. Non limiting examples of fish oils are Menhaden oil, Cod Liver oil, Herring oil, Capelin oil, Sardine oil, Anchovy oil and Salmon oil. The fish oils mentioned above may be recovered from fish organs, e.g. cod liver oil, as well as from the meat of the fish, from the whole fish or from fish waste. Additionally, the term “oil and fat” means fatty acids in at least one of the triglyceride and phospholipid forms. Generally, if the start material in the stripping process is a marine oil, the oil may be any of raw or partially treated oil from fish or other marine sources and which contains fatty acids, including polyunsaturated fatty acids, in the form of triglycerides. Typically, each triglyceride molecule in such a marine oil will contain, more or less randomly, different fatty acid ester moieties, be the saturated, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated, or long chain or medium chain. Further, examples of vegetable oils or fats are corn oil, palm oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil and olive oil. Additionally, the marine fat or oil may be pre-processed in one or several steps before constituting the start material in the stripping process as described above. As used herein the term edible means edible for humans and/or animals. Additionally, as used herein the term “for use in cosmetics” means an oil or a fat that can be used in products that contributes to enhance humans appearance and/or health, e.g. cosmetic and/or beauty care products. Further, a fat or an oil, being edible or for use in cosmetics, according to the invention can also be a blend of e.g. microbial oils, fish oils, vegetable oils, or any combination thereof. As used herein the term microbial oils also includes “single cell oils” and blends, or mixtures, containing unmodified microbial oils. Microbial oils and single cell oils are those oils naturally produced by microorganisms during their lifespan. As used herein the term working fluid is interpreted to include a solvent, a solvent mixture, a composition and a fraction, e.g. a fraction from a distillation process, that has a suitable volatility, comprising at least one of esters composed of C10-C22 fatty acids and C1-C4 alcohols, amides composed of C10-C22 fatty acids and C1-C4 amines, C10-C22 free fatty acids, mineral oil, hydrocarbons and bio-diesel. As used herein the term essentially equally or less volatile is interpreted to include that the volatile working fluids having a suitable volatility in relation to the volatility of the cholesterol present in the marine oil in free form that is to be stripped off from the marine mixture. Further, commonly this is the case when the volatility of the working fluid is the same or lower than the volatility of the cholesterol present in free form. However, the term essentially equally or less volatile is also intended to include the case when the volatile working fluid is somewhat more volatile than the cholesterol in free form. Further, as used herein the term stripping is interpreted to include a general method for removing, separating, forcing or flashing off gaseous compounds from a liquid stream. In addition, the term “stripping processing step” preferable herein is related to a method/process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a marine oil or fat by one or more distilling or distillation processes, e.g. short path distillations, thin-film distillations (thin-film stripping or thin-film (steam) stripping), falling-film distillations and molecular distillations, and evaporation processes. As used herein the term “together with”, means that the volatile working fluid will be stripped off together with, combined with, or adhering the cholesterol, namely that the cholesterol will accompany the working fluid. As used herein the term health supplement is interpreted to include food and food supplement to animals and/or humans, fortification of food, dietary supplement, functional (and medical) food and nutrient supplement. As used herein the term “treating” means both treatment having a curing or alleviating purpose and treatment having a preventive purpose. The treatment can be made either acutely or chronically. In addition, as used herein the term pharmaceutical means pharmaceutical preparations and compositions, functional food (foodstuff having an increased value) and medical food. A pharmaceutical preparation according to the present invention may also comprise other substances such as an inert vehicle or a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvance, carriers, preservatives etc., which all are well-known to those skilled in the art. As used herein the term “oils with a low quality” preferably means that the oil contains high amounts of free fatty acids, that makes them less useful for nutritional purposes and that traditional alkaline refining in such oils is complicated and costly. Additionally, as used herein, the term mineral oil is interpreted to include mineral oil products such as e.g. fractions from distillation processes and white spirit. As used herein hydrocarbons is interpreted to include organic compounds, that are relatively large molecules composed mainly of carbon and hydrogen. They can also include nuclei of nitrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, and chlorine, among others. Further, the method according to the invention is also applicable to a variety of sterols including cholesterol. Most of these sterols can, when present on free form, be separated from a marine oil by the described technique as long as the volatile working fluid is essentially equally or less volatile than the sterol in free form that is to be separated from the marine oil mixture.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is known that cholesterol is an important steroid found in the lipids (fats) in the bloodstream and in all body's cells in mammals. Cholesterol is used to form cell membranes, some hormones and other needed tissues. A mammal will get cholesterol in two ways; the body produces some of it, and the rest comes from products that the mammal consumes, such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, cheese and whole milk. Food from plants like fruits, vegetables and cereals do not include cholesterol. Cholesterol and other fats can't dissolve in the blood. They have to be transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoproteins, named on basis of their density. Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, transport cholesterol from the liver to peripheral tissues and LDL transported cholesterol is known as the “bad” cholesterol, because too much LDL cholesterol can clog the arteries to the heart and increase the risk of heart attack. High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, transport cholesterol back to the liver where surplus cholesterol is disposed of by the liver as bile acids. HDL transported cholesterol is known as the “good” cholesterol and high levels of HDL may reduce cholesterol deposits in arteries. For an organism to remain healthy, there has to be an intricate balance between the biosynthesis of cholesterol and its utilization, so that arterial deposition is kept at a minimum. In e.g. marine oils, cholesterol is stored as “free” respectively as “bound” cholesterol. In the bound form, cholesterol is esterified on the OH-group by a fatty acid. The commercially important polyunsaturated fatty acids in marine oils, such as fish oil, are preferably EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid, C20:5), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid, C22:6). The full nomenclature of these acids according to the IUPAC system is: EPA cis-5,8,11,14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid. For many purposes it is necessary that the marine oils should be refined in order to increase the content of EPA and/or DHA to suitable levels, or to reduce the concentrations of, or even eliminate, certain other substances which occur naturally in the raw oil, e.g. cholesterol. The fatty acids EPA and DHA are also proving increasingly valuable in the pharmaceutical and food supplement industries in particular. It is also very important for fish oils and other temperature sensitive oils (i.e. oils that contains long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids) to keep the load of the temperature as low as possible. Concerning the amount of cholesterol in the oils, it is specially a problem in fish oils and milk fat. Further, as the link between high serum cholesterol levels and heart disease has become increasingly apparent, cholesterol-free and cholesterol-reduced food products have become more attractive to consumers, and food products that have no or reduced cholesterol are gaining popularity as well as an increasing share of the market. Consequently, removal or reduction of cholesterol in high cholesterol foods has the potential to substantially increase marketability and value. The removal or reduction of cholesterol in marine oils is not a trivial matter. Several different techniques to accomplish this task have been developed, each with varying levels of success. The content of cholesterol in marine oils will become a much more important parameter for the process industry in the future. Some methods of treating a fish oil is known from the prior art. Such methods include conventional vacuum steam distillation of fish oils at high temperatures which creates undesirable side reactions, decreases the content of EPA and DHA in the oil and the resulting product has a poor flavour stability and poor resistance to oxidation.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>One object of the invention is to offer an effective process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a marine oil, containing the cholesterol, preferably by decreasing and separating the amount of cholesterol present in free form. According to a first aspect of the invention, this and other objects are achieved with a process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a marine oil, the marine oil containing the cholesterol, which process comprises the steps of adding a volatile working fluid to the mixture, where the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide and a hydrocarbon, and subjecting the mixture with the added volatile working fluid to at least one stripping processing step, in which an amount of cholesterol in the marine oil is separated from the mixture together with the volatile working fluid. Most preferably, the amount of cholesterol present in the marine oil that is separated from the mixture together with the volatile working fluid is constituted by cholesterol in free form. Herein, “an amount” is interpreted to include decreasing of an amount up to almost 100% of cholesterol present in free form, i.e. a substantial removal of cholesterol in free form from a marine fat or oil composition, at low mixture flow rates. The content of bound cholesterol is less affected by the stripping process according to the invention, since cholesterol in bound form has a higher boiling point compared to the working fluid according to the invention. The use of a volatile working fluid, where the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide and a hydrocarbon, or any combination thereof, in a stripping process (or processing step) for decreasing the amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form has a number of advantages. An advantage of using a volatile working fluid in a stripping process is that the cholesterol present in free form can more easily be stripped off together with the volatile working fluid. Preferably, this is possible as long as the volatile working fluid is essentially equally or less volatile than the cholesterol that shall be removed from the oil mixture. The stripped cholesterol present in free form and the volatile working fluid will be found in the distillate. When the volatile working fluid have the mentioned property, in combination with beneficial stripping process conditions, it is possible to separate, or strip off, almost all cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form more effectively. The effect of adding a volatile working fluid to a marine oil mixture before stripping is larger and also more commercial useful, compared to a general process for decreasing cholesterol in an oil mixture, at higher flow rates. Herein, “high flow rates” is interpreted to include mixture flow rate in the interval of 80-150 kg/h·m 2 . Under the process conditions mentioned above, the use of a volatile working fluid open up for a much better utilization of the capacity of the process equipment and a more rapid stripping process. Further, according to the present stripping process it is also possible to decrease an effective amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form at lower temperatures, preferably at a temperature in the interval of 150-220° C., compared to the techniques known from the prior art. It is especially important to keep the temperature as low as possible during processing of marine oils, such as fish oils, and other temperature accommodating oils (i.e. oils comprising long chains of polyunsaturated fatty acids). This is not so critical for oils not included above. In addition, the volatile working fluid according to the invention allows cholesterol present in free form to be stripped off by e.g. molecular distillation even from oils of lower quality, i.e. oil for feed purposes. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the volatile working fluid is an organic solvent or solvent mixture with a volatility comparable to the cholesterol in free form. The volatile working fluid of the present invention is at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide, and a hydrocarbon, also including any combinations thereof. In another preferred embodiment the volatile working fluid comprises at least one fatty acid ester composed of C10-C22 fatty acids and C1-C4 alcohols, or a combination of two or more fatty acid ester each composed of C10-C22 fatty acids and C1-C4 alcohols. Preferably, the volatile working fluid is at least one of amides composed of C10-C22 fatty acids and C1-C4 amines, C10-C22 free fatty acids, and hydrocarbons with a total number of carbon atoms from 10 to 40. Most preferably, the volatile working fluid is a mixture of fatty acids from marine oils, e.g. fish body oil and/or fish liver oil, and/or ethyl or methyl esters of such marine fatty acids. In another embodiment of the invention a volatile working fluid may be produced by subjecting fats or oils from an available source, for instance fats or oils obtained from at least one of animal, microbial or vegetable origin, to an inter-esterification process, in which process the triglycerides in the fats or oils are converted into esters of aliphatic alcohols. Additionally, a bio-diesel and/or a mineral oil can be used as a volatile working fluid. In the case when the volatile working fluid is a biodiesel, it can be produced by a process, which is in common use for production of engine fuels (biodiesel), and therefore also known by a man skilled in the art, which process comprises mixing the fat or oil with a suitable amount of aliphatic alcohol, adding a suitable catalyst and heating the mixture for a period of time. Similar esters of aliphatic alcohols may also be produced by a high-temperature catalytic direct esterification process reacting a free fatty acid mixture with the appropriate aliphatic alcohol. The fatty acid ester mixture produced in this manner may be used as a volatile working fluid as it is, but normally the conversion to esters of aliphatic alcohols is not complete, the conversion process preferably leaving some un-reacted non-volatile glycerides in the mixture. Further, some fats or oils may also contain certain amounts of non-volatile, non-glyceride components (e.g. polymers). Such non-volatile components will be transferred to, and mixed with the final product, which product is low in cholesterol, when the fatty acid ester mixture is used as working fluid. A working fluid produced in this manner should therefore be subjected to a distillation, preferably a molecular and/or short path distillation, in at least one step, which distillation process generates a distillate more suitable to be used as a new volatile working fluid. In addition, the volatile working fluid according to the invention allows cholesterol to be stripped off by e.g. molecular distillation even from oils of lower quality. In another preferred embodiment of the process, at least one of a fatty acid ester and a fatty acid amide constituting said volatile working fluid is obtained from at least one of a vegetable, microbial and animal fat or oil, being edible or for use in cosmetics. Preferably, the animal fat or oil is a marine oil, e.g. a fish oil or an oil from other marine organism e.g. sea mammals. It is also possible that the fatty acid esters mentioned above can e.g. be a byproduct from distillation of an ethyl ester mixture prepared by ethylation of preferably a fish oil. In the process industry trade with intermediates is increasing and opens up for an extra financial income. In fish oils cholesterol is typically present in concentrations of 5-10 mg/g, but higher concentrations have been observed. In this case 2-4 mg/g is typically bound cholesterol and 3-6 mg/g is free cholesterol. Free cholesterol can be effectively removed by adding a volatile working fluid prior to at least one of the stripping processes according to the invention. In another embodiment of the process according to the invention, the marine oil containing saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the form of triglycerides, and the marine oil is obtained from fish and/or sea mammals. Marine oils that contains no or reduced amounts of cholesterol present in free form are gaining popularity as well as an increasing share of the market. It is important to note that the invention is not limited to procedures were the working fluid is prepared from the same origin as the oil that is being purified. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ratio of (volatile working fluid):(marine oil) is about 1:100 to 15:100. In a more preferred embodiment the ratio of (volatile working fluid):(marine oil) is about 3:100 to 8:100. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said stripping process step is carried out at temperatures in the interval of 120-270° C. In a most preferred embodiment, the stripping processing step is carried out at temperatures in the interval of 150-220° C. By adding a volatile working fluid to the marine oil mixture at this temperatures the invention surprisingly shows that even termolabile polyunsaturated oils can be treated with good effect, without causing degradation of the quality of the oil. In another preferred embodiment, the stripping processing step is carried out at a pressure below 1 mbar. In further preferred embodiment, the stripping processing step is at least one of a thin-film evaporation process, a molecular distillation or a short-path distillation, or any combination thereof. If at least one stripping process step is a thin-film evaporation the process is also carried out at mixture flow rates in the intervall of 30-150 kg/h·m 2 , most preferably in the range of 80-150 kg/h·m 2 . The effect of adding a volatile working fluid to a marine oil mixture before stripping is larger and also more commercial useful, compared to a general process for decreasing cholesterol present in a marine fat or oil in free form at higher flow rates. By using a stripping process, e.g. a distillation method, for decreasing the amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form, the marine oil mixture comprising a volatile working fluid, it is possible to carry out the stripping processes at lower temperatures, which spare the oil and is at the same time favourable to the end oil product. Another embodiment of the present invention is a stripping process wherein a working fluid is added to a mixture comprising a marine oil, containing cholesterol, prior to a thin-film evaporation process, and the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of a fatty acid ethyl ester and a fatty acid methyl ester (or any combinations thereof), and subjecting the mixture with the added working fluid to a thin-film evaporation step, in wich an amount of cholesterol present in free form in the marine oil is separated from the mixture together with the volatile working fluid. In a preferred embodiment according to the invention the stripping process is carried out by a molecular distillation in the following intervals; mixture flow rates in the interval of 30-150 kg/h·m 2 , temperatures in the interval of 120-270° C. and a pressure below 1 .mbar. In a most preferred embodiment of the invention the molecular distillation is carried out at temperatures in the interval of 150-220° C. and at a pressure below 0.05 mbar, or by a thin-film process, which process is carried out at 80-150 kg/h·m 2 or at flow rates in the range of 800-1600 kg/h at a heated thin film area of 11 m 2 ; 73-146 kg/h·m 2 . Please note, that the present invention can also be carried out in one or more subsequent stripping processing steps. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid, for use in decreasing an amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form, the volatile working fluid is comprising at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide and a hydrocarbon, with essentially equally or less volatility compared to the cholesterol that is to be separated from the marine oil, or any combination thereof. Preferably, the volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid is generated as a fractionation product. Additionally, the volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid is a by-product, such as a distillation fraction, from a regular process for production of ethyl and/or methyl ester concentrates. This by-product according to the invention can be used in a new process preferably for fat or oil being edible or for use in cosmetics. More preferably, the volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid, for use in decreasing an amount of cholesterol present in a marine fat or oil, can be a by-product (a distillate fraction) from a regular process for production of ethyl ester concentrates, wherein a mixture comprising an edible or a non-edible fat or oil, preferably a fish oil, is subjected to an ethylating process and preferably a two-step molecular distillation. In the two-step molecular distillation process a mixture consisting of many fatty acids on ethyl ester form is separated from each other in; a volatile (light fraction), a heavy (residuum fraction) and a product fraction. The volatile fraction from the first distillation is distilled once more and the volatile fraction from the second distillation process is then at least composed of the volatile working fluid, preferably a fatty acid ethyl ester fraction. This fraction consists of at least one of C14 and C16 fatty acids and at least one of the C18 fatty acids from the fat or oil, and is therefore also compatible with the edible or non-edible oil. The fraction can be redistilled one or more times if that is deemed to be suitable. This prepared working fluid can then be used as a working fluid in a new process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil in free form, wherein the edible or non-edible fats or oils and the marine oil are of the same or different types. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of an ester and/or an amide composed of shorter fatty acids and longer alcohols or amines, or any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid, for use in decreasing an amount of cholesterol present in a marine oil, is preferably a fatty acid ester (e.g. fatty acid ethyl ester or fatty acid methyl ester) or a fatty acid amide obtained from at least one of vegetable, microbial and animal fat or oil, or any combination thereof. Preferably, said animal fat or oil is a marine oil, for instance a fish oil and/or an oil from sea mammals. In another embodiment of the invention, a volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid according to the present invention, is used in a process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a marine oil, the marine oil containing the cholesterol, in which process the volatile working fluid is added to the mixture and then the mixture is subjected to at least one stripping processing step, preferably a thin-film evaporation process, a molecular distillation or a short-path distillation or any combination thereof, and in which process an amount of cholesterol present in the marine oil in free form is separated from the oil mixture In a more preferred embodiment, the volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid is a by-product, such as a distillate fraction, from a regular process for production of ethyl and/or methyl ester concentrates. In another preferred embodiment a health supplement, or a pharmaceutical containing oil (end) products with a decreased amount of cholesterol, preferably strongly limited amounts of cholesterol present in free form, prepared according to at least one of the previously mentioned processes is disclosed. For the pharmaceutical and food supplement industries, marine oils often is processed in order to increase the content of EPA and/or DHA to suitable levels and the removal or reduction of cholesterol have the potential to substantially increase marketability and value. Therefore, the present invention also discloses a health supplement and a pharmaceutical respectively, containing at least a marine oil, such as fish oil, which marine oil is prepared according to the previously mentioned process, in order to decrease the total amount of cholesterol present in the marine oil. It shall be noted that the invented process may also be used for marine oils which has not been processed in order to increase the content of EPA and/or DHA to suitable levels. In another embodiment of the invention the pharmaceutical and/or health supplement is preferably intended for treating cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and inflammatory diseases, but they also have positive effects on other CVD risk factors such as the plasma lipid profile, hypertension and vascular inflammation. In more preferred embodiment of the invention the pharmaceutical and/or health supplement comprises at least one of EPA/DHA triglycerides/ethyl esters and is intended for a range of potential therapeutic applications including; treatment of hypertriglyceridaemia, secondary prevention of myocardial infarction, prevention of atherosclerosis, treatment of hypertension, mental disorders and/or kidney disease and to improve children's learning ability. Preferably, the pharmaceutical and/or health supplement prepared according to at least one of the previously mentioned processes is based on fish oil. Further, the present invention also disclose a marine oil product, prepared according to at least one of the previously mentioned processes. Preferably, the marine oil product is based on fish oil or a fish oil composition. In another preferred embodiment the stripping process is followed by a trans-esterification process. Preferably, the stripping processing step is followed by the steps of; subjecting the stripped marine oil mixture to at least one trans-esterification reaction with a C 1 -C 6 alcohol under substantially anhydrous conditions, and in the presence of a suitable catalyst (a chemical catalyst or an enzyme) to convert the fatty acids present as triglycerides in the marine oil mixture into esters of the corresponding alcohol, and thereafter subjecting the product obtained in the step above to at least one or more distillations, preferably one or more molecular distillations. After the trans-esterification reaction some glycerides and most of the bound cholesterol will remain unreacted. Both the unreacted glycerides and the bound (esterified) cholesterol will have higher boiling points than the valuable esters of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and will therefore be concentrated in the residue (waste) fraction. Thereby a substantial reduction in bound cholesterol can be obtained in the distillate (product) fraction. By combining the steps of first stripping the cholesterol in free form from the marine oil triglycerides using a volatile working fluid, followed by catalysed esterification of the marine oil with a C 1 -C 6 alcohol under substantially anhydrous conditions, and thereafter distillation under conditions suitable to enrich the bound cholesterol in the residium (waste) fraction, a fatty acid ester product with a significant reduction in both free and bound cholesterol can be produced. More preferably, said C 1 -C 6 alcohol is ethanol. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of an ester, amides and/or esters composed of longer fatty acids and shorter alcohols or amines, or any combination thereof.

20050725

20100316

20060622

86027.0

A23D900

CARR, DEBORAH D

PROCESS FOR DECREASING THE AMOUNT OF CHOLESTEROL IN A MARINE OIL USING A VOLATILE WORKING FLUID

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A23D

ACCEPTED

Solid high polymer type cell assembly

A cell assembly (10) includes a first unit cell (12) and a second unit cell (14). The first unit cell (12) and the second unit cell (14) are juxtaposed such that electrode surfaces of the first unit cell (12) and electrode surfaces of the second unit cell (14) are aligned in parallel with each other. An oxygen-containing gas flow passage (32) includes a first oxygen-containing gas passage (38) in the first unit cell (12), an oxygen-containing gas connection passage (40) in a connection passage member (16), and a second oxygen-containing gas passage (42) in the second unit cell (14). The first oxygen-containing gas passage (38), the oxygen-containing gas connection passage (40), and the second oxygen-containing gas passage (42) are connected serially from the first unit cell (12) to the second unit cell (14).

1. A solid polymer cell assembly comprising a cell assembly formed by juxtaposing a plurality of unit cells such that electrode surfaces of said unit cells are aligned in parallel with each other, said unit cell each having an assembly including an anode, a cathode, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between said anode and said cathode, wherein said unit cells includes an upstream unit cell provided on an upstream side in a flow direction of a reactant gas including at least one of an oxygen-containing gas and a fuel gas, and a downstream unit cell provided on a downstream side in the flow direction; and at least part of a reactant gas flow passage for said reactant gas extends serially from a passage formed on an upper side of the assembly of said upstream unit cell to a passage formed on a lower side of the assembly of said downstream unit cell. 2. A cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein said reactant gas flow passage includes a fuel gas flow passage\and an oxygen-containing gas flow passage, and the oxygen-containing gas and the fuel gas flows in a counterflow manner in the oxygen-containing gas flow passage and the fuel gas flow passage along both surfaces of the assemblies of said unit cells. 3. A cell assembly according to claim 2, wherein said unit cells include an upstream unit cell provided on the upstream side in a flow direction of the oxygen-containing gas, and a downstream unit cell provided on the downstream side in the flow direction of the oxygen-containing gas; and a coolant flow passage is provided such that a coolant flows serially from said upstream unit cell provided on the upstream side in the flow direction of the oxygen-containing gas to said downstream unit cell provided on the downstream side in the flow direction of the oxygen-containing gas so that temperature of said downstream unit cell provided on the downstream side in the flow direction of the oxygen-containing gas is kept higher than temperature of said upstream unit cell provided on the upstream side in the flow direction of the oxygen-containing gas. 4. A cell assembly according to claim 3, wherein structure of said upstream unit cell is different from structure of said downstream unit cell. 5. A cell assembly according to claim 4, the assembly of said upstream unit cell and the assembly of said downstream unit cell have the same power generation performance when the assembly of said upstream unit cell is operated at a low temperature in comparison with the assembly of said downstream unit cell 6. A cell assembly according to claim 4, wherein said cathode of the assembly of said upstream unit cell has a hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity, and said anode of the assembly of said upstream unit cell has a hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity; and said hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity is provided on the upper side, and said hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity is provided on the lower side. 7. A cell assembly according to claim 4, wherein said anode of the assembly of said downstream unit cell has a hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity, and said cathode of the assembly of said downstream unit cell has a hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity; and said hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity is provided on the upper side, and said hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity is provided on the lower side. 8. A cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein a connection passage member is provided between said juxtaposed unit cells; and a reactant gas connection passage and a coolant connection passage are formed in said connection passage member for serially supplying the reactant gas and the coolant.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a solid polymer cell assembly including a plurality of unit cells connected together. Each of the unit cells has an assembly including an anode, a cathode, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode. The unit cells are juxtaposed such that electrode surfaces of the unit cells are aligned in parallel with each other. BACKGROUND ART Generally, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) employs an electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane is a polymer ion exchange membrane (proton ion exchange membrane). The electrolyte membrane is interposed between an anode and a cathode to form an assembly (electrolyte electrode assembly). Each of the anode and the cathode includes base material chiefly containing carbon, and an electrode catalyst layer of noble metal deposited on the base material. The electrolyte electrode assembly is sandwiched between separators (bipolar plates) to form a unit cell (unit power generation cell). In use, typically, a plurality of unit cells are stacked together to form a fuel cell stack. In the fuel cell, a fuel gas such as a gas chiefly containing hydrogen (hereinafter also referred to as the hydrogen-containing gas) is supplied to the anode. The catalyst of the anode induces a chemical reaction of the fuel gas to split the hydrogen molecule into hydrogen ions and electrons. The hydrogen ions move toward the cathode through the electrolyte, and the electrons flow through an external circuit to the cathode, creating a DC electric current. A gas chiefly containing oxygen (hereinafter also referred to as the oxygen-containing gas) is supplied to the cathode. At the cathode, the hydrogen ions from the anode combine with the electrons and oxygen to produce water. When the electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell is dried, it is not possible to maintain the operation at a high output density. Therefore, it is necessary to suitably humidify the electrolyte membrane. For this purpose, various humidification methods have been adopted conventionally. For example, in an external humidification method, the electrolyte membrane of the assembly is humidified by supplying water to the assembly using a humidifier such as a bubbler provided externally to the fuel cell. The humidifier humidifies reactant gases (fuel gas/oxygen-containing gas) supplied to the assembly. In an internal humidification method, a humidifier (humidification structure) for humidifying the electrolyte membrane is provided in the unit cell. However, in the external humidification method, since the humidifier is provided externally to the fuel cell as an additional component, the fuel cell system is large as a whole. Thus, a large space is needed for the system. In particular, when the load of the fuel cell is increased rapidly, the humidifier may not have the capability for tracking the rapid increase of the load. In one internal humidification method, strings for absorbing water are embedded in the electrolyte membrane. In another internal humidification method, water from the anode passes through a water permeable plate. In still another internal humidification method, water absorption strings are in contact with the electrolyte membrane on the anode side. However, in these methods, when the sufficient level of humidify is not achieved for some reasons, it is difficult to suitably recover the humidity in the fuel cell. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made taking the problems into account, and an object of the present invention is to provide a solid polymer cell assembly which achieves the desired humidified state reliably without using any special humidification devices. According to the present invention, a cell assembly is formed by juxtaposing a plurality of unit cells together. Each of the unit cells includes an anode, a cathode, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode. Electrode surfaces of the unit cells are aligned in parallel with each other. In the cell assembly, at least part of a reactant gas flow passage serially extends through the juxtaposed unit cells. The reactant gas flow passage is a passage of at least one of an oxygen-containing gas and a fuel gas. The meaning of “at least part of” herein includes at least one of a plurality of reactant gas flow passages, and at least part of a reactant gas flow passage itself. Since the flow rate of the reactant gas required for reaction in the downstream unit cell (the unit cell on the downstream side) is taken into account, and the additional reactant gas is supplied to the upstream unit cell (the unit cell on the upstream side), the flow rate of the reactant gas supplied into the cell assembly is high. Thus, water condensation in the reactant gas flow passage is prevented, and the humidity is uniform in each of the unit cells. The current density distribution is uniform in each of the unit cells, and thus, concentration overpotential is reduced. Further, simply by increasing the flow rate of the reactant gas supplied into the cell assembly, water produced in each of the unit cells can be discharged efficiently. Water can be discharged from the cell assembly smoothly. Moreover, since a long reactant gas flow passage connecting the unit cells are provided. The pressure loss is large. The reactant gas is distributed smoothly in each of the unit cells, and the reactant gas is discharged smoothly. In the cell assembly, the unit cells are juxtaposed such that electrode surfaces of the unit cells are aligned in parallel with each other. Thus, the unit cells can be handled independently, and thus, the performance test can be performed individually for each of the unit cells easily and reliably. As described later in detail, for example, by determining the flow directions in the oxygen-containing gas flow passage and the fuel gas flow passage (reactant gas flow passages) and the flow direction in the coolant flow passage to create the humidity difference and the temperature difference between the upstream unit cell and the downstream unit cell, it is possible to supply a low humidified gas or a non-humidified gas to the cell assembly. Thus, without using any special humidification devices, it is possible to achieve the desired humidified state reliably. The reactant gas flow passage serially extends through a passage on the upper side of an assembly of the upstream unit cell (unit cell provided on the upstream side in the flow direction of the reactant gas) and a passage provided on the lower side of an assembly of the downstream unit cell (unit cell provided on the downstream side in the flow direction of the reactant gas). Thus, water produced in the upstream unit cell is reliably discharged into the downstream unit cell by the gravity. With the simple structure, it is possible to prevent the condensed water from being trapped in the assembly. The excessive water is efficiently discharged into the reactant gas flow passage provided on the lower side of the assembly by the gravity. The oxygen-containing gas and the fuel gas flow in a counterflow manner in the oxygen-containing gas flow passage and the fuel gas flow passage as the reactant gas flow passages along the surfaces of the assembly of the unit cell. Thus, water moves between the fuel gas flowing through the fuel gas flow passage and the oxygen-containing gas flowing through the oxygen-containing gas flow passage through the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. Accordingly, it is possible to reliably prevent the solid polymer electrolyte membrane from being dried. Thus, the low humidified reactant gas or non-humidified reactant gas can be supplied to the cell assembly. In the structure, a coolant flow passage is provided such that a coolant flows serially from the upstream unit cell provided on the upstream side in the flow direction of the oxygen-containing gas (hereinafter also referred to as the O2 upstream unit cell) to the downstream unit cell provided on the downstream side in the flow direction of the oxygen-containing gas (hereinafter also referred to as the O2 downstream unit cell). Thus, temperature of the O2 downstream unit cell is kept higher than temperature of the O2 upstream unit cell. The O2 upstream unit cell is a low temperature unit cell and the O2 downstream unit cell is a high temperature unit cell. The low temperature unit cell includes the inlet side of the oxygen-containing gas where the humidity is low and the outlet side of the fuel gas where the humidity is high. The high temperature unit cell includes the outlet side of the oxygen-containing gas where the humidity is high, and the inlet side of the fuel gas where the humidity is low. The humidity in the O2 upstream unit cell is high due to the water produced in power generation. However, the relative humidity of the oxygen-containing gas is low since the temperature of the O2 upstream unit cell is high. Accordingly, water condensation does not occur in the O2 upstream unit cell. The current density distribution is uniform, and the concentration overpotential can be reduced. The structure of the upstream unit cell (low temperature unit cell) is different from the structure of the downstream unit cell (high temperature unit cell). Optimum structure can be adopted for reaction in each of the unit cells. Specifically, the assembly of the upstream unit cell and the assembly of the downstream unit cell have the same power generation performance when the assembly of the upstream unit cell is operated at a lower temperature in comparison with the assembly of the downstream unit cell. Further, the assembly of the O2 upstream unit cell has the cathode including a hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity, and the anode including a hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity. The hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity is provided on the upper side, and the hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity is provided on the lower side. Thus, when the oxygen-containing gas flows through the upper portion of the assembly of the upstream unit cell, in the presence of the hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity, the water produced in the power generation does not move downwardly by the gravity. Therefore, the desired humidity of the oxygen-containing gas is maintained suitably. When the fuel gas flows through the lower portion of the assembly of the O2 upstream unit cell through the O2 downstream unit cell, the condensed water moves through the hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity toward the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. Thus, humidity in the surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the electrodes are kept at the optimum level for power generation. Thus, the low humidified oxygen-containing gas or non-humidified gas can be supplied to the cell assembly. Further, the assembly of the O2 downstream unit cell has the anode including a hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity, and the cathode including a hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity. The hydrophobic diffusion layer having the low porosity is provided on the upper side, and the hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity is provided on the lower side. Thus, when the fuel gas flows through the upper portion of the assembly of the downstream unit cell, in the presence of the hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity, the water produced in the power generation does not move downwardly by the gravity. Therefore, the desired humidity of the fuel gas is maintained suitably. The oxygen-containing gas is humidified at the time of passing through the upstream unit cell. After passing through the upstream unit cell, the humidified oxygen-containing gas flows through the lower portion of the assembly of the downstream unit cell. The condensed water move through the hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity toward the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. Thus, humidity in the surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the electrodes are kept at the optimum level for power generation. Thus, low humidified oxygen-containing gas or non-humidified gas can be supplied to the cell assembly. Further, the excessive water from the assembly is discharged efficiently by the gravity into the oxygen-containing gas flow passage provided at the lower portion of the assembly. A connection passage member is provided between the juxtaposed unit cells. The connection passage member has a reactant gas connection passage and a coolant connection passage for serially supplying the reactant gas and the coolant. Thus, the cell assembly is compact as a whole, and the compact cell assembly can be installed at various positions easily and suitably. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing main components of a solid polymer cell assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing distinctive structures of the cell assembly; FIG. 3 is a view showing change in humidity in first and second unit cells; FIG. 4 is a view showing change in temperature in the first and second cell unit cells; and FIG. 5 is a view schematically showing main components of a solid polymer cell assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing main components of a solid polymer cell assembly 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The cell assembly 10 includes a plurality of unit cells, e.g., a first unit cell 12 and a second unit cell 14 which are juxtaposed such that electrode surfaces of the first and second unit cells 12, 14 are aligned in parallel with each other. A connection passage member 16 is provided between the first and second unit cells 12, 14. The first unit cell 12 is provided on the upstream side in a flow direction of an oxygen-containing gas (reactant gas) indicated by an arrow A, and the second unit cell 14 is provided on the downstream side in the flow direction of the oxygen-containing gas. The first unit cell 12 includes a first assembly 18, and the second unit cell 14 includes a second assembly 20. Each of the first assembly 18 and the second assembly 20 comprises a cathode 24a, 24b, an anode 26a, 26b, and a solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22a, 22b interposed between the cathode 24a, 24b and the anode 26a, 26b. Each of the solid polymer electrolyte membranes 22a, 22b is formed by impregnating a thin membrane of perfluorosulfonic acid with water, for example. The solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22a is a relatively low temperature electrolyte membrane, and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22b is a relatively high temperature electrolyte membrane. Namely, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22a and the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22b have the same power generation performance when the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22a is operated at a low temperature in comparison with the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22b. Each of the cathodes 24a, 24b, and the anodes 26a, 26b includes base material chiefly containing carbon, and an electrode catalyst layer of noble metal deposited on the base material. A gas diffusion layer (porous layer) such as a porous carbon paper is provided on the surface of the electrode catalyst layer. The cathode 24a of the first assembly 18 has a hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity. The cathode 24a is provided on the upper side in the direction indicated by an arrow C1. The anode 26a of the first assembly 18 has a hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity. The anode 26a is provided on the lower side in the direction indicated by an arrow C2. The anode 26b of the second assembly 20 has a hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity. The anode 26b is provided on the upper side in the direction indicated by the arrow C1. The cathode 24b of the second assembly 20 has a hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity. The cathode 24b is provided on the lower side indicated by the arrow C2. The first separator 28a faces the cathode 24a of the first assembly 18, and the first separator 28b faces the cathode 24b of the second assembly 20. The second separator 30a faces the anode 26a of the first assembly 18, and the second separator 30b faces the anode 26b of the second assembly 20. The cell assembly 10 includes the juxtaposed first and second unit cells 12, 14, and has an oxygen-containing gas flow passage (reactant gas flow passage) 32 for supplying the oxygen-containing gas serially from the first unit cell 12 to the second unit cell 14, and a fuel gas flow passage (reactant gas flow passage) 34 for supplying a fuel gas (reactant gas) serially from the second unit cell 14 to the first unit cell 12. Further, the cell assembly 10 has a coolant flow passage 36 for supplying a coolant serially from the first unit cell 12 to the second unit cell 14. In the first unit cell 12, a first oxygen-containing gas passage 38 extends between the cathode 24a of the first assembly 18 and the first separator 28a in the direction indicated by the arrow A. The first oxygen-containing gas passage 38 is connected to an oxygen-containing gas connection passage 40 formed in a connection passage member 16. The oxygen-containing gas connection passage 40 is connected to a second oxygen-containing gas passage 42 formed between the cathode 24b of the second assembly 20 and the first separator 28b in the second unit cell 14. The first oxygen-containing gas passage 38, the oxygen-containing gas connection passage 40, and the second oxygen-containing gas passage 42 of the oxygen-containing gas flow passage 32 are connected serially such that the oxygen-containing gas flows from the first unit cell 12 to the second unit cell 14. In the second unit cell 14, a first fuel gas passage 44 is formed between the anode 26b of the second assembly 20 and the second separator 30b. The first fuel gas passage 44 is connected to a fuel gas connection passage 46 formed in the connection passage member 16. The fuel gas connection passage 46 is connected to a second fuel gas passage 48 formed between the anode 26b of the first assembly 18 and the second separator 30a in the first unit cell 12. The first and second fuel gas passages 44, 48 have a counterflow arrangement with respect to the second and first oxygen-containing gas passages 42, 38 along the surfaces of the second and first assemblies 20, 18. The fuel gas flows in the fuel gas flow passage 34 in the direction opposite to the oxygen-containing gas flowing through the oxygen-containing gas flow passage 32. The first fuel gas passage 44, the fuel gas connection passage 46, and the second fuel gas passage 48 are connected serially such that the fuel gas flows from the second unit cell 14 to the first unit cell 12. A first coolant passage 50 is formed on the second separator 30a of the first unit cell 12. The first coolant passage 50 has a counterflow arrangement with respect to the second fuel gas passage 48 such that the coolant flows in the first coolant passage 50 in a direction opposite to the flow direction of the fuel gas flowing through the second fuel gas passage 48. The first coolant passage 50 is connected to a coolant connection passage 52 formed in the connection passage member 16. The coolant connection passage 52 is connected to a second coolant passage 54 in the second unit cell 14. The second coolant passage 54 has a parallel flow arrangement with respect to the second oxygen-containing gas passage 42 on the second separator 28b of the second unit cell 14 such that the coolant flows through the second coolant passage 54 in parallel with the oxygen-containing gas flowing through the second oxygen-containing gas passage 42. The coolant flow passage 36 has a parallel arrangement with respect to the oxygen-containing gas flow passage 32. The first coolant passage 50, the coolant connection passage 52, and the second coolant passage 54 are connected serially such that the coolant flows from the first unit cell 12 to the second unit cell 14. Operation of the cell assembly 10 will be described below. An oxidizing gas such as an oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxygen-containing gas flow passage 32, and a fuel gas such as a hydrogen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel gas flow passage 34. Further, a coolant such as pure water, an ethylene glycol or an oil is supplied to the coolant flow passage 36. The oxygen-containing gas is supplied into the first oxygen-containing gas passage 38 of the first unit cell 12. Then, the oxygen-containing gas flows along the cathode 24a of the first assembly 18 in the direction indicated by the arrow A. After the oxygen-containing gas flows out of the first oxygen-containing gas passage 38, the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the oxygen-containing gas connection passage 40, and flows in the direction of gravity indicated by the arrow C2. Then, the oxygen-containing gas flows into the second oxygen-containing gas passage 42 of the second unit cell 14. The oxygen-containing gas flows along the cathode 24b of the second assembly 20 of the second unit cell 14 in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and is discharged from the second unit cell 14. The fuel gas is supplied into the first fuel gas passage 44 of the second unit cell 14. Then, the fuel gas flows along the anode 26b of the second assembly 20 in the direction indicated by the arrow B (opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow A). After the fuel gas flows out of the first fuel gas passage 44, the fuel gas is supplied to the fuel gas connection passage 46, and flows in the direction of gravity indicated by the arrow C2. Then, the fuel gas flows into the second fuel gas passage 48 of the first unit cell 12. The fuel gas flows along the anode 26b of the first assembly 18 of the first unit cell 12 in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and is discharged from the first unit cell 12. In the first and second assemblies 18, 20, the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the cathodes 24a, 24b, and the fuel gas supplied to the anodes 26a, 26b are consumed in the electrochemical reactions at catalyst layers of the cathodes 24a, 24b and the anodes 26a, 26b for generating electricity. The coolant supplied to the coolant flow passage 36 flows into the first coolant passage 50 of the first unit cell 12, and flows in the direction indicated by the arrow A. The coolant flows into the second coolant passage 54 of the second unit cell 14 through the coolant connection passage 52 of the connection passage member 16. After the coolant is used for cooling the first and second assemblies 18, 20, the coolant is discharged from the second unit cell 14. FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing distinctive structures of the cell assembly 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, a low humidified oxygen-containing gas (oxygen-containing gas which is humidified to a small extent) or a non-humidified oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the first oxygen-containing gas passage 38 of the first unit cell 12, and a low humidified fuel gas (fuel gas which is humidified to a small extent) or non-humidified fuel gas is supplied to the first fuel gas passage 44 of the second unit cell 14. After the oxygen-containing gas passes through the first oxygen-containing gas passage 38 provided on the upper side of the first assembly 18, the oxygen-containing gas flows through the connection passage member 16 in the direction of gravity. Then, the oxygen-containing gas flows into the second oxygen-containing gas passage 42 provided on the lower side of the second assembly 20 of the second unit cell 14. After the fuel gas passes through the first fuel gas passage 44 provided on the upper side of the second assembly 20 of the second unit cell 14, the fuel gas flow through the connection passage member 16 in the direction of gravity. Then, the fuel gas flows into the second fuel gas passage 48 provided on the lower side of the first assembly 18 of the first unit cell 12. The oxygen-containing gas and the fuel gas flow along both surfaces of the first and the second assemblies 18, 20 in the opposite directions in a counterflow manner. The coolant and the oxygen-containing gas flow in the same direction, i.e., the coolant flows from the first coolant passage 50 of the first unit cell 12 to the second coolant passage 54 of the second unit cell 14 through the connection passage member 16 in the direction indicated by the arrow A. Thus, the temperature of the first unit cell 12 is lower than the temperature of the second unit cell 14. Taking the temperature difference into account, the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22a used in the first assembly 18 is capable of achieving the power generation performance equal to the power generation performance of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22b used in the second assembly 20 when the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22a is operated at a low temperature in comparison with the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22b. The low humidified oxygen-containing gas or non-humidified oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the cathode 24a of the first assembly 18. In order to keep the humidity of the first assembly 18, the cathode 24a has the hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity. The fuel gas flows through the second unit cell 14 before the fuel gas is supplied to the anode 26a of the first assembly 18. Thus, the hydrogen partial pressure of the fuel gas supplied to the anode 26a is small, and the relative humidity of the fuel gas supplied to the anode 26a is high. Therefore, the anode 26a has the hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity so that water can move toward the cathode 24a smoothly. Likewise, the low humidified fuel gas or non-humidified fuel gas is supplied to the anode 26b of the second assembly 20. Thus, in order to keep the humidity of the second assembly 20, the anode 26b has the hydrophobic diffusion layer having low porosity. The oxygen-containing gas flows through the first unit cell 12 before the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the cathode 24b of the second assembly 20. Thus, the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the cathode 24b contains water produced in the first unit cell 12, i.e., the humidity of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the cathode 24b is high. Therefore, the cathode 24b has the hydrophilic diffusion layer having high porosity so that water can move toward the anode 26b smoothly. As described above, in the first embodiment, for example, the first unit cell 12 and the second unit cell 14 are juxtaposed such that the oxygen-containing gas flow passage 32 extends serially from the first unit cell 12 to the second unit cell 14. In the cell assembly 10, the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the first unit cell 12 provided on the upstream side is determined taking the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the second unit cell 14 provided on the downstream side into account, so that the sufficient flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas required for reaction in the second unit cell 14 can be supplied to the second unit cell 14. Thus, the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas supplied into the cell assembly 10 is high. Therefore, water condensation in the oxygen-containing gas flow passage 32 can be prevented, and the humidity is uniform in the first and second unit cells 12, 14. Further, the current density distribution is uniform in the first and unit cells 12, 14, and thus, the concentration overpotential can be reduced. Since the oxygen-containing gas is supplied into the cell assembly 10 at a high speed, the water produced in power generation can be discharged from the first and second unit cells 12, 14 efficiently. In particular, the first oxygen-containing gas passage 38 is provided on the upper side of the first assembly 18, and the second oxygen-containing gas passage 42 is provided on the lower side of the second assembly 20. Therefore, the water produced in the first unit cell is reliably discharged from the first unit cell 12 to the second unit cell 14 by the gravity, and then, discharged from the second unit cell 14. The excessive water from the first assembly 18 is discharged downwardly into the second oxygen-containing gas passage 42 at a position below the first assembly 18 by the gravity. Thus, with the simple structure, it is possible to prevent the condensed water from being trapped in the first and second assemblies 18, 20. The oxygen-containing gas flow passage 32 extending through the first and second unit cells 12, 14 is a long passage. The pressure loss is large, and thus, the oxygen-containing gas is distributed in the first and second unit cells 12, 14 efficiently, and the water produced in the first and second unit cells 12, 14 is discharged smoothly. The fuel gas flow passage 34 extends serially through the juxtaposed second and first unit cells 14, 12 such that the fuel gas flows from the second unit cell 14 to the first unit cell 12. Thus, the same advantage as with the oxygen-containing gas flow passage 32 can be obtained. In the cell assembly 10, the first and second unit cells 12, 14 are juxtaposed such that electrode surfaces of the first unit cell 12 and electrode surfaces of the second unit cells 14 are aligned in parallel with each other. Thus, the first unit cell 12 and the second unit cell 14 can be handled independently. For example, only the performance test of the fist unit cell 12 can be carried out easily and accurately. In the first unit cell 12, the low humidified oxygen-containing gas or the non-humidified oxygen-containing gas flows through the first oxygen-containing gas passage 38 in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and the fuel gas having a relatively high humidity flows through the second fuel gas passage 48 in the direction indicated by the arrow B. Thus, the water in the second fuel gas passage 48 moves from the anode 26a having the hydrophilic diffusion layer of high porosity to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22a. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22a from being dried. Even if the low humidified oxygen-containing gas or the non-humidified oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the cell assembly 10, the desired wet state of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22a can be maintained. In the second unit cell 14, the oxygen-containing gas of high humidity, containing water produced in power generation flows through the second oxygen-containing gas passage 42 in the direction indicated by the arrow A, and the low humidified fuel gas or the non-humidified fuel gas flows through the first fuel gas passage 44 in the direction indicated by the arrow B. Thus, the water in the oxygen-containing gas passage 42 moves from the cathode 24b having the hydrophilic diffusion layer of high porosity to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22b. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22b from being dried. Even if the low humidified gas or the non-humidified gas is supplied to the cell assembly 10, the desired wet state of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane 22b is maintained. Next, FIG. 3 shows change in humidity of the first and second assemblies 18, 20, the first and second oxygen-containing gas passage 38, 42, and the first and second fuel gas passage 44, 48 in the first and second unit cells 12, 14. In the first unit cell 12, the first assembly 18 is humidified by the fuel gas having high relative humidity flowing through the second fuel gas passage 48. In the second unit cell 14, the second assembly 20 is humidified by the oxygen-containing gas having high humidity flowing through the second oxygen-containing gas passage 42. Thus, it may not be necessary to humidify the oxygen-containing gas and the fuel gas in supplying the oxygen-containing gas and the fuel gas to the cell assembly 10. It is possible to maintain the desired humidity of the first and second assemblies 18, 20, and improve the power generation performance of the first and second unit cells 12, 14. FIG. 4 shows change in humidity of the first and second unit cells 12, 14. In the second unit cell 14, the humidity is high due to the water produced in the power generation. The second unit cell 14 is heated, and the relative humidity of the oxygen-containing gas is lowered (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Thus, water does not condense in the second unit cell 14. The current density distribution is uniform, and the concentration overpotential can be reduced. Further, in the first embodiment, the connection passage member 16 is interposed between the first and second unit cells 12, 14. Thus, the cell assembly 10 is compact as a whole. The cell assembly 10 can be handled easily, and installed at various positions easily and suitably. FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing main components of a solid polymer cell assembly 80 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The constituent elements that are identical to those of the cell assembly 10 according to the first embodiment are labeled with the same reference numeral, and description thereof will be omitted. The cell assembly 80 includes a first fuel cell stack 82 formed by stacking a plurality of, e.g., three first unit cells 12, and a second fuel cell stack 84 formed by stacking a plurality of, e.g., three second unit cells 14, and a connection passage member 16 interposed between the first fuel cell stack 82 and the second fuel cell stack 84. The first fuel cell stack 82 and the second fuel cell stack 84 are juxtaposed together. The connection passage member 16 may be formed by a single component. Alternatively, the connection passage member 16 may be formed by stacking three components. The first and second fuel cell stacks 82, 84 include manifold members 86, 88 for supplying/discharging the oxygen-containing gas, the fuel gas, and the coolant to/from the first and second unit cells 12, 14, respectively. As described above, in the second embodiment, a plurality of the first and second unit cells 12, 14 are stacked together to form the first and second fuel cell stacks 82, 84, respectively for achieving the high output easily. Further, in the structure in which the oxygen-containing gas can be supplied externally to the connection passage member 16, it is possible to effectively reduce the flow rate of the oxygen-containing gas supplied to the first fuel cell stack 82. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, the flow rate of the reactant gas supplied to the unit cell on the upstream side is high since the flow rate of the reactant gas supplied to the unit cell on the downstream side is taken into account. Thus, it is possible to prevent the water condensation in the reactant gas flow passage, and the humidity is uniform in each of the unit cells. Accordingly, the current density distribution is uniform in each of the unit cells, and the concentration overpotential can be reduced. The reactant gas flows at a high speed so that the water produced in power generation can be discharged from the unit cells efficiently. Further, a plurality of the unit cells are juxtaposed such that electrode surfaces of the unit cells are aligned in parallel with each other. Thus, the unit cells can be handled independently. Therefore, for example, the performance test can be performed individually for each of the unit cells easily and reliably.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Generally, a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) employs an electrolyte membrane. The electrolyte membrane is a polymer ion exchange membrane (proton ion exchange membrane). The electrolyte membrane is interposed between an anode and a cathode to form an assembly (electrolyte electrode assembly). Each of the anode and the cathode includes base material chiefly containing carbon, and an electrode catalyst layer of noble metal deposited on the base material. The electrolyte electrode assembly is sandwiched between separators (bipolar plates) to form a unit cell (unit power generation cell). In use, typically, a plurality of unit cells are stacked together to form a fuel cell stack. In the fuel cell, a fuel gas such as a gas chiefly containing hydrogen (hereinafter also referred to as the hydrogen-containing gas) is supplied to the anode. The catalyst of the anode induces a chemical reaction of the fuel gas to split the hydrogen molecule into hydrogen ions and electrons. The hydrogen ions move toward the cathode through the electrolyte, and the electrons flow through an external circuit to the cathode, creating a DC electric current. A gas chiefly containing oxygen (hereinafter also referred to as the oxygen-containing gas) is supplied to the cathode. At the cathode, the hydrogen ions from the anode combine with the electrons and oxygen to produce water. When the electrolyte membrane of the fuel cell is dried, it is not possible to maintain the operation at a high output density. Therefore, it is necessary to suitably humidify the electrolyte membrane. For this purpose, various humidification methods have been adopted conventionally. For example, in an external humidification method, the electrolyte membrane of the assembly is humidified by supplying water to the assembly using a humidifier such as a bubbler provided externally to the fuel cell. The humidifier humidifies reactant gases (fuel gas/oxygen-containing gas) supplied to the assembly. In an internal humidification method, a humidifier (humidification structure) for humidifying the electrolyte membrane is provided in the unit cell. However, in the external humidification method, since the humidifier is provided externally to the fuel cell as an additional component, the fuel cell system is large as a whole. Thus, a large space is needed for the system. In particular, when the load of the fuel cell is increased rapidly, the humidifier may not have the capability for tracking the rapid increase of the load. In one internal humidification method, strings for absorbing water are embedded in the electrolyte membrane. In another internal humidification method, water from the anode passes through a water permeable plate. In still another internal humidification method, water absorption strings are in contact with the electrolyte membrane on the anode side. However, in these methods, when the sufficient level of humidify is not achieved for some reasons, it is difficult to suitably recover the humidity in the fuel cell.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a view schematically showing main components of a solid polymer cell assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a view schematically showing distinctive structures of the cell assembly; FIG. 3 is a view showing change in humidity in first and second unit cells; FIG. 4 is a view showing change in temperature in the first and second cell unit cells; and FIG. 5 is a view schematically showing main components of a solid polymer cell assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20041223

20090728

20051020

92707.0

PARSONS, THOMAS H

SOLID POLYMER CELL ASSEMBLY

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Handheld tool for breaking up rock

A tool (12) has a body (14) with a barrel (18) having opposing threaded and fitted openings (30 and 28). An actuator pin tube (26), for slidably engaging an actuator pin (38) having a tip (40) opposing a retention head (42), extending from the fitted opening (30). A spring assembly (24), disposed in the barrel (18), has a hammer guide (44) engaged in the threaded opening (28) with a hammer (46) slidably engaged therein, a handle mechanism (55) disposed at one end and a spring retainer (52) disposed adjacent the other end of the hammer (46) before a hammerhead (51), and a spring (54) engaged between the hammer guide (44) and the spring retainer (52). A release mechanism (56) engages the hammer (46). A kit (108) containing the tool (12) and a method of operating the tool (12) involving drilling and cleaning a borehole, inserting a cartridge and tool therein, and detonating the load remotely using a pull cord.

1: A tool (12) for breaking hard material, comprising: a body (14) having an opening (16) therethrough forming a barrel (18), which receives a spring assembly (24) therein, the barrel (18) having a threaded opening (28) at a first end (20) of the barrel (18) and a fitted opening (30) at a second end (22) of the barrel (18); an actuator pin tube (26) having a first and a second end (32 and 34), and an opening (36) therethrough for slidably engaging an actuator pin (38), wherein the first end (32) of the actuator pin tube (26) is engaged securely in the fitted opening (30), and the second end (34) of the actuator pin tube (26) extends from the fitted opening (30); the actuator pin (38) having a tip (40) and a retention head (42) at opposing ends (41 and 43) of the actuator pin (38), wherein the retention head (42) is wider than the opening (36) in the actuator pin tube (26), and the actuator pin (38) is longer than the actuator pin tube (26) permitting the tip (40) to extend through the second end (34) of the actuator pin tube (26); the spring assembly (24) comprises a hammer guide (44) engaged in the threaded opening (28), a hammer (46) slidably engaged through the hammer guide (44), a handle mechanism (55) for manually cocking the hammer (53) disposed on a first end of the hammer (46), a spring retainer (52) disposed adjacent a second end (50) of the hammer (46), and a spring (54) engaged on the hammer (46) between the spring retainer (52) and the hammer guide (44), wherein the second end (50) of the hammer (46) is formed into a hammerhead (51), and the hammerhead (51) is extended towards the retention head (42) when the spring (54) is fully relaxed; and a release mechanism (56) for releasably engaging the hammer (46). 2: The tool of claim 1 further comprising: a safety mechanism (89) for preventing premature release of the hammer (46) when the hammer (46) is engaged in the release mechanism (56). 3: The tool of claim 1, further comprising: a sighting mechanism (81) for visually determining whether the actuator pin (38) is properly positioned. 4: The tool of claim 1, wherein: the release mechanism (56) comprises a release plate (58) slidably engaged on the body (14) adjacent the first end (20) of the barrel (18) and having the hammer (46) slidably engaged in an elongated opening (60) of the release plate (58) wherein the elongated opening (60) has a wide portion (62) and a narrow portion (64), and the hammer (46) has a retention groove (66) disposed between the first and second ends (48 and 50) of the hammer (46) such that the hammer (46) can freely slide when the wide portion (62) is engaged on the hammer (46) but is retained in position when the retention groove (66) is engaged in the narrow portion (64) of the elongated opening (60), and a release opening (93) for receiving a pull cord (94) is disposed in the release plate adjacent the wide portion (62) and opposite the narrow portion (64) such that force applied to the pull cord (94) pulls the release plate (58) to release the hammer (46). 5: The tool of claim 4, wherein: the release plate (58) is slidably engaged on first and second release plate screws (68 and 70) each having a collar (69) and a threaded portion (67) wherein the release plate screws (68 and 70) and the body (14) are further separated by first and second washers (72 and 74) and the release plate screws (68 and 70) are fixedly engaged in threaded openings (76 and 78) of the tool body (14) wherein the threaded openings (76 and 78) of the tool body (14) are flanking the threaded opening (28) of the barrel (18). 6: The tool of claim 3, wherein: the sighting mechanism (81) comprises a sight hole (80) in the body (14) and a visual indicator (82) disposed on the retention head (42) of the actuator pin (38), wherein the visual indicator (82) is visible through the sight hole (80) when the actuator pin (38) is in proper position relative to a load cartridge (84). 7: The tool of claim 2 wherein: the safety mechanism (89), when engaged, is disposed on the release mechanism (56). 8: The tool of claim 4, further comprising: a safety mechanism (89), wherein the safety mechanism (89) is an extension (86) of the elongated opening (60) for slidably receiving a safety clip (88) therethrough. 9: The tool of claim 1, wherein: the barrel (18) further comprises a pinched region (83) adjacent actuator pin tube (16) from sliding into the body (14). 10: The tool of claim 1, wherein: the handle mechanism (55) for manually cocking the hammer (46) is engaged in an opening (106) through the first end (48) of the hammer (46). 11: The tool of claim 1, further comprising: anchor openings (79) disposed through the body (14), substantially perpendicular to the barrel (18), and adjacent to the fitted opening (30), for applying restraining forces therethrough preventing the tool's (12) dislodgement during-handle detonation of a load cartridge (84). 12: The tool of claim 8, wherein: the safety clip (88) is attached to the handle mechanism (55) via a cord (90). 13: A kit comprising: A tool (12) for breaking rock, a rubber bulb hole blower (112), a cord keeper (116) with a release cord (94) and a clip (92) disposed on the release cord (94), a package (120) containing load cartridges (84), and an instruction manual (124); wherein the tool (12) comprises a body (14) having an opening (16) therethrough forming a barrel (18), which receives a spring assembly (24) therein, the barrel (18) having a threaded opening (28) at a first end (20) of the barrel (18) and a fitted opening (30) at a second end (22) of the barrel (18); an actuator pin tube (26) having a first and a second end (32 and 34), and an opening (36) therethrough for slidably engaging an actuator pin (38), wherein the first end (32) of the actuator pin tube (26) is engaged securely in the fitted opening (30), and the second end (34) of the actuator pin tube (26) extends from the fitted opening (30); the actuator pin (38) having a tip (40) and a retention head (42) at opposing ends (41 and 43) of the actuator pin (38), wherein the retention head (42) is wider than the opening (36) in the actuator pin tube (26), and the actuator pin (38) is longer than the actuator pin tube (26) permitting the tip (40) to extend through the second end (34) of the actuator pin tube (26); the spring assembly (24) comprises a hammer guide (44) engaged in the threaded opening (28), a hammer (46) slidably engaged through the hammer guide (44), a handle mechanism (55) for manually cocking the hammer (53) disposed on a first end of the hammer (46), a spring retainer (52) disposed adjacent a second end (50) of the hammer (46), and a spring (54) engaged on the hammer (46) between the spring retainer (52) and the hammer guide (44), wherein the second end (50) of the hammer (46) is formed into a hammerhead (51), and the hammerhead (51) is extended towards the retention head (42) when the spring (54) is fully relaxed; and a release mechanism (56) for releasably engaging the hammer (46). 14: The kit according to claim 13, wherein: the release cord (94) is preferably at least 25 feet long. 15: The kit according to claim 13, further comprising: two tapered drift pins (118), a hex key (114), and a borehole cleaning brush (122). 16: A method for breaking hard material, comprising the steps of: a. providing a tool (12) for breaking hard material, wherein the tool (12) i. comprises a body (14) having an opening (16) therethrough forming a barrel (18), which receives a spring assembly (24) therein, the barrel (18) having a threaded opening (28) at a first end (20) of the barrel (18) and a fitted opening (30) at a second end (22) of the barrel (18); ii. an actuator pin tube (26) having a first and a second end (32 and 34), and an opening (36) therethrough for slidably engaging an actuator pin (38), wherein the first end (32) of the actuator pin tube (26) is engaged securely in the fitted opening (30), and the second end (34) of the actuator pin tube (26) extends from the fitted opening (30); iii. the actuator pin (38) having a tip (40) and a retention head (42) at opposing ends (41 and 43) of the actuator pin (38), wherein the retention head (42) is wider than the opening (36) in the actuator pin tube (26), and the actuator pin (38) is longer than the actuator pin tube (26) permitting the tip (40) to extend through the second end (34) of the actuator pin tube (26); iv. the spring assembly (24) comprises a hammer guide (44) engaged in the threaded opening (30), a hammer (46) slidably engaged through the hammer guide (44), a handle mechanism (55) for manually cocking the hammer (53) disposed on a first end of the hammer (46), a spring retainer (52) disposed adjacent a second end (50) of the hammer (46), and a spring (54) engaged on the hammer (46) between the spring retainer (52) and the hammer guide (44), wherein the second end (50) of the hammer (46) is formed into a hammerhead (51), and the hammerhead (51) is extended towards the retention head (42) when the spring (54) is fully relaxed; and v. a release mechanism (56) for releasably engaging the hammer (46) by pulling a pull cord (94) engaged on the release mechanism (56); b. providing a cartridge (84) having a tubular shaped casing (96) with a closed bottom (100) at one end and a primer (102) at the opposing end and a load (98) interspersed therebetween the bottom (100) and the primer (102); c. drilling a borehole (B) in a hard material (R) wherein the borehole (B) will accommodate the full length of the actuator pin tube (26) which extends from the fitted opening (30) of the barrel (18); d. cleaning out the borehole; e. inserting the load cartridge (84) all the way into the borehole (B) so the primer (102) will come into contact with the tip (40) of the actuator pin (38) once the actuator pin tube (26) is engaged in the borehole (B); f. shaking the actuator pin (38) into position so that the tip (40) extends from the second end (34) of the actuator pin tube (26); g. inserting the actuator pin tube (26) into the borehole (B) such that the tip of the actuator pin (38) meets the primer (102) of the load cartridge (84); h. connecting the pull cord (96) to the handle mechanism (55); i. extending the pull cord (96) to its full length; and j. pulling the pull cord (96) to detonate the load cartridge (84). 17: The method according to claim 16, further comprising: a. engaging a safety mechanism (89) to prevent premature release of the hammer (46); and b. disengaging the safety mechanism (89). 18: The method according to claim 16, further comprising: a. anchoring the tool (12) to the hard material adjacent the borehole (B) to prevent the premature disengagement of the tool (12) from the borehole (B), wherein the tool (12) further comprises anchor openings (79) disposed through the body (14), substantially perpendicular to the barrel (18), and adjacent to the fitted opening (30), for applying restraining forces therethrough preventing the tool's (12) dislodgement during-handle detonation of a load cartridge (84). 19: The method according to claim 16, further comprising: a. verifying that the actuator pin (38) is appropriately positioned relative to the hammerhead (51) and the primer (102) of the load cartridge (84), wherein the tool (12) further comprises a sighting mechanism (81) for visually determining whether the actuator pin (38) is properly positioned. 20: The method according to claim 16, wherein: the release mechanism (56) comprises a release plate (58) slidably engaged on the body (14) adjacent the first end (20) of the barrel (18) and having the hammer (46) slidably engaged in an elongated opening (60) of the release plate (58) wherein the elongated opening (60) has a wide portion (62) and a narrow portion (64), and the hammer (46) has a retention groove (66) disposed between the first and second ends (48 and 50) of the hammer (46) such that the hammer (46) can freely slide when the wide portion (62) is engaged on the hammer (46) but is retained in position when the retention groove (66) is engaged in the narrow portion (64) of the elongated opening (60), and a release opening (93) for receiving a pull cord (94) is disposed in the release plate adjacent the wide portion (62) and opposite the narrow portion (64) such that force applied to the pull cord (94) pulls the release plate (58) to release the hammer (46).

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/400,502 filed on 5 Aug. 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tool and a method for breaking up rock, and in particular, to a handheld remote detonation tool, a kit containing the tool, and a method for breaking rock, masonry and the like using the tool and kit. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous devices have been utilized in the art of breaking up rock. Most such devices are quite large, and are used in mining, quarries and excavation endeavors. These devices and methods are typically for large-scale efforts resulting in massive explosions, and the destruction or generation of large areas of rock. Few devices exist for specialized small scale breaking efforts; however, these devices tend to be larger than the present device and utilize far more explosive forces. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,694 ('694) shows a tool and method for breaking up rock. The tool of '694 has a barrel, a breech body for receiving a gas discharge cartridge loaded with gas producing propellant and a firing-handle mechanism (a firing pin) for firing the cartridge. The method involves drilling a hole in rock, filling the hole with water, passing the barrel down the hole, and firing the cartridge. The cartridge used is similar to a shotgun cartridge and has a rim-fire percussion cap, which complements the firing pin. The device of '694 further utilizes a trigger assembly attached to a lanyard for remote triggering of the firing pin. In operation, the barrel is inserted into a water-filled hole while the cartridge, which is engaged at the top of the barrel opposite the bottom of the hole, is detonated by the firing pin thereby producing rapid gas expansion into the water generating shock waves throughout the water and fracturing of the rock. The triggering device is cocked before use, and the lanyard is pulled to fire the device from a remote location. The device additionally uses a blast shield. The explosive gas cartridge of the '694 invention is placed in the middle of the device at the top of the barrel. The barrel of the '694 patent is used as a pipe for channeling the force of the detonated gas chamber into the bottom of the borehole. The device of '694 requires a blast shield indicating the great force released thereby. A smaller device, which has a smaller explosion, is desired so that the device may be used in circumstances not conducive to most explosions. Many related art devices involve methods that require drilling boreholes and generating a rapid increase in the concentration of pressure in the bottom of a borehole either by explosions, or a sudden increase in fluid pressure, to facilitate and propagate fracturing of the rock. Many of these inventions are designed to excavate rocks or dig tunnels, and include various boom-supported devices. All of these devices use impact and expansive gas in order to break apart rock or other hard material. These devices are quite large and produce substantial explosions/gas expansions, and are otherwise unsuitable for the purposes of the present invention. The majority of the related art uses large-scale devices, which are disposed on boom arms. Methods of breaking up rock which couple explosive (or rapid gas expansion) and mechanical impact breaking to excavate rock and dig tunnels are well known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,550 ('550) discloses a method for breaking rock using small-charge blasting techniques followed by a mechanical impact breaker. In the small-charge blasting technique, a gas is released into the bottom of a sealed hole. The gas pressure rises rapidly in the hole until the gas pressure causes the hard material to fracture followed by an impact breaker to complete the fracturing of the rock and to remove the fractured material. The '550 device involves a large mobile undercarrier having a boom assembly with a mechanical impact breaker and a small charge blasting apparatus attached thereto. It is desirable to have a very small charge blasting technique that is effective without using an impact breaker to increase the fracture of the rock generated by the detonation of the load. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,149 ('149) uses a controlled-fracturing process accompanied by pressurizing the bottom of a drill hole in such a way as to initiate and propagate a controlled fracture. The process of '149 uses a large apparatus to operate. U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,933 ('933) describes a method for removing hard rock by a combination of impact hammers and small charge blasting. The method of '933 uses small-charged blasting techniques followed by a mechanical impact breaker. In the small-charge blasting technique of the '933 patent, a gas is released into the bottom of a sealed hole located at a free surface of the rock. The gas pressure rises rapidly in the hole until the gas pressure causes the rock to fracture. A blasting agent may be used to cause initial subsurface fractures. An impact breaker is then used to complete fracturing and removal of the material. The devices utilized in the invention of '933 are large scale and are held into position by boom arms. It is known in the art to seal or block the bore hole to increase the pressure at the bottom of the hole without using additional impact apparatuses. U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,730 describes a method and apparatus for controlled small-charge blasting by pressurization of the bottom of a drill hole. The invention therein involves drilling a hole in rock, inserting a cartridge containing an explosive apparatus, bracing the cartridge with a massive stemming bar in the drilled hole, and detonating the explosive thereby generating fractures in the rock. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,784 discloses a method and apparatus for controlled small-charge blasting of hard rock explosive pressurization of the bottom of a drill hole which uses a cartridge containing an explosive charge inserted into the bottom of a drilled hole wherein the cartridge is held in place by a massive stemming bar. The stemming bar also serves to partially block the hole increasing the pressure of the explosion. U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,923 teaches a cartridge for generating high-pressure gases in a drilled hole. The cartridge includes a base member, a body member, a propellant, and a device for sealing a surface of the cartridge to the surface of a hole in the material. Upon ignition of the propellant, gas pressure rapidly rises in the hole due to the sealing device. The gas pressure causes the material to form a penetrating cone fracture. The cartridge is placed in a hole by a boom suspended from large-scale equipment. In operation, the cartridge is first loaded into a combustion chamber and a gas injector barrel is placed into the drill hole. A firing pin is actuated thereby triggering the primer, which in turn ignites the igniter power, which in turn ignites the propellant. As the propellant burns, pressure is built up within the cartridge. At a desired psi (pounds per square inch), the cartridge body ruptures releasing the generated gas into the combustion chamber and the barrel. Many related art devices and methods involve apparatuses that insert explosives into a hole using a boom, which explosives may then be detonated remotely. Additionally, the boom arm may serve to partially seal the hole. U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,471 shows a drill-and-blast module which is disposed on the end of a boom for insertion in a hole and detonation thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,163 ('163) discloses a controlled fracture method for breaking hard compact rock which involves a boom supported apparatus that inserts an explosive, or a propellant charge, in a pre-drilled hole. The '163 apparatus may utilize a barrel to insert the explosives, and the hole may be sealed behind the explosive in an effort to control the explosion. Furthermore, it is well known to use devices and methods, which increase fluid pressure by means other than explosive or rapid gas expansion, to break apart the rock. U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,783 teaches a process and apparatus for fragmenting rock using an explosion-free pulse of water directed into a borehole resulting in high-pressure shock waves that fractures the rock. U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,271 describes a controlled foam injection system for fragmentation of hard compact rock whereby a high pressure foam is inserted into a drill hole by a barrel, which seals the hole and is disposed at the end of a boom attached to heavy equipment. Alternative detonation techniques and hybrid methodologies are also known. U.S. Pat. No. 2,058,099 describes a blasting cartridge that is inserted into a drill hole. High water pressure is exerted on the cartridge through a pipe resulting in a sudden explosive release of pressure increasing substance from the cartridge. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,551 ('551) discloses a method, apparatus and cartridge, which are disposed on a boom truck, for non-explosive rock fragmentation. The '551 method involves first drilling a hole into a rock, positioning a charging system having a propellant cartridge inserted therein, which cartridge has a propellant and means for igniting the propellant, and forcing the propellant cartridge through the charging system and into the hole to ignite the propellant. U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,272 teaches a method of breaking rock, which includes drilling a hole in the rock by a drilling machine having an articulated boom and a drilling tool at the end of the boom. After removing the drilling tool, a rock breaking charge is charged into the hole, which charge includes a propellant, a fuse head, and a tamping medium contained in a casing. The tamping medium is discharged into the hole and allowed to set around and rearward of the propellant. The driving mechanism is removed and the propellant is actuated from a remote position via electrical charge or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,035 involves an explosive charging apparatus for rock drilling which charges a controlled amount of explosives sequentially to bores drilled in a rock surface and includes an explosive charging pipe, a boom mechanism carrying the explosive charging pipe, boom actuators, a control circuit and an explosive charging pipe. U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,605 describes a method, apparatus and cartridge for non-explosive rock fragmentation which involves drilling a hole into a rock, and inserting a propellant cartridge into a charging housing with a means for igniting the propellant, and forcing the propellant cartridge through a charging hose and into the hole to ignite the propellant. The apparatus and cartridge of '605 are inserted using a boom device. It is known to use pressurized fluids in a hole to break rocks. U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,992 ('992) shows a small charge blasting apparatus including an apparatus for sealing pressurized fluids in holes. The invention therein provides a relief volume for a pressurized working fluid in the bore of a barrel that is inserted into a hole in the material to be broken. The invention seals the fluid into the hole while a gas-generator generates greater pressure. The requirement of a separate apparatus for sealing pressurized fluids into bore holes is inconvenient especially in any emergency rescue operations where the least amount of equipment, especially bulky equipment, in most desirable. Numerous diverse methods and apparatuses have been developed to aid in breaking rock and other hard surfaces. U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,307 ('307) describes a method and apparatus for blasting hard rock using a highly insensitive energetic material ignited with a moderately high-energy electrical discharge causing the fracturing and break up of hard rock. The blasting apparatus of '307 has a reusable blasting probe which includes a high voltage electrode and a ground return electrode separated by an insulating tube. The two electrodes of the blasting probe are in electrical contact with a metal powder and oxidizer mixture that will generate an exothermic reaction upon generation of an electric current therebetween creating a gas expansion to fracture the rock. U.S. Pat. No. 2,587,243 ('243) describes a cutting apparatus, which produces a very high velocity gaseous penetrating jet for cutting materials or objects using a chemical charge. No borehole is drilled prior to the use of the '243 apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 3,208,381 shows a device for loading bore holes with explosives in bar-shaped or tubular packages, which device is a generally tubular sleeve constructed of resilient material to receive one end of an explosive package. A variety of cartridges are used in the related art. Cone-shaped blasting cartridges or plugs are designed to contain or control the explosion in a drilled/bore hole. U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,768 shows a shaped charge to be placed into a bore hole, which shaped charge includes an elongate housing having a concave recess in an upper end, an explosive located within the housing and below the recess, and a detonator positioned beneath the recess and explosive. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,296,504 ('504) teaches a blasting plug designed to control the level of explosion resulting from the detonation of dynamite, and prevent an uncontrolled explosion and resultant fire hazard. The method of using the device of '504 involves inserting the device in a borehole and detonating the device remotely. U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,578 describes a method of breaking slabs that involves drilling bore holes along a desired break line, inserting a detonating cord therein, filling the bore holes with a shock transmitting/moderating composition, and detonating the detonation cord. U.S. Pat. No. 1,585,664 ('664) shows a method and apparatus for breaking rock which utilizes projectiles (similar to bullets) and a forcible ejection means attached to a boom. The projectiles are fired at the surface of the rock. The '664 invention demonstrates that the use of bullet-like explosives is known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,130 describes a propellant igniter. U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,092 discloses a barrel for a rock breaking tool and method for breaking rock which involves drilling a hole in rock, filling the hole with water, inserting a short barrel of a rock breaking tool into the hole entrance, covering the tool with a recoil restraining mat, and discharging a cartridge down the barrel. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Specifically, these devices lack the simplicity and portability desired for truly small-scale rock breaking, and especially, for rock breaking that must not generate an explosion of any significant force. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tool designed for the small scale cracking and demolition of solid materials, including but not limited to rock and masonry. In particular the present invention relates to a remote detonation tool that is used in splitting off part of a rock or other hard material. The term “rock” when used herein shall include any suitable hard material, such as concrete. The present invention further contemplates a kit incorporating the rock-breaking tool, and a method of using the tool and kit to break rock by creating a small explosion in the bottom of a hole drilled in the rock. This type of drill hole is frequently referred to as a borehole. Presently, the kit contains the tool, a rubber bulb hole blower, a release cord with clip (25 ft. long), two tapered drift pins, a hex key (⅛ inch) and an instruction manual. The kit may further contain a brush for cleaning the borehole and cartridges. The tool has a barrel formed in a body having a spring assembly inside the barrel. The spring assembly consists of a hammer with a handle mechanism for manually cocking the hammer, such as a split ring-handle, engaged on one end of the hammer, a hammerhead at the second end opposite the handle mechanism, and a spring engaged between the two ends. The hammer further has a channel for mating with a release plate in a hold position. The hammer engages a guide disposed inside the barrel of the tool. An actuator pin tube is attached to the barrel opposite the handle mechanism and an actuator pin is engaged in an opening through the actuator pin tube. The hammerhead engages the head of an actuator pin when the spring is most relaxed thereby forcing the actuator pin downward with the tip of the actuator pin sticking out of the bottom end of the actuator pin tube opposite the pin head. A release mechanism, which may be a release plate, is provided for releasably engaging the hammer. The release plate is disposed at one end of the body opposite the actuator pin tube and has an elongated opening which mates with the end of the hammer adjacent the handle mechanism, and also serves to prevent the hammer from becoming displaced inside the barrel. The release plate has two positions with the elongated opening configured to hold and release the hammer. The two different positions of the elongated opening correspond to hold and release positions. The hammer is cocked by pulling the hammer by the handle mechanism thereby putting force on the spring, and then pushing the release plate so that the elongate opening slides into the hold position relative to the channel in the hammer. The actuator pin is actuated by pulling a cord attached to the release plate so that the channel moves into the release position thereby releasing the hammer resulting in the actuator pin forcefully pushing outward through the tube. The method of breaking rock contemplated by the present invention partially comprises drilling a borehole six to nine inches deep and four to twelve inches from the edge of the rock, depending on the material to be cracked. A load, in the form of a low energy propellant cartridge, is placed within the cleaned borehole. The actuator pin tube is inserted into the borehole so that the end of the actuator pin tube makes contact with a primer disposed at one end of the cartridge while the body of the tool remains adjacent the surface of the rock. An indicator on the head of the actuator pin can be seen through a sight hole preferably provided in the body of the tool thereby assuring proper relative placement of the tool and cartridge. The load is detonated by the mechanical action of the actuator pin striking the primer when the release cord is pulled. No additional damper mechanism or sealing of the borehole is required as the tight fit of the activator pin tube in the borehole, coupled with the inertia of the body mass, tend to keep the tool in place during the brief period of detonation. The present invention may be used by a large variety of potential users including excavators, blasting contractors, farmers, geologists, park trail builders, demolition contractors, prospectors, mining operations, road departments, landscapers, quarry operations, tactical personnel including police and armed services, structure collapse rescue teams, cave rescue and exploration groups. Equipment rental centers may also have use for such devices. An aspect of the present invention is that the tool and method require very small diameter boreholes, typically about 0.375 inches or smaller, which can be more easily drilled by cheaper and more readily available consumer level equipment. Other methods of cracking hard material require the drilling of relatively large holes, generally an inch in diameter or larger. Alternatively, other methods require strenuous and often dangerous manual labor. The drilling equipment used to accomplish the other methods is expensive and generally requires high skill levels to operate. Another aspect of the present invention is that the tool and method generate a relatively low energy output. This low energy output allows operators to use the tool and method in environments sensitive to the use of higher energy methods and devices. Yet another aspect of the present invention is the portability of the tool. Since the device is quite small, it can be transported almost anywhere. An example of the usefulness of the small configuration of the tool is the potential use miles underground to open passages in caves for rescue or exploration. The tool easily fits into a hand held carry case with all the essential equipment needed to operate the tool. A further aspect gained by the small size and relative simplicity of the system is its projected low cost to own and operate. This coupled with the elimination of large borehole drilling devices will allow many more people to successfully and economically deal with demolition problems in a far easier manner than has previously been available. Since the tool's uses are not typically governed by blasting regulations and license requirements in most areas, the tool saves the users money by eliminating the expenses and logistics of hiring separate highly trained and licensed personnel. The tool also eliminates the risks of collateral damage to nearby property, which is always a concern when using high explosives. Many municipalities now have outright bans on the use of high power explosives within their jurisdictions which forces contractors to use track loader mounted hydraulic demolition hammers, pneumatic jack hammers, or expensive and slow acting hydraulic cements to crack materials. All of these methods can cost many times as much as using the present invention and can severely delay projects when unexpected obstacles are encountered. These and other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following drawings and specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features of the described embodiments are specifically set forth in the appended claims; however, embodiments relating to the structure and process of making the present invention, may best be understood with reference to the following description and accompanying drawings. FIG. 1A is a sectional side view of the tool of the present invention engaged in a cutaway view of a borehole in a rock showing the arrangement of the tool armed without a safety engaged and with the actuator pin of the tool in contact with a cartridge engaged in the cutaway borehole. FIG. 1B is a top view of the tool of FIG. 1A wherein the tool is in the armed position without the safety engaged. FIG. 2A is an environmental sectional side view of a tool according to the present invention in a discharge position. FIG. 2B is a top view of the tool of FIG. 2A wherein the tool is in a discharged position. FIG. 3A is a sectional side view of the upper portion of the tool according to the present invention depicting the tool in an armed position with safety engaged. FIG. 3B is a top view of the tool of FIG. 3B is an armed position with the safety engaged. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the tool of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the cartridge utilized in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6 is a top view of a kit containing the tool according to the present invention. Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a handheld tool (12), as shown in FIGS. 1A through 4, and method for the small scale cracking and demolition of solid materials, including but not limited to rock and masonry. FIGS. 1A and 1B show the tool (12) of the present invention cocked, in a hold position, and ready to use. FIG. 1A further depicts the tool as used by showing a cutaway of a borehole (B) in a rock (R) having the tool (12) engaged and a cartridge (84) in the proper position in the borehole (B). FIGS. 2A and 2B show the tool (12) uncocked or in a release position. The tool (12) of FIG. 2A is shown relative to an average human hand (H) demonstrating the size of a preferred embodiment of the tool (12) of the present invention. FIGS. 3A and 3B show the tool in the hold position, cocked, with a safety mechanism (89) engaged to prevent premature release. The tool (12) for breaking hard material (R), according to the present invention, has a body (14) with an opening (16) therethrough forming a barrel (18), which can be seen most clearly in the exploded view of the tool (12) depicted in FIG. 4. The barrel (18) has an opening (28), preferably a threaded opening, at its first end (20) and a fitted opening (30) at its second end (22). A spring assembly (24) is received through the first end (20) of the barrel (18) and held in place, as shown in the drawings and discussed hereinafter. An actuator pin tube (26) is received in the fitted opening (30) of the second end (22) of the barrel (18). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body (14) may be comprised of carbon steel and have external dimensions of 3¼ inches by 2½ inches by 1 inch thick. The barrel (18) may be a 9/16-inch hole with the threaded opening (28) extending ⅜ inch into the barrel (18) wherein the entire barrel goes down 2⅝ inches to the fitted opening (30) with the fitted opening (30) extending therebelow with a pinched region (83) inbetween, as discussed hereinafter, the pinched region (83) may be tapered from the wider portion of the barrel (18). The actuator pin tube (26), which may be composed of a hardened tool steel, may have an external diameter of 5/16 inch and an internal diameter of ⅛ inch, and a length of 8½ inches with 8 inches exposed. The actuator pin (38) may be 8⅞ inches long with a ⅛ inch diameter. The actuator pin tube (26) has a first end (32) and a second end (34). The first end (32) of the actuator pin tube (26) is engaged securely in the fitted opening (30) of the barrel (18) in the body (14) of the tool (12). The second end (34) of the actuator pin tube (26) extends outward from the fitted opening (30). The actuator pin tube (26) has an opening (36) therethrough for slidably engaging an actuator pin (38), as shown in the drawings. The actuator pin (38) has a tip (40) and a retention head (42) at opposing ends (41 and 43). The tip (40) may be tapered and rounded. The retention head (42) serves to retain the actuator pin (38) in the actuator pin tube (26) by preventing the actuator pin (38) from sliding therethrough. The actuator pin (38) fits into the actuator pin tube (26) and is long enough so that the tip (40) extends through the second end (34) of the actuator pin tube (26). In a preferred embodiment, the retention head (42) may have a diameter of ¼ inch and be an ⅛-inch long. A hammer guide (44) is engaged in the opening (16), as shown, with the spring assembly (24) engaged in the hammer guide (44). The spring assembly (24) comprises a hammer (46), a spring (54), a hammerhead (50), a spring retainer (52), and a handle mechanism (55) for manually cocking the hammer (46), such as a split ring-handle (53). A cable (90) may be attached to the ring-handle (53) or equivalent handle mechanism (55). The present invention is seen to incorporate any equivalent handle mechanism (55), and is not limited to the split ring-handle (53) arrangement shown in the figures. The cable (90) may be a wire rope cable, and may be 4 inches long with a diameter of 1/16-inch steel cable. The hammer (46) is slidably engaged through the hammer guide (44), the hammer (46) having a first end (48) and a second end (50). A handle mechanism (55) is disposed on the first end (48) of the hammer (46) and a spring retainer (52) is disposed adjacent the second end (50) of the hammer (46). A hammerhead (51) is formed at the second end (50) of the hammer (46). The ring-handle (53) may be disposed on the hammer (46) through an opening (106) in the first end (48) thereof. A spring (54) is engaged on the hammer (46) between the spring retainer (52) and the hammer guide (44) such that the spring (54) places tension outward on the spring retainer (52). FIG. 1A shows the spring contracted, and FIG. 2A shows the spring in its most relaxed position. Tension remains on the spring retainer (52) while it is in the contracted or cocked position. In the relaxed position, tension is not placed on the spring retainer (52). The spring retainer (52) may be a bushing, as shown, held fixed in place, relative to the hammerhead (51) at the second end (50) of the hammer (46), by a roll pin (104). Furthermore, where the handle mechanism (55) is a ring-handle (53), an opening (106) may be disposed in the hammer (46) for receiving the ring-handle (53) therethrough. The ring-handle (53), or other handle mechanism, also prevents the hammer (46) from becoming dislodged through the hammer guide (44) when the spring assembly (24) is removed from the body. A release mechanism (56) for releasably engaging the hammer (46) may be provided in the form of a release plate (58). The hammerhead (50) contacts the retention head (42) when the spring (54) is fully relaxed, in order to put force through the tip (40) and onto a properly placed cartridge (84) thereby detonating it. The invention further provides a sighting mechanism (81) for determining position of the actuator pin (38) and a safety mechanism (89) to prevent premature detonation of the cartridge (84). The release plate (58) has two positions with the elongated opening (60) configured to alternatively hold and release the hammer (46), as shown most clearly in FIGS. 1B and 2B. The release mechanism (56) may be a release plate (58) slidably engaged on the body (14) wherein the hammer (46) is slidably engaged in an elongated opening (60) of the release plate (58). The elongated opening (60) has a wide portion (62) and a narrow portion (64), and the hammer (46) has a retention groove (66) disposed between the first and second ends (48 and 50) of the hammer (46) such that the hammer (46) can freely slide when the wide portion (62) is engaged on the hammer (46), see FIG. 2B, but is retained in position when the retention groove (66) is engaged in the narrow portion (64) of the elongated opening (60), see FIG. 1B. Furthermore, the release plate (58) may be slidably engaged on first and second release plate screws (68 and 70). Each release plate screw (68 or 70) has a threaded part (67) and a smooth shoulder (69). In a preferred embodiment, the threaded (67) part to the shoulder (69) may be ⅜ inch long and may be a number 12 bolt thread with 24 threads per inch. The shoulder (69) may be ¼ inch diameter and a ¼ inch long. Regardless of the dimensions of the tool (12), the shoulder (69) must be as long as the release plate (58) is thick to facilitate the sliding of release plate (48) along the shoulder of the release plate screws (68 and 70). Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the release plate screws (68 and 70) accommodate a ⅛-inch hex wrench (114), see details of kit (108) below, to allow disassembly of the tool (12). The hammer (46) may consist of a 5/16-inch hex shaft wherein the retention groove (66) is 3/16-inch wide and is lathed to a ¼ round diameter and starts 1⅛ inches from the end opposite the hammerhead (50). The hex shaft is beveled at the end to form a ¼ inch round hammerhead (50) that is beveled back 3/16 inch and has an ⅛ inch opening (103) drilled therethrough to accommodate a ⅛ inch roll pin (104). The opening (106) for the split ring-handle (53) may be a ⅛-inch diameter and drilled 1/16-inch from the end opposite the hammerhead (50). The hammer guide (44) may be a standard ⅝-18 hex jam nut. The spring (54) may have 10 coils wherein each coil is 1/16-inch diameter. The spring (54) is 1½ inches long when uncompressed. The spring retainer (52) may consist of a brass bushing having a ⅜-inch inside diameter opening to accommodate the hammer (46) adjacent the hammerhead (51), and an outside diameter of 37/64 inches. The spring retainer (52) may have an opening (105) drilled therethrough perpendicular to the hammer (46) once engaged, as shown in FIG. 4, to accommodate the roll pin (104). The release plate screws (68 and 70) and the body (14) may be further separated by first and second friction reducing washers (72 and 74), as shown in the figures. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second friction reducing washers (72 and 74) may be ¼-inch inside diameter nylon washers with an external diameter of ¾-inch with a thickness of 1/16-inch. The release plate screws (68 and 70) are fixedly engaged in openings (76 and 78) of the tool body (14) wherein the openings (76 and 78) are flanking the threaded opening (28) of the barrel (18). A release cord (94) is attached to a release hole (93) disposed in the release plate (58), as shown. The release plate (58) may be roughly a 3/16 thick, 3½ inches long, and ¾-inch wide. The elongated opening (60) may be 2⅜ inches long and 9/32-inch wide at the narrow portion (64), and ⅜-inch wide at the wide portion (62). The openings (76 and 78) may be threaded with a number 12 tap having 24 threads per inch. In operation, the hammer (46) is cocked by pulling the hammer (46) by the handle mechanism (55) thereby putting force on the spring (54), and then pushing/pulling the release plate (58) so that the elongated opening (60) slides into the hold position. The actuator pin (38) is actuated by pulling a cord (94) attached to the release plate (46), optionally attached together by a biner clip (92), so that the elongated opening (60) moves into the release position thereby releasing the hammer (46) which strikes the head (42) of the actuator pin (38) resulting in the tip (40) of the actuator pin (38) being forcefully driven outward through the second end (34) of the actuator pin tube (26). A preferred sighting mechanism (81) for determining position of the actuator pin (38) is a sight hole (80) in the body (14) and a visual indicator (82) disposed on the retention head (42) of the actuator pin (38) such that the visual indicator (82) is visible through the sight hole (80) when the actuator pin (38) is in proper position relative to a load cartridge (84), as shown in FIG. 1A. The visual indicator (82) may consist of a bright color such as green, orange or red. The barrel (18) further comprises a pinched region (83) adjacent the fitted opening (30) for preventing the actuator pin tube (26) from sliding into the body (14) during use. The retention head (42) prevents the actuator pin (38) from being ejected out of the actuator pin tube (26) or through the pinched region (83) where provided. The safety mechanism (89) is preferably disposed on the release mechanism (56). A preferred safety mechanism (89) consists of an extension (86) of the elongated opening (60) of the release plate (58) for slidably receiving a safety clip (88) therethrough. The safety clip (88) may be a biner clip having a spring load closure, as is well known. FIGS. 3A and 3B show the tool cocked and having the safety clip (88) engaged in the extension (86) of the elongated opening (60) thereby preventing premature firing of the tool (12). The safety clip (88) may be disposed on the pull string (94), which may be attached to the ring-handle (53) or equivalent handle mechanism (55), for convenience. The safety clip (88) is not limited to a biner clip as shown in the drawings but may be any comparable device, such as a bent pin or the like which can removably accommodate the extension (86) and prevent the release plate (58) from sliding from the hold position to the release position. A closed safety clip (88) as shown, or an analogous clip, is preferred as it prevents the accidental removal of the safety clip (88) from the extension (86). Two anchor openings (79) designed to accommodate anchor cords, such as bungee cords (not shown), are disposed through the body (14). The two anchor openings (79) are disposed substantially perpendicular to the barrel (18), and adjacent to the fitted opening (30), for applying restraining forces upon the tool (12) preventing the tool's (12) dislodgement from a borehole (B) during detonation of load cartridge (84). In a preferred embodiment, the anchor openings (79) may be ⅜-inch openings. A first embodiment of the cartridge (84), used with the present invention, is shown in a cutaway borehole (B) of FIG. 1. The first embodiment of the cartridge (84) has a tubular shaped casing (96) having a bottom which may be a plug (100), at one end and a primer (102) at the opposing end. The propellant or load (98) is disposed within the casing (96) between the bottom (100) and the primer (102). A second embodiment of the cartridge (84′) is shown in FIG. 5. The second embodiment of the load cartridge (84′) has a test tube shaped casing (96′) with a primer (102) at the open end. The propellant (98) is disposed within the casing (96′), as shown in FIG. 5. The present invention is not limited to the use of the cartridges (84 and 84′) shown but encompasses all possible embodiments of a scale-to-tool fit load cartridge, which can be detonated by a force on the primer through an actuator pin (38) and hammer (46) according to the present invention. The primer (102) may be comprised of a conventional 209 shotshell primer. The propellant (98) may consist of smokeless powder or other suitable propellant. The tubing may consist of a 5/16-inch (outer diameter) plastic tubing with the tube being 2¼-inches long. The plug (100) may be comprised of hot glue applied using hot glue technology. FIGS. 1A and 1B are two views of the tool (12) in a cocked arrangement without a safety engaged. The cocked arrangement is referred to as the hold position, and is also shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. FIG. 1A shows the tool (12) as used in a borehole (B) of a rock (R) with a load cartridge (84) inserted in the bottom of the borehole (B). The tool (12) of FIGS. 1A and 1B is ready for the pull cord (94) to be pulled. When the pull cord (94) is pulled, the release plate (58) moves to the release position, shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and the hammer (46) is released resulting in the hammerhead (50) striking the retention head (42) which results in the tip (40) of the actuator pin (38) striking the primer (102) of the cartridge (84) thereby detonating the propellant (98) and generating a sudden increase of pressure in the borehole (B) resulting in the breaking of the rock (R). The tool (12) of the present invention may be provided in a kit (108), as shown in FIG. 6. The kit (108) contains the tool (12) for breaking rock (R), a rubber bulb hole blower (112), a cord keeper (116) with the release cord (94) and clip (92) disposed on it, two tapered drift pins (118), a hex key (114), a borehole cleaning brush (122) and an instruction manual (124). A package (120) containing cartridges (84) may be provided separately from the kit (108) or with it. The release cord (94) is preferably at least 25 feet (eight meters) long for safety. The package (120) shown contains ten load cartridges (84). The rubber bulb blower (112) has a hole blower tube (111) and a bulb (109). The bulb (109) may consist of a four-ounce rubber bulb having a diameter of about 2½-inches. The blower tube (111) is about 9½-inches long, and has an external diameter of ¼-inch and an internal diameter of 3/16-inches. The cleaning brush (122) may have an over all length of about 12 inches with a 2⅝-inch long brush with a diameter of 5/16-inch. The cleaning brush (122) may be a 0.30 caliber pistol cleaning tool, as is well known. The cord keeper (116) may be any suitable keeper; however, a flat metal or other rigid material frame is suitable. The release cord (94) may be a ⅛ inch diameter nylon or polyester cord, such as a lawnmower pull cord and may be tied to a biner clip (92) with a double half hitch knot or the like. The two tapered drift pins (118) may be 8 inches long with a ¼-inch diameter on the narrow end and a 1-inch diameter on the larger end. The hex key (114) may be a ⅛-inch hex Allen (trademark) wrench. Obviously, all of the dimensions expressed herein must be adjusted to the actual relative size of the tool (12) used. The present invention is not limited to the exact size and dimensions of the alternative embodiments of the tool (12) or kit (108) as described herein. The operation of the tool (12) for breaking rock (R) according to the present invention involves numerous steps. The operation of the tool (12) shall be described using the dimensions of a preferred embodiment of the tool (12) as disclosed herein for example purposes only. Initially, a borehole (B) must be drilled in the rock (R) or other hard material to be cracked. The borehole (B) diameter should be about 5/16 of an inch for a preferred embodiment. In any case, the borehole shall allow sufficient space to insert the actuator pin tube (26) while being restrictive enough to prevent rapid escape of gasses following detonation of the cartridge (84). The borehole (B) should be no deeper then the length of the actuator pin tube (26) plus the cartridge (84). Marking the drill bit at the proper length from the end will greatly aid in drilling holes to the proper depth. The use of a new and sharp carbide masonry bit is highly recommended. Worn bits can drill undersized boreholes, which will not allow the tool's (12) actuator pin tube (26) to be inserted into the borehole (B) to its full depth. If problems are experienced with the boreholes being too small or two large, measurement of the bits used may determine the cause. Also, boreholes (B) that are not drilled straight can cause problems in the step of inserting the actuator pin tube (26) into the borehole (B) to the full depth. Inserting the actuator pin tube (26) into the borehole (B) to its full depth or until it males contact with the primer (102) is desirable for proper operation of the tool (12). If the borehole (B) is not able to accommodate the actuator pin tube (26) appropriately allowing the tip (40) to make contact with the primer (102) of the cartridge (84), no ignition of the cartridge (84) will occur. Depending on the hardness and type of material the borehole (B) should be 4 to 12 inches from the edge of the material you intend to crack. Experimentation will aid in determining the proper placement of the tool (12) in a given type of material. Drilling in the center of a large rock may not be effective and may only eject the tool (12) from the borehole (B) upon ignition of the cartridge (84) without breaking the rock. If this occurs, drilling closer to the edge of the rock will yield better results. The borehole (B) is then cleaned of all debris and rock dust generated during the drilling process. Use the rubber bulb hole blower (112) included in the kit (108) to blow out the dust and debris. Any other technique, which uses forced air such as air compressor, will also be effective as long as the tube delivering the air is of sufficient length to reach the bottom of the borehole (B) and eject all loose material. Next verify that the actuator pin tube (26) of the tool (12) can be inserted to the full depth of the borehole (B). A snug fit is best because it will hold the tool (12) in place upon ignition of the cartridge (84). If the borehole (B) is too tight, running the rotating drill bit in and out of the borehole (B) can dislodge packed rock dust that the hole blower (112) did not remove. The problem will not be resolved if the drill bit is undersized or the hole is not drilled straight. The diameter of the drill bit should be checked if cleaning the borehole (B) does not cure the problem. After running the rotating drill bit in and out of the borehole (B), blow out the borehole (B) again and make sure that the actuator pin tube (26) of the rock-breaking tool (12) can be inserted to the full intended depth of the borehole (B). It is important to verify that the actuator pin tube (26) can fit fully in the borehole (B) prior to inserting the cartridge (84). The next step is to insert the cartridge (84) into the cleaned and verified borehole (B) making sure that the end of the cartridge (84) with the metal primer (102) is positioned correctly so that it will make contact with the tip (40) of the tool (12) when the tool is inserted into the borehole. Using the hole blower tube (111) gently push the cartridge to the bottom of the borehole. Very little or no force should be required as the outside diameter of the cartridge (84) is slightly smaller than that of the actuator pin tube (26). The release cord (94) should be connected to the release mechanism (56), stretched out to its full length of 25 feet (8 meters), and attached to the release hole (93). The release opening (93) is ¼-inch wide and is a ¼-inch from the closest edge with the elongated opening (60) being a ¼ inches from the opposing edge. The rock-breaking tool (12) is then cocked by pulling on the handle mechanism (55), such as the split ring handle (53), and pushing the release plate (58) into the hold position as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The safety clip then needs to be engaged in the extension of the opening in the release plate (58) so as to prevent premature release of the hammer (46) and detonation of the cartridge (84). Cocking of the tool (12) is accomplished by pulling the handle mechanism (55) away from the body (14) of the tool (12) while pushing the release plate (58) into the hold position until the retention groove (66) of the hammer (46) is engaged in the narrow portion (64) of the elongated opening (60) of the release plate (58). The tool (12) should then be shaken, preferably using a whipping motion, to force the actuator pin (38) to extend from the tip (40) of the actuator pin tube (26). If the actuator pin (38) is not easily shifted, the tool (12) should be checked for damage or dirt that may inhibit its free movement. The rock-breaking tool (12) should never be used if the actuator pin (38) does not move freely. The visual indicator (82) should not be seen through the sight hole (80) when the actuator pin (38) is in the proper extended position. With the actuator pin (38) extended, carefully insert the actuator pin tube (26) into the borehole (B) and gently slide in until the tip (40) of the actuator pin (38) makes contact with the cartridge (84) previously inserted in the borehole (B), as shown in FIG. 1A. Some resistance to insertion of the actuator pin tube (26) is desirable as this will contribute to the effectiveness of the tool (12) in that the gasses produced from ignition of the load cartridge (84) will not easily eject the tool (12) from the borehole (B). To make sure the contact with the cartridge (84) is properly made, the visual indicator (82) should be visible though the sight hole (80). If the indicator (82) cannot be seen, the tip (40) of the actuator pin (38) is probably not in contact with the primer (102) of the load cartridge (84). If the tip is not in contact with the primer (102) of the cartridge (84) and ready to fire, the tool (12) will not initiate the cartridge (84). Covering the masonry or rock with a blast mat, such as an old carpet or other heavy material, is recommended and will avoid damage to anything in the immediate area from fly rock. After making sure that the area is clear, unengage the safety mechanism (89) by removing the safety clip (88) and retreat to the end of the release cord (94). Be extremely careful to avoid stepping on or tripping over the release cord (94) and accidentally setting off the tool (12) as you retreat to the end of the cord (94). Before initiating the cartridge (84) carefully scan the area around where the work is being performed to make sure that no one has inadvertently entered the work area. When the area is clear pull the release cord (94) firmly until the tool (12) ignites the cartridge (84). Routine disassembly, cleaning and lubrication with a light oil will keep the tool (12) fully functional. Special attention should be paid to maintain free movement of the actuator pin (38) that extends from the actuator pin tube (38). Free movement of the actuator pin (38) should always be checked before each use. The conditions that might inhibit this free movement of the actuator pin (38) should be remedied before using the tool (12). When breaking masonry in a hole or a ditch the pulling action of the release cord (94) may tend to lift the tool (12) out of position. If this happens, the actuator pin (38) will not be able to make proper contact with the primer (102) and will not detonate the load (98). To solve this problem, the release cord (94) should be redirected so that the pulling action does not lift the tool (12) out of the borehole (B) when the releases cord (94) is pulled. A weight with a small pulley (not shown) positioned below the level of the release plate (58) with the release cord (94) passed through the pulley may solve the problem mentioned above. Alternatively, drilling a shallow second borehole adjacent the borehole in which an anchor/pulley assembly is installed can also provide the required redirect of the release cord (94). When breaking rock in situations where gravity does not hold the tool (12) in place. The use of additional boreholes to mount anchors to hold the tool by means of bungee cords and the like may be used. In this situation, the bungee cords or other anchors are threaded through the anchor openings (79) in the tool (12) body (14). As a matter of caution, it is desirable for the user to practice using the tool (12) before undertaking important demolition or rescue operations. Because of the very low energy cartridges (84) used according to the present invention, special attention must be paid to such subtleties as the grain of the material and the distance from a free edge. If the material is flawed, cracked, contains voids or is especially soft, the present invention may not be appropriate and may fail because the breaking action is dependant on the very rapid buildup of pressure upon activation of the cartridge (84). If the gasses discharged from a detonated cartridge (84) are released too rapidly through cracks, holes and the like in the rock, then sufficient force to crack the rock will not be generated. In situations where the material is flawed or cracked, an alternative technique may prove more effective. Placement of cartridges (84) too near the bottom of a rock may also prove ineffective because the rock may only blow out at the bottom. If possible, placing the cartridge (84) near the middle of the mass to be broken may avoid these difficulties and gain maximum effect. It is also desirable for the user to always use eye, ear and hand protection when employing the method of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention should never be operated with anyone, including the user, within 25 feet (8 meters) of the tool (12). It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Numerous devices have been utilized in the art of breaking up rock. Most such devices are quite large, and are used in mining, quarries and excavation endeavors. These devices and methods are typically for large-scale efforts resulting in massive explosions, and the destruction or generation of large areas of rock. Few devices exist for specialized small scale breaking efforts; however, these devices tend to be larger than the present device and utilize far more explosive forces. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,694 ('694) shows a tool and method for breaking up rock. The tool of '694 has a barrel, a breech body for receiving a gas discharge cartridge loaded with gas producing propellant and a firing-handle mechanism (a firing pin) for firing the cartridge. The method involves drilling a hole in rock, filling the hole with water, passing the barrel down the hole, and firing the cartridge. The cartridge used is similar to a shotgun cartridge and has a rim-fire percussion cap, which complements the firing pin. The device of '694 further utilizes a trigger assembly attached to a lanyard for remote triggering of the firing pin. In operation, the barrel is inserted into a water-filled hole while the cartridge, which is engaged at the top of the barrel opposite the bottom of the hole, is detonated by the firing pin thereby producing rapid gas expansion into the water generating shock waves throughout the water and fracturing of the rock. The triggering device is cocked before use, and the lanyard is pulled to fire the device from a remote location. The device additionally uses a blast shield. The explosive gas cartridge of the '694 invention is placed in the middle of the device at the top of the barrel. The barrel of the '694 patent is used as a pipe for channeling the force of the detonated gas chamber into the bottom of the borehole. The device of '694 requires a blast shield indicating the great force released thereby. A smaller device, which has a smaller explosion, is desired so that the device may be used in circumstances not conducive to most explosions. Many related art devices involve methods that require drilling boreholes and generating a rapid increase in the concentration of pressure in the bottom of a borehole either by explosions, or a sudden increase in fluid pressure, to facilitate and propagate fracturing of the rock. Many of these inventions are designed to excavate rocks or dig tunnels, and include various boom-supported devices. All of these devices use impact and expansive gas in order to break apart rock or other hard material. These devices are quite large and produce substantial explosions/gas expansions, and are otherwise unsuitable for the purposes of the present invention. The majority of the related art uses large-scale devices, which are disposed on boom arms. Methods of breaking up rock which couple explosive (or rapid gas expansion) and mechanical impact breaking to excavate rock and dig tunnels are well known. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,550 ('550) discloses a method for breaking rock using small-charge blasting techniques followed by a mechanical impact breaker. In the small-charge blasting technique, a gas is released into the bottom of a sealed hole. The gas pressure rises rapidly in the hole until the gas pressure causes the hard material to fracture followed by an impact breaker to complete the fracturing of the rock and to remove the fractured material. The '550 device involves a large mobile undercarrier having a boom assembly with a mechanical impact breaker and a small charge blasting apparatus attached thereto. It is desirable to have a very small charge blasting technique that is effective without using an impact breaker to increase the fracture of the rock generated by the detonation of the load. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,149 ('149) uses a controlled-fracturing process accompanied by pressurizing the bottom of a drill hole in such a way as to initiate and propagate a controlled fracture. The process of '149 uses a large apparatus to operate. U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,933 ('933) describes a method for removing hard rock by a combination of impact hammers and small charge blasting. The method of '933 uses small-charged blasting techniques followed by a mechanical impact breaker. In the small-charge blasting technique of the '933 patent, a gas is released into the bottom of a sealed hole located at a free surface of the rock. The gas pressure rises rapidly in the hole until the gas pressure causes the rock to fracture. A blasting agent may be used to cause initial subsurface fractures. An impact breaker is then used to complete fracturing and removal of the material. The devices utilized in the invention of '933 are large scale and are held into position by boom arms. It is known in the art to seal or block the bore hole to increase the pressure at the bottom of the hole without using additional impact apparatuses. U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,730 describes a method and apparatus for controlled small-charge blasting by pressurization of the bottom of a drill hole. The invention therein involves drilling a hole in rock, inserting a cartridge containing an explosive apparatus, bracing the cartridge with a massive stemming bar in the drilled hole, and detonating the explosive thereby generating fractures in the rock. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 6,035,784 discloses a method and apparatus for controlled small-charge blasting of hard rock explosive pressurization of the bottom of a drill hole which uses a cartridge containing an explosive charge inserted into the bottom of a drilled hole wherein the cartridge is held in place by a massive stemming bar. The stemming bar also serves to partially block the hole increasing the pressure of the explosion. U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,923 teaches a cartridge for generating high-pressure gases in a drilled hole. The cartridge includes a base member, a body member, a propellant, and a device for sealing a surface of the cartridge to the surface of a hole in the material. Upon ignition of the propellant, gas pressure rapidly rises in the hole due to the sealing device. The gas pressure causes the material to form a penetrating cone fracture. The cartridge is placed in a hole by a boom suspended from large-scale equipment. In operation, the cartridge is first loaded into a combustion chamber and a gas injector barrel is placed into the drill hole. A firing pin is actuated thereby triggering the primer, which in turn ignites the igniter power, which in turn ignites the propellant. As the propellant burns, pressure is built up within the cartridge. At a desired psi (pounds per square inch), the cartridge body ruptures releasing the generated gas into the combustion chamber and the barrel. Many related art devices and methods involve apparatuses that insert explosives into a hole using a boom, which explosives may then be detonated remotely. Additionally, the boom arm may serve to partially seal the hole. U.S. Pat. No. 3,721,471 shows a drill-and-blast module which is disposed on the end of a boom for insertion in a hole and detonation thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,163 ('163) discloses a controlled fracture method for breaking hard compact rock which involves a boom supported apparatus that inserts an explosive, or a propellant charge, in a pre-drilled hole. The '163 apparatus may utilize a barrel to insert the explosives, and the hole may be sealed behind the explosive in an effort to control the explosion. Furthermore, it is well known to use devices and methods, which increase fluid pressure by means other than explosive or rapid gas expansion, to break apart the rock. U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,783 teaches a process and apparatus for fragmenting rock using an explosion-free pulse of water directed into a borehole resulting in high-pressure shock waves that fractures the rock. U.S. Pat. No. 6,375,271 describes a controlled foam injection system for fragmentation of hard compact rock whereby a high pressure foam is inserted into a drill hole by a barrel, which seals the hole and is disposed at the end of a boom attached to heavy equipment. Alternative detonation techniques and hybrid methodologies are also known. U.S. Pat. No. 2,058,099 describes a blasting cartridge that is inserted into a drill hole. High water pressure is exerted on the cartridge through a pipe resulting in a sudden explosive release of pressure increasing substance from the cartridge. U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,551 ('551) discloses a method, apparatus and cartridge, which are disposed on a boom truck, for non-explosive rock fragmentation. The '551 method involves first drilling a hole into a rock, positioning a charging system having a propellant cartridge inserted therein, which cartridge has a propellant and means for igniting the propellant, and forcing the propellant cartridge through the charging system and into the hole to ignite the propellant. U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,272 teaches a method of breaking rock, which includes drilling a hole in the rock by a drilling machine having an articulated boom and a drilling tool at the end of the boom. After removing the drilling tool, a rock breaking charge is charged into the hole, which charge includes a propellant, a fuse head, and a tamping medium contained in a casing. The tamping medium is discharged into the hole and allowed to set around and rearward of the propellant. The driving mechanism is removed and the propellant is actuated from a remote position via electrical charge or the like. U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,035 involves an explosive charging apparatus for rock drilling which charges a controlled amount of explosives sequentially to bores drilled in a rock surface and includes an explosive charging pipe, a boom mechanism carrying the explosive charging pipe, boom actuators, a control circuit and an explosive charging pipe. U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,605 describes a method, apparatus and cartridge for non-explosive rock fragmentation which involves drilling a hole into a rock, and inserting a propellant cartridge into a charging housing with a means for igniting the propellant, and forcing the propellant cartridge through a charging hose and into the hole to ignite the propellant. The apparatus and cartridge of '605 are inserted using a boom device. It is known to use pressurized fluids in a hole to break rocks. U.S. Pat. No. 6,339,992 ('992) shows a small charge blasting apparatus including an apparatus for sealing pressurized fluids in holes. The invention therein provides a relief volume for a pressurized working fluid in the bore of a barrel that is inserted into a hole in the material to be broken. The invention seals the fluid into the hole while a gas-generator generates greater pressure. The requirement of a separate apparatus for sealing pressurized fluids into bore holes is inconvenient especially in any emergency rescue operations where the least amount of equipment, especially bulky equipment, in most desirable. Numerous diverse methods and apparatuses have been developed to aid in breaking rock and other hard surfaces. U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,307 ('307) describes a method and apparatus for blasting hard rock using a highly insensitive energetic material ignited with a moderately high-energy electrical discharge causing the fracturing and break up of hard rock. The blasting apparatus of '307 has a reusable blasting probe which includes a high voltage electrode and a ground return electrode separated by an insulating tube. The two electrodes of the blasting probe are in electrical contact with a metal powder and oxidizer mixture that will generate an exothermic reaction upon generation of an electric current therebetween creating a gas expansion to fracture the rock. U.S. Pat. No. 2,587,243 ('243) describes a cutting apparatus, which produces a very high velocity gaseous penetrating jet for cutting materials or objects using a chemical charge. No borehole is drilled prior to the use of the '243 apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 3,208,381 shows a device for loading bore holes with explosives in bar-shaped or tubular packages, which device is a generally tubular sleeve constructed of resilient material to receive one end of an explosive package. A variety of cartridges are used in the related art. Cone-shaped blasting cartridges or plugs are designed to contain or control the explosion in a drilled/bore hole. U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,768 shows a shaped charge to be placed into a bore hole, which shaped charge includes an elongate housing having a concave recess in an upper end, an explosive located within the housing and below the recess, and a detonator positioned beneath the recess and explosive. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 2,296,504 ('504) teaches a blasting plug designed to control the level of explosion resulting from the detonation of dynamite, and prevent an uncontrolled explosion and resultant fire hazard. The method of using the device of '504 involves inserting the device in a borehole and detonating the device remotely. U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,578 describes a method of breaking slabs that involves drilling bore holes along a desired break line, inserting a detonating cord therein, filling the bore holes with a shock transmitting/moderating composition, and detonating the detonation cord. U.S. Pat. No. 1,585,664 ('664) shows a method and apparatus for breaking rock which utilizes projectiles (similar to bullets) and a forcible ejection means attached to a boom. The projectiles are fired at the surface of the rock. The '664 invention demonstrates that the use of bullet-like explosives is known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,130 describes a propellant igniter. U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,092 discloses a barrel for a rock breaking tool and method for breaking rock which involves drilling a hole in rock, filling the hole with water, inserting a short barrel of a rock breaking tool into the hole entrance, covering the tool with a recoil restraining mat, and discharging a cartridge down the barrel. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Specifically, these devices lack the simplicity and portability desired for truly small-scale rock breaking, and especially, for rock breaking that must not generate an explosion of any significant force.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to a tool designed for the small scale cracking and demolition of solid materials, including but not limited to rock and masonry. In particular the present invention relates to a remote detonation tool that is used in splitting off part of a rock or other hard material. The term “rock” when used herein shall include any suitable hard material, such as concrete. The present invention further contemplates a kit incorporating the rock-breaking tool, and a method of using the tool and kit to break rock by creating a small explosion in the bottom of a hole drilled in the rock. This type of drill hole is frequently referred to as a borehole. Presently, the kit contains the tool, a rubber bulb hole blower, a release cord with clip (25 ft. long), two tapered drift pins, a hex key (⅛ inch) and an instruction manual. The kit may further contain a brush for cleaning the borehole and cartridges. The tool has a barrel formed in a body having a spring assembly inside the barrel. The spring assembly consists of a hammer with a handle mechanism for manually cocking the hammer, such as a split ring-handle, engaged on one end of the hammer, a hammerhead at the second end opposite the handle mechanism, and a spring engaged between the two ends. The hammer further has a channel for mating with a release plate in a hold position. The hammer engages a guide disposed inside the barrel of the tool. An actuator pin tube is attached to the barrel opposite the handle mechanism and an actuator pin is engaged in an opening through the actuator pin tube. The hammerhead engages the head of an actuator pin when the spring is most relaxed thereby forcing the actuator pin downward with the tip of the actuator pin sticking out of the bottom end of the actuator pin tube opposite the pin head. A release mechanism, which may be a release plate, is provided for releasably engaging the hammer. The release plate is disposed at one end of the body opposite the actuator pin tube and has an elongated opening which mates with the end of the hammer adjacent the handle mechanism, and also serves to prevent the hammer from becoming displaced inside the barrel. The release plate has two positions with the elongated opening configured to hold and release the hammer. The two different positions of the elongated opening correspond to hold and release positions. The hammer is cocked by pulling the hammer by the handle mechanism thereby putting force on the spring, and then pushing the release plate so that the elongate opening slides into the hold position relative to the channel in the hammer. The actuator pin is actuated by pulling a cord attached to the release plate so that the channel moves into the release position thereby releasing the hammer resulting in the actuator pin forcefully pushing outward through the tube. The method of breaking rock contemplated by the present invention partially comprises drilling a borehole six to nine inches deep and four to twelve inches from the edge of the rock, depending on the material to be cracked. A load, in the form of a low energy propellant cartridge, is placed within the cleaned borehole. The actuator pin tube is inserted into the borehole so that the end of the actuator pin tube makes contact with a primer disposed at one end of the cartridge while the body of the tool remains adjacent the surface of the rock. An indicator on the head of the actuator pin can be seen through a sight hole preferably provided in the body of the tool thereby assuring proper relative placement of the tool and cartridge. The load is detonated by the mechanical action of the actuator pin striking the primer when the release cord is pulled. No additional damper mechanism or sealing of the borehole is required as the tight fit of the activator pin tube in the borehole, coupled with the inertia of the body mass, tend to keep the tool in place during the brief period of detonation. The present invention may be used by a large variety of potential users including excavators, blasting contractors, farmers, geologists, park trail builders, demolition contractors, prospectors, mining operations, road departments, landscapers, quarry operations, tactical personnel including police and armed services, structure collapse rescue teams, cave rescue and exploration groups. Equipment rental centers may also have use for such devices. An aspect of the present invention is that the tool and method require very small diameter boreholes, typically about 0.375 inches or smaller, which can be more easily drilled by cheaper and more readily available consumer level equipment. Other methods of cracking hard material require the drilling of relatively large holes, generally an inch in diameter or larger. Alternatively, other methods require strenuous and often dangerous manual labor. The drilling equipment used to accomplish the other methods is expensive and generally requires high skill levels to operate. Another aspect of the present invention is that the tool and method generate a relatively low energy output. This low energy output allows operators to use the tool and method in environments sensitive to the use of higher energy methods and devices. Yet another aspect of the present invention is the portability of the tool. Since the device is quite small, it can be transported almost anywhere. An example of the usefulness of the small configuration of the tool is the potential use miles underground to open passages in caves for rescue or exploration. The tool easily fits into a hand held carry case with all the essential equipment needed to operate the tool. A further aspect gained by the small size and relative simplicity of the system is its projected low cost to own and operate. This coupled with the elimination of large borehole drilling devices will allow many more people to successfully and economically deal with demolition problems in a far easier manner than has previously been available. Since the tool's uses are not typically governed by blasting regulations and license requirements in most areas, the tool saves the users money by eliminating the expenses and logistics of hiring separate highly trained and licensed personnel. The tool also eliminates the risks of collateral damage to nearby property, which is always a concern when using high explosives. Many municipalities now have outright bans on the use of high power explosives within their jurisdictions which forces contractors to use track loader mounted hydraulic demolition hammers, pneumatic jack hammers, or expensive and slow acting hydraulic cements to crack materials. All of these methods can cost many times as much as using the present invention and can severely delay projects when unexpected obstacles are encountered. These and other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following drawings and specification.

20050112

20060704

20051124

95654.0

JOHNSON, STEPHEN

HANDHELD TOOL FOR BREAKING UP ROCK

MICRO

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Modified-qwerty letter layout for rapid data entry

A data entry pad arrangement includes twenty-six letters of the Roman alphabet arranged in a matrix including six rows of three to six letters per row. Ideally, no two adjacent letters in a row of the matrix are in alphabetical order. A method for designing a data-entry interface layout including letters of the Roman alphabet thereon involves the transposition of the letters of the Roman alphabet on a three-row QWERTY keyboard into six rows, wherein a letter (optimally every other letter) within a first, second, or third row of said three-row QWERTY keyboard is placed in an additional row substantially below an adjacent letter of said first, second, or third row.

1-19. (canceled) 20. A data entry interface arrangement including all twenty-six letters of a top, middle, and bottom row of a standard three-row QWERTY keyboard, comprising: A non-staggered, linearly aligned six-row matrix consisting of a first set of two rows, a second set of two rows, and a third set of two rows, wherein said first set consists of all letters in the top row of the QWERTY keyboard, said second set consists of all letters in the middle row of the QWERTY keyboard, and said third set consists of all letters in the bottom row of the QWERTY keyboard. 21. The data entry interface arrangement of claim 20, wherein said non-staggered, linearly aligned six-row matrix includes between three and six letters per row. 22. The data entry interface arrangement of claim 20, wherein no two adjacent letters in any row are in alphabetical order. 23. The data entry interface arrangement of claim 20, wherein said non-staggered, linearly aligned six-row matrix comprises: QETUO WRYIP ADGJL SFHK ZCBM XVN 24. The data entry arrangement of claim 20, wherein each letter in each row is spaced equally from an adjacent letter. 25. The data entry interface arrangement of claim 20, wherein said non-staggered, linearly aligned six-row matrix is manifested electronically upon a touch screen. 26. The data entry interface arrangement of claim 20, wherein said non-staggered, linearly aligned six-row matrix is disposed upon a plurality of keys or buttons. 27. A mobile telephone for efficient entry of data, comprising: a mobile telephone; and a data input area including all twenty-six letters of a top, middle, and bottom row of a standard three-row QWERTY keyboard disposed upon said mobile telephone, wherein said data input area further comprises a non-staggered, linearly aligned six-row matrix consisting of a first set of two rows, a second set of two rows, and third set of two rows, with said first set consisting of all letters in the top row of the QWERTY keyboard, said second set consisting of all letters in the middle row of the QWERTY keyboard, and said third set consisting of all letters in the bottom row of the QWERTY keyboard. 28. The mobile telephone of claim 27, wherein said non-staggered, linearly aligned six-row matrix includes between three and six letters per row. 29. The mobile telephone of claim 27, wherein no two adjacent letters in any row are in alphabetical order. 30. The mobile telephone of claim 27, wherein said non-staggered, linearly aligned six-row matrix comprises: QETUO WRYIP ADGJL SFHK ZCBM XVN 31. The mobile telephone of claim 27, wherein each letter in each row is spaced equally from an adjacent letter. 32. The mobile telephone of claim 27, wherein said non-staggered, linearly aligned six-row matrix is manifested electronically upon a touch screen. 33. The mobile telephone of claim 27, wherein said non-staggered, linearly aligned six-row matrix is disposed upon a plurality of keys or buttons.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the priority date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/395,440, filed on Jul. 12, 2002 by the same inventor. BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates in general to the field of data entry interfaces, such as keyboards and the like, and more particularly to a modified QWERTY letter layout that is especially useful for the rapid entry of data into hand-held electronic devices (such as a cellular phone or personal digital assistant). 2. Description of the Related Art The first typewriter worked with three or four rows of finger-tip size buttons called “keys.” Each key could be depressed by the outstretched fingers of the hands of the typist as the entire layout of keys was designed to be approximately the width of two hands. From this simple beginning, the typewriter has given rise to a plethora of data entry interfaces based on the underlying concept of the tactile input of text-based information. Indeed, everyone who has used a typewriter or computer in the last ten years is familiar with data entry interfaces known simply as “keyboards”, “keypads,” or even “touch screens.” Keyboards and keypads are still the preferred means for entering information into devices such as hand-held electronic devices, computers, and cell phones. Normally, keyboards include the ability to enter numbers, alphabetic characters, punctuation, and control characters. At least for the English language (and others utilizing the 26 characters of the Roman alphabet), the ubiquitous “QWERTY” keyboard arrangement has become the de-facto standard layout of letter characters, numbers, and punctuation. An illustration of the standard QWERTY keyboard layout is shown in FIG. 1. The QWERTY keyboard has three rows of letter keys and one row of number keys with approximately 12 keys per row. The top row of a QWERTY keyboard usually contains the numbers, along with various symbols and punctuation marks. The bottom three rows contain all of the letter characters and some additional punctuation marks. The 4 rows of keys with 12 keys per row cause the keyboard to be substantially wider than it is tall. Thus, the main problem with this keyboard design is that it is relatively large, making it unsuitable for hand-held portable devices and other applications where size and the dimensions of the data entry interface are constraints. In other words, the traditional QWERTY layout does not work well in applications where it would be desirable to have a keyboard that is taller than it is wide, such as a cell phone keypad. In fact, previous QWERTY-type keyboards are either so large that they are difficult to manually operate with one hand (and add too much bulk to a small electronic item) or so small that the size of the keys are reduced to the point where the use of a “stylus” (a thin, often plastic “stick” used for pressing the buttons) becomes necessary to avoid mashing several keys at once with one's fingers. While several inventions have attempted to modify the QWERTY layout of keys to suit a particular purpose, none are known to overcome all of the aforementioned problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,380 issued to Klien discloses a variation on a standard QWERTY layout, but retains the typical 3 row arrangement of letters. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,429 issued to Choate suggests the possibility of increasing the number of QWERTY keyboard rows to 4 or more, but with the requirement that there be at least nine “columns” or keys in a row. Other inventors, such as Ichbiah in U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,616, abandon the QWERTY layout altogether in favor of a keyboard arrangement based on the frequency of use for each character. Recent experience has shown that when designers have attempted to design small keyboards that are taller than they are wide, they have typically abandoned the QWERTY layout and used character arrangements based upon alphabetic ordering. Examples of alphabetically ordered keyboards of the prior art are shown in FIGS. 2-4. The main problem with these designs is that it takes users longer to visually acquire their desired target character on the keyboard because they must scan the alphabet until a letter is located. Especially for anyone who has been trained to type on a QWERTY keyboard, the visual acquisition process markedly slows down the rate of text input. Similar alphabetically ordered layouts have been designed for cell phone keypads (see FIG. 5). The main problem with these layouts is that telephone keypads are primarily designed to enter the digits 0-9 and the characters # and *. The ability to enter the letters A-Z, punctuation and control characters has not been a priority, as demonstrated by the existence of keypads that make it particularly labor-intensive to enter text. For example, one common telephone keypad design (FIG. 5) requires the user to hit a particular key from 1 to 5 times to differentiate between (and thereby enter) just a single character or number. Another keyboard design, known by the trademark FASTAP, is arranged much like as in FIG. 4. The main problem with this design is that it uses a substantially alphabetic ordering of letters A-Z (and the resultant slowing of data entry, especially with users who are familiar with a QWERTY keyboard layout). Another problem with this design is that by using only four characters per row, direct access to the alphabet and a limited number of non-alphabet characters must be squeezed into seven rows of buttons. Because of space constraints, other characters or punctuation marks must be “scrolled through” on the screen one at a time and selected. In view of the above, it would be desirable to have a data entry interface that could be taller than wide, would fit within the dimensions of existing hand-held electronic devices, and allow for faster data entry than previous designs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates in general to a data entry interface (e.g., a keyboard or keypad) featuring a novel six-rowed QWERTY-type layout of letters. More specifically, the invention provides in one embodiment a keyboard that is created by selecting a letter (preferably every other letter) of a traditional QWERTY keyboard and forming a new row of letters below the row from which the letters were selected. This selection process is then repeated for the remaining rows such that the traditional three-rowed QWERTY keyboard is transformed into a six-rowed keyboard of the invention. By placing each selected letter below the row from which it was selected, all letters are kept substantially in the same vicinity as they were in the original QWERTY layout. Accordingly, the six-rowed layout of the invention expedites the typing of text and other information on small keyboards, especially by users who are familiar with the standard QWERTY keyboard arrangement. Preferably, the invention utilizes existing keyboard structures or keypad button configurations as are found on cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, and the like. However, other data entry structures, such as four-letter buttons, a “touch pad,” or electronic display screen, are also contemplated by the inventor. Thus, it is a primary objective of the invention to provide a data entry interface that utilizes a six-row QWERTY character layout rather than the traditional three-row layout. Further, an object of the invention is to provide a modified QWERTY layout that facilitates the rapid entry of data on hand-held electronic devices. Another object of the invention is to provide a keyboard or keypad layout that is adaptable for use with a wide variety electronic devices. Still another object of the invention is to provide a keyboard or keypad that facilitates faster visual acquisition of desired characters then is presently available on small electronic devices. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a data input interface that is familiar to users of the standard QWERTY character layout yet compact enough to fit on a variety of small electronic devices. Still another object of the invention is to provide improved keypads or keyboards for small electronic devices that enhance the efficiency of data entry, thereby promoting the use of text entry and acquisition of data on these devices. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a QWERTY-type keyboard or keypad that can be typed on by using a thumb of each hand more efficiently then keyboards or keypads found on existing hand-held devices. Another object of the invention is to provide a keyboard or keypad that is taller than it is wide such that it can be held and typed on using one hand. An additional object of the invention is to provide a keypad or keyboard that is easy to use on a hand-held electronic device yet economical to produce. Another object of the invention is to provide a keypad or keyboard on a small electronic device that provides a means for actuating each character by using a single key stroke. In accordance with these and other objects, there is provided a new and improved arrangement of letters for data entry interfaces that is especially useful for data entry on small or narrow electronic devices. Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clear from its description in the specification that follows. Therefore, to the accomplishment of the objectives described above, this invention includes the features hereinafter fully described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, and particularly pointed out in the claims. However, such description discloses only some of the various ways in which the invention may be practiced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a standard QWERTY keyboard layout. FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an alphabetically ordered keyboard layout of the prior art. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a second alphabetically ordered keyboard layout of the prior art. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a third alphabetically ordered keyboard layout of the prior art. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an alphabetically ordered mobile-telephone keypad layout of the prior art. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 9 is a schematic view of a forth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention particularly suited for use on a mobile phone. FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the invention particularly suited for use on a mobile phone. FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention that features a plurality of characters disposed upon a single button. FIG. 13 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the invention that features a plurality of characters disposed upon a single button. FIG. 14 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention designed for a personal digital assistant (PDA). FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a preferred layout designed for a mobile phone. FIGS. 16a-16c illustrate data from three independent time trials in which the speed of typing was measured for each of four different cell phone keypads. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention involves a data entry interface layout that positions the twenty-six letters of the Roman alphabet in a matrix preferably including six rows of three to six letters per row. Ideally, no two adjacent letters are in alphabetical order. Thus, the invention relates to a keyboard, keypad, or other form of data-input interface that substantially departs from the dimensions and layout of a standard QWERTY and alphabetically ordered keyboards. The invention also relates to a method for designing a data entry interface layout by transposing the letters of the Roman alphabet as found on a standard three-row QWERTY keyboard into six rows such that a letter within a first, second, or third row of the standard QWERTY keyboard is selected and placed in an additional row substantially below an unselected letter of said first, second, or third row. For example, a new keyboard is created by transforming the 3 rows of letters on a standard QWERTY keyboard (FIG. 1) into a six-row matrix containing between three to six letters per row as shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the letter characters in these newly introduced rows (i.e., rows 2,4, and 6) are arranged by moving every other character from the original first, second, and third row of the standard QWERTY layout and combining those selected characters into another row of characters inserted below the original row. This process is repeated for the other two rows of letters in the standard QWERTY keyboard. By placing each selected character substantially below its original location, the characters are kept in the same vicinity of where they were located in the standard QWERTY keyboard. Thus, the overall effect is that typing speed on hand-held devices increases because the general letter location is more familiar to users of the standard QWERTY layout. Moreover, due to the compactness of this design, many industries that are looking to augment use of text entry (e.g., text messaging on cellular phones) would embrace this “taller-than-wide” format because it both facilitates faster typing and fits well on small electronic devices. As used throughout this application, the terms “small electronic device” or “hand-held device” are meant to broadly describe portable electronic devices that feature keyboards or keypads for data entry. Such devices may include, but are not limited to, hand-held computers, mobile telephones, remote control devices (e.g., for televisions or web-surfing interfaces), electronic address books or other databases (e.g., dictionaries or foreign word translators), personal digital assistants (PDA's), and pagers. Moreover, while the invention is particularly well suited for use with small electronic devices, it should be understood that it can be used with any device having a keyboard or keypad (e.g., a photocopier). Furthermore, the inventor contemplates use of the invention with electronic display screens, such as “touch pads” and the like. In this format, the novel modified QWERTY layout would be manifested electronically on a LCD or similar type of screen or viewer for the user to select characters by touch. General Design and Advantages An important purpose of the invention is to allow people to type faster on their cell phones and other small devices having space and dimensional constraints. Thus, the main components of the invention include 1) a modified QWERTY data-entry interface layout and 2) a method of designing a modified-QWERTY arrangement for small keyboards and the like. Although the two keyboards in FIGS. 3 and 6 are substantially the same size and dimensions (5 columns by 6 rows), tests conducted by the inventor reveal that most users will type approximately twice as fast on the inventive keyboard (FIG. 6) as they will on the alphabetically ordered keyboard (FIG. 3). In addition, as farther described below, the average user will type approximately three times faster on the inventive keyboard of FIG. 6 than on a traditional cell phone keypad (FIG. 5). One reason for this result is that the new layout uses an innovative placement of characters to allow the user (and especially the user who is familiar with a standard QWERTY layout) to visually acquire the letters they wish to type faster than with previous designs. Turning to FIG. 7, a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention featuring additional (non-letter) characters is shown. Row 7 contains a “space bar” flanked by two cursor-control “arrow keys,” while rows 4, 5, and 6 feature punctuation marks and a shift key. Of course, the choice of (optional) non-letter characters is not limited to those shown in the figure. FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment having a separate number and expanded non-letter character areas. This embodiment also serves to illustrate the design method of the invention. The letters Q, W, E, R, T, Y, U, I, O, and P from the first row of the standard QWERTY keyboard (FIG. 1) are transposed by selecting characters from the original first row and moving them to form a new row (R2) below the remaining original characters (which stay in R1). Similarly, the letters S, F, H, and K from the second row of the standard QWERTY keyboard are transposed to form a new row (R4) below the remaining original characters of R3. Finally, the letters Z,B,N, and M from the third row of the standard QWERTY keyboard are transposed to form a new row (R6) below the remaining original characters of R5 in the new, inventive keyboard. Preferably, every other letter (alternating letters) is repositioned according to the method of the invention. Of course, different “alternating” letters may be selected for repositioning in a new row. For example, the “following letter” on each row of the standard QWERTY layout may be selected and moved to a new row substantially below the unselected letters. Thus, the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 has the W (which follows Q), the R (which follows E), the Y (which follows T), the I (which follows U) and the P (which follows O) repositioned in row two. Similarly, a “preceding letter” may also repositioned such that, for example, Q would be moved under W, E would be moved under R, and so forth. FIG. 9 further illustrates the method of the invention in that any letter in a given row of the standard QWERTY layout of letters may be selected for placement beneath any other letter in that row. Thus, R5 includes the letters XVB while R6 comprises ZCNM. FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention particularly suited for use on a mobile phone. Here, a variety of function keys may be included to facilitate the typing of text messages on a mobile (e.g., cellular) phone. Visual Acquisition An important advantage of this invention is that it expedites physically locating and pressing the desired letter because each letter is physically near where the finger or thumb would normally head toward on a standard QWERTY layout and because motor memory tends to propel the finger or thumb to the relative location. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the letter “W” has been moved from its original (standard QWERTY) location to just below the letter “Q.” This is a little to the left and below where it is expected to be but still, generally speaking, the new letter location is in the upper third of the six rows and is toward the left side of the keyboard where it is easily located and pressed. Thus, this method of design results in a keyboard that is now not only taller than it is wide, but also facilitates rapid typing by its layout of characters. The concept of selecting letters in a given row of the standard QWERTY arrangement and repositioning them substantially below the remaining (unselected) letters is extended as much as possible to the placement of punctuation and control characters as seen in FIG. 11, keeping these characters physically close to where they existed on the standard QWERTY keyboard. General Operation Using a traditional one-button-per-character implementation of the invention (e.g., FIG. 10), users simply see the button they want and press it with their fingertip, thumb or stylus. Shifted characters are selected in the typical way (i.e., pressing the “Shift” key on a keyboard followed by the desired character). To facilitate one-handed operation, the user can press and release the shift key to capitalize the next letter entered or push and hold the shift key to enter multiple capitalized characters. The invention is also well suited for use in a variety of speciality applications. For example, when entering “vanity” numbers on a cell phone, the user may simply enter the letters on the keyboard. Presently available cell phone software could then map the letter to the corresponding telephone number. For example, if the user (while in dialing mode) enters1800PATENTS, the letter “P” is automatically converted to a “7,” the letter “A” is converted to a “2” and so on. Variations Of course, many variations embodying the “row-splitting design” of the invention can be envisioned, such as those illustrated in FIGS. 12-15. While these examples demonstrate different character arrangements and/or disposing one or more characters on a single key or button, they all involve a method of splitting the 3 rows of alphabetic characters found on the standard QWERTY keyboard into 6 rows, while substantially keeping all characters in the general vicinity of where they existed on the standard QWERTY keyboard. Moreover, these examples further illustrate the great variety of non-alphabetic characters or function keys that can be added to the layout of the invention. As would be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, minor variations in character location or presentation (e.g., lower case and/or uppercase, color, etc.) can be utilized without effecting the objects or advantages of the invention. For example, the location of letters may be physically “staggered” as follows: Q E T U O W R Y I P A D G J L S F H K ZCBM XVN or Q E T U O W R Y I P A D G J L S F H K Z C B M X V N Modified-QWERTY Layout Testing The graphs illustrated in FIGS. 16a-16c compare the amount of time it takes three different typists to enter the sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” on four different cell phone keypads. The test layouts included: (1) a standard cell phone keypad (e.g., FIG. 5) using a “multi-tap” program that allows a user to select a character from the group shown on each button; (2) a standard cell phone keypad featuring “T9” TM enhancement (a predictive text input program that can save keystrokes by finishing a “predicted” word); (3) an alphabetically ordered keypad of the type shown in FIG. 4; and (4) the preferred arrangement of the invention (FIG. 6 and referred to in the tests as the DELTA II keypad). The sentence was typed six times on each of the four keypad types hence, the six columns of data under each graph). The times (in seconds) were then converted to words per minute (wpm) and graphed. The test subjects self-identified as “average typists,” with two of the subjects having little or no experience entering text on a cell phone using any of the tested layouts and one subject (S. Bogdan) who had experience only with the standard cell phone layout featuring multi-tap. As indicated by the graphs, each subject repeatedly entered text faster on the DELTA II keypad than on any other. These results are typical and consistent with those of other users who have been tested. The graphs also reveal an interesting trend in that users not only start out typing faster on the DELTA II keypad, but their typing speed also improves within just a few sentences of practice. Various changes in the details and components that have been described may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of the invention herein described in the specification and defined in the appended claims. Therefore, while the present invention has been shown and described herein in what is believed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures can be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent processes and products.

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The invention relates in general to the field of data entry interfaces, such as keyboards and the like, and more particularly to a modified QWERTY letter layout that is especially useful for the rapid entry of data into hand-held electronic devices (such as a cellular phone or personal digital assistant). 2. Description of the Related Art The first typewriter worked with three or four rows of finger-tip size buttons called “keys.” Each key could be depressed by the outstretched fingers of the hands of the typist as the entire layout of keys was designed to be approximately the width of two hands. From this simple beginning, the typewriter has given rise to a plethora of data entry interfaces based on the underlying concept of the tactile input of text-based information. Indeed, everyone who has used a typewriter or computer in the last ten years is familiar with data entry interfaces known simply as “keyboards”, “keypads,” or even “touch screens.” Keyboards and keypads are still the preferred means for entering information into devices such as hand-held electronic devices, computers, and cell phones. Normally, keyboards include the ability to enter numbers, alphabetic characters, punctuation, and control characters. At least for the English language (and others utilizing the 26 characters of the Roman alphabet), the ubiquitous “QWERTY” keyboard arrangement has become the de-facto standard layout of letter characters, numbers, and punctuation. An illustration of the standard QWERTY keyboard layout is shown in FIG. 1 . The QWERTY keyboard has three rows of letter keys and one row of number keys with approximately 12 keys per row. The top row of a QWERTY keyboard usually contains the numbers, along with various symbols and punctuation marks. The bottom three rows contain all of the letter characters and some additional punctuation marks. The 4 rows of keys with 12 keys per row cause the keyboard to be substantially wider than it is tall. Thus, the main problem with this keyboard design is that it is relatively large, making it unsuitable for hand-held portable devices and other applications where size and the dimensions of the data entry interface are constraints. In other words, the traditional QWERTY layout does not work well in applications where it would be desirable to have a keyboard that is taller than it is wide, such as a cell phone keypad. In fact, previous QWERTY-type keyboards are either so large that they are difficult to manually operate with one hand (and add too much bulk to a small electronic item) or so small that the size of the keys are reduced to the point where the use of a “stylus” (a thin, often plastic “stick” used for pressing the buttons) becomes necessary to avoid mashing several keys at once with one's fingers. While several inventions have attempted to modify the QWERTY layout of keys to suit a particular purpose, none are known to overcome all of the aforementioned problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,380 issued to Klien discloses a variation on a standard QWERTY layout, but retains the typical 3 row arrangement of letters. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,429 issued to Choate suggests the possibility of increasing the number of QWERTY keyboard rows to 4 or more, but with the requirement that there be at least nine “columns” or keys in a row. Other inventors, such as Ichbiah in U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,616, abandon the QWERTY layout altogether in favor of a keyboard arrangement based on the frequency of use for each character. Recent experience has shown that when designers have attempted to design small keyboards that are taller than they are wide, they have typically abandoned the QWERTY layout and used character arrangements based upon alphabetic ordering. Examples of alphabetically ordered keyboards of the prior art are shown in FIGS. 2-4 . The main problem with these designs is that it takes users longer to visually acquire their desired target character on the keyboard because they must scan the alphabet until a letter is located. Especially for anyone who has been trained to type on a QWERTY keyboard, the visual acquisition process markedly slows down the rate of text input. Similar alphabetically ordered layouts have been designed for cell phone keypads (see FIG. 5 ). The main problem with these layouts is that telephone keypads are primarily designed to enter the digits 0-9 and the characters # and *. The ability to enter the letters A-Z, punctuation and control characters has not been a priority, as demonstrated by the existence of keypads that make it particularly labor-intensive to enter text. For example, one common telephone keypad design ( FIG. 5 ) requires the user to hit a particular key from 1 to 5 times to differentiate between (and thereby enter) just a single character or number. Another keyboard design, known by the trademark FASTAP, is arranged much like as in FIG. 4 . The main problem with this design is that it uses a substantially alphabetic ordering of letters A-Z (and the resultant slowing of data entry, especially with users who are familiar with a QWERTY keyboard layout). Another problem with this design is that by using only four characters per row, direct access to the alphabet and a limited number of non-alphabet characters must be squeezed into seven rows of buttons. Because of space constraints, other characters or punctuation marks must be “scrolled through” on the screen one at a time and selected. In view of the above, it would be desirable to have a data entry interface that could be taller than wide, would fit within the dimensions of existing hand-held electronic devices, and allow for faster data entry than previous designs.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention relates in general to a data entry interface (e.g., a keyboard or keypad) featuring a novel six-rowed QWERTY-type layout of letters. More specifically, the invention provides in one embodiment a keyboard that is created by selecting a letter (preferably every other letter) of a traditional QWERTY keyboard and forming a new row of letters below the row from which the letters were selected. This selection process is then repeated for the remaining rows such that the traditional three-rowed QWERTY keyboard is transformed into a six-rowed keyboard of the invention. By placing each selected letter below the row from which it was selected, all letters are kept substantially in the same vicinity as they were in the original QWERTY layout. Accordingly, the six-rowed layout of the invention expedites the typing of text and other information on small keyboards, especially by users who are familiar with the standard QWERTY keyboard arrangement. Preferably, the invention utilizes existing keyboard structures or keypad button configurations as are found on cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, and the like. However, other data entry structures, such as four-letter buttons, a “touch pad,” or electronic display screen, are also contemplated by the inventor. Thus, it is a primary objective of the invention to provide a data entry interface that utilizes a six-row QWERTY character layout rather than the traditional three-row layout. Further, an object of the invention is to provide a modified QWERTY layout that facilitates the rapid entry of data on hand-held electronic devices. Another object of the invention is to provide a keyboard or keypad layout that is adaptable for use with a wide variety electronic devices. Still another object of the invention is to provide a keyboard or keypad that facilitates faster visual acquisition of desired characters then is presently available on small electronic devices. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a data input interface that is familiar to users of the standard QWERTY character layout yet compact enough to fit on a variety of small electronic devices. Still another object of the invention is to provide improved keypads or keyboards for small electronic devices that enhance the efficiency of data entry, thereby promoting the use of text entry and acquisition of data on these devices. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a QWERTY-type keyboard or keypad that can be typed on by using a thumb of each hand more efficiently then keyboards or keypads found on existing hand-held devices. Another object of the invention is to provide a keyboard or keypad that is taller than it is wide such that it can be held and typed on using one hand. An additional object of the invention is to provide a keypad or keyboard that is easy to use on a hand-held electronic device yet economical to produce. Another object of the invention is to provide a keypad or keyboard on a small electronic device that provides a means for actuating each character by using a single key stroke. In accordance with these and other objects, there is provided a new and improved arrangement of letters for data entry interfaces that is especially useful for data entry on small or narrow electronic devices. Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clear from its description in the specification that follows. Therefore, to the accomplishment of the objectives described above, this invention includes the features hereinafter fully described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, and particularly pointed out in the claims. However, such description discloses only some of the various ways in which the invention may be practiced.

20050111

20070515

20051103

74554.0

EVANISKO, LESLIE J

MODIFIED-QWERTY LETTER LAYOUT FOR RAPID DATA ENTRY

SMALL

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Novel derivatives of 4,4'-dithiobis-(3-aminobutane-1-sulfphonates) and compositions containing same

The invention relates to the bis-hydrochloride of 4,4′-dithiobis-(3-aminobutane-1-sodium sulphonate) and the bis-trifluoracetate of 4,4′-dithiobis-(3-aminobutane-1-sulphonate of 2,2-dimethylpropyl). The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising one of said compounds and to the use of one of said compounds for the production of a medicament. The invention is suitable for use in a treatment method for hypertension and indirectly- or directly-linked illnesses.

1. A compound, characterized in that it is selected from: 4,4′ dithiobis (sodium 3-aminobutane-1-sulfonic acid); 4,4′ dithiobis (2,2dimethypropyl)-3-aminobutane-1-sulfonate 2. A compound according to claim 1, characterized in that it is for use in therapy. 3. A pharmaceutical composition, characterized in that it comprises a compound according to claim 1. 4. Use of a compound according to claim 1, characterized in that it is for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of arterial hypertension and indirectly or directly related diseases.

The present invention relates to novel compounds, to methods for preparing the compounds, pharmaceutical formulations comprising these compounds, and the use of these compounds in therapy. In particular, the present invention relates to compounds that are useful in the treatment and prevention of primary and secondary arterial hypertension, ictus, myocardial ischaemia, cardiac and renal insufficiency, myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, diabetic proteinuria, Syndrome X and glaucoma. Arterial hypertension is a disorder whose causes generally remain unknown. Extrinsic factors which may participate include obesity, sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol or salt intake, and stress. Intrinsic factors suggested to play a role include fluid retention, sympathetic nervous system activity and constriction of blood vessels. Arterial hypertension can contribute directly or indirectly to diseases of the heart, the peripheral and cerebral vascular system, the brain, the eye and the kidney. Treatment of arterial hypertension includes the use of diuretic agents, adrenergic blockers, inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme, angiotensin receptor antagonists, calcium antagonists and direct vasodilators. It is desirable to identify further compounds to treat arterial hypertension. The present inventors have identified novel compounds which are effective in reducing arterial hypertension and thus have utility in treating arterial hypertension and the diseases to which it indirectly and directly contributes. Accordingly the invention provides the following compounds: 4,4′ dithiobis (sodium 3-aminobutane-1-sulfonic acid); 4,4′ dithiobis (2,2dimethypropyl)-3-aminobutane-1-sulfonate. In another aspect, the present invention discloses a method for prevention or treatment of arterial hypertension and indirectly and directly related diseases, comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of this invention. In another aspect, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more compounds of the invention, preferably in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. In another aspect, the present invention provides one or more compounds of the invention for use in therapy, and in particular, in human medicine. In another aspect, the present invention provides the use of one or more compounds of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of arterial hypertension and indirectly and directly related diseases. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of treatment of a patient suffering from arterial hypertension and indirectly and directly related diseases comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds of the invention. FIG. 1 demonstrates the effect of the compound of Example 1 on blood pressure in hypertensive rats. The present invention provides methods of prevention or treatment of arterial hypertension and diseases to which arterial hypertension directly or indirectly contributes. Such diseases include diseases of the heart, the peripheral and cerebral vascular system, the brain, the eye and the kidney. In particular diseases include primary and secondary arterial hypertension, ictus, myocardial ischaemia, cardiac and renal insufficiency, myocardial infarction, peripheral vascular disease, diabetic proteinuria, Syndrome X and glaucoma. As used herein, “a compound of the invention” means a compound described above or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvate thereof. The person skilled in the art will recognize that stereocenters exist in the compounds of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention includes all possible stereoisomers and geometric isomers of the compounds of formula (I) and includes not only racemic compounds but also the optically active isomers as well. When a compound of formula (I) is desired as a single enantiomer, it may be obtained either by resolution of the final product or by stereospecific synthesis from either isomerically pure starting material or any suitable intermediate. Resolution of the final product, an intermediate or a starting material may be effected by any suitable method known in the art. See, for example, Stereochemistry of Carbon Compounds by E. L. Eliel (Mcgraw Hill, 1962) and Tables of Resolving Agents by S. H. Wilen. Additionally, in situations where tautomers of the compounds of formula (I) are possible, the present invention is intended to include all tautomeric forms of the compounds The specialist in the art of organic chemistry will appreciate that many organic compounds can form complexes with solvents in which they are reacted or from which they are precipitated or crystallized. These complexes are known as “solvates”. For example, a complex with water is known as a “hydrate”. Solvates of the compound of formula (I) are within the scope of the present invention. It will also be appreciated by the specialist in organic chemistry that many organic compounds can exist in more than one crystalline form. For example, crystalline form may vary from solvate to solvate. Thus, all crystalline forms of the compounds of the invention or the pharmaceutically acceptable solvates thereof are within the scope of the present invention. It will also be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that as well as being used in the parent compound form the compounds of the present invention may also be utilized in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates thereof. The pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention include conventional salts formed from pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acids or bases as well as quaternary ammonium salts. More specific examples of suitable acid salts include hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, phosphoric, nitric, perchloric, fumaric, acetic, propionic, succinic, glycolic, formic, lactic, maleic, tartaric, citric, palmoic, malonic, hydroxymaleic, phenylacetic, glutamic, benzoic, salicylic, fumaric, toluenesulfonic, methanesulfonic, naphthalene-2-sulfonic, benzenesulfonic hydroxynaphthoic, hydroiodic, malic, steroic, tannic etc. Other acids such as oxalic, while not in themselves pharmaceutically acceptable, may be useful in the preparation of salts useful as intermediates in obtaining the compounds of the present invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. More specific examples of suitable basic salts include sodium, lithium, potassium, magnesium, aluminium, calcium, zinc, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, chloroprocaine, choline, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, N-methylglucamine and procaine salts. References hereinafter to a compound according to the invention include both compounds of formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates. For example, preferred salt forms include: 4,4′ dithiobis (sodium 3-aminobutane-1-sulfonate) bis chlorohydrate; 4,4′ dithiobis (2,2dimethypropyl)-3-aminobutane-1-sulfonate), bis trifluoroacetate. The compounds of the invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives are conveniently administered in the form of pharmaceutical compositions. Such compositions may conveniently be presented for use in conventional manner in admixture with one or more physiologically acceptable carriers or excipients. The carrier(s) must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the subject receiving them. While it is possible that compounds of the present invention may be therapeutically administered as the raw chemical, it is preferable to present the active ingredient as a pharmaceutical formulation. Accordingly, the present invention further provides for a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound of the present invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof in association with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and, optionally, other therapeutic and/or prophylactic ingredients. The formulations include those suitable for oral, parenteral (including subcutaneous e.g. by injection or by depot tablet, intradermal, intrathecal, intramuscular e.g. by depot and intravenous), rectal and topical (including dermal, buccal and sublingual) or in a form suitable for administration by inhalation or insufflation, although the most suitable route may depend upon for example the condition and disorder of the recipient. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosage form and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art of pharmacy. All methods include the step of associating the compounds (“active ingredients”) with the carrier which constitutes one or more accessory ingredients. In general the formulations are prepared by uniformly and intimately associating the active ingredient with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both and then, if necessary, shaping the product into the desired formulation. Formulations suitable for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets or tablets (e.g. chewable tablets in particular for paediatric administration) each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient; as a powder or granules; as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquid or a non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. The active ingredient may also be presented as a bolus, electuary or paste. A tablet may be made by compression or moulding, optionally with one or more accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active ingredient in a free-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with a other conventional excipients such as binding agents, (for example, syrup, gum arabic, gelatin, sorbitol, tragacanth, mucilage of starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone or hydroxymethyl cellulose), fillers (for example, lactose, sucrose, microcrystalline cellulose, maize-starch, calcium phosphate or sorbitol), lubricants (for example, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, talc, polyethylene glycol or silica), disintegrants (for example, potato starch or sodium starch glycolate) or wetting agents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate. Moulded tablets may be made by moulding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent. The tablets may optionally be coated or scored and may be formulated so as to provide slow or controlled release of the active ingredient therein. The tablets may be coated according to methods well-known in the art. Alternatively, the compounds of the present invention may be incorporated into oral liquid preparations such as aqueous or oily suspensions, solutions, emulsions, and such as syrups or elixirs, for example. Moreover, formulations containing these compounds may be presented as a dry product for constitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may contain conventional additives such as suspending agents such as sorbitol syrup, methyl cellulose, glucose/sugar syrup, gelatin, hydroxyethylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, aluminum stearate gel or hydrogenated edible fats; emulsifying agents such as lecithin, sorbitan mono-oleate or gum arabic; non-aqueous vehicles (which may include edible oils) such as almond oil, fractionated coconut oil, oily esters, propylene glycol or ethyl alcohol; and preservatives such as methyl or propyl p-hydroxybenzoates or sorbic acid. These preparations may also be formulated as suppositories, e.g., containing conventional suppository excipients such as cocoa butter or other glycerides. Formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickening agents. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example sealed ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilised) condition requiring only the addition of a sterile liquid carrier, for example, water-for-injection, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets of the kind previously described. Formulations for rectal administration may be presented as a suppository with the usual carriers such as cocoa butter, hard fat or polyethylene glycol. Formulations for topical administration in the mouth, for example buccally or sublingually, include lozenges comprising the active ingredient in a flavoured excipient such as sucrose and gum arabic or tragacanth, and pastilles comprising the active ingredient in an excipient such as gelatin and glycerin or sucrose and gum arabic. For topical administration to the epidermis, the compounds may be formulated as creams, gels, ointments or lotions or as a transdermal patch. The compounds may also be formulated as depot preparations. These long acting formulations may be administered by implantation (for example subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or by intramuscular injection. Thus, for example, the compounds may be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt. For intranasal administration the compounds of the present invention may be used, for example as a liquid spray, as a powder or in the form of drops. For administration by inhalation the compounds according to the present invention are conveniently delivered in the form of an aerosol spray presentation from a pressurised container or a nebuliser, with the use of a suitable propellant, e.g. 1,1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HFA 134A) and 1,1,1,2,3,3,3, -heptafluoropropane (HFA 227), carbon dioxide or other suitable gas. In the case of a pressurised aerosol the exact dosage may be determined by providing a valve adapted to deliver a metered amount. Capsules and cartridges of e.g. gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator may be formulated so as to contain a powder mix of a compound of the present invention and a suitable powder excipient such as lactose or starch. In addition to the ingredients particularly mentioned above, the formulations may include other agents conventional in the art having regard to the type of formulation in question, for example those suitable for oral administration may include flavouring agents. It will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art that reference herein to treatment extends to prophylaxis as well as the treatment of established diseases or symptoms. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the amount of a compound of the present invention required for use in treatment will vary with the nature of the condition being treated and the age and the condition of the patient and will be ultimately at the discretion of the attendant physician or veterinarian. In general, however, doses employed for adult human treatment will typically be in the range of 0.02-5000 mg per day, preferably 1-1500 mg per day. The desired dose may conveniently be presented in a single dose or as divided doses administered at appropriate intervals, for example as two, three, four or more sub-doses per day. The formulations according to the present invention may contain between 0.1-99% of the active ingredient, conveniently from 30-95% for tablets and capsules and 3-50% for liquid preparations. The compound of the present invention for use in the present invention may be used in association with one or more other therapeutic agents for example, beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists, calcium channel blocking agents, thiazide diuretics, angiotensin receptor antagonists and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The present invention thus provides in a further aspect the use of a combination comprising a compound of formula (I) with a further therapeutic agent in the treatment of arterial hypertension. When the compounds of the present invention are used in association with other therapeutic agents, the compounds may be administered either sequentially or simultaneously by any suitable route. The associations referred to above may suitably be presented for use in the form of a pharmaceutical formulation and thus pharmaceutical formulations comprising a association as defined above optimally together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient comprise a further aspect of the present invention. The individual components of such associations may be administered either sequentially or simultaneously in separate or combined pharmaceutical formulations. When combined in the same formulation it will be appreciated that the two compounds must be stable and compatible with each other and the other components of the formulation and may be formulated for administration. When formulated separately they may be provided in any suitable formulation, suitably in a manner known for such compounds in the art. When a compound of the present invention is used in association with a second therapeutic agent active against the same disease, the dose of each compound may differ from that administered when the compound is used alone. Appropriate doses will be readily determined by the person skilled in the art. The compounds of the present invention may be prepared by way of the following Examples which should not be construed as constituting a limitation thereto. EXAMPLE 1 4,4′ dithiobis (sodium 3-aminobutane-1-sulfonate) bis chlorohydrate Step 1: synthesis of the chlorohydrate of 2-amino-4-chloro-1-ethoxycarbonyl propane A solution of 20 g L-homoserine in 50 mL of absolute ethanol was cooled to 0° C. and 121 mL (10 eq) SOCl2 was added dropwise. The mixture was warmed to room temperature and then heated at reflux for 8 h. The solution was evaporated in vacuo and the residue was treated with Et2O. The precipitate was filtered and washed three times with Et2O. White solid: 31.2 g (92%). Rf (CH2Cl2/MeOH/AcOH: 7/3/0.5) 0.59. Step 2: Synthesis of Ethyl 2-t-butoxycarbonylamino-4-chlorobutanoate The preceding compound (31.2 g), dissolved in 80 ml DMF was cooled to −10° C., then a solution of (Boc)2O (37.1 g) in 80 mL DMF and 23.8 ml Et3N was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solution was evaporated in vacuo and the residue partitioned between H2O and Et2O. The organic layer was washed, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. Beige solid, 40.7 g (99%). Rf (EtOAc/nHex: 3/1) 0.66. Step 3: Synthesis of Sodium, 3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-ethoxycarbonyl-propane-1 sulfonate The preceding compound (10.8 g) was dissolved in a mixture of 150 ml dioxane/150 ml H2O and 6.1 g NaI and 25.6 g Na2SO3 were added. The mixture was heated at reflux for 15 hours, then, evaporated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in EtOH (250 ml). The precipitate was eliminated and the filtrate was evaporated in vacuo. A white powder was obtained; 12 g (89%). Rf (CH2Cl2/MeOH: 8/2) 0.18. Step 4: Synthesis of Sodium 3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-hydroxy-butane-1-sulfonate The preceding ester (10 g) was dissolved in 125 ml absolute EtOH and 125 ml anhydrous THF, then 5.1 g of anhydrous LiCl and 4.9 g NaBH4 were added. The mixture was stirred for 17 h at room temperature. Acetic acid (60 ml) was added at 0° C. and the mixture was evaporated in vacuo. The crude product was purified by chromatography on silica gel using EtOAc/MeOH: 8/2 as eluent: White solid, 7.16 g (82%). Rf (EtOAc/MeOH: 7/3) 0.32. Step 5: Synthesis of Sodium 4-acetylsulfanyl-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-butane-1-sulfonate A solution of 13 g triphenylphosphine in anhydrous THF (170 ml) was cooled at 0° C. and 10 ml of diisopropylazodicarboxylate were added. The solution was stirred for 45 min at the same temperature. A solution of the preceding alcohol (7 g) in THF (125 ml)+DMF (40 ml) was added, followed 15 min later by 4 ml CH3COSH and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. After evaporation in vacuo, the residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with NaHCO3 (10%), H2O, brine and dried over Na2SO4. After evaporation, n.Hex/EtOAc was added and the precipitate eliminated. The filtrate was evaporated and the residue purified by chromatography on silica gel using nHex/EtOAc: 4/1 as eluent. Oily product 8.4 g (80%) Rf(CH2Cl2//MeOH: 8/2) 0.20. Step 6: Synthesis of 4,4′ dithiobis (sodium3-aminobutane-1-sulfonate) bis chlorhydrate 350 mg of the preceding compound were heated at reflux with 15 ml HCl 6N for 3 h. The solution was evaporated in vacuo and the residue dissolved in EtOH/H2O: 1/4 and treated with a solution of iodine until a persistent yellow color was observed. The solution was evaporated and the final compound precipitated with Et2O. White solid highly hygroscopic 200 mg (80%). Alternatively the parent compound can be prepared from the free thiol as follows: 7.0 g of EC33 are dissolved in 100 ml of methanol with stirring. A solution of 7.32 g iodine in 100 ml of methanol is added dropwise until decolouration ceases. The resulting precipitate is filtered and washed with 20 ml volumes of methanol until the liquid from washing is colourless. The precipitate is washed with ether and dried under reduced pressure to give 4.1 g of a white solid. [α]D20=+194.5 water, c=1.33; Calculated % C, 26.07; H, 5.47; N, 7.60, O 26.05, S 34.81 Found % C, 25.61; H, 5.60; N, 7.39, O 25.99, S 33.50; NMR (D2O, 400 MHz): δ 2.1 (m, 2H, CH2β); 2.85 (dd, 1H, CH2γ); 2.95 (t, 2H, CH2β′); 3.10 (dd, 1H, CH2γ); 3.70 (m, 1H, CH α). Rf=0.26 in isopropanol/water/acetic acid: 8/2/1, v/v/v EXAMPLE 2 4,4′ dithiobis (2,2dimethypropyl)-3-aminobutane-1-sulfonate), bis trifluoroacetate Step 1: Benzyloxycarbonyl-L-homocystine L-homocystine (5 g) was dissolved in a mixture (80 ml) of dioxane/H2O. At 0° C. and under stirring, 1.52 g (2.1 eq) of NaOH and a solution of 7.8 g (2.4 eq) of benzylchloroformate in 40 ml dioxane were added. The pH was maintained at 9 by addition of a solution of NaOH 1M. After stirring for 2.30 h at room temperature, 100 ml H2O were added and the white precipitate was extracted by Et20 (2×50 ml). The aqueous phase was acidified to pH 1 and the precipitate was extracted by EtOAc (4×80 ml). The organic phase was washed, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. White solid 10.2 g (100%). Step 2: Ethyl benzyloxycarbonyl-L-homocystinate Z-L-homocystine (10 g) was dissolved in 150 ml absolute EtOH. A solution of 1 ml SOCl2 in CH2Cl2 (17 ml) was added at 0° C. and the mixture was heated under reflux for 4 h. The mixture was evaporated in vacuo and the residue dissolved in CH2Cl2. The organic phase was washed, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. Yellow paste, 9 g (80%) Rf (EtOAc/cHex=1/1) 0.59 Step 3: Ethyl-2-benzyloxycarbonylamino-4-(2,2-dimethypropyl)-1-sulfonyl butanoate The preceding compound (9 g) was dissolved in a mixture CCl4/EtOH and Cl2 gas was bubbled through the mixture for 45 min. After evaporation in vacuo, a yellow paste was obtained which was dissolved in 200 ml CH2Cl2. Then, 3.48 g neopentyl alcohol and 5.85 ml Et3N were added. The mixture was stirred overnight, evaporated in vacuo and purified by chromatography on silica gel, using EtOAc/cHex: 1/4 as eluent. 11.2 g of a white solid was obtained (90%). Rf (EtOAc/cHex: 1/4) 0.16. Step 4: Ethyl-2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-(2,2-dimethypropyl)-1-sulfonyl butanoate The preceding compound (5.2 g) was dissolved in 30 ml EtOAc and a solution of 4.07 g of Boc2O in 30 ml EtOAc and 400 mg of Pd/C 10% catalyst were added. The mixture was stirred under 250 kPa H2 at 40° C. for 48 h. The mixture was filtered on Celite and the organic phase was evaporated in vacuo (100%) Rf (EtOAc/cHex: 1/4) 0.79. Step 5: (2,2-dimethypropyl)-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-4-hydroxy-butane-1-sulfonate The preceding compound (2.44 g) was dissolved in 120 ml of 50/50 THF/EtOH. The solution was cooled to −10° C. under inert atmosphere and 1.09 g (4 eq) of LiCl and 0.97 g (4 eq) of NaBH4 were added. After 15 min at −10° C., the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 60 h. Then 20 ml of AcOH were added and the mixture was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was dissolved in 400 ml EtOAc, washed with water, brine, and dried over Na2SO4. The crude product was purified by chromatography on silica gel using EtOAc/MeOH/cHex: 1/1/4 as eluent (Rf 0.20) 2.1 g (99%). Step 6: (2,2-dimethypropyl)-3-tert-butyloxycarbonylamino-4-acetylsulfanyl-butane-1-sulfonate The preceding compound (0.965 g) in 10 ml CHCl3 was cooled to −10° C. and 1.07 ml Et3N and 0.44 ml CH3SO2Cl in 4 ml CHCl3 were successively added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1.5 h. Then 40 ml CHCl3 were added and the organic phase was washed at 0° C. with a solution of NaHCO3 10%, H2O, HCl 1 N, H2O, brine and dried over Na2SO4. After filtration and evaporation, the crude product (Rf (EtOAc/AcOH/cHex: 1/1/4)=0.41) was dissolved in 15 ml DMF and at −10° C., 0.65 g CH3COSK was added. The mixture was stirred for two days at room temperature. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo and an orange residue was obtained. Chromatography on silica gel; eluent EtOAc/cHex: 1/4 (Rf=0.15); white solid 0.64 g (57%). Step 7: 4,4′ dithiobis ((2,2-dimethypropyl)-3-tert-butyloxycarbonylamino-butane-1-sulfonate) The preceding compound (0.25 g) was dissolved in EtOH/THF: 2/1. Then 60 mg NaOH, dissolved in 1 ml H2O were added. The mixture was stirred under O2 bubbling for 12 h. After evaporation in vacuo, the residue was dissolved in 40 ml H2O/40 ml EtOAc and was acidified to pH 1. The organic layer was isolated, washed, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and evaporated in vacuo. White solid: 0.178 g (80%). Rf (EtOAc/MeOH/cHex: 1/1/4) 0.28. Step 8: 4,4′ dithiobis ((2,2-dimethypropyl)-3-aminobutane-1-sulfonate), bis trifluoroacetate The preceding disulfide (0.17 g) was dissolved in 6 ml CH2Cl2 and 6 ml CF3CO2H were added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h and evaporated in vacuo. The residue was washed with Et2O. White solid 0.17 g (100%) Rf(CH2Cl2/MeOH: 7/3) 0.47. [α]D19=+24.8, c=0.995 in EtOH 95% NMR 1H (DMSO): δ 0.90 (s, 9H, tBu); 2.1 (m, 2H, CH2β); 2.70-2.75 (m, 1H, CH2β′); 2.80-2.90 (dd, 1H, CH2β′); 3.00-3.10 (dd, 1H, CH2α) 3.50 (m, 3H, CH α and CH2γ); 3.90 (s, 2H, CH2γ′), 8.1 (s, 2H, NH3+) This compound can be converted to the parent molecule or other suitable salts by methods known in the art. For example, to convert to the parent molecule 40 mg of RB 151 are dissolved in 2 ml water. 5 ml of ether are added and then, dropwise, 0.12 ml of aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (1M). The aqueous phase becomes milky and then clarifies rapidly. The mixture is stirred for 30 minutes and the organic phase is separated. The aqueous phase is washed three times with 5 ml of ether. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulphate then concentrated under vacuum to give an amorphous powder with a 98% yield. [α]D19=+42.3 c=0.992 in EtOH 95% NMR1H (DMSO): δ 0.90 (s, 9H, tBu); 1.65-1.75 (m, 1H, CH2β; 1.90-2.00 (m, 1H, CH2β); 2.70-2.75 (m, 1H, CH2β′); 2.80-2.90 (m, 1H, CH2β′); 3.00-3.10 (m, 1H, CH2α); 3.35-3.50 (m, 2H, CH2γ); 3.80 (s, 2H, CH2γ′) EXAMPLE OF BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY Effect on Blood Pressure in Rats Deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats were obtained according to Pham, I. et al (1993) J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 265, 1339-1347 with the following modifications: under pentobarbital anaesthesia, unilateral nephrectomy was performed in male Wistar Kyoto rats (300 g) and a pellet of 50 mg of DOCA was implanted s.c. After surgery, the rats were fed on standard rat chow and the drinking water was supplemented with 0.9% NaCl and 0.2% KCl. Hypertension developed 3 weeks after surgery. To record arterial blood pressure, DOCA-salt rats were anaesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (50 mg/kg i.p., Sentravet laboratory, Plancoët, France), a femoral artery catheter (PE50) filled with heparinized saline (250 U/ml) was inserted, then brought under the skin and emerged at the nape of the neck. A flexible metal spring was attached to the skull and neck of the rat and connected to dual channel swivels mounted directly above the cage. This arrangement allowed the rat free movement inside the cage. Each rat was then given an intramuscular injection of 0.1 ml of penicillin-streptomycin (50 000 UI/ml, Boehringer Mannheim, GmbH-Germany) and allowed to recover for at least 24 h prior to the experiment. Mean arterial BP was continuously recorded throughout each experiment using a COBE CDX III pressure transducer (Phymep, Paris, France) connected to the MacLab system (Phymep, Paris, France) composed of a MacLab technology unit and Chart software running on a Macintosh computer. The compound of Example 1 was administered to the rats by oral gavage in water at 15 mg/kg. As shown in FIG. 1 mean arterial blood pressure was decreased by 3680 Pa, 4.5 hours after administration. The application of which this description and the claims are a part may be used as basis for priority with respect to any later application. The claims of such a later application may be directed to any new feature or association of new features described in the present document. Its claims may be in the form of product, composition, process or use claims and may comprise, by way of non-limiting example, one or more of the following claims.

20050921

20070626

20060622

57522.0

A61K31255

WITHERSPOON, SIKARL A

NOVEL DERIVATIVES OF 4,4'-DITHIOBIS-(3-AMINOBUTANE-1-SULFPHONATES) AND COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING SAME

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Device for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an Internal combustion engine

The invention relates to devices for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, said devices at least comprising a filter element and a housing provided with a screw cap. Said screw cap and said filter element comprise detachable connection means which can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces. A first device is characterized in that the connection means can be brought into contact by rotating the screw cap in the loosening rotational direction thereof and can be disengaged by rotating the screw cap in the tightening rotational direction thereof. A second device also comprises a centrifuge located in the same housing, first connection means, corresponding to the above-mentioned connection means being provided between an intermediate cap and the filter element, and second connection means being provided between the screw cap and the intermediate cap.

1. Device (1) for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, said device (1) comprising a filter element (2), wherein said filter element (2) is arranged in a two-piece housing (4) that is closed during operation of the device (1) and comprises a stationary lower housing part (42) and a removable upper screw cap (41), and wherein said screw cap (41) and said filter element (2) comprise detachable connection means (25, 45) which can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, wherein the filter element (2) is removed from the housing (4) by means of these connection means (25, 45) when the screw cap (41) is rotated in its loosening rotational direction, characterized in that the connection means (25, 45) are connection means (25, 45) that can be brought into contact by rotating the screw cap (41) in its loosening rotational direction (41′) and can be disengaged by rotating the screw cap (41) in its tightening rotational direction (41″). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle of rotation covered by the screw cap (41) between the disengaged position and the engaged position of the connection means (25, 45) ranges from approximately 15 degrees to 30 degrees. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the filter-element-side connection means (25) are formed by a concentric circle of snap-on hooks (24) that is anyway present at an upper end disk (22) of the filter element (2), and that the associated connection means (45) of the screw cap (41) are formed by a ring (46) with cam segments that is concentrically arranged at the bottom side of the upper part of said screw cap (41), wherein, in a first rotational position that can be adjusted by rotating the screw cap (41) in its tightening rotational direction (41″), the circle of snap-on hooks (24) can be moved in axial direction into the ring (46) and out of the ring (46) with the cam segments in relation to each other, and wherein, in a second rotational position that can be adjusted by rotating the screw cap (41) in its loosening rotational direction (41′), the circle of snap-on hooks (24) that has been moved into the ring (46) cannot be moved out of the ring (46) with the cam segments in axial direction in relation to each other. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the ring (46) with the cam segments is inserted in a recess (48) of the screw cap (41) as a separate component such that it can neither be rotated nor lost. 5. Device (1) for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, wherein the device (1) comprises a filter element (2) at its bottom and, on top of said filter element (2), a centrifuge (3) with a rotor (31) drivable by means of lubricating oil flowing through it, wherein said filter element (2) and said centrifuge (3) are arranged, one above the other, in a common two-piece housing (4) that is closed during operation of the device (1) and comprises a removable upper screw cap (41) and a stationary lower housing part (42), wherein a removable intermediate cap (5) is arranged in the housing (4) between said filter element (2) and said centrifuge (3), said intermediate cap (5) and said filter element (2) comprising first detachable connection means (23, 53) which can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, and wherein said centrifuge (3), said intermediate cap (5) and said filter element (2) can be removed from the housing (4) while the latter is in its open state, characterized in that the screw cap (41) and the intermediate cap (5) additionally comprise second detachable connection means (44, 54) that can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, the second connection means (44, 54) can be brought into contact by rotating the screw cap (41) in its loosening rotational direction (41′) in relation to the intermediate cap (5) and can be disengaged by rotating the screw cap (41) in its tightening rotational direction (41″) in relation to the intermediate cap (5), and the connection between the first connection means (23, 53) is formed as locking connection, wherein the connection means (23) on the side of the filter element (2) are formed by a circle of locking hooks (24) with locking noses (26). 6. Device (1) for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, wherein the device (1) comprises a filter element (2) at its bottom and, on top of said filter element (2), a centrifuge (3) with a rotor (31) drivable by means of lubricating oil flowing through it, wherein said filter element (2) and said centrifuge (3) are arranged, one above the other, in a common two-piece housing (4) that is closed during operation of the device (1) and comprises a removable upper screw cap (41) and a stationary lower housing part (42), wherein a removable intermediate cap (5) is arranged in the housing (4) between said filter element (2) and said centrifuge (3), said intermediate cap (5) and said filter element (2) comprising first detachable connection means (23, 53) which can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, and wherein said centrifuge (3), said intermediate cap (5) and said filter element (2) can be removed from the housing (4) while the latter is in its open state, characterized in that the screw cap (41) and the intermediate cap (5) additionally comprise second detachable connection means (44, 54) that can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, the second connection means (44, 54) can be brought into contact by rotating the screw cap (41) in its loosening rotational direction (41′) in relation to the intermediate cap (5) and can be disengaged by rotating the screw cap (41) in its tightening rotational direction (41″) in relation to the intermediate cap (5), and the connection between the first connection means (23, 53) is formed as locking connection, wherein the connection means (23) on the side of the filter element (2) are formed by a circle of locking hooks (24) with locking noses (26). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the angle of rotation covered by the screw cap (41) between the disengaged position and the engaged position of the first and second connection means (23, 53; 44, 54) in relation to the filter element (2) is, altogether, ranging from approximately 45 degrees to 120 degrees. 8. Device according to anyone of claims 5 through 7, characterized in that the intermediate cap (5) has the shape of a bell and comprises at its outer perimeter axially extending fins (56) each of which is provided with at least one broadening (54) or aperture pointing in circumferential direction, and that the screw cap (41) comprises at its lower edge hooks (44) or noses that are pointing in its loosening rotational direction (41′) and can be brought into contact with the broadenings (54) or apertures by rotating the screw cap (41) in its loosening rotational direction (41′) in relation to the intermediate cap (5) and can be disengaged by rotating the screw cap (41) in its tightening rotational direction (41″) in relation to the intermediate cap (5). 9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the fins (56) that comprise the broadenings (54) or apertures are, at the same time, used as stabilization and force diverting fins for reinforcing the intermediate cap (5) and for diverting onto the screw cap (41) such forces that are caused by an oil pressure below the intermediate cap (5) in the interior region of the housing (4). 10. Device according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the broadenings (54) or apertures on the one hand and/or the hooks (44) or noses on the other hand are each provided with a slope or step (47, 57) at their surfaces that are brought into contact, said slope or step (47, 57) securing the engaged position. 11. Device according to anyone of claims 5 through 7, characterized in that the intermediate cap (5) has the shape of a bell and comprises, in a radially outer region of its upper side, several wings (56′) that are pointing in an axially upward direction, are spaced apart from each other in circumferential direction and are each provided with at least one broadening or aperture pointing in circumferential direction or with a depression used as connection means (54) and recessing in a radially inward direction, and that the screw cap (41) comprises at its lower edge hooks or noses as connection means (44) that are pointing in the loosening rotational direction (41′) of the screw cap (41) or in a radially inward direction, wherein said connection means (44) can be brought into contact with the connection means (54) of the intermediate cap (5) by rotating the screw cap (41) in its loosening rotational direction (41′) in relation to the intermediate cap (5) and can be disengaged by rotating the screw cap (41) in its tightening rotational direction (41″) in relation to the intermediate cap (5). 12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the second connection means (44, 54) are arranged and designed such that, before their thread engagement, the second connection means (44, 54) overlap each other in axial direction when the screw cap (41) is placed onto the stationary housing part (42). 13. Device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the wings (56′) comprise, at their radially outer end, a guide contour (58) fitting in the interior region of the screw cap (41) with motional play. 14. Device according to anyone of claims 11 through 13, characterized in that a step (59) is provided at or next to each of the wings (56′), said step (59) projecting in a radially outward direction and forming the basis on which the lower edge (49) of the screw cap (41) is supported when the latter is in the tightened state. 15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that a part of the steps (59) at that end of the screw cap (41) that is pointing in the loosening rotational direction (41′) thereof each comprises an edge (59′) projecting in upward direction. 16. Device according to anyone of claims 11 through 15, characterized in that the wings (57) are connected to each other via a continuous circumferential collar or are joined to form a continuous circumferential collar. 17. Device according to anyone of claims 6 through 16, characterized in that the filter-element-side connection means (23) are formed by a concentric circle of snap-on hooks (24) that is anyway present at an upper end disk (22) of the filter element (2), and that the associated connection means (53) of the intermediate cap (5) are formed by a ring (53) with cam segments that is concentrically arranged at the bottom side of the upper part (50) of said intermediate cap (5), wherein, in a first rotational position that can be adjusted by rotating in tightening rotational direction, the circle of snap-on hooks (24) can be moved in axial direction into the ring (53) and out of the ring (53) with the cam segments in relation to each other and wherein, in a second rotational position that can be adjusted by rotating in loosening rotational direction, the circle of snap-on hooks (24) that has been moved into the ring (53) cannot be moved out of the ring (53) with the cam segments in axial direction in relation to each other. 18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that the ring (53) with the cam segments is inserted in a recess (52) of the intermediate cap (5) as a separate component such that it can neither be rotated nor lost. 19. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection means (25, 45; 23, 53; 44, 54) that are provided as rotary connection means are designed in the form of a bayonet lock or as a short-length thread. 20. Device according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the screw cap (41), the upper end disk (22) of the filter element (2) as well as the intermediate cap (5) if necessary and, if need be, the ring (46, 53) with the cam segments are each single-piece injection-molded parts of plastic. 21. Device according to claim 3 or 17, characterized in that the screw cap (41) including its ring (46) with the cam segments or the intermediate cap (5) including its ring (53) with the cam segments is each a single-piece injection-molded part of plastic. 22. A device for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine comprising: a two piece housing comprising a stationary lower housing part and a removable upper screw cap, a filter element, said filter element being arranged in said two-piece housing that is closed during operation of the device and, said screw cap and said filter element comprising detachable connection means which can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, said filter element being removed from said housing by means of said connection means when said screw cap is rotated in its loosening rotational direction, said connection means being arranged to be brought into contact by rotating said screw cap in its loosening rotational direction and arranged to be disengaged by rotating said screw cap in a tightening rotational direction. 23. A device according to claim 22, wherein an angle of rotation covered by said screw cap between a disengaged position and an engaged position of said connection means ranges from approximately 15 degrees to 30 degrees. 24. A device according to claim 22, wherein said connection means on said filter element are formed by a concentric circle of snap-on hooks formed at an upper end disk of said filter element, and said connection means on said screw cap are formed by a ring with cam segments that is concentrically arranged at a bottom side of an upper part of said screw cap, wherein, in a first rotational position that can be adjusted by rotating said screw cap in its tightening rotational direction, said circle of snap-on hooks can be moved in an axial direction into said ring and out of said ring with said cam segments in relation to each other, and wherein, in a second rotational position that can be adjusted by rotating said screw cap in its loosening rotational direction, said circle of snap-on hooks that has been moved into said ring cannot be moved out of said ring with said cam segments in axial direction in relation to each other. 25. A device according to claim 24, wherein said ring with said cam segments is inserted in a recess of said screw cap as a separate component such that it can neither be rotated nor lost. 26. A device according to claim 24, wherein said screw cap including its ring with said cam segments is a single-piece injection-molded part of plastic. 27. A device according to claim 22, wherein said screw cap, said upper end disk of said filter element as well as said intermediate cap if necessary and, if need be, said ring with said cam segments are each single-piece injection-molded parts of plastic. 28. A device for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a common two-piece housing that is closed during operation of the device and comprises a removable upper screw cap and a stationary lower housing part, a filter element at a bottom of the device and, on top of said filter element, a centrifuge with a rotor drivable by means of lubricating oil flowing through it, wherein said filter element and said centrifuge are arranged, one above the other, in said two-piece housing, a removable intermediate cap arranged in said housing between said filter element and said centrifuge, said intermediate cap and said filter element comprising first detachable connection means which can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, and wherein said centrifuge, said intermediate cap and said filter element can be removed from said housing while the latter is in its open state, said screw cap and said intermediate cap additionally comprise second detachable connection means that can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, said second connection means arranged to be brought into contact by rotating said screw cap in its loosening rotational direction in relation to said intermediate cap and arranged to be disengaged by rotating said screw cap in its tightening rotational direction in relation to said intermediate cap, and said connection between said first connection means being formed as a locking connection, wherein said connection means on said filter element are formed by a circle of locking hooks with locking noses. 29. A device according to claim 28, wherein said intermediate cap has a shape of a bell and comprises at its outer perimeter axially extending fins each of which is provided with at least one broadening or aperture pointing in circumferential direction, and that said screw cap comprises at its lower edge hooks or noses that are pointing in its loosening rotational direction and can be brought into contact with said broadenings or apertures by rotating said screw cap in its loosening rotational direction in relation to said intermediate cap and can be disengaged by rotating said screw cap in its tightening rotational direction in relation to said intermediate cap. 30. A device according to claim 29, wherein said fins that comprise said broadenings or apertures are, at the same time, used as stabilization and force diverting fins for reinforcing said intermediate cap and for diverting onto said screw cap such forces that are caused by an oil pressure below said intermediate cap in said interior region of said housing. 31. A device according to claim 29, wherein said broadenings or apertures on the one hand and/or said hooks or noses on the other hand are each provided with a slope or step at their surfaces that are brought into contact, said slope or step securing the engaged position. 32. A device according to claim 28, wherein said intermediate cap has a shape of a bell and comprises, in a radially outer region of its upper side, several wings that are pointing in an axially upward direction, are spaced apart from each other in circumferential direction and are each provided with at least one broadening or aperture pointing in circumferential direction or with a depression used as connection means and recessing in a radially inward direction, and that said screw cap comprises at its lower edge hooks or noses as connection means that are pointing in said loosening rotational direction of said screw cap or in a radially inward direction, wherein said connection means can be brought into contact with said connection means of said intermediate cap by rotating said screw cap in its loosening rotational direction in relation to said intermediate cap and can be disengaged by rotating said screw cap in its tightening rotational direction in relation to said intermediate cap. 33. A device according to claim 32, wherein said second connection means are arranged and designed such that, before their thread engagement, said second connection means overlap each other in axial direction when said screw cap is placed onto said stationary housing part. 34. A device according to claim 32, wherein said wings comprise, at their radially outer end, a guide contour fitting in said interior region of said screw cap with motional play. 35. A device according to claim 32, wherein a step is provided at or next to each of said wings, said step projecting in a radially outward direction and forming the basis on which a lower edge of said screw cap is supported when said screw cap is in said tightened state. 36. A device according to claim 35, wherein a part of said steps at that end of said screw cap that is pointing in said loosening rotational direction thereof each comprises an edge projecting in upward direction. 37. A device according to claim 32, wherein said wings are connected to each other via a continuous circumferential collar or are joined to form a continuous circumferential collar. 38. A device according to claim 28, wherein said screw cap, said upper end disk of said filter element as well as said intermediate cap if necessary and, if need be, said ring with said cam segments are each single-piece injection-molded parts of plastic. 39. A device for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, comprising: a common two-piece housing that is closed during operation of the device and comprises a removable upper screw cap and a stationary lower housing part, a filter element at a bottom of the device and, on top of said filter element, a centrifuge with a rotor drivable by means of lubricating oil flowing through it, wherein said filter element and said centrifuge are arranged, one above the other, in said two-piece housing, a removable intermediate cap arranged in said housing between said filter element and said centrifuge, said intermediate cap and said filter element comprising first detachable connection means which can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, and wherein said centrifuge, said intermediate cap and said filter element can be removed from said housing while the latter is in its open state, said screw cap and said intermediate cap additionally comprise second detachable connection means that can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, said second connection means arranged to be brought into contact by rotating said screw cap in its loosening rotational direction in relation to said intermediate cap and arranged to be disengaged by rotating said screw cap in its tightening rotational direction in relation to said intermediate cap, and said connection between said first connection means is designed as a rotary connection, wherein said first connection means can, in relation to said filter element, be brought into contact by rotating said screw cap in its loosening rotational direction, said screw cap taking along said intermediate cap, and can, in relation to said filter element, be disengaged by rotating said intermediate cap in an opposite direction. 40. A device according to claim 39, wherein an angle of rotation covered by said screw cap between said disengaged position and said engaged position of said first and second connection means in relation to said filter element ranges approximately from approximately 45 degrees to 120 degrees. 41. A device according to claim 39, wherein said intermediate cap has a shape of a bell and comprises at its outer perimeter axially extending fins each of which is provided with at least one broadening or aperture pointing in circumferential direction, and that said screw cap comprises at its lower edge hooks or noses that are pointing in its loosening rotational direction and can be brought into contact with said broadenings or apertures by rotating said screw cap in its loosening rotational direction in relation to said intermediate cap and can be disengaged by rotating said screw cap in its tightening rotational direction in relation to said intermediate cap. 42. A device according to claim 41, wherein said fins that comprise said broadenings or apertures are, at the same time, used as stabilization and force diverting fins for reinforcing said intermediate cap and for diverting onto said screw cap such forces that are caused by an oil pressure below said intermediate cap in said interior region of said housing. 43. A device according to claim 41, wherein said broadenings or apertures on the one hand and/or said hooks or noses on the other hand are each provided with a slope or step at their surfaces that are brought into contact, said slope or step securing the engaged position. 44. A device according to claim 39, wherein said intermediate cap has a shape of a bell and comprises, in a radially outer region of its upper side, several wings that are pointing in an axially upward direction, are spaced apart from each other in circumferential direction and are each provided with at least one broadening or aperture pointing in circumferential direction or with a depression used as connection means and recessing in a radially inward direction, and that said screw cap comprises at its lower edge hooks or noses as connection means that are pointing in said loosening rotational direction of said screw cap or in a radially inward direction, wherein said connection means can be brought into contact with said connection means of said intermediate cap by rotating said screw cap in its loosening rotational direction in relation to said intermediate cap and can be disengaged by rotating said screw cap in its tightening rotational direction in relation to said intermediate cap. 45. A device according to claim 44, wherein said second connection means are arranged and designed such that, before their thread engagement, said second connection means overlap each other in axial direction when said screw cap is placed onto said stationary housing part. 46. A device according to claim 44, wherein said wings comprise, at their radially outer end, a guide contour fitting in said interior region of said screw cap with motional play. 47. A device according to claim 44, wherein a step is provided at or next to each of said wings, said step projecting in a radially outward direction and forming the basis on which a lower edge of said screw cap is supported when said screw cap is in said tightened state. 48. A device according to claim 47, wherein a part of said steps at that end of said screw cap that is pointing in said loosening rotational direction thereof each comprises an edge projecting in upward direction. 49. A device according to claim 44, wherein said wings are connected to each other via a continuous circumferential collar or are joined to form a continuous circumferential collar. 50. A device according to claim 39, wherein said filter-element-side connection means are formed by a concentric circle of snap-on hooks that is present at an upper end disk of said filter element, and that said associated connection means of said intermediate cap are formed by a ring with cam segments that is concentrically arranged at a bottom side of said upper part of said intermediate cap, wherein, in a first rotational position that can be adjusted by rotating in tightening rotational direction, said circle of snap-on hooks can be moved in axial direction into said ring and out of said ring with said cam segments in relation to each other and wherein, in a second rotational position that can be adjusted by rotating in loosening rotational direction, said circle of snap-on hooks that has been moved into said ring cannot be moved out of said ring with said cam segments in anaxial direction in relation to each other. 51. A device according to claim 50, wherein said intermediate cap including its ring with said cam segments is a single-piece injection-molded part of plastic. 52. A device according to claim 39, wherein said ring with said cam segments is inserted in a recess of said intermediate cap as a separate component such that it can neither be rotated nor lost. 53. A device according to claim 39, wherein said connection means that are provided as rotary connection means are designed in the form of a bayonet lock or as a short-length thread. 54. A device according to claim 39, wherein said screw cap, said upper end disk of said filter element as well as said intermediate cap if necessary and, if need be, said ring with said cam segments are each single-piece injection-molded parts of plastic.

The present invention relates to a device for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, said device comprising a filter element, wherein said filter element is arranged in a two-piece housing that is closed during operation of the device and comprises a stationary lower housing part and a removable upper screw cap and wherein said screw cap and said filter element comprise detachable connection means which can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, wherein the filter element is removed from the housing by means of these connection means when the screw cap is rotated in its loosening rotational direction. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, said device comprising a filter element at its bottom and, on top of said filter element, a centrifuge with a rotor drivable by means of lubricating oil flowing through it, wherein said filter element and said centrifuge are arranged, one above the other, in a common two-piece housing that is closed during operation of the device and comprises a removable upper screw cap and a stationary lower housing part, wherein a removable intermediate cap is arranged in the housing between said filter element and said centrifuge, said intermediate cap and said filter element comprising first detachable connection means which can be brought into contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, and wherein said centrifuge, said intermediate cap and said filter element can be removed from the housing while the latter is in its open state. A device of the first aforementioned type is, for example, known from DE 296 10 290 U1, which describes a device that is designed as fluid filter and which provides that the upper end disk of the filter element is provided with locking tongues that are projecting towards the top and can be mounted elastically. With the device being in the assembled state, these locking tongues engage a continuous locking groove extending along the internal perimeter of the screw cap. This permits removal of the screw cap, along with the filter element, from the filter housing by rotating said screw cap in its loosening rotational direction, this allowing the filter element to be handled easily when being replaced, wherein it is not necessary to directly seize the dirty and oily filter element. Usually, a used-up filter element is separated from the screw cap by canting the two parts against each other until the locking connection is undone. This requires canting beyond a certain angle to ensure that the locking connection will indeed be undone. In case of screw caps which provide only little lateral motional play for the filter element partially arranged therein, this especially being the case with relatively long screw caps, it is not possible to undo the locking connection by canting because the deflection angle required between the two parts fails to be achieved since the filter element touches the internal perimeter of the screw cap beforehand. In this case, great effort is required to undo the locking connection by exerting a tractive force in axial direction. To achieve this, the dirty filter element must be seized, and in this process, contaminated lubricating oil may easily be released into the environment. In addition, it is difficult to exert the necessary tractive force at all when seizing an oily filter element. A device of the second aforementioned type is known from DE 43 06 431 C1. If the screw cap, as a removable part of the housing of this known device, is rotated in its loosening rotational direction, initially only the screw cap, in its thread, moves away from the stationary part of the housing in an upward direction, whereas the centrifuge rotor that is arranged in the upper part of the housing remains in its position. After the housing cap has been removed, the rotor of the centrifuge is positioned in its lower bearing. In the next step, the centrifuge rotor can be removed. Thereafter, the intermediate cap is accessible. The intermediate cap must be pulled out of the lower part of the housing in an upward direction. Therein, the intermediate cap takes along the filter element that is arranged below it, thus also removing it in an upward direction. This taking along is initiated by the first detachable connection means between the intermediate cap and the upper end disk of the filter element. After the combined unit consisting of intermediate cap and filter element has been removed, the filter element can, by canting or by exerting a tractive force in axial direction, be disengaged from and pulled out of the intermediate cap, and a new filter element can be inserted in the intermediate cap and engaged therewith via the detachable connection means by exerting a thrust force in axial direction. As compared with its disassembly, the device is then assembled in reverse order by first introducing the intermediate cap including filter element in the lower part of the housing. Thereafter, the centrifuge rotor is placed onto the intermediate cap with its lower bearing. Finally, the screw cap is screwed on, while it must be ensured that the upper bearing of the centrifuge rotor assumes its desired position in the center of the upper end of the screw cap. Obviously, disassembly and assembly of this device are relatively complicated and troublesome. In addition, disassembly requires that oily parts, in particular the intermediate cap, be seized manually. Apart from operating personnel getting their hands dirty, this poses the further problem that it is difficult to get a sufficiently firm hold of the intermediate cap because of its oily surface. As a result, it is even more difficult to pull out the intermediate cap from the lower part of the housing against the developing frictional forces and against a vacuum that might possibly be present. Therefore, the present invention aims at creating devices of the aforementioned type, which obviate the drawbacks described above and which allow, in particular, disassembly and assembly to be carried out in an easier, faster and cleanlier manner. A first solution to this problem is provided by the invention by a device of the first aforementioned type, characterized in that the connection means can be brought into contact by rotating the screw cap in the loosening rotational direction thereof and can be disengaged by rotating the screw cap in the tightening rotational direction thereof. The device according to the invention is to advantage in that the connection means can, if necessary, be brought into contact and be disengaged by a simple rotary motion. Therein, engaging and disengaging practically do not require any effort as is the case with a locking connection when the locking connection is to be established or undone. At the same time, however, the device according to the invention ensures that, when the screw cap is rotated in its loosening rotational direction, the filter element also makes the movement of the screw cap away from the remaining filter housing in the manner desired. As a result, this device also facilitates clean removal of the filter element from the filter housing because the filter element is, at the same time, taken along and out of the filter housing when the cap is removed, thus not having to be taken out of the filter housing separately by operating personnel. Again, a small rotary motion, now in the tightening rotational direction of the screw cap, suffices to separate the filter element from the screw cap, whereby the connection means between the filter element and the screw cap are disengaged and the filter element is separated from the screw cap. Thereafter, the used-up filter element can be disposed of and can be replaced by a new filter element. Said new filter element can then be connected to the screw cap via the connection means in a likewise easy manner by a simple rotary motion and can then be inserted in the filter housing jointly with the screw cap and fixed in its position in the filter housing by rotating the screw cap in its tightening rotational direction. Proper functioning of this type of connection means is ensured irrespective of the amount of a possible lateral motional play of the filter element inside the screw cap because, for being engaged and disengaged, the connection means do not require any lateral motion but must only be rotated in relation to each other. This enables this type of connection means to be used to particular advantage in long screw caps which, when a formerly usual locking connection was used, caused problems in undoing said locking connection. A first preferred further development of the device provides that the angle of rotation covered by the screw cap between the disengaged position and the engaged position of the connection means ranges from approximately 15 degrees to 30 degrees. With such a small angle of rotation, a very small and very quickly and easily executable manual rotary motion of the parts of the device that comprise the connection means in relation to each other suffices for engagement and disengagement. To also permit use of current filter elements that have already been launched and are already existing on the market in the device according to the invention, a further embodiment of the device proposes that the filter-element-side connection means are formed by a concentric circle of snap-on hooks that is anyway present at an upper end disk of the filter element and that the associated connection means of the screw cap are formed by a ring with cam segments that is concentrically arranged at the bottom side of the upper part of said screw cap, wherein, in a first rotational position that can be adjusted by rotating in tightening rotational direction, the circle of snap-on hooks can be moved in axial direction into the ring and out of the ring with the cam segments in relation to each other and wherein, in a second rotational position that can be adjusted by rotating in loosening rotational direction, the circle of snap-on hooks that has been moved into the ring cannot be moved out of the ring with the cam segments in axial direction in relation to each other. In this embodiment of the device, it is only necessary to modify the inner side of the screw cap; thereafter, the connection between the screw cap on the one hand and the filter element on the other hand can be established and undone in a manner according to the invention. As compared with the formerly usual filter elements, it is not necessary to make any modifications to the filter element, so that conversion to the new type of connection can be achieved with very little technical effort. To enable the screw cap of the housing to be provided with its connection means in as easy a manner as possible, a further embodiment of the device provides that the ring with the cam segments is inserted in a recess of the screw cap as a separate component such that it can neither be rotated nor lost. This initially permits manufacture of the cap with the region of its recess being formed relatively easily. Subsequently, the ring is installed in this recess, wherein the two parts can be connected to each other by being mutually welded or glued or engaged such that they can neither be rotated nor lost. A second solution to this problem is provided by the invention by a device of the second aforementioned type, characterized in that the screw cap and the intermediate cap additionally comprise second detachable connection means that can be brought in contact and are used to transmit axial tractive forces, the second connection means can be brought into contact by rotating the screw cap in its loosening rotational direction in relation to the intermediate cap and can be disengaged by rotating the screw cap in its tightening rotational direction in relation to the intermediate cap, and the first connection means can, in relation to the filter element, be brought into contact by rotating the screw cap in its loosening rotational direction, said screw cap taking along the intermediate cap, and can, in relation to the filter element, be disengaged by rotating the intermediate cap in opposite direction. The contact required for transmission of tractive forces acting in axial direction is, to advantage, established only if it is indeed required, that is during disassembly of the device. This contact is simply generated by rotating the screw cap in its loosening rotational direction, a step that is anyhow required for unscrewing the screw cap from the stationary part of the housing. Both the first and the second connection means are brought into contact by the rotary motion of the screw cap in its loosening rotational direction. Hence, on completion of the procedure of unscrewing the screw cap from the stationary part of the housing, there is contact between the screw cap and the intermediate cap as well as between the intermediate cap and the filter element. This permits the operating personnel to seize only the screw cap that is usually clean on its outside; pulling out does not require that the oily further parts of the device that are removed from the housing be seized. On the contrary, the screw cap, when moving upwards, takes along the centrifuge rotor, the intermediate cap and the filter element in the same upward movement direction. The unit comprising screw cap, centrifuge rotor, intermediate cap and filter element that is removed from the housing can then be separated easily by being rotated in opposite rotational direction in relation to each other, because this rotation that is now effected in opposite direction disengages the connection means between the screw cap and the intermediate cap as well as between the intermediate cap and the filter element. After completion of this disengagement, all parts of the device that have been removed from the stationary housing part, that is the filter element, the intermediate cap, the centrifuge rotor and the screw cap, can be separated from each other. After the filter element and the centrifuge rotor have been replaced by new components, assembly is carried out in reverse order and with opposite rotational directions. Thereafter, a new unit comprising screw cap, centrifuge rotor, intermediate cap and filter element has been pre-assembled, which, as a unit, can be inserted in the lower part of the housing and can be connected to the remaining housing by rotating the screw cap. Rotation of the screw cap in its tightening rotational direction causes the previously established connection contacts to be disengaged, because said connection contacts are neither required when the screw cap is rotated in its tightening rotational direction nor when the screw cap is in its tightened state. In a further embodiment of the second device according to the invention, it is preferably provided that the angle of rotation covered by the screw cap between the disengaged position and the engaged position of the first and second connection means in relation to the filter element is, altogether, ranging from approximately 45 degrees to 120 degrees. Owing to this angle of rotation that is relatively small despite two connection contacts that must be established and undone, said contacts are swiftly established when the screw cap is rotated in its loosening rotational direction, requiring only a short distance to be covered, and are likewise swiftly undone when the screw cap is rotated in its tightening rotational direction, again requiring only a short distance to be covered. In a more concrete further development of the second device, it is provided that the intermediate cap has the shape of a bell and comprises at its outer perimeter axially extending fins each of which is provided with at least one broadening or aperture pointing in circumferential direction and that the screw cap comprises at its lower edge hooks or noses that are pointing in its loosening rotational direction and can be brought into contact with the broadenings or apertures by rotating the screw cap in its loosening rotational direction in relation to the intermediate cap and can be disengaged by rotating the screw cap in its tightening rotational direction in relation to the intermediate cap. In this embodiment, it is only necessary to form several, for example three, hooks or noses that fit to the screw cap and are distributed over the perimeter thereof and at the lower end edge thereof, this requiring only little additional effort during manufacture of the screw cap. The effort additionally required in the manufacture of the intermediate cap for the formation of the broadenings or apertures as connection means cooperating with the hooks or noses is likewise relatively low, so that the manufacture of the intermediate cap does not require any noticeable additional effort, that would increase the price of the device, either. A further development of the device provides that the fins that comprise the broadenings or apertures are, at the same time, used as stabilization and force diverting fins for reinforcing the intermediate cap and for diverting onto the screw cap such forces that are caused by an oil pressure below the intermediate cap in the interior region of the housing. As a result, the fins assume two functions, thus minimizing the material and manufacturing expenditures required for achieving as many functions as possible. To ensure that, with the screw cap unscrewed from the stationary housing part, the intermediate cap that is connected to said screw cap via the connection means that are now in contact and the filter element connected thereto are prevented from falling off and, thus, being damaged in an unintentional manner, it is furthermore preferably provided that the broadenings or apertures on the one hand and/or the hooks or noses on the other hand are each provided with a slope or step at their surfaces that are brought into contact, said slope or step securing the engaged position. As a result, a certain, yet relatively low motional resistance must be overcome for disengaging the connection by rotating the parts in relation to each other, said motional resistance being, however, at any rate great enough to prevent the parts from detaching from each other by themselves in an unintentional manner. Instead of in the region of the fins at the outer perimeter of the intermediate cap, the second connection means can also be arranged at a different point. To achieve this, a preferred further embodiment provides that the intermediate cap has the shape of a bell and comprises, in a radially outer region of its upper side, several wings that are pointing in an axially upward direction, are spaced apart from each other in circumferential direction and are each provided with at least one broadening or aperture pointing in circumferential direction or with a depression used as connection means and recessing in a radially inward direction and that the screw cap comprises at is lower edge hooks or noses as connection means that are pointing in the loosening rotational direction of the screw cap or in a radially inward direction, wherein said connection means can be brought into contact with the connection means of the intermediate cap by rotating the screw cap in its loosening rotational direction in relation to the intermediate cap and can be disengaged by rotating the screw cap in its tightening rotational direction in relation to the intermediate cap. This embodiment is to particular advantage in case of devices with a shorter screw cap that does not extend to the region below the upper part of the screw cap. In order to prevent the second connections means from positioning in front of each other and jamming in axial direction when the screw cap is rotated in its tightening rotational direction, it is provided that the second connection means are arranged and designed such that they overlap each other in axial direction when the screw cap is placed onto the remaining housing before the thread engagement thereof. To allow easy and quick mounting of the device, it is appropriate that the parts of the device can be joined to form pre-assembled units. To achieve this, it is provided that the wings comprise, at their radially outer end, a guide contour fitting in the interior region of the screw cap with motional play. This guide contour ensures that the intermediate cap, including the centrifuge rotor it is carrying, can be aligned in an exactly axial direction when being inserted in the screw cap, wherein it is ensured that an upper shaft end of a rotor shaft is positioned precisely in a shaft holding in the center of the upper inner side of the screw cap. The filter element can already be attached to the other side of the intermediate cap so that the pre-assembled unit then, to advantage, comprises all of the parts to be installed in the housing and to be connected to the housing. During operation of the device, a considerable lubricating oil pressure is present below the intermediate cap, whereas the region above the intermediate cap is pressureless. In order to absorb the forces caused by the pressure difference and acting on the intermediate cap and to divert said forces into the screw cap, it is provided to provide a step at or next to each of the wings, said step projecting in a radially outward direction and forming the basis on which the lower edge of the screw cap is supported when the latter is in the tightened state. To increase the overall stability and load carrying capacity of the wings and the intermediate cap, it is proposed that the wings be connected to each other via a continuous circumferential collar or be joined to form a continuous circumferential collar. A further measure to prevent additional manufacturing expenditures and to allow the use of current filter elements even in the second device according to the invention comprises filter-element-side connection means that are formed by a concentric circle of snap-on hooks that is anyhow present at an upper end disk of the filter element and further comprises associated connection means of the intermediate cap that are formed by a ring with cam segments that is concentrically arranged at the bottom side of the upper part of said intermediate cap, wherein, in a first rotational position that can be adjusted by rotating in tightening rotational direction, the circle of snap-on hooks can be moved in axial direction into the ring and out of the ring with the cam segments in relation to each other and wherein, in a second rotational position that can be adjusted by rotating in loosening rotational direction, the circle of snap-on hooks that has been moved into the ring cannot be moved out of the ring with the cam segments in axial direction in relation to each other. In this embodiment of the device, use is, to advantage, made of the connection means that are anyhow present at the filter element and that are usually used for engagement of the intermediate cap or for direct engagement of the screw cap where filters without centrifuge are concerned. This prevents a special filter element from having to be made available. It is furthermore preferably provided that the ring with the cam segments mentioned in the preceding paragraph is inserted in a recess of the intermediate cap such that it can neither be rotated nor lost. In this manner, it is possible to manufacture the ring on the one hand and the intermediate cap on the other hand from different materials, wherein a material with the properties that are particularly suitable for the particular tasks can each be selected. This also simplifies manufacture of the intermediate cap because its bottom side must only be provided with a recess in which the ring will then be inserted. The manufacture of the ring as a separate component is, in particular, simplified if it is manufactured as an injection-molded part because its removing from the mold is not restricted by any parts of the intermediate cap. To enable the connection means provided at the devices according to the invention as well as the contact of these connection means with each other to be established and undone with as little effort as possible, the connection means are preferably designed in the form of a bayonet lock or as a short-length thread. For the device, it is furthermore preferably provided that the screw cap, the upper end disk of the filter element as well as the intermediate cap if necessary and, if need be, the ring with the cam segments are each single-piece injection-molded parts of plastic. This permits cost-effective bulk production and results in a low weight of the device. To further simplify manufacture and mounting of the device, finally, the screw cap including its ring with the cam segments or the intermediate cap including its ring with the cam segments can each be a single-piece injection-molded part of plastic. This is to advantage in that it reduces the number of component parts and the number of mounting steps. Three embodiments of the invention will be illustrated below with reference being made to the enclosed drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a lateral view and partial vertical sectional view of a first device for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, comprising a filter element, in a securely assembled state; FIG. 2 is a view of the device of FIG. 1 in a state where a screw cap of the device is being rotated in its loosening rotational direction, in the same type of representation as in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a lateral view, a partial vertical sectional view and a partially broken view of a second device for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine comprising a filter element and a centrifuge, in a securely assembled state; FIG. 4 is an oblique top view of the device of FIG. 3 in partially open representation and with individual parts of the device having been omitted; FIG. 5 is a view of the device of FIG. 3 in the same type of representation as in FIG. 3, however, now with the screw cap being in a first rotational position at the start of being rotated in its loosening rotational direction on opening of the device; FIG. 5a is a view of the detail encircled in FIG. 5, in a modified embodiment; FIG. 6 is a view of the device of FIG. 5 in the same type of representation as in FIG. 3 and in the same rotational state as in FIG. 3; FIG. 7 is a view of the device of FIG. 3 with the screw cap being in a rotational state where it has been further rotated in its loosening rotational direction, in the same type of representation as in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 5; and FIG. 8 is a view of the device of FIG. 7 in the same type of representation as in FIGS. 4 and 6 in the rotational state according to FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a third device for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine comprising a filter element and a centrifuge, in a securely assembled state; FIG. 10 is a partially broken perspective view of the device of FIG. 9, with the centrifuge rotor and the filter element having been omitted, with tightened screw cap; FIG. 11 is a view of the device of FIG. 9 in the same type of representation as in FIG. 10, however, now with partially loosened screw cap; and FIG. 12 is a view of the device of FIG. 9 in the same type of representation as in FIGS. 10 and 11, however, now with fully loosened screw cap. As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, the represented first embodiment of a device 1 for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine is designed as a pure filter. To this end, the device possesses a housing 4 that comprises a stationary lower housing part 42 and an upper screw cap 41 connected thereto in a detachable manner. In a lower part of the filter housing 4, which is not shown in FIG. 1, ducts, at least for supplying lubricating oil to be purified and for discharging purified lubricating oil, are provided in the usual manner. The lower housing part 42 and the screw cap 41 can be connected to and separated from each other by means of a screw thread that is rotated. The arrow 41″ on the screw cap 41 indicates the tightening rotational direction of said screw cap 41. In the state of the device 1 shown in FIG. 1, the screw cap 41 is securely screwed to the lower housing part 42 and is sealed by a gasket. A filter element 2 that has the usual executive form and consists of a filter medium body 21 that is concertina-folded and bent to form a circular hollow cylinder is arranged in the interior region of the housing 4. At each of its two face ends, the filter medium body 21 is connected to an end disk in a sealing manner, wherein only the upper end disk 22 is visible in FIG. 1. A circle of snap-on hooks 24 that is, in conventional filters for the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine, used for establishing a locking connection between screw cap and filter element extends from the upper side of the end disk 22 in an upward direction. In the device 1 shown in FIG. 1, use is made of a filter element 2 of a form that is unmodified as compared with a conventional executive form wherein here, however, the function of the anyhow present snap-on hooks 24 is a different one. Here, the snap-on hooks 24 of the upper end disk 22 of the filter element 2 form connection means 25 which can, optionally, be engaged and disengaged by means of connection means 45. The connection means 45 are arranged at the inner side of the screw cap 41 and radially at the immediate outside of the connection means 25 such that they fit to the latter. Here, the connection means 45 are formed by a ring 46 with cam segments, said ring 46 being arranged concentrically about the longitudinal central axis of the screw cap 41 and being connected to the remaining screw cap 41 such that it can neither be rotated nor lost. In the state shown in FIG. 1, the cams of the cam segments of the ring 46 are positioned such that they are each positioned between two neighboring snap-on hooks 24 of the end disk 22. Thus, the connection means 25, 45 are, here, disengaged. At the same time, the screw cap 41, when in the tightened position shown in FIG. 1, ensures that the filter element 2 assumes a fixed position inside the housing 4 by the screw cap 41 entering in abutment against the upper side of the upper end disk 22 of the filter element 2. This state of the screw cap 41 is present during normal operation of the device 1. FIG. 2 of the drawing shows the device 1 of FIG. 1 in the same view, however, now in a second operating state where the screw cap 41 is rotated in its loosening rotational direction. The arrow 41′ indicates the loosening rotational direction of the screw cap 41. By being rotated in its loosening rotational direction, the screw cap 41 is rotated not only in relation to the stationary housing part 42 of the housing 4 but, in the same sense, also in relation to the filter element 2. In the conventional embodiment, the filter element 2 comprises, at its lower end, a central aperture in its lower end disk, said aperture being positioned on a connection piece by means of an axial and/or radial seal. Although the filter element 2 can be rotated on this connection piece, this is possible only if a certain frictional force inevitably developing between the lower end disk of the filter element 2 and the connection piece is overcome. After the screw cap 41 has covered a small rotational angle of, for example, approximately 15 degrees to 30 degrees in its loosening rotational direction, the cam segments present at the ring 46 enter a position opposite to the snap-on hooks 24. Once the cam segments of the ring 46 and the snap-on hooks 24 are positioned opposite to each other, it is no longer possible to further rotate the screw cap 41 and the filter element 2 in relation to each other in the same directional sense because this is prevented by stops provided in the ring 46. Thus, the connection means 25, 45 are now engaging each other. Since the screw cap 41 and the filter element 2 can no longer be rotated further in the same directional sense and in relation to each other beyond the measure achieved, the filter element 2, while the screw cap 41 is further rotated in its loosening rotational direction, is also further rotated synchronously with the screw cap 41, wherein the connection means 25, 45 are still engaging each other. The connection means 25, 45 are able to transmit an appropriate axial tractive force from the screw cap 41 to the filter element 2, so that the latter, while overcoming the friction on its connection piece, is moved upwards together with the screw cap 41 when the latter is rotated in its loosening rotational direction, thus being finally moved out of the filter housing 4. In order to subsequently separate the filter element 2 from the screw cap 41, it suffices to shortly rotate the screw cap 41 in its tightening rotational direction in relation to the filter element 2. This rotation causes the connection means 25, 45 to be disengaged, so that the filter element 2 can be pulled out of the screw cap 41 in axial direction without a tractive force having to be applied and without a canting motion having to be made for disengagement. Thereafter, a new filter element 2, including its connection means 25, can first be introduced in the screw cap 41 in axial direction and can then, by shortly rotating the screw cap 41 in its loosening rotational direction in relation to the filter element 2, be connected to the latter, thus causing the connection means 25, 45 to be brought into contact. In this state, the screw cap 41 can be seized and, jointly with the filter element 2, be moved to the lower stationary housing part 42 and can then be reconnected to the latter by a rotary motion. Although the connection means 25, 45 between the screw cap 41 and the filter element 2 disengage when the screw cap 41 is rotated in its tightening rotational direction, this is of no relevance here, because now the filter element 2 is already positioned on its connection piece with its lower end. The thrust force required for further pushing the filter element 2 onto the connection piece is transmitted by the screw cap 41 onto the upper side of the upper end disk 22 where there is an immediate abutment of these two parts against each other. As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawing, the represented second embodiment of the device 1 for separating impurities from the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine also comprises a housing 4, which is formed by a lower stationary housing part 42 and an upper screw cap 41. The screw cap 41 can be screwed into the stationary housing part 42 by means of the threaded connection 43 that is sealed by a gasket, wherein the screw cap 41 is shown in FIG. 1 in its securely tightened state. A filter element 2 in the form of a filter medium body 21 with an upper end disk 22 and a lower end disk that is not visible here is arranged in the lower part of the housing 4. A centrifuge 3 comprising a rotor 31 that is pivoted on a rotational axis 32 is provided in the upper part of the housing 4 flush with and above the filter element 2. The interior region of the housing 4 is subdivided in a lower region 40 and an upper region 40′ by a bell-shaped intermediate cap 5. The intermediate cap 5 comprises an upper part 50 that is arranged above the filter element 2 and below the rotor 31 of the centrifuge 3. A circumferential wall 51 extends down from the outer edge of the upper part 50 of the intermediate cap 5. At its lower end, said circumferential wall 51 is inserted in the stationary housing 42 in a sealing manner by means of a gasket 51′. During operation of the device 1, the pressure present below the intermediate cap 5 is the operating oil pressure; above the intermediate cap 5, there is a pressureless region 40′ for draining the oil exiting out of the centrifuge rotor 31, wherein the region 40′ is usually connected to an oil pan of the associated internal combustion engine. The lower end of the rotor axis 32 is held centrally in the upper side of the upper part 50 of the intermediate cap 5. The upper end of the rotor axis 32 is mounted centrally in the upper end region of the inner side of the screw cap 41. Connection means 23, 53 that can optionally be engaged with and disengaged from each other are arranged between the upper end disk 22 and the intermediate cap 5. The connection means provided at the end disk 22 are formed by a circle 23 of snap-hooks that is formed by several hooks 24 that are projecting upwards, are spaced apart from each other and are each comprising a nose 26 pointing in radially outward direction. A ring 53 that is provided as intermediate-cap-side connection means is arranged in a radial direction outside of this circle 23 of snap-on hooks, wherein the ring 53 is provided with cam segments enabling optional engagement with or disengagement from the circle 23 of snap-on hooks. In the present executive example, the ring 53 with the cam segments is inserted as a separate component in a suitable recess 52 of the intermediate cap 5 from below and is held in the aperture 52 such that it can neither be rotated nor lost. Second connection means are provided between the lower end of the screw cap 41 and the outer perimeter of the intermediate cap 5. On the side of the screw cap 41, the connection means are formed by hooks 44 that are pointing in circumferential direction and in the loosening rotational direction of said screw cap 41 and are formed to fit to the lower edge of the screw cap 41. On the side of the intermediate cap 5, fins 56 having broadenings 54 at their upper end and extending in axial direction are formed to fit to the outer side of the circumferential wall 51 of said intermediate cap 5. Therein, the broadenings 54 and the hooks 44 form the connection means which optionally engage with or disengage from each other, depending on the rotational state. FIG. 3 shows the device 1 in a state where the screw cap is securely screwed to the stationary part 42 of the housing 4. This position is achieved by rotating the screw cap 41 in its tightening rotational direction 41″. In this position, both the first connection means 23, 53 and the second connection means 44, 54 are disengaged, because these parts have been rotated in relation to each other when the screw cap 41 was rotated in its tightening rotational direction such that the engagement of the mentioned connection means is undone. In this state, the connection means 23, 53 and 44, 54 are not able to transmit any forces in axial direction, this not being necessary when the device 1 is in the assembled state. In FIG. 4, the device 1 shown in FIG. 3 is represented in perspective in an oblique top view, with some parts of the device 1 having been omitted. Here, particularly the centrifuge 3 has been omitted for reasons of clarity. Of the intermediate cap 5, FIG. 2 only shows the ring 53 forming the connection means. In the center of FIG. 2, the filter element 2 can be seen with its upper end disk 22 from the upper side of which the circle 23 of snap-on hooks projects with the individual hooks 24 that are each provided with a nose 26 pointing in an outward direction. The ring 53 that forms a part of the intermediate cap 5 that is not represented cooperates with said circle 23 of snap-on hooks. In the rotational position visible in FIG. 2, which corresponds to the rotational position according to FIG. 1, the circle 23 of snap-on hooks do not engage the ring 53 so that, in this state, axial forces cannot be transmitted between these two parts. Here, the screw connection 43 between the screw cap 41 and the stationary part 42 of the housing 4 is completely tightened in the tightening rotational direction 41″ according to the state shown in FIG. 1. In a view corresponding to that shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 of the drawing shows the device 1 after the screw cap 41 has been rotated in its loosening rotational direction by approximately 45 degrees. By this rotation of the screw cap 41, the latter's hooks 44 are brought into contact with the broadenings 54, as can be seen from the detail encircled in FIG. 5. Until the angle of rotation shown here is reached, only the screw cap 41′ is moved; the intermediate cap 5 has, here, not yet been rotated. For that reason, the connection means 23 of the end disk 22 of the filter element 2 and the connection 53 in the form of the ring at the intermediate cap 5 are still disengaged. In the detail encircled in FIG. 5, the surfaces of the connection means 44, 54 that are brought into contact with each other are designed in the form of straight lines. In order to avoid that, here, the engagement can be undone too easily and, thus, automatically in an undesired manner, a modification according to FIG. 5a can be provided. In this modification according to FIG. 5a, the surfaces or regions of the connection means 44, 54 that are brought into contact with each other are each provided with a step 47, 57. These steps 47, 57 ensure that the engagement is prevented from being easily and automatically undone when a tractive force is applied in axial direction. A small part of the screw cap 41 with its thread 43 is, in addition, visible in the upper part of FIG. 5a. A section of one of the fins 56 on the outer side of the circumferential wall 51 of the intermediate cap 5 is visible to the right bottom of FIG. 5a. FIG. 6 shows the device 1 with the screw cap 41 being in the rotational state already shown in FIG. 5, in perspective and in an oblique top view in the same type of representation as in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 illustrates that the screw cap 41 has now been rotated in its loosening rotational direction 41′ by approximately 45 degrees, as compared with its position shown in FIG. 4. This rotation only involves the screw cap 41 because the latter's rotation has not yet been transmitted to the intermediate cap 5. For that reason, the connection means 23 of the upper end disk 22 of the filter element 2 and the connection means 53 forming a part of the intermediate cap 5 that is not shown in FIG. 4 are still disengaged. FIG. 7 shows the device 1 in a state where the screw cap 41 is still further rotated in its loosening rotational direction 41′. Since it has been further rotated in this manner, the screw cap 41 takes along the intermediate cap 5 in its loosening rotational direction, because the hooks 44 run against the broadenings 54. As a result, the intermediate cap 5 now rotates in relation to the filter element 2 such that the connection means 23 of the filter element 2 and the connection means 53 of the intermediate cap 5 are now brought into contact, as it is visible at the connection means 23, 53 above the upper end disk 22. In this state, the first connection means 23, 53 between the intermediate cap 5 and the filter element 2 as well as the second connection means 44, 54 between the screw cap 41 and the intermediate cap 5 are, thus, in engagement. This state now remains as such, even if the screw cap 41 is further rotated in its loosening rotational direction 41′. When it is further rotated, the screw cap 41 is detached from the stationary part 42 of the housing 4. Since the connection means 23, 53 and 44, 54 are in engagement, the screw cap 41 takes along the centrifuge 3, the intermediate cap 5 and the filter element 2 in upward direction. Therein, the intermediate cap 5 can be easily be pulled out of the stationary housing part 42 even against a vacuum. Thereafter, the filter element 2 can be separated from the intermediate cap 5 simply by shortly rotating the two parts in relation to each other in a rotational direction opposite to the previous rotational direction, whereby undoing of the engagement of the connection means 23, 53 and pulling the filter element 2 out of the intermediate cap 5 in an axially downward direction can be achieved without any special effort being required. This is to particular advantage in devices 1 where the intermediate cap 5 covers the filter element 2 across a major part of the latter's height, because the usual canting required to achieve disengagement would not be possible here. A likewise short rotation in a direction opposite to the previous rotational direction is sufficient to separate the intermediate cap 5 from the screw cap 41, causing the connection means 44, 54 to disengage. In this manner, it is possible to remove the screw cap 41 from the intermediate cap 5 in axial direction. As a result, the centrifuge becomes, at the same time, accessible for a replacement of the centrifuge rotor 31 if this becomes necessary. The individual parts of the device 1 are assembled in reverse order and with opposite rotational directions. Thereafter, a joined unit comprising screw cap 41, centrifuge 3, intermediate cap 5 and filter element 2 can jointly be connected to the stationary part 42 of the housing 4 by rotating the screw cap 41 in the tightening rotational direction thereof. FIG. 8 shows the device 1 in the state according to FIG. 7, however, now in perspective and in an oblique top view with individual parts having been omitted and in a partially open view. This figure illustrates that, now, the screw cap 41 has been rotated still further in its loosening rotational direction. As already described by means of FIG. 7, this causes the intermediate cap 5 that is not shown in FIG. 8 to be also rotated together with the ring 53 with the cam segments that is attached thereto such that it cannot be rotated. Therein, the ring 53 is rotated in relation to the filter element 2 and to the circle 23 of snap-on hooks that are arranged on the upper end disk 22 of said filter element 2. In this position, the connection means 23, 53 are in engagement so that an axial tractive force can be transmitted from the intermediate cap 5 to the filter element 2 via the connection means 23, 53. FIGS. 9 through 12 show a third embodiment of a device 1, which also comprises a centrifuge 3 and a filter element 2 inside a common housing 4. The longitudinal section according to FIG. 9 shows this arrangement in the housing 4, with the centrifuge 3 at the top and the filter element 2 at the bottom. Here as well, the housing 4 is provided with a stationary lower housing part 42 and a screw cap 41 that is connected thereto via a thread 43 and can be rotated in its loosening rotational direction. The intermediate cap 5 subdivides the interior region of the housing 4 in a lower housing region 40 that accepts the filter element 2 and an upper housing part 40′ that accepts the centrifuge 3. Here as well, the intermediate cap 5 has the approximate shape of a bell and possesses a curved upper part 50 as well as a circumferential region 51 arranged adjacent thereto in downward direction. At the bottom of this circumferential region 51, a gasket 51′ is inserted in a groove that points in a radially outward direction, thus causing the intermediate cap 5 to be positioned in the lower part 42 of the housing 4 in a sealing manner. Connection means 53 that are brought into contact with the connection means 23 at the upper side of the upper end disk 22 of the filter element 2 are arranged at the bottom side of the upper part 50 of the intermediate cap 5. These connection means 23, 53 permit axial tractive forces from the intermediate cap 5 to be applied to the filter element 2 with its filter medium body 21. Here, the connection means 23 on the side of the filter element 2 are formed by a circle of locking hooks 24 with locking noses 26. The connection can, here, be designed as a locking connection or as a rotary connection. The centrifuge 3 comprises a centrifuge rotor 31 that is pivoted on a rotor axis 32. With its lower end, this rotor axis 32 is seated in an appropriate recess in the upper side of the intermediate cap 5. With its upper end, the rotor axis 32 is seated in an appropriate central recess at the inner side of the screw cap 41. Furthermore, connection means 45, 54 that can optionally be engaged and disengaged by rotating the screw cap 41 are provided between the screw cap 41 and the intermediate cap 5 in this embodiment of the device 1 as well. In the state of the device 1 shown in FIG. 9, where the screw cap 41 is completely and securely tightened, the connection means 45, 54 are disengaged. During operation of the device 1, lubricating oil to be purified flows through an inlet that is not visible, first into the lower housing region 40 and, from there, from without inward in a radial direction through the filter medium body 21. A part of this lubricating oil that has flown through this filter medium body 21 flows up and into the centrifuge 3 and, after having left the centrifuge rotor 31, from there into the upper housing region 40′. This housing region 40′ is pressureless and connected to the oil pan of an associated internal combustion engine via a return line that is not shown here. Contrary to the upper housing region 40′, the full oil pressure is present in the housing region 40 below the screw cap 5. In order to absorb and divert the force that is generated by this pressure difference and acts on the intermediate cap 5 in an axially upward direction, the intermediate cap 5 comprises outwardly projecting steps 59 in a radially outward region at its upper part 50. When it is in its tightened state, the screw 41 rests on said steps 59 with its bottom edge 49. As a result, the intermediate cap 5 is secured in its position and can absorb the force caused by the pressure difference and divert it to the housing 4 of the device 1 without any difficulties. A method that is as efficient as possible is aimed at for mounting of the device 1. The device 1 according to FIG. 9 provides the possibility of being pre-assembled to a considerable extent. To achieve this, the filter element 2 is first brought into contact With the connection means 53 at the intermediate cap 5 via its own connection means 23. Thereafter, the rotor shaft 32, including the centrifuge rotor 31 arranged on top of it, can be inserted in the intermediate cap 5 from above. Subsequently, this pre-assembled unit comprising filter element 2, intermediate cap 5 and centrifuge 3 is introduced into the screw cap 41 from below until the upper end of the rotor axis 32 is seated appropriately in the associated recess on the inner side of the cap 41. This pre-assembled unit that now also comprises the screw cap 4 can then be connected to the stationary housing part 40 of the device 1 by rotating the screw cap 41 in the tightening rotational direction thereof. In order to avoid difficulties during introduction of the upper end of the rotor axis 32 into the associated recess in the cover 41 and to accommodate the above-mentioned connection means 45, 54 between the screw cap 41 and the intermediate cap 5, the intermediate cap 5 is, here, equipped with several outwardly and upwardly extending wings 56′ in the radially outer region of its upper part 50. The wings 56′ are distributed over the intermediate cap 5 in circumferential direction and at uniform intervals, wherein a total of four wings 56′ are, here, provided at intervals of 90 degrees each. At its radially outer end, each wing 56′ possesses a guide contour 59 that is extending in axial direction and fits in the interior region of the lower part of the screw cap 41 with a little motional play. This guide contour 58 ensures that there will be no cantings when the intermediate cap 5 and the screw cap 41 are joined together. On the contrary, the joining together is inevitably effected at an exactly axial orientation, this being ensured by the guide contour 58. At the same time, this ensures that the upper end of the rotor axis 32 always accurately enters in the associated recess on the inner side of the screw cap 41. FIG. 10 shows the device 1 of FIG. 9 in perspective in an open view, wherein, here, the filter element and the centrifuge rotor have been omitted for reasons of clarity. Here, the cap 41 of the housing 4 is in its fully tightened position. The tightening rotational direction of the screw cap 41 is indicated by the rotary arrow 41″. FIG. 10 shows the arrangement and distribution of the wings 56′ on the intermediate cap 5 particularly clearly. At its radially outer end, each wing 56′ possesses the guide contour 58 that has already been described above and that extends in axial direction of the screw cap 41. Moreover, each wing 56′ possesses a rectangular aperture that is open in radially outward direction and that forms the connection means 54 to engage the connection means 45 at the screw cap 41. In FIG. 10, the screw cap 41 is fully tightened, as mentioned above. In this rotational position of the screw cap 41, the connection means 45, 54 are disengaged. Here, the connection means 45 at the screw cap 41 only abut against the wings 56′ as seen in circumferential direction, wherein a rotary motion, but not an axial tractive force, can be transmitted from the screw cap 41 to the intermediate cap 5 in tightening rotational direction. Next to each wing 56′, a step 59 projecting in outward direction is formed to fit to the intermediate cap 5. These steps 59 are used to divert axial forces that are caused by the pressure difference between the bottom side and the upper side of the intermediate cap 5. When the screw cap 41 is in the tightened state, its lower edge 49 that is positioned in the region of the connection means 45 rests on these steps 59. As a result, the developing forces that are acting in an axially upward direction are widely diverted onto the screw cap 41 and, via the thread 43, to the remaining part of the housing 4. FIG. 11 of the drawing now shows the device 1 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 10 at the beginning of rotating the screw cap 41 in its loosening rotational direction. The loosening rotational direction is represented by the rotary arrow 41′. By the screw cap 41 being rotated in the sense of the rotary arrow 41′, the connection means 45 at the screw cap 41 are brought into contact with the connection means 54 at the intermediate cap 5, as can be seen to the upper left of FIG. 11. Since the screw cap 41 is represented in a broken view in FIG. 11, the three further connection means 45 of the screw cap 41 cannot be seen, but they engage the further connection means 54 of the intermediate cap 5 in the same manner. When the screw cap 41 is further rotated in its loosening rotational direction 41′, the intermediate cap 5 is also turned in the loosening rotational direction thereof as well as taken along in an axially upward direction in the manner desired, thus being moved out of the lower part 42 of the housing 4. FIG. 12 finally shows the screw cap 41 in a state where it is completely loosened and separated from the lower part 42 of the housing 4. Hence, the thread 43 is now disengaged from the screw cap 41 and the lower housing part 42. The individual parts of the device 1 that have initially been detached jointly from the stationary housing part 42 can now be separated from each other by a simple rotary motion and the parts to be exchanged, here the centrifuge rotor and the filter element, can be replaced. As can be clearly seen at the lower region of the loosened screw cap 41 shown in FIG. 12, the connection means 45 project a little in downward direction, thus causing the lower edge 49 of the screw cap 41 to be positioned a little lower than the lower edge of the thread 43 at the screw cap 41. At the same time, the wings 56′ at the intermediate cap 5 project in an axially upward direction to such an extent that the connection means 45 of the screw cap 41 and the wings 56′ of the intermediate cap 5 overlap each other before the threads 43 engage each other. This reliably prevents the bottom edge 49 from seating on the upper end of the wings 56′ from above as seen in axial direction, while the screw cap 41 is being rotated in its tightening rotational direction, so that any cantings thereby caused when the screw cap 41 is rotated in its tightening rotational direction are also prevented. On the contrary, the threads 43 can engage only when the connection means 45 are positioned between two neighboring wings 56′ of the screw cap 5, as seen in axial direction.

20050610

20090303

20051027

68076.0

PHAM, MINH CHAU THI

DEVICE FOR SEPARATING IMPURITIES FROM THE LUBRICATING OIL OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Reduction of torsional vibration in rail vehicle wheel sets

In order to reduce torsional vibrations and wheel slip in a wheel set for a rail vehicle the wheel set comprising a pair of wheels connected by an axle is provided with a vibration absorbing device comprising a mass, resiliently mounted on the wheel set and adapted to oscillate at the resonant frequency of torsional vibrations of the wheel/axle system. A method of preventing or reducing torsional vibrations in a wheel set of a rail vehicle is also disclosed, the method comprising determining the resonant frequency of torsional vibrations of the wheel/axle system and resiliently mounting a vibration absorbing device in the form of a mass, on the wheel set, the mass and its resilient mounting being selected to oscillate at or near that resonant frequency.

1. A wheel set for a rail vehicle comprising a pair of wheels connected by an axle and a vibration absorbing device comprising a mass resiliently mounted for circumferential oscillatory movement with respect to the wheel set and a spring element acting circumferentially between the mass and the wheel set, such that he mass can oscillate at the resonant frequency of torsional vibrations of the wheel/axle system and wherein damping of the oscillatory movement is provided by a friction determining surface between mutually contacting surfaces of the wheel set and the mass. 2. The wheel set according to claim 1, wherein the vibration absorbing device is mounted on the wheel. 3. The wheel set according to claim 1, wherein the mass of the vibration absorbing device comprises at least a segment of an annular ring concentrically mounted with respect to the axle. 4. The wheel set according to claim 3, wherein the segment is mounted to the wheel by a spring element. 5. The wheel set according to claim 4, wherein the wheel is provided with a bore and the spring element comprises a centering sleeve for insertion in the bore and a spring plate for engaging with the segment. 6. The wheel set according to claim 4, wherein the wheel is provided with a bore and the segment is provided with a counter bore and the spring element comprises a spring sleeve which inserts into both the bore and the counter bore. 7. The wheel set according to claim 5, wherein the spring sleeve includes a longitudinal slot, the width of which determines the maximum amplitude of oscillation of the segment with respect to the wheel. 8. The wheel set according to claim 3, wherein the wheel comprises a flange and a pair of segments are mounted on opposite facing sides of the wheel and connected together through the flange to oscillate together. 9. The wheel set according to claim 8, wherein the wheel is provided with a bore through the flange and the spring sleeve passes through the bore and inserts into counter bores formed in both segments. 10. The wheel set according to claim 9, wherein the segments are connected together by a fastening element passing through the spring sleeve. 11. The wheel set according to claim 10, wherein the fastening element comprises a compression sleeve and a tensioning bolt, the compression sleeve being of a length to support between the segments through the flange whereby on tensioning, a pre-stress of the bolt may be taken by the compression sleeve to reduce a contact force between the segments and the flange. 12. The wheel set according to claim 3, in which the segment comprises a brake disk. 13. The wheel set according to claim 6, in which the segment comprises a brake disk and at least one of either the bore or the counter bore is elliptical or oval and radially oriented to allow for thermal expansion of the brake disk. 14. The wheel set according to claim 3, wherein the mass is mounted to the wheel adjacent to its outer circumference. 15. The wheel set according to claim 1, wherein the vibration absorbing device comprises part of the wheel. 16. The wheel set according to claim 15, wherein the mass of the vibration absorbing device is provided by a rim of the wheel which is resiliently mounted with respect to a remainder of the wheel. 17. The wheel set according to claim 1, wherein the vibration absorbing device is mounted on the axle adjacent to the wheel. 18. The wheel set according to claim 1, wherein a vibration absorbing device is mounted on or adjacent to both wheels. 19. The wheel set according to claim 1, further comprising a drive engaged to cause rotation of the axle. 20. The wheel set according to claim 19, wherein the drive engages the axle at or adjacent to a mid point thereof. 21. The wheel set according to claim 19, further comprising a control system, the control system being adapted in use to register and control slip between the wheels and the rail. 22. (canceled) 23. A method of preventing or reducing torsional vibrations in a wheel set of a rail vehicle comprising a pair of wheels connected by an axle, the method comprising determining the resonant frequency of torsional vibrations of the wheel/axle system and resiliently mounting a mass on the wheel set using a spring element acting circumferentially between the wheel set and the mass and a friction determining surface between mutually contacting surfaces of the wheel set and the mass, the mass and its resilient mounting being selected to oscillate at or near that resonant frequency. 24. (canceled) 25. A vibration absorbing device for reducing torsional vibrations in a rail vehicle wheel set comprising a pair of wheels connected by an axle, the vibration absorbing device comprising: a mass mounted for circumferential oscillatory movement with respect to the wheel set; a spring element acting circumferentially between the mass and the wheel set; and a friction determining surface between mutually contacting surfaces of the wheel set and the mass for damping of the oscillatory movement such that the mass can oscillate at a resonant frequency of torsional vibrations of the wheel/axle system

The invention relates to methods and devices for the reduction or prevention of torsional vibrations and in particular to the reduction or prevention of such vibrations in the wheel sets of rail vehicles. It further relates to rail systems incorporating such devices and adapted to provide anti-slip control beyond the limits of currently available systems. It is well known that during braking, undesirable forces may be produced in the axles of rail vehicles such as trains and trams. Other situations, such as when driving on wet or greasy rails or in the case of increased load due to e.g. breakdown of one drive unit, may also lead to torsional vibration of the axle. Typically, this vibration occurs when one wheel of a wheel set moves in anti-phase with the other wheel, with the axle connecting them functioning as a torsional spring oscillating in its fundamental mode. Increasing the stiffness of the axle can reduce this effect but can also lead to further undesirable load on the transmission, due to abrupt changes of load being transmitted through the drive train. These effects are particularly acute in modern rail systems which are designed to work at the limits of adhesion between the wheel and the rail. For this type of vibration, the node is usually located at the centre point of the axle. Where the drive is also located at the centre of the axle, it experiences no effect from the vibration but can also not be used to influence it. Locating the drive off-centre can provide a certain degree of control over these vibrations and can cause a reduction therein. Under such circumstances it is possible to detect the vibration and to counteract it by appropriate motor control in a manner similar to that used in anti-lock braking systems. The constructional arrangement of the drive on the bogie or vehicle frame does not however always allow for off-centred positioning of the drive with respect to the axle. In diesel units, such high speed control is not presently possible and other means must be sought to counteract these torsional vibrations. As a consequence of such unwanted torsional vibrations, considerable performance may be lost. In particular, desired acceleration may not be achievable, especially where the condition of the track is not optimal as may be the case when snow, leaves or grease are present on the line. This effect is especially critical in those situations where a drive unit is under additional load. Many twin-drive units are designed such that, in the case of failure of one unit, the train may complete its journey under the power of the remaining unit. Under such conditions, it has been found that a loss of adhesion caused by these torsional vibrations may occur when negotiating an incline. If this happens, the train may stall and be unable to complete its journey, requiring tow-away. Similarly, during braking, maximum braking capacity may not be achieved with the consequence that lower speeds must be maintained. The axle itself is also subjected to undesirable internal stresses caused by the torsional vibrations. The problem is particularly severe in the case of constructions using wheel-mounted disk brakes since in these cases the wheel set inertia is particularly unfavourable. Recent measurements indicate that torsional vibrations also occur in vehicles with axle-mounted disk brakes and central drive units as are often used in diesel driven vehicles. Typically these vibrations have frequency values lying in the region of 50 Hz-120 Hz. One solution to the problem of torsional vibrations in rail vehicle wheel sets is proposed by patent application DE198566881 A which discloses an asymmetrically built axle. By providing one half of the axle to have a greater moment of inertia than the other half, the vibrational node is shifted away from the mid-point and the centrally mounted drive can be used to counteract any oscillation. Such a solution cannot however be used in conjunction with current diesel drives and is also not applicable to non-driven axles. Vibration absorbing devices have also been used in the context of rail vehicle wheel sets for other purposes. Document DE19501613 A discloses the use of a vibration reducing element attached to the flange of a rail vehicle wheel. The device is adapted to oscillate at high frequencies in the audible range in order to damp vibrations and reduce noise. Due to its relatively light construction it is unsuitable for the reduction of torsional vibrations of the complete wheel set, which requires a much greater mass in proportion to that of the wheel set itself. There is therefore a need for an improved system for reducing vibrations in the axles of rail vehicles. According to the present invention a wheel set for a rail vehicle is provided comprising a pair of wheels connected by an axle, and further comprising a vibration absorbing device comprising a mass resiliently mounted on the wheel set and adapted to oscillate at the resonant frequency of torsional vibrations of the wheel/axle system. Further advantageous embodiments of a wheel set with reduced tendency to undergo torsional vibrations are disclosed according to the features of the dependent claims. The present invention also foresees a method of preventing or reducing torsional vibrations in a wheel set of a rail vehicle comprising a pair of wheels connected by an axle, the method comprising determining the resonant frequency of torsional vibrations of the wheel/axle system and resiliently mounting a vibration absorbing device comprising a mass on the wheel set, the mass and its resilient mounting being selected to oscillate at or near that resonant frequency. In order to maximise the effect of the vibration absorbing means, they should preferably be mounted at locations where the amplitude of vibrational motion is greatest, namely as far from the vibrational node as possible. It has been found that locating the vibration absorbing device at a radially outward location on the wheel is particularly advantageous in reducing this unwanted vibration of the wheel set at its fundamental frequency. Of particular importance, is the presence of appropriate damping between the vibration absorbing device and the wheel set. Without damping, the vibration absorbing device will operate effectively over a particular, narrow frequency range. As the mass and inertia of the wheel set changes as a result of wearing down of the wheels there will come a point where the natural frequency of the torsional vibration lies outside this narrow band and the device will be unable to absorb effectively. By including damping in the system, the effective bandwidth of the vibration absorbing device is increased, allowing it to function effectively over a wider range of frequencies covering those values corresponding to all conditions of the wheel set e.g. the extremes of wear of the wheels. Excessive damping however, should be avoided as it has the effect of reducing the overall amplitude of vibration absorbed. One particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention utilises the mass of the brake disks as the vibration absorbing means. This reduces the need to add further mass to the wheel set, taking advantage of both the existing high moment of inertia of the brake disks and their distance from the node of vibration at the mid point of the axle. The vibration absorbing device may comprise two brake disks located on either side of the wheel and connected by spring elements passing through the wheel. Alternatively, both brake disks may be connected by other connecting means e.g. screws directly to the wheel. Both brake disks may be provided with a surface in contact with the wheel, which is prepared to have a particular coefficient of friction to ensure adequate damping. According to this aspect of the present invention the brake disks are used as a counter-oscillating mass. In this way no further massive constructional elements are required. Special spring steel elements e.g. in the form of springs sleeves, provide the necessary elastic connection of the brake disk to the wheel. Even during active braking the counter vibration of the brake disk is still possible so that even with engaged brake shoes the function of the brake disk as a vibration absorbing device is maintained. The spring steel elements have a torsional stiffness that is so chosen, that together with the mass of the brake disk a harmonic frequency at the torsional frequency of the wheel set is achieved. In this way the torsional vibration of a wheel set is prevented by anti-phase vibration of the brake disks. According to an alternative embodiment of the invention the vibration absorbing device may comprise a metal ring or ring segments provided with a vulcanised rubber layer for attachment to the wheel. Preferably the ring is arranged at a radially outer extent of the wheel and may be attached by clamps, screws, bolts, adhesive or other means. The rotational mass of the damping device is matched to the stiffness of the rubber in order to match the natural frequency of the axle. At this natural frequency the damping device will be excited in anti-phase with the wheel vibrations, thereby preventing the occurrence of resonant effects. The vibration absorbing device of the present invention thus provides a simple and effective means for reducing torsional vibrations in rail vehicle wheel sets. It is simple in construction and requires no energy supply and little maintenance. It may be fitted to existing wheels and is suitable for use on both driven and non-driven wheel sets. Its independence from the drive system also allows the drive control system to be better adapted to anti-slip control since the operating parameters of such a control system need not then take into account the stabilisation of torsional vibration. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only having reference to the accompanying figures, in which: FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel according to the present invention with resiliently mounted brake disks; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative arrangement for the resilient mounting of the brake disks including a compression sleeve; FIG. 2.1 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative arrangement for the resilient mounting of the brake disks using a centering sleeve and spring plate; FIG. 3.1 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 3; FIG. 3.2 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 3.1; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a similar embodiment to FIG. 3 with a press-formed resilient mounting; FIG. 4.1 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 4; FIG. 4.2 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B of FIG. 4.1; FIG. 5 is a view of another alternative embodiment of a vibration absorbing device in the form of rubber mounted ring segments; FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of a vibration absorbing device comprising a rubber mounted rim; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of a vibration absorbing device comprising a moveably mounted rim; FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative construction for the device of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a partial view of the device of FIG. 9 along line 10-10 illustrating a spring element; and FIG. 11 is a similar view to FIG. 10 illustrating an alternative spring element. FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement for the reduction or prevention of torsional vibrations in rail vehicle wheel sets. The wheel set comprises a pair of wheels 1 (of which one is illustrated) rigidly mounted to an axle 17. Although the mounting is nominally rigid, in the context of the present invention it should be noted that the axle is subject to torsional forces and can twist such that one wheel may rotate with respect to the other wheel. These oscillations depend on the construction of the wheel set and on the load conditions. Each wheel comprises a hub section 18 and a generally cylindrical rim 7 spaced apart by a flange 15 extending between the wheel rim 7 and the wheel hub 18. In the illustrated embodiment the wheel 1 is provided with two annular brake disks 2 arranged concentrically about the axle on either side of the flange 15. In an alternative embodiment of the invention a single brake disk mounted on just one side of the flange 15 could also be considered. In order to ensure that the brake disks 2 can oscillate with respect to the wheel 1, the region of contact between the flange 15 and the facing surface of the brake disk 2 advantageously comprises a prepared surface 3 having a particular coefficient of friction. Usually this surface should serve to reduce the friction between the two surfaces. The prepared surface 3 may be provided on the flange 15 or on the brake disk 2 or on both and may comprise any suitable means for reducing or enhancing friction or may involve the inclusion of an intermediate friction determining layer between the adjacent surfaces. Typical preparations may include polishing or coating. A coating or intermediate layer of PTFE has been found to be particularly effective. The region of contact between the flange 15 and the facing surface of the brake disk 2 also serves to provide damping. The amount of damping is determined by the coefficient of friction of the two surfaces and the force with which they are pressed together. In the present case, this force may vary as the brakes are applied causing the disks 2 to be pressed tighter against the flange 15. The two brake disks 2 are connected together by bolts 5 which extend through bores 21 in the flange 15. The attached figures illustrate crossections taken through a single bolt but it is to be understood that a number of bores 21 and corresponding bolts 5 are present, preferably arranged in a concentric circle around the wheel axle 17. As an example, eight bolts 5 per wheel may be used to ensure adequate securement of the brake disks. In the remaining description, only a single bolt assembly will be described. The bolt 5 is secured by a suitable nut 23. Suitable spring washers 19 or other means to prevent loosening of the nut 23 are arranged between the nut 23 and the brake disk 2 and between the bolt head 22 and the brake disk 2. The head 22 of the bolt 5 and the nut 23 are countersunk into the brake disk 2. Alternative forms of connecting element may also be used to achieve the same effect. In particular, in the case of only one brake disk, the bolt 5 may be replaced by a threaded stub extending from the flange surface. In such an arrangement, appropriate friction reducing means could be required beneath the nut 23 in addition to the prepared surface 3 in order to ensure free movement of the brake disk. A spring sleeve 4 surrounds the bolt 5 and extends through the flange 15 and into a counter bore 20 in the brake disks 2. Alternative forms of spring element may also be used instead of spring sleeve 4, such as a coiled spring-steel shim. By selecting the dimensions and material characteristics of the spring element, the torsional stiffness can be so chosen that together with the mass of the brake disks 2 a spring/mass system of given harmonic frequency is achieved. This should match the frequency of torsional vibrations of the wheel set. In this way, when torsional vibrations of the wheel set occur, the brake disks are excited at their natural frequency and oscillate in anti-phase, thereby reducing or preventing further build up of the torsional vibrations. FIG. 2 shows an alternative constructional arrangement of the vibration absorbing device whereby similar parts are indicated by the same reference numerals. This convention applies also to the embodiments described in FIGS. 3 to 11. FIG. 2 illustrates brake disks 2, again arranged as a vibration absorbing device. The mass of the brake disks 2 is resiliently mounted by spring sleeves 4 to the flange 15 of the wheel 1. Within the flange 15 of the wheel the spring sleeve 4 is arranged at the circumference of a bore 21. Within the brake disks 2 the ends of the spring sleeve 4 extend into elliptical or oval counterbores 20′ within the brake disks as can be seen in FIG. 2.1. From this figure it can also be seen that the spring sleeves are in contact with the radially outward surface of the bore in the brake disks 2. Under cooled conditions a small gap 24 remains between the radially inner surface of the elliptical counterbore 20 and the spring sleeve 4. The function and advantages of this elliptical counterbore embodiment will be discussed below. According to FIG. 2.1, the spring sleeve 4 is provided with a longitudinal slot 25 used as a limit to the spring movement. When the brake disk moves with respect to the wheel 1, its path is substantially limited once the slot 25 closes. This serves to prevent excess movement of the disk e.g. during heavy braking. Again, the precise stiffness of the spring sleeve 4 is defined by the wall thickness of the sleeve 4 and by its diameter. In order to take account of thermal expansion of the brake disk 2 due to heat generation during braking, movement in the radial direction must be free. This is achieved by the elliptical or oval form of the counterbores 20′ in the brake disk 2. The eccentricity “a” of these bores 20 allows for expansion of the brake disk up to a distance “a” without problems. The centering of the brake disk 2 with respect to the wheel 1 is achieved by the spring sleeves 4 being arranged concentrically around the flange 15 of the wheel 1. The gap “a” is consistently arranged towards the wheel hub 18. According to the embodiment of FIG. 2, a compression sleeve 6 is arranged to improve the free motion of the brake disks 2 with respect to the wheel 1. The length of the compression sleeve 6 is suitably selected so that the greater part of the pre-stress of the bolt 5 passes through the contact surfaces of the brake disk 2 and wheel flange 15. The resulting force acting between the brake disk 2 and the wheel flange 15 is so chosen, that the freedom to vibrate of the vibration absorbing device i.e. the brake disk 2 is not impeded. This embodiment also has the advantage that transfer of heat from the brake disks 2 to the wheel flange 15 is improved. Despite the free connection of the brake disk 2 to the flange 15, the heat produced in the brake disk 2 during braking can be transmitted via the compression sleeve 6 to the flange 15. According to this arrangement the compression sleeve 6 together with the tension of the bolt 5 ensures that both brake disks oscillate in phase. Furthermore, during operation of the brakes the function of the vibration absorbing device is assured, since the brake force exerted by the brake shoes on the disk 2 is transmitted from one disk 2 to the other via the compression sleeve 6 whereby the brake disks 2 remain free to oscillate. In an alternative to the arrangement of FIG. 2, the compression sleeve 6 may be arranged to abut against appropriately formed stepped surfaces (not shown) within the counter bores 20 of the brake disks 2 whereby the compression sleeve 6 may take substantially the full force of the pre load of the bolt 5 and any resulting force applied by the brakes shoes during braking. According to the embodiment of FIG. 3, an alternative form of spring element is disclosed. The spring sleeve 4 comprises a combination of a cylindrical centering sleeve 4a and a generally rectangular spring plate 4b. The centering sleeve 4a serves to locate in the bore 21 through the flange 15. The spring plate 4b engages with a suitably shaped recess in the brake disk 2. Opposite, generally radially oriented edges of the spring plate 4b are upturned to provide a resilient bias against relative movement between the disk and flange in the tangential direction. Other shapes for the spring plate may also be envisaged including trapezoidal or arc shaped plates corresponding to the geometry of the brake disk. The spring sleeve 4 may preferably be manufactured as a shrink fit component whereby the centering sleeve 4a is cooled before insertion into the hole in the pre-tempered spring plate 4b. On warming of the centering sleeve 4a, it expands to firmly attach the two elements together. Such a connection is preferred since any heating of the spring plate 4b e.g. by welding could be detrimental to its spring characteristics. A further alternative form of the spring element is disclosed in FIG. 4. This embodiment is substantially similar to the embodiment of FIG. 3 but is formed as a single piece by stamping, machine pressing or similar methods prior to the heat treatment required to achieve the desired spring characteristics. Both FIGS. 3 and 4 show a single spring element mounted in the bore on one side of the flange. It is envisaged that the spring elements may be arranged in each of the bores alternately on the inside and outside surfaces of the wheel flange. It is however also possible that each bore is provided with two spring elements 4, each inserted from a respective side of the flange. FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative embodiment of a vibration absorbing device for a wheel set of a rail vehicle. As in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4 a rail wheel 1 includes a rim 7, a hub 18 and a flange 15 extending between the rim 7 and the hub 18. Brake disks 2 are mounted on the flange 15 of the wheel 1 according to standard practice. In the present embodiment, the brake disks 2 play no role in the absorbing of vibrations (although they are an integral part of the inertial mass of the wheel set) and could take any appropriate form or be omitted completely. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in those constructions where axle mounted braking means are employed. An annular ring 33 is provided adjacent the inner surface of the rim 7. The annular ring 33 is preferably made of a metal of high specific mass such as iron or lead in order to maximise its inertial mass about the axle 17. Other sufficiently massive alternatives including composites and alloys may also be considered. The annular ring is provided on its circumferentially outer surface with a resilient rubber layer 32. The rubber layer 32 is in turn connected to the inner surface of the rim 7 such that the annular ring 33 may oscillate with respect to the rim 7. Various means of attaching the rubber layer to the rim 7 and to the annular ring 33 may be used including vulcanisation, adhesives, welding or mechanical fixation means such as bolts or clips, all of which should ensure that the connection between rim 7 and annular ring 33 is subjected to the resilience of the rubber layer 32. Other methods of providing resilient support to the annular ring 33 may also be envisaged, including spring steel clips or shims which facilitate vibration of the annular ring 33 in the circumferential direction with respect to the wheel 1. These could be combined with additional means such as the prepared surface 3 of FIGS. 1 to 4 above to ensure the requisite damping. As in the above embodiments, the rubber layer 32 or other resilient means should be selected in conjunction with the inertial mass of the annular ring to match the harmonic frequency of torsional vibrations in the wheel set. The rubber layer 32 according to this embodiment provides the dual functions of spring and damper. Such arrangements have been shown to provide effective vibration absorption over a wide range of frequencies. According to the embodiment of FIG. 5, the annular ring 33 comprises a plurality of segments connected together by bolts 35. Such an arrangement provides for ease of mounting on existing wheel sets. Other connecting means such as pins or screws may be employed and the annular ring 33 may also be formed as a chain having one or more separable links. It is also considered that the wheel itself may be provided with a resilient mounting such that all or part of the wheel may rotate with respect to the axle. An arrangement whereby the outer rim of the wheel is mounted by resilient means to the remainder of the wheel by suitably calibrated resilient means such as an annular rubber rim is considered. This arrangement would have the advantage that the wheel rim has both considerable mass and is located at the point of maximum amplitude of vibration of the wheel set. FIG. 7 discloses such an arrangement of a wheel 1 having a flange 15. The rim 7 is provided with an interior surface 42 having a ridge shaped annular protrusion 45. This is received by a correspondingly shaped region formed by a supporting element 43 at the outer periphery of the flange 15 and a locking ring 44 secured by bolt 50, whereby a tongue and groove type connection is formed. Alternatively, the parts could be reversed with the groove being formed in the inner surface 42 of the rim and the ridge formed on the supporting element 43. In this embodiment the wheel rim 7 is arranged to be resiliently mounted with respect to the remainder of the wheel. To this effect, a rubber band or tyre 41 is provided between the inner surface 42 of the rim 7 and the supporting element 43. The tyre 41 is preferably attached to both the rim 7 and the supporting element 43 by adhesive, vulcanisation or the like. Alternatively, the joint may rely only on friction between the rubber and the adjacent surfaces to transfer forces from the wheel to the rim. By careful selection of the mass of the resiliently mounted rim 7 with respect to the remainder of the wheel set and by an appropriate dimensioning of the rubber tyre 41, a vibration characteristic for the rim/tyre system can be achieved which provides the necessary vibration absorption required to reduce or eliminate torsional vibrations in the wheel set. As a result of this reduction in unwanted torsional vibrations, the wheel set may be provided with a drive system and drive control which is better adapted to reduce wheel slip by avoidance of those control parameters relating to torsional vibration which would otherwise have been needed. While the above embodiment illustrates a rubber tyre 41 which provides resilience in both the radial and circumferential direction, it is to be noted that for the purpose of reducing torsional vibrations it is the circumferential resilience which is significant. According to the embodiment of FIG. 8 a similar arrangement is shown where the outer rim is mounted such that it is free to rotate with respect to the flange. The region of contact between the inner surface 42 of the outer rim and the supporting element 43 is provide with a prepared surface in a similar way to the prepared surface 3 of FIGS. 1 to 4. Spring elements acting circumferentially are arranged between the respective parts such that the rim 7 may oscillate with respect to the supporting element 43 with the requisite damping being provided by friction at the prepared surface. The advantage of such an arrangement over a rubber mounted rim is that it does not subject the wheel rim to additional bending stresses which may in the long term lead to fatigue and wheel damage. The arrangement also increases the overall resilience of the drive train, reducing abrupt shocks being transmitted from the wheel to the drive. FIG. 9 shows an alternative arrangement of a resiliently mounted rim which does not require an additional locking ring. In this embodiment, relative movement takes place between the adjacent surfaces of the rim 7 and the supporting element 43 and also a washer 51 provided on the securing bolt 50. Any or all of these surfaces may be suitably provided with friction determining or reducing means. In order to allow the rim 7 to rotate with respect to the remainder of the wheel, it is provided with elongate or oval bores 52 oriented in the circumferential direction, through which the securing bolts 50 insert. FIG. 10 shows an example of a spring element 53 arranged between the rim 7 and the supporting element 43. It comprises an oval sleeve of spring steel which is inserted into a correspondingly shaped oval recess 54 formed partially in the rim 7 and partially in the supporting element 43. The recess 54 is accessible and visible from the exterior surface of the wheel and a number of spring elements 53 and recesses 54 may be arranged around the circumference. Alternatively, such spring elements may be arranged between the ridge and groove elements of FIG. 8, locked in place by the presence of the locking ring 44. FIG. 11 shows an alternative arrangement using a helical spring 55 received in a correspondingly shaped cylindrical recess 54 formed between the rim 7 and the supporting element 43. Other forms of spring elements such as the split spring or the spring plates of FIGS. 2 to 4 or any other appropriate resilient means such as rubber or elastomeric blocks may equally be used to provide the necessary resilience. Although the present invention has been described in relation to wheel mounted vibration absorbing devices, it is noted that such arrangements may equally be mounted upon the axle itself. Particularly in the case of axle mounted brake disks, the brake disk is resiliently mounted to the axle by an appropriate spring damper system such that all or part of the mass of the brake disk functions to absorb torsional vibrations in the axle.

20050114

20091201

20060202

94943.0

B61F100

STORMER, RUSSELL D

REDUCTION OF TORSIONAL VIBRATION IN RAIL VEHICLE WHEEL SETS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B61F

ACCEPTED

System and method to initiate a mobile data communication utlizing a trigger system

A system and method to enable a user to initiate a communication with an organization using a mobile communication device by means of a trigger system. A system and method to enable an organization to acquire a user mobile device address by means of a trigger system. A system and method to enable an organization to respond to a user by means of a trigger system and a message application server. A system and method to enable organizations to deliver mobile messages, coupons, offers and promotions to users mobile device by means of a combination of a trigger system, a message application server and an offer application.

1. A system for enabling targeted content delivery to a mobile device user, said mobile device having a device address, said device address having associated therewith at least one unique identifier, said system comprising: a message application server; and a trigger system in communication with said message application server, said trigger system comprising: a trigger client component configured to generate a trigger signal comprising a trigger action, user content request data and said at least one unique identifier; a trigger server component in communication with said trigger client component, said trigger server component configured to: receive said trigger signal, send to said message application server said trigger signal for processing by said message application server; wherein said message application server is configured to: receive from said trigger system said trigger signal, and in response thereto: derive said mobile device address from said at least one unique identifier, generate content based on said user request data, and send said generated content to said device address of said mobile device. 2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said message application server further includes a message application database for storing transaction information comprising said user request data and said device address. 3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said trigger client component is said mobile device. 4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said trigger system comprises: a client application residing on said trigger client component for generating said trigger signal; and a server application residing on said trigger server component in communication with said client application and said message application server, said server application for receiving and processing said trigger signal sent by said client application. 5. A system as in claim 4 wherein said client application is a WEB or WAP browser client component and said server application is a WEB or WAP server application component. 6. A system as in claim 1, wherein said trigger client component further comprises at least one input device. 7. A system as in claim 6, wherein said at least one input device is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic card reader, bar code reader, keyboard, keypad, touch pad, sensors, and any combination thereof. 8. A system as in claim 7, wherein said sensors include a wireless sensor and a biometric sensor. 9. A system as in claim 1 wherein said trigger client component is an account card and a reader and wherein said trigger signal is generated by swiping said account card through said reader and having said trigger system identify said unique identifier based on account card information 10. A system as in claim 1, wherein said trigger system comprises an IVR system, said mobile device is a cellular phone, said device address is a cellular phone number and said trigger action is a voice call; said IVR system configured to process said trigger signal to acquire said cellular phone number of said cellular phone. 11. A system as in claim 1, wherein said trigger system comprises a PSTN and a Phone Switch connected to said PSTN, said mobile device is a cellular phone, said mobile device address is a cellular phone number and said trigger action is a voice call; said trigger system configured to detect incoming call establishment requests from said PSTN and to process said trigger signal to acquire said cellular phone number of said cellular phone. 12. A system as in claim 1 wherein said mobile device is a network-enabled device. 13. A system as in claim 1 wherein said mobile device is a cellular phone having a cellular phone number as said device address. 14. A system as in claim 1 wherein said device address is a calling number, a cellular phone number, an instant messaging address, an e-mail address or other addressing type. 15. A system as in claim 1 further comprising: an offer application component; an offer entry system in communication with said offer application component, and an offer database in communication with said offer application component for storing said generated content and said user request data, wherein said offer entry system is configured to: redeem said generated content, generate content redemption information comprising said redeemed content, and send said content redemption information to said offer application component for storage in said offer database. 16. A system as in claim 15, wherein said offer application component is further configured to: receive said content redemption information and check for and process valid redeemed content using a validation code. 17. A system as in claim 16 wherein said offer entry system is further configured to generate a physical representation of said generated content. 18. A system as in claim 17 wherein said physical representation of said generated content includes paper, card-stock, plastic or any other tangible medium. 19. A system as in claim 18 wherein said offer entry system is a point of sale (POS) terminal for redeeming and providing a physical representation of said generated content. 20. A system as in claim 18 wherein said offer entry system is a kiosk for redeeming and providing a physical representation of said generated content. 21. A system as in claim 1 further comprising at least one communications network wherein said trigger system communicates with said message application server via said at least one communications network and wherein said trigger client device system communicates with said trigger server device via said at least one communications network. 22. A system as in claim 1 wherein said generated content comprises a message, a coupon, an offer or a promotion. 23. A system as in claim 17 wherein said generated content is a tangible medium containing a bar code representation of said validation code. 24. A system as in claim 23 wherein said validation code representation comprises a bar code. 25. A system as in claim 16 wherein said validation code encodes information pertaining to said user, generated content, unique identifier or mobile device for the purpose of tracking redemption on a per user basis. 26. A system as in claim 16 wherein said validation code is a numerical or alphanumerical code. 27. A system as in claim 16 wherein said validation code is an image to be scanned. 28. A system as in claim 16 wherein said mobile device processes and stores said validation code. 29. A system as in claim 16 wherein said validation code contains one or more checksum digits whereby code input errors can be detected. 30. A system as in claim 16 further comprising at least one first external system coupled to said message application server; said at least one first external system for facilitating the generation, redemption, analysis, verification and/or delivery of said generated content. 31. A system as in claim 30 wherein said at least one first external systems includes enterprise application systems, back-end payment systems, CRM systems and loyalty systems. 32. A system as in claim 17 further comprising at least one second external system coupled to said offer application component, said at least one second external system facilitating the generation, redemption, analysis, verification and/or delivery of said generated content. 33. A system as in claim 32 wherein said at least one second external system includes enterprise application systems, back-end payment systems, CRM systems and loyalty systems. 34. A system as in claim 32 wherein said validation code is similar to a Credit Card or Payment Card number and wherein said at least one second external system is a back-end payment system that processes said validation code. 35. A system as in claim 1 further comprising a mobile network in communication with said mobile device and wherein said message application server sends said generated content to said device address via said mobile network. 36-142. (canceled)

PRIORITY CLAIM This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. application No. 60/397,435, filed Jul. 19, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference as if set forth at length herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to enabling communications between users and organizations by means of data enabled mobile communication devices. More particularly this inventions relates to a system, method and machine to enable organizations to execute direct marketing techniques and promotions via mobile communication devices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Global brands spend hundreds of billion of dollars annually in the United States on brand marketing and communications. Over the last decade, an increasing percentage of brand marketing budgets have been spent in direct marketing channels (e.g., direct mail, telemarketing, email, etc.). In fact, total brand spending on direct mail now exceeds that of broadcast television. Given direct marketing's unique capabilities, such as precise targeting, the ability to drive specific behaviors, and highly measurable results, marketers are expected to continue spending heavily in direct channels. One of the most significant new direct marketing opportunities is the emergence of the wireless channel. The wireless channel provides marketers the unmatched ability to reach the individual (not just the household), in a time- and event-sensitive way, with attractive and measurable marketing return on investment (“ROI”). In Europe, hundreds of brands are beginning to utilize the wireless data channels and are committing a sizeable portion of their communications budgets over the next year to wireless. An organization wanting to use data messaging for communication with its user base needs to make it easy for them to participate. The organization needs to have a means to obtain a user's mobile device address to be able to communicate with him using his mobile device data capabilities. The organization needs to obtain the user permission to be able in the future to send new messages, coupons, offers or promotions, to the user's mobile devices. There are multiple ways to for a user to initiate a communication with an organization and for an organization to obtain a user's mobile device address, but in this invention we are primarily focused on methods to initiate a communication when said user is in a mobile setting, such as a public environment as opposed to a home or office environment. In a mobile setting, there needs to be an easy and quick way for said user to specify his interest in starting a communication and for the organization to obtain said user's mobile device address whereby the communication can occur. Once the communication is initiated, a message oriented application can capture the user's mobile device address in a database, and respond back with a message, a coupon, an offer or a promotion. It is important that said user only receive future organization originated (“push”) communications only if he has elected to do so. A system and method to perform communication between users and organizations needs to support an easy way to either opt-in or opt-out from receiving future communications. An example of a situation where a user may be interested in initiating a communication with an organization is the case of the organization being a brand sponsoring some event; for example a contest, building brand and product awareness where the user may win some prizes. Other examples include receiving offers, coupons, promotions or discounts on their mobile device. The communication, its goals, its benefits and how a user can initiate it is typically displayed using a traditional channel such as print media, product packaging, bar coaster, bill-board, sign, posters, TV or radio advertisements, candy wraps, etc. . . . This process is called the “call to action” message. It is easy to see that if participating is easy to accomplish, such communications can have a wide impact for both users and organizations. One very common application of this invention is to deliver coupons, offers and promotions to users that have requested them. There is a cost for an organization to provide, promote and deploy systems to execute such mobile coupon, offer and promotion programs. Hence it is an important requirement that a system be able to measure redemption rates to compute the effectiveness of the program. In addition, much better coupons, offers and promotions can be given to individual users if their past individual receptiveness is known—which makes uniquely identifying the coupon, offer and promotion important. There is much economical value in being able to deploy a system where users can receive messages, coupons, offers and promotions at the time of their choosing as well as occasionally receiving push specials thereby allowing the organization running the program to develop a comprehensive loyalty program bringing value to both the user and the organization. To support such a program, a system needs to exist to enable users to enroll, participate and receive occasional “push” messages, coupons, offers and promotions that leverages the capabilities of mobile data communication devices and Customer Relationship Management and Loyalty systems. In addition, some of the offers, coupons and promotions can be valuable enough that the organization giving them out wants to make sure they are used only once. Examples of such compelling offers are very deep discount to join the offer program—think about book clubs that sell you your first three books for $1 to join the club. In this case, the offer needs to be verified that it has not already been redeemed. Such a step is critical with the technologies described in this invention where it is often easy to forward or forge a message on a mobile device. The primary limitations with existing methods to initiate a communication between an organization and a user using a mobile device have to do with: the time, effort and lack of convenience of triggering the communication using current systems; the lack of common service addresses for users to initiate the communication with an organization in some common existing messaging technologies; and the lack of familiarity on the part of users on how to initiate a communication using their mobile device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—PRIOR ART Obtaining the user's mobile device address in a mobile setting to allow for communication is not always straightforward for some classes of mobile devices, in particular digital cell phones. Almost all digital cell phones sold today have one or more data messaging capabilities. These may include, but is not limited to, Short Message Service (“SMS”), Enhanced Messaging System (“EMS”), Multimedia Messaging Service (“MMS”), Wireless Application Protocol (“WAP”) and mobile e-mail. The large number of digital cell phones in the U.S. makes solving the problem of obtaining cell phones data address a critical problem to be solved. One solution that is used by some wireless carriers to allow a user to initiate a communication using a cell phone with an organization, is to use a Mobile Originated (“MO”) message sent to a service access code. In the case of a cell phone, a service access code can either be a short code (a number with less than the regular 10 digits defined by the North American Numbering Plan (“NANP”)—for example “2327”) or a regular NANP 10 digit number. A user that wants to respond to a “call to action” message sends an MO message to the organization service access code setup by his cell phone carrier. While the above technique using MO messages works can work in geographies that support standardized service access codes across wireless carriers, it is much less effective in countries that don't. In countries with no standardized service access codes, like the U.S., it is awkward for an organization to publish different service access code addresses for each wireless carrier. In addition the MO technique is not effective in geographies where cell phone users are not familiar on how to send MO messages. The situation is compounded by the fact that some wireless carriers currently do not offer third parties the ability to receive MO messages sent to them. It is possible to solve the problem of lack of standardized service access codes by using an e-mail address instead of the typical telephone digit numbers used for SMS, EMS and MMS. Using e-mail is possible because most wireless carriers offer the ability for users to send and receive e-mails from their cell phone, either directly using Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (“SMTP”) or indirectly via SMS, EMS, MMS, WAP, or hyper text markup language (“HTML”) by means of an SMTP gateway provided by the wireless carriers. A service using e-mail as its service address requires that users enter the service e-mail address when composing their initial MO message. Unfortunately, it is often extremely cumbersome for users to enter an e-mail address composed of alphabetical letters and symbols using a cell phone numeric keypad. For example, on a Sony-Ericsson T68i phone it takes 34 key presses (assuming no mistakes) to enter “fun@m-qube.com”. Hence user response rates will be extremely low with this approach. Another alternative that can be used to solve the problem of lack of standardized service access codes is to deploy modem banks of Personal Computer (“PC”) based wireless data cards. Said wireless data card is like a miniature cell phone with its own phone number. With the peer-to-peer SMS interoperability available in many countries, any MO message sent to said wireless data card phone number would be delivered to it, and by extension to the message application server connected to said PC. While this approach effectively works around the problem of lack of standardized service access codes, it suffers from severe scalability problems (a card typically cannot handle more that 2-3 messages per second, and most cards are not designed to be operated 24×7×365.) Another alternative is to use a range of numbers for the service access codes normally allocated to a wireless carrier for use by its subscribers, and reconfigure the carrier data network elements to forward any MO messages sent to said range, not to a physical cell phone, but instead to the organization's message application server using a data network such as the Internet. This solution builds upon SMS interoperability and is scalable. But it requires that the organization have a relationship with the wireless carrier offering said range, that said wireless carrier have the capability to offer this service to organizations, and that other wireless carrier allow this to happen. An equally critical consideration is the expertise required from users to send an MO message using the native mobile device data messaging interface. In particular, not all cell phone users know how to originate a MO message using their cell phone. Another method is required to allow them to participate before they become more familiar with their cell phone messaging capabilities. Once a cell phone user receives a message, it is much easier to reply to it since most cell phone handsets provide some guidance on how to do so. Or, the user may be familiar with messaging, but the time involved may be a limiting factor. For example, many users may not be willing because of the inconvenience to text-in a message when entering in a supermarket to receive tailored coupons, but may be more willing to use other methods described in this invention to trigger the offers. This problem is especially acute for mobile messaging technologies that don't rely on number for addresses, but on long strings like e-mail or instant messaging screen names. While presumably it is possible to enter a long string using these mobile devices, this is usually a somewhat slow process. A faster trigger mechanism is required. Hence existing methods using the native messaging capabilities of a user's mobile device to support mobile originated messages to allow said user to start a communication with an organization service are not effective in many situations or geographies. The limitations of the existing methods makes using the mobile channel as a direct marketing channel not a cost effective channel; as user response rates would be too low to cover the campaign costs. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES The specific object and advantages for this present invention are: a) Provides for an alternative to using the mobile device native data communication interface in cases where there are no unique service address (common service access codes), no publicly supported service side infrastructure, or the user is unfamiliar with his device data messaging capabilities. b) Provides for faster and easier methods to trigger a communication between an organization and a user than by using the device native mobile originated messaging capabilities. c) Some of the embodiments described in the invention, like using an interactive voice response (“IVR”) system as the trigger system, make it much easier to collect additional information such as opt-in permission for future communication or offers, or more information, such as offers of interest to the user. d) Enables simple, fast, practical and economical means to instantly deliver offers, coupons and promotions to users in public places. Further objects and advantages of this present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present solution solves the aforementioned problem not by means of the user mobile device native data messaging services but by means of an external trigger system not based on the user mobile device data messaging capabilities. Once the trigger system has captured a unique identifier capable of being mapped to the user mobile device address, a Mobile Terminated (“MT”) message is sent to the user. From then on, the message application server is capable of future communications. The messages sent to the user can include menus and simple instructions removing the need for the user to ever originate a sophisticated MO message. In one embodiment of the invention, said unique identifier is the mobile device address itself. In another embodiment of the invention, said unique identifier can be an identifier that is then used to retrieve the mobile device address. An exemplar embodiment uses an account number as the unique identifier, and then retrieving the mobile device address using the account number. The details on how the mobile device address is retrieved using the account number is well known to those skilled in the art. One possible implementation is to store the mobile device address in a database using the account number as the key to a data record holding the mobile device address. Other exemplary embodiments use a loyalty card number, a social security number, a membership number or employer number as the unique identifier. This invention applies to any message oriented data communication system, including, but not limited to SMS, EMS, MMS, WAP, hypertext markup language (“HTML”), xHTML and other HTML derivatives, mobile e-mail, client side mobile device execution environments such as Java 2 Mobile Edition (“J2ME™”), Brew™, Linux™, or Symbian OS™. A further aspect of the invention, a system and method is also provided to deliver follow-on messages from the organization once the user mobile device address is captured. A further aspect of the invention, a system and method is also provided to deliver, an instant mobile coupon, offer, or promotion that can be redeemed providing for a complete system and method to deliver messages, coupons, offers and promotion to users. In one embodiment, the present solution is a network based system and method, consisting of a trigger system, a message application server and a mobile device service provider system. It allows any user equipped with a mobile device capable of receiving messages to initiate a sequence whereby said user can receive one or more messages from said message application server. Furthermore, said message application server can store said user mobile device address in a database for later communications from said message application server to said user. The organization service is presented in a traditional media format, including but not limited to, on a print advertisement, on a product packaging, on a bill-board, on a poster, on a flyer, on a coaster, on a candy wrap, on a store display, in a TV ad, in a radio ad, on an Internet site. The presentation includes instructions on how the user can interact with the trigger system. The presentation is called the “call to action” message. In one embodiment, the trigger system confirms the user mobile device address, handles exceptions, and optionally obtains additional data from the user or opt-in permission if applicable. Once the session with said trigger system is completed, the trigger system informs the message application server which sends a message to the user mobile device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings of the illustrative embodiments of the invention in which: FIGS. 1 and 1B depicts aspects of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in accordance with the teachings presented herein. FIG. 2 depicts an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention in accordance with the teachings presented herein containing additional components to deliver messages, coupons, offers or promotions. FIG. 3 depicts an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention in accordance with the teachings presented herein containing additional components to to track the redemption of coupons, offers or promotions. FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of delivering follow-on Mobile Terminated messages once the user mobile device address is known. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the method of capturing a user mobile device address and using it to send a message to the user. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram containing the additional steps to deliver messages, coupons, offers or promotions to a user. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of coupons, offers or promotion redemption. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram to capture a user cell phone number in an embodiment of this invention where the trigger system is an IVR system. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of an alternative exemplary embodiment using an IVR system as a trigger system containing the additional steps of verifying if the user calling number is a wireless phone number and capturing additional data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Aspects, features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description in connection with the accompanying drawing(s). It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments of the present invention provided herein are illustrative only and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. All features disclosed in this description may be replaced by alternative features serving the same or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, numerous other embodiments of the modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined herein and equivalents thereto. Hence, use of absolute terms, such as, for example, “will,” “will not,” “shall,” “shall not,” “must,” and “must not,” are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention as the embodiments disclosed herein are merely exemplary. Turning to FIG. 1 there is shown the basic architecture of one embodiment of a system for capturing a user mobile device address by means of a trigger system. The system comprises a trigger system 102 which can be triggered by a user 100 using a trigger device. Said trigger system 102 is connected by means of a data network 104 to a message application server 106. The message application server 106 is further connected to a mobile service provider or carrier system 110 by means of a data network 108 and the mobile service provider gateway 112. The mobile service provider gateway 112 acts as a gateway into the mobile service provider network 114. The mobile service provider gateway 112 is further capable of sending messages to the user 100 mobile device 116 by means of the service provider mobile network 114. Said user 100 can then read messages sent to his mobile device 116. The trigger system 102 is any system capable of capturing a unique identifier capable of being transformed into the user mobile device 116 messaging address, and optionally other data. The system described in this invention requires that the trigger system 102 or the message application server 106 be able to directly or indirectly retrieve the mobile device 116 address based on said unique identifier captured by the trigger system 102, and be able to use the mobile device address to send messages to the mobile device 116. Once the trigger system 102 is triggered by user 100, it sends said mobile device messaging address or said user unique identifier along with any other captured data to the message application server 106 by means of data network 104. The trigger system 102 can be triggered by the user either by using his mobile device 116, or by using any other system or method. In one exemplary embodiment of this invention, the trigger system is a computing device equipped with a card reader where the magnetic stripe of the card contains said unique identifier. In one exemplary embodiment of this invention, the trigger system is a computing device equipped with a bar code reader. The user swipes an object with a bar code containing said unique identifier, such as a key chain card. In one exemplary embodiment of this invention, the trigger system consists of Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) readers located in public areas, for example at the doors of stores. The user carries an object with an embedded Radio Frequency Identification RFID tag containing said unique identifier. The trigger system is simply triggered by the user when walking through or near the RFID readers. In one exemplary embodiment of this invention, the trigger system is a client application running on the user mobile device combined with a server side system. The communication is triggered when the user activates the application and instructs it to trigger the interaction. The client application, by means of the data messaging capabilities of the mobile device notifies the service side system, which can be the message application server, to initiate the communication. In one exemplary embodiment of this invention, the trigger is a client application running on the user mobile device combined with a local receiver system. The communication is triggered when the user activates the application and instructs it to trigger the interaction. The client then uses a local networking infrastructure such as infra red, Bluetooth®, WiFi or any other local wireless protocol to send the trigger to said receiver system which forwards it to the message application server. In one exemplary embodiment of this invention the trigger system is any system capable of performing biometric or user identification of said user. Examples of such system include but is not limited to finger-print readers, eye readers, voice identification and video camera identification. In one exemplary embodiment of this invention, the trigger system is a kiosk where the user enters the unique identifier in the kiosk—for example using a keyboard, a keypad or a touchscreen. In one exemplary embodiment of this invention, the trigger system 102, is an IVR system accepting phone calls which is programmed to capture said unique identifier. Various techniques known to those of skill in the art can be used to capture said unique identifier. This includes but is not limited to accepting Dual Tone Multi Frequency (“DTMF”) or using voice recognition. The user triggers an interaction with the system by calling a phone number mapping to the IVR system and entering at the prompt said unique identifier and any additional data requested by the IVR. At the end of the call, all the captured information is forwarded to the message application server. In one embodiment of this invention, the trigger system 102 is an IVR system and the mobile device 116 is a data enabled cell phone or any data device capable of receiving messages sent to a phone number address as described previously. In such embodiment, the IVR system can be further programmed to automatically capture the calling number. Capturing the calling number is very common in IVR systems using the Public Switch Telephone Network (“PSTN”) Caller Id infrastructure. If the phone call is made using said cell phone, and the calling number is made available to the IVR, then the step of capturing the cell phone number can be further accelerated by spelling out the number and asking the user to validate the number. For example, the confirmation can be achieved using the following message: “You called from XXX-XXX-XXXX, if this is correct press 1, to enter a different phone number press 2”. If the user confirms the number then the IVR can move on to capturing the optional data. If the user does not confirm the number, then the IVR can prompt the user for a new mobile device phone number. This last case is useful for example if the user called from a land based line and the IVR recognized the land line number. If the IVR does not receive the calling number from the PSTN, then the IVR system is programmed to directly prompt the user for his mobile device phone number. In one exemplary embodiment, the trigger system 102 is wireless card attached to a computing device as described earlier. In the prior art section, we mentioned that wireless data cards suffer from scalability limitations. In this embodiment of the invention, the wireless data card is used only as a trigger system to receive the first MO message. All follow-on messages can then be sent to the user mobile device 116, using the mobile device 116 mobile service provider specific short code for this program. This invention overcomes the lack of standardized short codes in certain geographies and the lack of scalability of PC based wireless cards by using the wireless card only as a trigger system and not for subsequent message delivery. For example, the user would send an initial MO message to the wireless data card number, say NNN-NNN-NNNN which would be routed to the wireless data card using the carrier peer-to-peer infrastructure. The response from the message application server 106, would then use a separate service address for each carrier. Carrier A may use a five digit short code XXXXX, carrier B a six digit short code XXXXXX, and carrier C a normal ten digit number MMM-MMM-MMMM. When the user receives the message, he can easily reply back and the fact that each user may be using a different address because they have a different wireless carrier is not an issue. In one exemplary embodiment, the trigger system 102 is a phone switch. The phone switch is connected to the PSTN SS7 network. Upon receiving a call establishment request, the phone switch would refuse such request, capture the user calling number and forward said caller number to the message application server 106. The advantage of this embodiment is that neither the user nor the organization is billed for the call, since it was not completed, and the organization does not incur an IVR cost. The downside is additional data cannot be captured on the user, and the end user experience is probably strange as the call is not accepted. In another embodiment, the trigger system is a computing device where the user supplies her mobile device address connected to the message application server using a data network, including but not limited to the Internet. In another embodiment, the trigger system is a network accessible computing device that the user connects do using another device—for a example a web and WAP application accessed from a client computer using a browser—connected to the message application server using a data network. The presented embodiments for the trigger system 102 are illustrative only and not limited to the ones presented. Numerous other embodiments of the trigger system 102 are contemplated as falling within the scope of this invention. The data network 104 is any data network using any messaging protocol. In one exemplary embodiment, the network is based on TCP/IP and the trigger system 102 forwards the unique identifier and optional data using a Web Service call based on the Simple Object Access Protocol (“SOAP”.) The message application server 106 is any computing server designed to process messages. It is programmed to be able to execute instructions upon receiving incoming messages from mobile devices, such as mobile device 116, and from any other external source. One of the instructions that the message application server is capable of executing is sending messages out to mobile devices. One of the event requests capable of triggering the message application server 106 to execute said instructions is the receipt of a notification that a user triggered the trigger device 102. In one exemplary embodiment, the message application server 106 is implemented as a cluster of Jave 2 Enterprise Edition (“J2EE™”) components running on commonly available computer hardware running commonly available operating systems. In one exemplary embodiment, the message application server 106 is implemented using the Jboss™ Java application server and uses an Oracle® database to maintain persistent data. In one exemplary embodiment the dialog instructions to execute upon receiving an MO message or a trigger requests are implemented in one or more extensible markup language (“XML”) document(s). Multiple other embodiments of the message application server are possible and known to those of skill in the art. In one preferred embodiment, the message application server 106 is additionally connected to a message application database 120. The database can be used as part of the implementation of the message application server. In one exemplary embodiment, the database stores data on the active communication programs, including but not limited to, program data; user data; user session data; system logs. The usage of a database to implement sophisticated server applications is well known to those of skill in the art and many possible usage of the database is possible and within the scope of this invention. The message application server 106 is connected to one or more service provider gateway 112 using any suitable data network 108. In an exemplary implementation, the data network is the Internet using a virtual private network (“VPN”) using the short message peer-to-peer (“SMPP”) protocol. Other exemplary implementations use the Internet without a VPN, use private TCP/IP based connections (“leased line”), or use a dedicated X.25 connection or any other available data network and protocol. The message application server 106 can simultaneously support multiple mobile service providers systems 110 and mobile device 116 technologies and hence can be connected to multiple service providers systems 110. The message application server 106 can be similarly connected a plurality of trigger system 102. The message application server 106 can send, and optionally receive, messages to and from the mobile device 116, by means of the mobile service provider system 110. The actual details of the mobile service provider infrastructure are not relevant to this present invention and in practice take many forms. In one exemplary embodiment, the mobile provider system 110 is broken down into a mobile service provider gateway 112 responsible for interfacing with the message application server 106 by means of data network 108. Using methods known to those skilled in the art, messages can be exchanged between mobile devices, such as mobile device 116 and the mobile service provider gateway 112 by means of a mobile network 114. The mobile device 116 is any device a user can carry along with him that is capable of receiving data messages from at least the message application server 106 by means of the service provider system 110. In general, the mobile device 116 is also capable of sending messages to the message application server 106 as well as being able to send and receive messages to other mobile devices and other service applications. More capable devices can also send messages, or send and receive more complex messages than text messages such as multi-media messages. In one embodiment of the invention, the mobile device 116 is a data enabled cell phone, or any data device capable of receiving and sending messages sent to a phone number address. The later can include wireless enabled personal data assistants (“PDA”) or any other computing device capable of receiving messages sent to a phone number. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the mobile device 116 is a data capable device capable of receiving and sending messages using e-mail protocols, including but not limited to SMTP, Post Office Protocol (“POP”) and Internet Message Access Protocol (“IMAP”). In one exemplary embodiment of this invention, the mobile device 116 is a data capable device capable of receiving and sending messages using a client application that uses a data network, including but not limited to the Internet protocol (“IP”). The mobile device can use any IP transport, including but not limited to 801.11, 801.11a, 801.11b, 801.11g and Wifi. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the mobile device 116 is a data capable device capable of receiving and sending messages using an instant messaging protocol. Examples of instant messaging service provide include, but is not limited to, AOL Instant Messenger™, Yahoo!® Messenger, MSN® Messenger, Jabber® and other similar protocols. Turning to FIG. 2 there is shown a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention further comprising components to deliver coupons, offers and promotions to the user. The message application server 106 is further connected to an offer application 122. The offer application 122 is connected to an offer database 124. The offer application 122 is responsible for selecting and creating coupons, offers and promotions for said user 100. The coupon, offer or promotion is part of the message that will be sent to the user device 16 as described above. In one embodiment, the coupons, offers and promotions are implemented using an offer message. In a preferred embodiment, the coupons, offers and promotions are implemented using an offer code and an offer message. In one exemplary embodiment, the coupon and promotion offers are represented by numerical codes. In one exemplary embodiment, the coupons and promotion offers are represented by alphanumerical codes. In one embodiment, the coupons, offers and promotions are implemented using data, including but not limited to text data, XML data and binary data, which is interpreted by an application running on said user mobile device 116. In one exemplary embodiment, the coupons and promotion offers are represented by graphical images—including bar codes. In one exemplary embodiment each user receives the same coupon, offer or promotion code. In another exemplary embodiment, each coupon, offer or promotion code is unique and encodes the coupon, offer or promotion and a user identification. In one exemplary embodiment, the user identification is a sequence number, a short 3-5 digit sequence, allowing the encoding of 1000-100,000 unique users. Each time a user triggers the system and a message, coupon, offer or promotion is generated, a new sequence number is generated and stored in the offer database with the generated offer. At redemption time, the sequence number is extracted from the offer code and the most recent offer with the same offer and sequence number is matched. The benefit of this exemplary embodiment is to keep the unique identifier short in the common case that the code is manually entered at redemption time. In most retail environments, the speed of customer checkout is critical and the more digits need to be entered, the longer it takes to capture the message, coupon, offer or promotion code and the more likely an input error will be made. In one preferred embodiment, the message, coupon, offer or promotion code includes a checksum digit, using any of the well know checksum algorithms, including but not limited to the mod 10 algorithm used in credit card numbers, whereby invalid coupon, offer or promotion codes due to input errors can be determined. These various embodiments of coupons and promotion offers are illustrative only and not limiting, therefore numerous other embodiments of coupons, offers and promotions on mobile devices fall within the scope of this invention The offer database 124 is used by the offer application 122 to store available offers, to maintain user profile information concerning coupons, offers and promotions, to maintain logs of created offers. The usage of database to implement sophisticated server applications is well known to those of skill in the art and many possible usage of the database is possible and within the scope of this invention. In one preferred embodiment, the offer application 122 is connected to an external system 125 comprising enterprise systems, customer relationship management (“CRM”) systems or loyalty systems that are involved in the generation, redemption and analysis of the offers. Internal details of the offer application and the coupon, offer and promotion codes is not discussed in further details as they are known to those skilled in the art. Couponing and all the issues around generating coupons, matching coupons to users based on multiple parameters including past interaction and demographic data is a well established industry. All these couponing techniques apply to the coupon generation and fall into the scope of this invention. Turning to FIG. 3 there is shown a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention further comprising components to track the redemption of coupons, offers or promotions. The system further comprises above FIG. 2, an offer entry system 130 used to validate and capture coupons, offers, and promotions redemption. The offer entry device 130 is connected to the offer application 122 by means of a data network 132. Optionally, an external system 121 or 125 interfaces with either the message application server, the offer application or both. In one embodiment, the offer entry system validates the coupon, offer or promotion code. In one embodiment, the offer entry system captures the coupon, offer or promotion redemption for storage in the offer database 124. In one preferred embodiment, the offer entry system validates and captures the coupon, offer or promotion code for storage in the offer database 124. In one preferred embodiment, the offer entry system 130 is a computing device located where the coupon, offer or promotion is redeemed. The coupon, offer or promotion code is entered at redemption time. In this preferred embodiment the coupon, offer or promotion code is validated in real-time by checking the code on the offer entry system 130 (for example the offer code can contain a checksum that is verified), then by sending a request by means of data network 132 to the offer application 122, that verifies the coupon, offer or promotion code. In this exemplary embodiment, redemption data can be analyzed by the offer server 122 and reports 134 created. In one preferred embodiment, the offer entry system is a point of sale (“POS”) terminal programmed to implement the logic described above. If the coupon, offer or promotion code is validated in real-time preventing fraud and providing for duplicate checking, it is possible to offer valuable coupons, offers and promotions that otherwise might not be economical to provide without such checks. In an exemplary embodiment, the offer entry system 130 is a stand-alone computing device, for example a kiosk. The user enters the coupon, offer or promotion code in the offer entry system 130, and the offer entry system prints out a paper coupon. The user can then redeem the paper coupon like regular paper coupons. In an exemplary embodiment, the offer entry system 130 locally stores each redemption, and the data can be uploaded on a regular basis, by means of a data network 132 to the offer application 122. In an exemplary embodiment the offer entry device 130 is equipped with removable storage. On a regular basis the removable storage is replaced and the content is read on a compatible device and the data uploaded to the offer application 122. In one exemplary embodiment, the coupon, offer or promotion code has the same format as a payment number like a credit card number. The existing payment processing infrastructure is used to authorize and capture coupon redemption. The operator of the system described in this invention would request a unique bank id prefix to distinguish its offer numbers from credit or payment card numbers. In one exemplary embodiment, said payment processing infrastructure is configured to track coupon, offer and promotion redemption and credit the user for his coupon, offer and promotion. The data network 132 is any data network or any means using any messaging protocol or data representation not necessarily always connected allowing for the transfer of data, in real-time or in batch mode, from the offer entry device 130 to the offer application 122. In one preferred embodiment, the network is based on the Internet Protocol. Turning to FIG. 4 there is shown a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention illustrating how follow-on messages can be sent at later dates to said user 100. Messages, coupons, offers and promotions are delivered immediately upon the user activating the trigger system 102. But the organization, can also decide to send further messages, coupons, offers and promotions to users that have participated previously. Under this scenario, during the initial communication, the message application server 106, or the offer server 122 stores the mobile device 116 address. At a later date, when the organization wants to push out new messages, coupons, offers or promotions, the list of users that have participated is looked up. If the message includes a coupon, offer or promotion, it may be looked up by the offer application 122 using a mechanism similar to the one described above. The push message is then delivered to the user using the same system and method described earlier. FIG. 5 illustrates the basic steps of the invention. In a typical usage of the invention, the user 100 is encouraged to trigger the system by a “call to action” message presented in a traditional media format. The trigger system 102, upon being triggered (step 200) is designed to capture (step 202) the unique identifier capable of identifying the user mobile device 116, and optionally other data. The captured data is then forwarded (step 204) to the message application server 106. The message application server 106 then retrieves (step 206) the mobile device address of the user based on the unique identifier. The message application server 106 then executes (step 208) a programmed set of instructions whereby an appropriate response message is generated. Optionally, in step 210, all the forwarded data, and any additional data generated by the execution of the instructions in step 208 are saved in the message application database 120. The response message is then forwarded to the mobile service provider gateway 112 in step 212, for delivery to the mobile device 116 by the mobile service provider. Said user can then read said response message on said mobile device 116 in step 214. In an alternative embodiment, step 206 is not performed in the message application server 106, but instead in the trigger system 102, and either the mobile address or both the mobile address and the unique identifier are forwarded to the message application server in step 204. FIG. 6 illustrates the basic steps of the invention described in FIG. 5 augmented by the delivery of a coupon, offer or promotion. The trigger steps 200, 202, 204 and 206 are the same as in FIG. 5. Instead of directly generating the response message in the message application server 106, all the user data available in the message application server including the unique identifier, the mobile device address, the optional user data is forwarded to the offer application 122 (step 220). Based on all the available data, the offer server 122 generates an offer (step 222). The generated offer and any other user data is stored in the offer database 124 (step 224). The response message containing the coupon, offer or promotion is forwarded back to the message application server 106 for delivery to the mobile device 116 (step 226). The message delivery steps 210, 212 and 214 are the same as in FIG. 5. Later on the user will redeem the coupon, offer or promotion message, for example in a store. The coupon, offer or promotion being redeemed is entered (step 228) in the offer entry system 130. Either in real-time or in batch the redemption data is forwarded to the offer application 122 (step 230). The redemption data is then stored in (step 232) in the offer database 124. Based on the data stored in step 224 and step 232 in the offer database 124, reports 134 can be generated that show redemption rates from which the effectiveness of the promotion can be measured. FIG. 7 illustrates another preferred embodiment, where the coupon, offer or promotion is verified after step 228, by interrogating the offer application 122. Started from step 214 of FIG. 6, the offer is entered in the offer entry system 130 in step 228. The offer is then forwarded to the offer application 122 for verification by means of data network 132 (step 240). The offer is verified by the offer application 122 (that is the offer application verifies it's a valid offer, and has not been already redeemed if duplicate checking is configured) (step 242). If the offer is valid, then the redemption proceeds (246) and the following steps are the same as in FIG. 6. If the offer is invalid, the status is made available to the offer entry device 130 (step 244). In the case of an invalid offer, the offer may be re-entered since the offer may have been rejected due to an input error. If the offer has already been redeemed, there is no benefit in re-entering the offer. FIG. 8 illustrates step 202 in an exemplary embodiment where the trigger system 102 is implemented using an IVR system. The user calls the IVR number. The PSTN delivers the call to the UVR system in Step 300. The IVR system is then programmed to retrieve the user calling number, using the PSTN caller id support (step 302). If the user calling number is available, the system spells out the number to the user and asks for a confirmation in step 306. If the user confirms positively, the user calling number is then forwarded to the message application server 106 as described in step 204. If the user confirms negatively (step 306), or the IVR system does not detect the user calling number in step 302 (for example if the user is blocking caller id), then the IVR is programmed (step 304) to ask the user to enter his cell phone number. The phone number can either be entered using the telephone key pad, and the IVR system will detect the Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (“DTMF”) tones, or alternatively using a voice recognition system. The details on how to program an IVR system to perform the steps described above are well known to those skilled in the art. FIG. 9 is an alternative embodiment of step 202 that builds upon FIG. 7. In FIG. 8 the initial steps 300, and 302 are the same as in FIG. 8. The calling number supplied by the PSTN, or entered by the user is analyzed in step 320 to see if it corresponds to a cell phone number. There are multiple ways to perform this operation which are know to those skilled in the art. One possible implementation is to lookup the first six digits of the phone number in a database called the Local Exchange Routing Guide (“LERG”) that contains information on all the PSTN switches. If the phone number corresponds to a cell phone number, the IVR is programmed to proceed to step 306. If the number does not correspond to a cell phone number, then the IVR is programmed in step 304 to prompt for a cell phone number as described before. In this alternative embodiment, step 322 was also added prompting the user for additional data, for example for a choice of an offer of interest or from a store of interest. Once all the additional data is captured, the user cell phone and the additional data is forwarded to the message application server 106 as described in step 204. Having now described one or more exemplary embodiments of the invention, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is illustrative only and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same purpose, and equivalents or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, numerous other embodiments of the modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereto. For example, the techniques may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of the two. In one embodiment, the techniques are implemented in computer programs executing on programmable computers that each include a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device and one or more output devices. Program code is applied to data entered using the input device to perform the functions described and to generate output information. The output information is applied to one or more output devices. Each program may be implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system, however, the programs can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language. Each such computer program may be stored on a storage medium or device (e.g., CD-ROM, hard disk or magnetic diskette) that is readable by a general or special purpose programmable computer for configuring and operating the computer when the storage medium or device is read by the computer to perform the procedures described in this document. The system may also be considered to be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer program, where the storage medium so configured causes a computer to operate in a specific and predefined manner. In a most preferred embodiment, the various components, such as the trigger system, the message application server, the offer application, etc., are implemented on one or more computer systems. The multiplicity of the computer system allow for the distribution of the workload in accordance with, e.g., the number of computer systems available and enables the system to function even is a subset of the computer systems experience one or more faults. The computers should be connectable to each other, for example, by means of 100Base-T Ethernet interfaces and corresponding 100Base-T Ethernet switches. In the most preferred implementation, each computer contains dual UltraSPARC® III processors, 1024 MB RAM, two 9 GB disk drives, and operates using the Unix™ compatible Solaris™ operating system. As will be appreciated, the specific hardware utilized can be varied in accordance with need, required capacity, and the preferred programming and operating environment, as well as in response to other factors.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Global brands spend hundreds of billion of dollars annually in the United States on brand marketing and communications. Over the last decade, an increasing percentage of brand marketing budgets have been spent in direct marketing channels (e.g., direct mail, telemarketing, email, etc.). In fact, total brand spending on direct mail now exceeds that of broadcast television. Given direct marketing's unique capabilities, such as precise targeting, the ability to drive specific behaviors, and highly measurable results, marketers are expected to continue spending heavily in direct channels. One of the most significant new direct marketing opportunities is the emergence of the wireless channel. The wireless channel provides marketers the unmatched ability to reach the individual (not just the household), in a time- and event-sensitive way, with attractive and measurable marketing return on investment (“ROI”). In Europe, hundreds of brands are beginning to utilize the wireless data channels and are committing a sizeable portion of their communications budgets over the next year to wireless. An organization wanting to use data messaging for communication with its user base needs to make it easy for them to participate. The organization needs to have a means to obtain a user's mobile device address to be able to communicate with him using his mobile device data capabilities. The organization needs to obtain the user permission to be able in the future to send new messages, coupons, offers or promotions, to the user's mobile devices. There are multiple ways to for a user to initiate a communication with an organization and for an organization to obtain a user's mobile device address, but in this invention we are primarily focused on methods to initiate a communication when said user is in a mobile setting, such as a public environment as opposed to a home or office environment. In a mobile setting, there needs to be an easy and quick way for said user to specify his interest in starting a communication and for the organization to obtain said user's mobile device address whereby the communication can occur. Once the communication is initiated, a message oriented application can capture the user's mobile device address in a database, and respond back with a message, a coupon, an offer or a promotion. It is important that said user only receive future organization originated (“push”) communications only if he has elected to do so. A system and method to perform communication between users and organizations needs to support an easy way to either opt-in or opt-out from receiving future communications. An example of a situation where a user may be interested in initiating a communication with an organization is the case of the organization being a brand sponsoring some event; for example a contest, building brand and product awareness where the user may win some prizes. Other examples include receiving offers, coupons, promotions or discounts on their mobile device. The communication, its goals, its benefits and how a user can initiate it is typically displayed using a traditional channel such as print media, product packaging, bar coaster, bill-board, sign, posters, TV or radio advertisements, candy wraps, etc. . . . This process is called the “call to action” message. It is easy to see that if participating is easy to accomplish, such communications can have a wide impact for both users and organizations. One very common application of this invention is to deliver coupons, offers and promotions to users that have requested them. There is a cost for an organization to provide, promote and deploy systems to execute such mobile coupon, offer and promotion programs. Hence it is an important requirement that a system be able to measure redemption rates to compute the effectiveness of the program. In addition, much better coupons, offers and promotions can be given to individual users if their past individual receptiveness is known—which makes uniquely identifying the coupon, offer and promotion important. There is much economical value in being able to deploy a system where users can receive messages, coupons, offers and promotions at the time of their choosing as well as occasionally receiving push specials thereby allowing the organization running the program to develop a comprehensive loyalty program bringing value to both the user and the organization. To support such a program, a system needs to exist to enable users to enroll, participate and receive occasional “push” messages, coupons, offers and promotions that leverages the capabilities of mobile data communication devices and Customer Relationship Management and Loyalty systems. In addition, some of the offers, coupons and promotions can be valuable enough that the organization giving them out wants to make sure they are used only once. Examples of such compelling offers are very deep discount to join the offer program—think about book clubs that sell you your first three books for $1 to join the club. In this case, the offer needs to be verified that it has not already been redeemed. Such a step is critical with the technologies described in this invention where it is often easy to forward or forge a message on a mobile device. The primary limitations with existing methods to initiate a communication between an organization and a user using a mobile device have to do with: the time, effort and lack of convenience of triggering the communication using current systems; the lack of common service addresses for users to initiate the communication with an organization in some common existing messaging technologies; and the lack of familiarity on the part of users on how to initiate a communication using their mobile device.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present solution solves the aforementioned problem not by means of the user mobile device native data messaging services but by means of an external trigger system not based on the user mobile device data messaging capabilities. Once the trigger system has captured a unique identifier capable of being mapped to the user mobile device address, a Mobile Terminated (“MT”) message is sent to the user. From then on, the message application server is capable of future communications. The messages sent to the user can include menus and simple instructions removing the need for the user to ever originate a sophisticated MO message. In one embodiment of the invention, said unique identifier is the mobile device address itself. In another embodiment of the invention, said unique identifier can be an identifier that is then used to retrieve the mobile device address. An exemplar embodiment uses an account number as the unique identifier, and then retrieving the mobile device address using the account number. The details on how the mobile device address is retrieved using the account number is well known to those skilled in the art. One possible implementation is to store the mobile device address in a database using the account number as the key to a data record holding the mobile device address. Other exemplary embodiments use a loyalty card number, a social security number, a membership number or employer number as the unique identifier. This invention applies to any message oriented data communication system, including, but not limited to SMS, EMS, MMS, WAP, hypertext markup language (“HTML”), xHTML and other HTML derivatives, mobile e-mail, client side mobile device execution environments such as Java 2 Mobile Edition (“J2ME™”), Brew™, Linux™, or Symbian OS™. A further aspect of the invention, a system and method is also provided to deliver follow-on messages from the organization once the user mobile device address is captured. A further aspect of the invention, a system and method is also provided to deliver, an instant mobile coupon, offer, or promotion that can be redeemed providing for a complete system and method to deliver messages, coupons, offers and promotion to users. In one embodiment, the present solution is a network based system and method, consisting of a trigger system, a message application server and a mobile device service provider system. It allows any user equipped with a mobile device capable of receiving messages to initiate a sequence whereby said user can receive one or more messages from said message application server. Furthermore, said message application server can store said user mobile device address in a database for later communications from said message application server to said user. The organization service is presented in a traditional media format, including but not limited to, on a print advertisement, on a product packaging, on a bill-board, on a poster, on a flyer, on a coaster, on a candy wrap, on a store display, in a TV ad, in a radio ad, on an Internet site. The presentation includes instructions on how the user can interact with the trigger system. The presentation is called the “call to action” message. In one embodiment, the trigger system confirms the user mobile device address, handles exceptions, and optionally obtains additional data from the user or opt-in permission if applicable. Once the session with said trigger system is completed, the trigger system informs the message application server which sends a message to the user mobile device.

20050118

20080722

20060622

64014.0

G06F1516

NGUYEN, DAVID Q

SYSTEM AND METHOD TO INITIATE A MOBILE DATA COMMUNICATION UTLIZING A TRIGGER SYSTEM

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G06F

ACCEPTED

Diazabicyclonane and-decane derivatives and their use as opioid receptor ligands

This invention relates to novel diazabicyclononane and -decane derivatives useful as opioid receptor ligands. More specifically, the invention provides compounds useful as μ opioid receptor ligands.

1. A compound of general formula (I), any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Q is —CH2—CH2— or —CH2—CH2—CH2—; one of R1 and R2 is —CH2—CH2—CH2—R3, —CH2—CH═CH—R3, or —CH2—C≡C—R3; wherein R3 is aryl or heteroaryl; which aryl and heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, alkoxy, cycloalkoxy, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl; and the other of R1 and R2 is —CO—R4; wherein R4 is alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl. 2. The compound according to claim 1, wherein Q is —CH2—CH2—. 3. The compound according to claim 1, wherein Q is —CH2—CH2—CH2—. 4. The compound according to claim 1, wherein one of R1 and R2 is —CH2—CH═CH—R3; wherein R3is defined as in claim 1. 5. The compound according to claim 1, wherein R4 is alkyl. 6. The compound according to claim 1, wherein Q is —CH2—CH2— or —CH2—CH2—CH2—; one of R1 and R2 is —CH2—CH═CH—R3, or —CH2—C≡C—R3; wherein R3is phenyl; and the other of R1 and R2 is —CO—R4; wherein R4 is alkyl. 7. A compound of claim 1 which is (±)-1-[9-(3-Phenyl-allyl)-3,9-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.1]non-3-yl]-propan-1-one; (±)-1-[10-(3-Phenyl-allyl)-3,10-diaza-bicyclo[4.3.1]dec-3-yl]-propan-1-one; (±)-1-[3-(3-Phenyl-allyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[4.2.1]non-9-yl]-propan-1-one; or any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 8. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1, or any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent. 9. A method for treatment, prevention or alleviation of a disease or a disorder or a condition of a living animal body, including a human, which disorder, disease or condition is responsive to responsive to modulation of the opioid receptor, which method comprises the step of administering to such a living animal body in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1, or any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the disease, disorder or condition responsive to modulation of the opioid receptor is pain, postoperative pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, neuropathic pain, pain during labour and delivery, drug addiction, heroin addiction, cocaine addiction, alcoholism, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, nausea, vomiting, pruritic dermatoses, allergic dermatitis, atopy, eating disorders, opiate overdoses, depression, smoking, sexual dysfunction, shock, stroke, spinal damage, or head trauma. 11. (canceled)

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to novel diazabicyclononane and -decane derivatives useful as opioid receptor ligands. More specifically, the invention provides compounds useful as μ opioid receptor ligands. In other aspects the invention relates to the use of these compounds in a method for therapy, such as for the treatment of pain, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention. BACKGROUND ART Numerous classes of opioid receptors exist. These classes differ in their affinity for various opioid ligands and in their cellular and organ distribution. Moreover, although the different classes are believed to serve different physiological functions, there is a substantial overlap of function, as well as distribution. Three different types of opioid receptors have been identified, the mu (μ), delta (δ) and kappa (κ) opioid receptor. These three opioid receptor types are the sites of action of opioid ligands producing analgesic effects. However, the type of pain inhibited and the secondary functions vary with each receptor type. The μ receptor is generally regarded as primarily associated with pain relief, and drug or other chemical dependence, such as addiction or alcoholism. The δ receptor appears to deal with behavioural effects, although the δ and the κ receptors may also mediate analgesia. Each opioid receptor, when coupled with an opiate, causes a specific biological response unique to that type of receptor. When an opiate activates more than one receptor, the biological response for each receptor is affected, thereby producing side effects. The less specific and selective an opiate may be, the greater the chance of causing increased side effect by the administration of the opiate. Whereas morphine, which is a strong opioid analgetic agent shows effectiveness against strong pain by acting on the μ opioid receptor (agonist activity), there is a problem that its side effects such as nausea and neurologic manifestation including hallucination and derangement. Moreover, morphine forms psychological dependence, causing serious problems. Other side effects reported are respiratory depression, tolerance, physical dependence capacity, and precipitated withdrawal syndrome, caused by non-specific interactions with central nervous receptors. WO 01/60823 describes 3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives with analgesic activity. WO 01/72303 describes selective ligands for the δ opioid receptor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide novel compounds which act on opiate receptors. A further object of the invention is the provision of compounds that substantially avoid the unwanted side effects associated with conventional peripherally acting analgesics. It is a further object to provide compounds that bind selectively to the μ opioid receptor. In its first aspect, the invention provides a compound of general formula I, any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Q, R1, and R2 are as defined below. In its second aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention, or any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent. In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a compound of the invention, or any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment, prevention or alleviation of a disease or a disorder or a condition of a mammal, including a human, which disease, disorder or condition is responsive to modulation of the opioid receptor. In a still further aspect, the invention relates to a method for treatment, prevention or alleviation of a disease or a disorder or a condition of a living animal body, including a human, which disorder, disease or condition is responsive to responsive to modulation of the opioid receptor, which method comprises the step of administering to such a living animal body in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention, or any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Other objects of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the following detailed description and examples. DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Diazabicyclononane and -decane derivatives In its first aspect, the invention provides a compound of general formula I, any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Q is —CH2—CH2— or —CH2—CH2—CH2—; one of R1 and R2 is —CH2—CH2—CH2—R3, —CH2—CH═CH—R3, or —CH2—C≡C—R3; wherein R3 is aryl or heteroaryl; which aryl and heteroaryl is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of: halogen, hydroxy, amino, cyano, nitro, trifluoromethyl, alkoxy, cycloalkoxy, alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl; and the other of R1 and R2 is —CO—R4; wherein R4 is alkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl. In one embodiment of the compound of general formula I, Q is —CH2—CH2—. In a second embodiment of the compound of general formula I, Q is —CH2CH2—CH2—. In a third embodiment of the compound of general formula I, one of R1 and R2 is —CH2—CH═CH—R3; wherein R3 is defined as above. In a further embodiment, one of R1 and R2 is —CH2—CH2—CH2—R3; wherein R3 is defined as above. In a still further embodiment, one of R1 and R2 is —CH2—C≡C—R3; wherein R3 is defined as above. In a further embodiment of the compound of general formula I, R3 is optionally substituted aryl, such as optionally substituted phenyl. In a special embodiment, R3 is phenyl. In s special embodiment of the compound of general formula I, one of R1 and R2 is —CH2—CH═CH—R3; wherein R3 is phenyl. In a still further embodiment of the compound of general formula I, R4 is alkyl. In a further embodiment, R4 is aryl, such as phenyl. In a special embodiment, R4 is methyl or ethyl. In a further embodiment of the compound of general formula I, Q is —CH2—CH2— or —CH2—CH2—CH2—; one of R1 and R2 is —CH2—CH═CH—R3, or —CH2C≡C—R3; wherein R3 is phenyl; and the other of R1 and R2 is —CO—R4; wherein R4 is alkyl. In a still further embodiment, R1 is —CH2—CH═CH—R3, or —CH2—C≡C—R3; wherein R3 is phenyl; and R2 is —CO—R4; wherein R4 is alkyl. In a further embodiment, R1 is —CO—R4; wherein R4 is alkyl and R2 is —CH2—CH═CH—R3, or —CH2—C≡C—R3; wherein R3 is phenyl. In a special embodiment the compound of the invention is (±)-1-[9-(3-Phenyl-allyl)-3,9-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.1]non-3-yl]-propan-1-one; (±)-1-[10-(3-Phenyl-allyl)-3,10-diaza-bicyclo[4.3. 1]dec-3-yl]-propan-1-one; (±)-1-[3-(3-Phenyl-allyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[4.2.1]non-9-yl]-propan-1-one; or any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Any combination of two or more of the embodiments described herein is considered within the scope of the present invention. Definition of Substituents In the context of this invention halogen represents a fluorine, a chlorine, a bromine or an iodine atom. Alkyl means a straight chain or branched chain of one to six carbon atoms, including but not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, and hexyl; methyl, ethyl, propyl and isopropyl are preferred groups. Cycloalkyl means cyclic alkyl of three to seven carbon atoms, including but not limited to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclohexyl; Alkenyl means a group of from two to six carbon atoms, including at least one double bond, for example, but not limited to ethenyl, 1,2- or 2,3-propenyl, or 1,2-, 2,3-, or 3,4-butenyl. Alkynyl means a group of from two to six carbon atoms, including at least one triple bond, for example, but not limited to ethynyl, 1,2-, 2,3-propynyl, or 1,2-, 2,3- or 3,4-butynyl. Alkoxy is O-alkyl, wherein alkyl is as defined above. Cycloalkoxy means O-cycloalkyl, wherein cycloalkyl is as defined above. Cycloalkylalkyl means cycloalkyl as above and alkyl as above, meaning for example, cyclopropylmethyl. Amino is NH2 or NH-alkyl or N-(alkyl)2, wherein alkyl is as defined above. Aryl is a carbocyclic aromatic ring system such as phenyl or naphthyl (1-naphthyl or 2-naphthyl). Heteroaryl is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic monocyclic group, for example, but not limited to, oxazol-2-yl, oxazol-4-yl, oxazol-5-yl, isoxazol-3-yl, isoxazol-4-yl, isoxazol-5-yl, thiazol-2-yl, thiazol-4-yl, thiazol-5-yl, isothiazol-3-yl, isothiazol-4-yl, isothiazol-5-yl, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl, 1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl, 1,2,4-thiadiazol-3-yl, 1,2,4-thiadiazol-5-yl, 1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl, 1,2,5-oxadiazol-4-yl, 1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl, 1,2,5-thiadiazol4-yl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl, 5-imidazolyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl, 2-furanyl, 3-furanyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 2-pyridyl, 3-pyridyl, 4-pyridyl, 2-pyrimidyl, 4-pyrimidyl, 5-pyrimidyl or 6-pyrimidyl. Pharmaceutically Acceptable Salts The chemical compound of the invention may be provided in any form suitable for the intended administration. Suitable forms include pharmaceutically (i.e. physiologically) acceptable salts, and pre- or prodrug forms of the chemical compound of the invention. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts include, without limitation, the non-toxic inorganic and organic acid addition salts such as the hydrochloride derived from hydrochloric acid, the hydrobromide derived from hydrobromic acid, the nitrate derived from nitric acid, the perchlorate derived from perchloric acid, the phosphate derived from phosphoric acid, the sulphate derived from sulphuric acid, the formate derived from formic acid, the acetate derived from acetic acid, the aconate derived from aconitic acid, the ascorbate derived from ascorbic acid, the benzene-sulphonate derived from benzensulphonic acid, the benzoate derived from benzoic acid, the cinnamate derived from cinnamic acid, the citrate derived from citric acid, the embonate derived from embonic acid, the enantate derived from enanthic acid, the fumarate derived from fumaric acid, the glutamate derived from glutamic acid, the glycolate derived from glycolic acid, the lactate derived from lactic acid, the maleate derived from maleic acid, the malonate derived from malonic acid, the mandelate derived from mandelic acid, the methanesulphonate derived from methane sulphonic acid, the naphthalene-2-sulphonate derived from naphtalene-2-sulphonic acid, the phthalate derived from phthalic acid, the salicylate derived from salicylic acid, the sorbate derived from sorbic acid, the stearate derived from stearic acid, the succinate derived from succinic acid, the tartrate derived from tartaric acid, the toluene-p-sulphonate derived from p-toluene sulphonic acid, and the like. Such salts may be formed by procedures well known and described in the art. Other acids such as oxalic acid, which may not be considered pharmaceutically acceptable, may be useful in the preparation of salts useful as intermediates in obtaining a chemical compound of the invention and its pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt. Metal salts of a chemical compound of the invention include alkali metal salts such as the sodium salt of a chemical compound of the invention containing a carboxy group. Steric Isomers The compounds of the invention may exist in (+) and (−) forms as well as in racemic forms (±). The racemates of these isomers and the individual isomers themselves are within the scope of the present invention. Racemic forms can be resolved into the optical antipodes by known methods and techniques. One way of separating the diastereomeric salts is by use of an optically active acid, and liberating the optically active amine compound by treatment with a base. Another method for resolving racemates into the optical antipodes is based upon chromatography on an optical active matrix. Racemic compounds of the present invention can thus be resolved into their optical antipodes, e.g., by fractional crystallisation of d- or I- (tartrates, mandelates, or camphorsulphonate) salts for example. The chemical compounds of the present invention may also be resolved by the formation of diastereomeric amides by reaction of the chemical compounds of the present invention with an optically active activated carboxylic acid such as that derived from (+) or (−) phenylalanine, (+) or (−) phenylglycine, (+) or (−) camphanic acid or by the formation of diastereomeric carbamates by reaction of the chemical compound of the present invention with an optically active chloroformate or the like. Additional methods for the resolving the optical isomers are known in the art. Such methods include those described by Jaques J, Collet A, & Wilen S in “Enantiomers, Racemates, and Resolutions”, John Wiley and Sons, New York (1981). Optical active compounds can also be prepared from optical active starting materials. Methods of Preparation The chemical compounds of the invention may be prepared by conventional methods for chemical synthesis, e.g. those described in the working examples. The starting materials for the processes described in the present application are known or may readily be prepared by conventional methods from commercially available chemicals. Also one compound of the invention can be converted to another compound of the invention using conventional methods. The end products of the reactions described herein may be isolated by conventional techniques, e.g. by extraction, crystallisabon, distillation, chromatography, etc. Biological Activity Compounds of the invention may be tested for their ability to bind to the μ, δ, and κ opioid receptors, e.g. such as described in example 2. Compounds that bind to opiate receptors, in particular the μ receptor, are likely to be useful in the treatment of pain, postoperative pain, chronic pain (such as cancer pain and neuropathic pain), pain during labour and delivery, drug addiction (such as heroin addiction and cocaine addiction), and alcoholism. Furthermore, compounds that bind to opiate receptors are also likely to be useful in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and pruritic dermatoses (itching), such as allergic dermatitis and atopy. Compounds that bind to opiate receptors have also been indicated in the treatment of eating disorders, opiate overdoses, depression, smoking, sexual dysfunction, shock, stroke, spinal damage and head trauma. Thus in further aspect, the compounds of the invention are considered useful for the treatment, prevention or alleviation of a disease, disorder or condition responsive to modulation of the opioid receptors, in particular the μ opioid receptor. In a special embodiment, the compounds of the invention are considered useful for the treatment, prevention or alleviation of pain, postoperative pain, chronic pain, cancer pain, neuropathic pain, pain during labour and delivery, drug addiction, heroin addiction, cocaine addiction, alcoholism, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, nausea, vomiting, pruritic dermatoses, allergic dermatitis, atopy, eating disorders, opiate overdoses, depression, smoking, sexual dysfunction, shock, stroke, spinal damage, or head trauma. In a further embodiment, the compounds of the invention are considered particularly useful for the treatment, prevention or alleviation of pain, postoperative pain, chronic pain, drug addiction, alcoholism, and irritable bowel syndrome. Pharmaceutical Compositions In another aspect the invention provides novel pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention. While a compound of the invention for use in therapy may be administered in the form of the raw chemical compound, it is preferred to introduce the active ingredient, optionally in the form of a physiologically acceptable salt, in a pharmaceutical composition together with one or more adjuvants, excipients, carriers, buffers, diluents, and/or other customary pharmaceutical auxiliaries. In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers therefore, and, optionally, other therapeutic and/or prophylactic ingredients, know and used in the art. The carrier(s) must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not harmful to the recipient thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be those suitable for oral, rectal, bronchial, nasal, pulmonal, topical (including buccal and sub-lingual), transdermal, vaginal or parenteral (including cutaneous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, intraarterial, intracerebral, intraocular injection or infusion) administration, or those in a form suitable for administration by inhalation or insufflabon, including powders and liquid aerosol administration, or by sustained release systems. Suitable examples of sustained release systems include semipermeable matrices of solid hydrophobic polymers containing the compound of the invention, which matrices may be in form of shaped articles, e.g. films or microcapsules. The chemical compound of the invention, together with a conventional adjuvant, carrier, or diluent, may thus be placed into the form of pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosages thereof. Such forms include solids, and in particular tablets, filled capsules, powder and pellet forms, and liquids, in particular aqueous or non-aqueous solutions, suspensions, emulsions, elixirs, and capsules filled with the same, all for oral use, suppositories for rectal administration, and sterile injectable solutions for parenteral use. Such pharmaceutical compositions and unit dosage forms thereof may comprise conventional ingredients in conventional proportions, with or without additional active compounds or principles, and such unit dosage forms may contain any suitable effective amount of the active ingredient commensurate with the intended daily dosage range to be employed. The chemical compound of the present invention can be administered in a wide variety of oral and parenteral dosage forms. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the following dosage forms may comprise, as the active component, either a chemical compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a chemical compound of the invention. For preparing pharmaceutical compositions from a chemical compound of the present invention, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers can be either solid or liquid. Solid form preparations include powders, tablets, pills, capsules, cachets, suppositories, and dispersible granules. A solid carrier can be one or more substances which may also act as diluents, flavouring agents, solubilizers, lubricants, suspending agents, binders, preservatives, tablet disintegrating agents, or an encapsulating material. In powders, the carrier is a finely divided solid, which is in a mixture with the finely divided active component. In tablets, the active component is mixed with the carrier having the necessary binding capacity in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired. The powders and tablets preferably contain from five or ten to about seventy percent of the active compound. Suitable carriers are magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugar, lactose, pectin, dextrin, starch, gelatin, tragacanth, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, a low melting wax, cocoa butter, and the like. The term “preparation” is intended to include the formulation of the active compound with encapsulating material as carrier providing a capsule in which the active component, with or without carriers, is surrounded by a carrier, which is thus in association with it. Similarly, cachets and lozenges are included. Tablets, powders, capsules, pills, cachets, and lozenges can be used as solid forms suitable for oral administration. For preparing suppositories, a low melting wax, such as a mixture of fatty acid glyceride or cocoa butter, is first melted and the active component is dispersed homogeneously therein, as by stirring. The molten homogenous mixture is then poured into convenient sized moulds, allowed to cool, and thereby to solidify. Compositions suitable for vaginal administration may be presented as pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams or sprays containing in addition to the active ingredient such carriers as are known in the art to be appropriate. Liquid preparations include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions, for example, water or water-propylene glycol solutions. For example, parenteral injection liquid preparations can be formulated as solutions in aqueous polyethylene glycol solution. The chemical compound according to the present invention may thus be formulated for parenteral administration (e.g. by injection, for example bolus injection or continuous infusion) and may be presented in unit dose form in ampoules, pre-filled syringes, small volume infusion or in multi-dose containers with an added preservative. The compositions may take such forms as suspensions, solutions, or emulsions in oily or aqueous vehicles, and may contain formulation agents such as suspending, stabilising and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, the active ingredient may be in powder form, obtained by aseptic isolation of sterile solid or by lyophilization from solution, for constitution with a suitable vehicle, e.g. sterile, pyrogen-free water, before use. Aqueous solutions suitable for oral use can be prepared by dissolving the active component in water and adding suitable colorants, flavours, stabilising and thickening agents, as desired. Aqueous suspensions suitable for oral use can be made by dispersing the finely divided active component in water with viscous material, such as natural or synthetic gums, resins, methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, or other well known suspending agents. Also included are solid form preparations, intended for conversion shortly before use to liquid form preparations for oral administration. Such liquid forms include solutions, suspensions, and emulsions. In addition to the active component such preparations may comprise colorants, flavours, stabilisers, buffers, artificial and natural sweeteners, dispersants, thickeners, solubilizing agents, and the like. For topical administration to the epidermis the chemical compound of the invention may be formulated as ointments, creams or lotions, or as a transdermal patch. Ointments and creams may, for example, be formulated with an aqueous or oily base with the addition of suitable thickening and/or gelling agents. Lotions may be formulated with an aqueous or oily base and will in general also contain one or more emulsifying agents, stabilising agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents, thickening agents, or colouring agents. Compositions suitable for topical administration in the mouth include lozenges comprising the active agent in a flavoured base, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastilles comprising the active ingredient in an inert base such as gelatin and glycerine or sucrose and acacia; and mouthwashes comprising the active ingredient in a suitable liquid carrier. Solutions or suspensions are applied directly to the nasal cavity by conventional means, for example with a dropper, pipette or spray. The compositions may be provided in single or multi-dose form. Administration to the respiratory tract may also be achieved by means of an aerosol formulation in which the active ingredient is provided in a pressurised pack with a suitable propellant such as a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) for example dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, or dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide, or other suitable gas. The aerosol may conveniently also contain a surfactant such as lecithin. The dose of drug may be controlled by provision of a metered valve. Alternatively the active ingredients may be provided in the form of a dry powder, for example a powder mix of the compound in a suitable powder base such as lactose, starch, starch derivatives such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Conveniently the powder carrier will form a gel in the nasal cavity. The powder composition may be presented in unit dose form for example in capsules or cartridges of, e.g., gelatin, or blister packs from which the powder may be administered by means of an inhaler. In compositions intended for administration to the respiratory tract, including intranasal compositions, the compound will generally have a small particle size for example of the order of 5 microns or less. Such a particle size may be obtained by means known in the art, for example by micronization. When desired, compositions adapted to give sustained release of the active ingredient may be employed. The pharmaceutical preparations are preferably in unit dosage forms. In such form, the preparation is subdivided into unit doses containing appropriate quantities of the active component. The unit dosage form can be a packaged preparation, the package containing discrete quantities of preparation, such as packaged tablets, capsules, and powders in vials or ampoules. Also, the unit dosage form can be a capsule, tablet, cachet, or lozenge itself, or it can be the appropriate number of any of these in packaged form. Tablets or capsules for oral administration and liquids for intravenous administration and continuous infusion are preferred compositions. Further details on techniques for formulation and administration may be found in the latest edition of Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Maack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.). A therapeutically effective dose refers to that amount of active ingredient, which ameliorates the symptoms or condition. Therapeutic efficacy and toxicity, e.g. ED50 and LD50, may be determined by standard pharmacological procedures in cell cultures or experimental animals. The dose ratio between therapeutic and toxic effects is the therapeutic index and may be expressed by the ratio LD50/ED50. Pharmaceutical compositions exhibiting large therapeutic indexes are preferred. The dose administered must of course be carefully adjusted to the age, weight and condition of the individual being treated, as well as the route of administration, dosage form and regimen, and the result desired, and the exact dosage should of course be determined by the practitioner. The actual dosage depend on the nature and severity of the disease being treated, and is within the discretion of the physician, and may be varied by titration of the dosage to the particular circumstances of this invention to produce the desired therapeutic effect. However, it is presently contemplated that pharmaceutical compositions containing of from about 0.1 to about 500 mg of active ingredient per individual dose, preferably of from about 1 to about 100 mg, most preferred of from about 1 to about 10 mg, are suitable for therapeutic treatments. The active ingredient may be administered in one or several doses per day. A satisfactory result can, in certain instances, be obtained at a dosage as low as 0.1 μg/kg i.v. and 1 μg/kg p.o. The upper limit of the dosage range is presently considered to be about 10 mg/kg i.v. and 100 mg/kg p.o. Preferred ranges are from about 0.1 μg/kg to about 10 mg/kg/day i.v., and from about 1 μg/kg to about 100 mg/kg/day p.o. Methods of Therapy In another aspect the invention provides a method for the treatment, prevention or alleviation of a disease or a disorder or a condition of a living animal body, including a human, which disease, disorder or condition is responsive to modulation of the the opioid receptor, and which method comprises administering to such a living animal body, including a human, in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of the invention, or any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. It is at present contemplated that suitable dosage ranges are 0.1 to 1000 milligrams daily, 10-500 miilligrams daily, and especially 30-100 milligrams daily, dependent as usual upon the exact mode of administration, form in which administered, the indication toward which the administration is directed, the subject involved and the body weight of the subject involved, and further the preference and experience of the physician or veterinarian in charge. EXAMPLES The invention is further illustrated with reference to the following examples, which are not intended to be in any way limiting to the scope of the invention as claimed. Example 1 General: All reactions involving air sensitive reagents or intermediates were performed under nitrogen and in anhydrous solvents. Magnesium sulphate was used as drying agent in the workup-procedures and solvents were evaporated under reduced pressure. 9-Benzyl-9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-3-one and 8-benzyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]nonan-3-one Were prepared according to Kashman, Y and Benary, E, J. Org. Chem., 37, 3778, (1972). 9-Benzyl-3,9-diazabicyclo-[4.2.1]-nonane and 10-benzyl-3,10-diazabicyclo-[4.3.1]-decane Were prepared according to 9-methyl-3,9-diazabicyclo-[4.2.1]-nonane [Michaels R J and Zaugg H E, J. Org. Chem., 25, 637, (1960)]. Method A (±)-1-[9-(3-Phenyl-allyl)-3,9-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.1]non-3-yl]-propan-1-one hydrochloric acid salt (Compound a) A mixture of 1-[9-H-3,9-diazabicyclo[4.2.1]non-3-yl]-propan-1-one (4.19 g, 23 mmol), potassium carbonate (3.45 g, 25 mmol), cinnamylbromide (4.73 g, 24 mmol) and acetone (100 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 15 h. The mixture was evaporated, diethylether (100 ml) was added and the mixture was washed with water (50 ml). The crude product was converted to the hydrochloric acid salt by adding a mixture of hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether (10 ml, 2.8 M). The mixture was freeze dried for 70 h. The product was isolated as amorphous material (3.9 g, 49%). (±)-1-[10-(3-Phenyl-allyl)-3,10-diaza-bicyclo[4.3.1]dec-3-yl]-propan-1-one fumaric acid salt (Compound b) Was prepared according to method A. The whole cascade from 10-benzyl-3,10-diazabicyclo-[4.3.1]-decane was performed in the same manner as from 9-benzyl-3,9-diazabicyclo-[4.2.1]-nonane. Mp 90-94° C. (±)-2-[9-H-3,9-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.1]non-3-yl]-propan-1-one (intermediate) A mixture of 1-[9-benzyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[4.2.1]non-3-yl]-propan-1-one (7.4 g, 23 mmol), ethanol (100 ml, 99%), palladium on carbon (0.50 g, 10%) was stirred under hydrogen for 1 h. The mixture was filtered through celite. Yield 4.47 g (100%). (±)-1-[9-Benzyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[4.2.1 ]non-3-yl]-propan-1-one To a mixture of 9-benzyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[4.2.1]nonane (5.0 g, 23 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (4.35 ml, 25 mmol) in THF (50 ml) was added propionic acid anhydride (3.2 ml, 25 mmol) solved in THF (10 ml) over a time period of 10 min. The mixture was stirred at room-temperature for 1 h. The mixture was evaporated, aqueous sodium hydroxide (50 ml, 1M) was added and the mixture was extracted with diethyl ether (2×50 ml). The product was isolated as an oil. Yield 7.4 g (100%). (±)-1-[3-(3-Phenyl-allyl-3,9-diazabicyclo[4.2.1]non-9-yl]-propan-1-one hydrochloric acid salt (compound c) A mixture of (±)-1-[3-H-3,9-diazabicyclo[4.2.1]non-9-yl]-propan-1-one (2.25 g, 12.3 mmol), cinnamylbromide (2.56 g, 13.0 mmol), potassium carbonate (2.07 g, 15.0 mmol) and acetone (100 ml) was stirred for 3 h at 55° C. The mixture was evaporated, water (50 ml) was added and extracted with diethylether (2×50 ml). The crude product was converted to the hydrochloric acid salt by adding a mixture of hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether (5 ml, 2.8 M). The product was isolated as amorphous material (1.98 g, 48%). (±)-1-[3-H-3,9-Diazabicyclo[4.2.1]non-9-yl]-propan-1-one A mixture of (±)-1-[3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3,9-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.1]non-9-yl]-propan-1-one (4.5 g, 16 mmol), trifluoroactic acid (10 ml) and dichloromethane (50 ml) was stirred for 5 h. Aqueous sodium hydroxide (50 ml) was added and the mixture was extracted with dichloromethane (3×50 ml). Yield 1.9 g (79%). (±)-1-[3-Tert-butoxycarbonyl-3,9-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.1]non-9-yl]-propan-1-one To a mixture of (±)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3,9-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.1]nonane (4.5 g, 20 mmol), diisopropylethylamine (3.85 ml, 22 mmol) in THF (50 ml) was added propionic acid anhydride (2.82 ml, 22 mmol) solved in THF (10 ml) over a time period of 10 min. The mixture was stirred at room-temperature for 1 h. The mixture was evaporated, aqueous sodium hydroxide (50 ml, 1M) was added and the mixture was extracted with diethyl ether (2×50 ml). The product was isolated as an oil. Yield 4.7 g (84%). (±)-9-H-3-Tert-butoxycarbonyl-3,9-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.1]nonane A mixture of (±)-9-benzyl-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3,9-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.1]nonane (14.2 g, 45 mmol), ethanol (150 ml, 99%), palladium on carbon (0.5 g, 10%) was stirred under hydrogen for 1 h. The mixture was filtered through celite. Yield 10.56 g (100%). (±)-9-Benzyl-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-3,9-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.1]nonane To a mixture of (±)-9-benzyl-3,9-diaza-bicyclo[4.2.1]nonane (10.35 g, 47.9 mmol) triethylamine (7.5 ml, 53 mmol) and THF, was added slowly: boc-anhydride (11.5 g, 53 mmol). The mixture was allowed to react for 30 min. The solvent was evaporated. Diethylether (100 ml) was added and the mixture was washed with water (3×50 ml). Yield 14.5 g (96%). Example 2 Binding Data The compounds have been tested in binding assays using human recombinant opiate δ-, κ- and μ receptors. The assays were conducted as previously described by Simonin F et al [Simonin F et al, Mol. Pharmacol., 46(6), 1015-21, 1994], Simonin F et al [Simonin F et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 92(15), 7006-10, 1995], and Wang J B et al [Wang J B et al, FEBS Lett., 348(1), 75-9, 1994], The test results are presented in Table 1 below. TABLE 1 δ κ μ Compound Ki (μM) a 51% inhib at 10 μM 78% inhib at 10 μM 0.02 b 35% inhib at 10 μM 74% inhib at 10 μM 63% inhib at 100 nM c 34% inhib at 10 μM 22% inhib at 10 μM 0.022 Furthermore, one compound, compound b, was tested for functional activity in guinea pig ileum. The assay was conducted as previously described by Maguire P et al [Maguire P et al, Eur. J. Pharmacol., 213(2), 219-25, 1992]. Compound b was determined to be a full agonist with an EC50 of 0.068 μM.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Numerous classes of opioid receptors exist. These classes differ in their affinity for various opioid ligands and in their cellular and organ distribution. Moreover, although the different classes are believed to serve different physiological functions, there is a substantial overlap of function, as well as distribution. Three different types of opioid receptors have been identified, the mu (μ), delta (δ) and kappa (κ) opioid receptor. These three opioid receptor types are the sites of action of opioid ligands producing analgesic effects. However, the type of pain inhibited and the secondary functions vary with each receptor type. The μ receptor is generally regarded as primarily associated with pain relief, and drug or other chemical dependence, such as addiction or alcoholism. The δ receptor appears to deal with behavioural effects, although the δ and the κ receptors may also mediate analgesia. Each opioid receptor, when coupled with an opiate, causes a specific biological response unique to that type of receptor. When an opiate activates more than one receptor, the biological response for each receptor is affected, thereby producing side effects. The less specific and selective an opiate may be, the greater the chance of causing increased side effect by the administration of the opiate. Whereas morphine, which is a strong opioid analgetic agent shows effectiveness against strong pain by acting on the μ opioid receptor (agonist activity), there is a problem that its side effects such as nausea and neurologic manifestation including hallucination and derangement. Moreover, morphine forms psychological dependence, causing serious problems. Other side effects reported are respiratory depression, tolerance, physical dependence capacity, and precipitated withdrawal syndrome, caused by non-specific interactions with central nervous receptors. WO 01/60823 describes 3,9-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane derivatives with analgesic activity. WO 01/72303 describes selective ligands for the δ opioid receptor.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an object of the invention to provide novel compounds which act on opiate receptors. A further object of the invention is the provision of compounds that substantially avoid the unwanted side effects associated with conventional peripherally acting analgesics. It is a further object to provide compounds that bind selectively to the μ opioid receptor. In its first aspect, the invention provides a compound of general formula I, any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Q, R 1 , and R 2 are as defined below. In its second aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention, or any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent. In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a compound of the invention, or any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment, prevention or alleviation of a disease or a disorder or a condition of a mammal, including a human, which disease, disorder or condition is responsive to modulation of the opioid receptor. In a still further aspect, the invention relates to a method for treatment, prevention or alleviation of a disease or a disorder or a condition of a living animal body, including a human, which disorder, disease or condition is responsive to responsive to modulation of the opioid receptor, which method comprises the step of administering to such a living animal body in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention, or any of its enantiomers or any mixture of its enantiomers, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Other objects of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art from the following detailed description and examples.

20050119

20080415

20051027

94716.0

COLEMAN, BRENDA LIBBY

DIAZABICYCLONANE AND-DECANE DERIVATIVES AND THEIR USE AS OPIOID RECEPTOR LIGANDS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Apparatus, system and method for the transmission of data with different qos attributes

A novel apparatus, system and method for transmitting data flows having different quality of service (QoS) attributes over a network link structured in two or more channels is provided. The method classifies arriving packets to determine their required/assigned QOS attributes and places the classified packets into one of several logical channel queues, the selected logical channel queue having an appropriate corresponding set of QoS attributes defined. A radio link controller examines the available channels and, for each channel, selects a logical channel queue whose contents will be transmitted thereon. The radio link controller determines the data transmission capacity for each channel and segments the contents of the selected logical channel to fit within the determined capacity. The selection of the logical channel queue is performed in accordance with the set of QoS attributes and thus each flow can have different QoS characteristics including priorities, reliabilities (ARQ, no ARQ, etc.).

1. A method of transmitting at least two data flows over a telecommunications link, wherein each data flow can have a different set of quality of service attributes defined for it, comprising the steps of: (i) receiving a packet for transmission over said link; (ii) examining said packet to determine an appropriate set of quality of service attributes required for it; (iii) placing said examined packet into one of a plurality of logical channel queues, said one logical channel queue having defined therefor quality of service attributes corresponding to the determined quality of service attributes required for said packet; (iv) determining a data transmission capacity for said link and selecting one of said plurality of logical channel queues which holds data to be transmitted with the highest priority for transmission and packaging and transmitting as much data from said logical channel queue as can be packaged to fit within said determined transmission capacity of said channel; and (v) repeating steps (i) through (iii) and step (iv) as necessary. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein: said telecommunications link is structured into two or more channels and each of said two or more channels can have different amounts of data transmission capacity; and each of said plurality of logical channel queues can be assigned to one or more of said two or more channels and in step (iv), the determined data transmission capacity is determined for each channel and, for each channel, one of the assigned logical channel queues is selected for transmission. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said two or more channels can comprise any of a dedicated channel between a pair of endpoints and a broadcast channel between an endpoint and a plurality of other endpoints. 4. The method of claim 3 wherein said dedicated channel transports data between a radio base station and a subscriber station and wherein said broadcast channel transports data between said radio base station and a plurality of subscriber stations. 5. The method of claim 2 wherein the transmission capacity of each of said at least two channels is adjusted as needed to meet to service the logical channel queues assigned to it. 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the quality of service attributes include whether or not ARQ is to be performed for the data flow. 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the quality of service attributes include whether or not header compression is to be performed for the data flow. 8. The method of claim 1 wherein the quality of service attributes include whether or not a traffic shaping protocol is to be applied to said data flow. 9. The method of claim 3 wherein a logical channel queue can be associated with a dedicated channel and at least one broadcast channel. 10. The method of claim 4 wherein a set of logical channel queues is defined for each of said plurality of subscriber stations. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the contents of each logical channel queue are arranged according to a defined priority the current highest priority packet is selected for transmission only after transmission of the previous highest priority packet is completed. 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the contents of a different logical channel queue can be preemptively selected for transmission next before completion of transmission of a packet from another logical channel queue. 13. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of creating a logical channel queue with a required set of quality of service attributes if, after step (ii), no logical channel queue is available with corresponding quality of service attributes and, in step (iii), placing said packet into said created logical channel queue. 14. A system for the transmission of data flows from a first endpoint to one or more of a plurality of other endpoints through a link where each flow can have different quality of service attributes defined therefor, comprising: a network interface at said first endpoint to receive packets from said data flows for transmission through said link to said other endpoints; a set of logical channel queues, each of said logical channel queues in said set being operable to queue a received packet and having a set of defined quality of service attributes defined for the contents of the queue; a packet classifier to examine said received packets to determine the quality of service attributes for said packet and to place received packets into selected ones of said logical channel queues with corresponding quality of service attributes; and a link controller which determines the available data transmission capacity to said plurality of end points and which selects for transmission a portion of a packet from the logical channel queue whose contents have the highest priority, the link controller segmenting the packet as necessary to have the portion fit within the data transmission capacity of said link. 15. The system of claim 14 wherein said first endpoint is a radio base station and said plurality of other endpoints are subscriber stations. 16. The system of claim 15 wherein said base station maintains a set of logical channel queues for each of said plurality of subscriber stations. 17. The system of claim 16 wherein said link is structured into two or more channels and said link controller selects, for each of said at least two channels, a portion of a packet from a logical channel queue for transmission to at least one of said plurality of endpoints. 18. The system of claim 17 wherein at least one of said at least two channels is a dedicated channel between said radio base station and one of said subscriber stations and another of said at least two channels is a broadcast channel from said base station to at least two or more of said plurality of subscriber stations. 19. The system of claim 18 wherein said link controller is operable to change the structure of said at least one dedicated channel to alter its data transmission capacity.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for transmitting data flows that have different quality of service (QoS) attributes over a network link. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for providing and managing quality of service (QoS) for data flows transmitted over at least one link in a data network capable of transmitting data with different QoS requirements and/or attributes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One of the most ubiquitous data networks to date has been the Internet which is a packet data network employing the Internet Protocol (IP) as its network layer protocol. IP provides many advantages as a network layer protocol, including robustness and simplicity of implementation and one of its original principles is that the network layer need not know anything about the contents of the packets it transmits. In other words, to IP, a packet was a packet was a packet. Similarly, IP is intended to work independently of the physical layer of the network. In other words, IP is ignorant of whether the network it is operating over is an optical network or a wireline network, etc. More recently, much effort has been spent in creating converged networks wherein diverse types of data can be handled by a single network. For example, packet data networks are now often able to carry voice (telephony) data, “pure” data (such as data file transfers, emails, etc.), fax data, streaming video, video conferencing, etc. Many of these converged networks also employ IP as their network protocol. While IP continues to be the network layer protocol of choice for many modem networks, data from different user applications in a converged network can require different transmission characteristics to be provided for them. For example, data packets from and/or to telephony voice coders require relatively low end-to-end transmission latencies, but can accommodate relatively high error rates and/or dropped packets. In contrast, data packets from a file transfer protocol (FTP) session can accommodate relatively long latencies, but cannot well accommodate errors or dropped packets. Data packets carrying fax data using the T.38 protocol require both low latency and low error rates. The specific requirements for the acceptable transmission of the contents of a data packet are generally referred to as the required quality of service (QoS) for the data. As originally designed, IP did not contemplate providing different QoS levels for packets. To provide some measure of QoS control in IP, the fourth version of the protocol, typically referred to as IPv4, provided a Type of Service (TOS) byte in the standard IP header, as defined in IETF RFC 791 (1981) (available from www.ietf.org). The first three bits (0 to 2) of the TOS byte represent a precedence field with eight defined values (specifically, “Network Control”, “Internetwork Control”, “CRITIC/ECP”, “Flash Override”, “Flash”, “Immediate”, “Priority” and “Routine”). Apart from Router Table updates and similar networking functions, the precedence bits are not widely used in most networks today. The next four bits (bits 3 to 6—typically referred to as the TOS bits) of the TOS byte represent flags indicating a desired type of service and the last bit (bit 7) is left blank. The TOS bits essentially act as flags to request from the network service levels to: minimize delay; maximize throughput; maximize reliability; or minimize monetary cost. An application can set any one of the four TOS bits as desired or, if none are set, it is assumed that normal service is desired. Suggested settings of the TOS bits for common applications were described in IETF RFC 1600 (Reynolds and Postel, 1992) and IETF RFC 1609 (Almquist, 1992). As specific examples, it is recommended in these documents that FTP control packets have the minimize delay bit set, that FTP data packets have the maximize throughput bit set and that usenet (NNTP) packets have the minimize monetary cost bit set. While TOS provides some ability to provide QoS, it is very limited. Accordingly, many other attempts have been made to provide QoS mechanisms for IP. For example, RSVP has been proposed as a mechanism for providing QoS assurance in an IP network. Essentially, RSVP reserves resources from network components to provide virtual connections through the otherwise connectionless IP network. RSVP suffers from difficulties in that it is not yet broadly supported and that, even when supported, it assumes that sufficiently large amounts of network resources (bandwidth, etc.) are available to permit some of these resources to be reserved for specific users and/or applications and it can result in inefficient use of these resources. Additional problems exist when trying to provide QoS over an IP network that is implemented on a physical layer with higher error probabilities. Specifically, IP was designed for, and assumes, a reliable physical layer, such as wired Ethernet or the like where congestion may be a problem, but where large amounts of generally reliable bandwidth are available. To date, implementing QoS-enabled IP based networks over less reliable physical layers, such as radio channels, has been difficult. Further, to date most attempts at implementing QoS for IP networks have taken an end to end approach and have not addressed networks with heterogeneous physical layers, such as networks with both wired and radio links. Different physical layers can result in much different QoS mechanisms being required. Also, in radio systems, such as that proposed by the third generation partnership project (3GPP), QoS must typically be provided at the physical layer of the system, requiring different channels to provide different QoS levels. Obviously, this can severely limit the range of QoS offerings that can be provided in a network. It is desired to have a broadly QoS-enabled IP network which can operate on a variety of physical layers, including relatively unreliable layers such as radio channels, and/or in networks with heterogeneous physical links. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus, system and method for transmitting at least two data flows over a telecommunications link structured into at least two channels, each data flow having different QoS attributes which obviates or mitigates at least one of the above-identified disadvantages of the prior art. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of transmitting at least two data flows over a telecommunications link, wherein each data flow can have a different set of quality of service attributes defined for it, comprising the steps of: (i) receiving a packet for transmission over said link; (ii) examining said packet to determine an appropriate set of quality of service attributes required for it; (iii) placing said examined packet into one of a plurality of logical channel queues, said one logical channel queue having defined therefor quality of service attributes corresponding to the determined quality of service attributes required for said packet; (iv) determining a data transmission capacity for said link and selecting one of said plurality of logical channel queues which holds data to be transmitted with the highest priority for transmission and packaging and transmitting as much data from said logical channel queue as can be packaged to fit within said determined transmission capacity of said channel; and (v) repeating steps (i) through (iii) and step (iv) as necessary. Preferably, the telecommunications link is structured into two or more channels, each of which can have different amounts of data transmission capacity and each of the logical channel queues can be assigned to one or more of the channels. In this case, the determined data transmission capacity is determined for each channel and, for each channel, one of the assigned logical channel queues is selected for transmission. Also preferably, each of the channels can be either a dedicated channel, between a pair of endpoints, or a broadcast channel between an endpoint and a plurality of other endpoints. Also preferably, for one to many endpoint configurations, a set of logical channel queues is defined at the one endpoint for transmissions to each of the many endpoints. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for the transmission of data flows from a first endpoint to one or more of a plurality of other endpoints through a link where each flow can have different quality of service attributes defined therefor, comprising: a network interface at said first endpoint to receive packets from said data flows for transmission through said link to said other endpoints; a set of logical channel queues, each of said logical channel queues in said set being operable to queue a received packet and having a set of defined quality of service attributes defined for the contents of the queue; a packet classifier to examine said received packets to determine the quality of service attributes for said packet and to place received packets into selected ones of said logical channel queues with corresponding quality of service attributes; and a link controller which determines the available data transmission capacity to said plurality of end points and which selects for transmission a portion of a packet from the logical channel queue whose contents have the highest priority, the link controller segmenting the packet as necessary to have the portion fit within the data transmission capacity of said link. Preferably, the system maintains a set of logical channel queues at the first end point for each of said plurality of other endpoints. Also preferably, the link is structured into two or more channels and the link controller selects, for each of the at least two channels, a portion of a packet from a logical channel queue for transmission to at least one of the plurality of endpoints. Also preferably, at least one of these least two channels is a dedicated channel between the first end point and one of the plurality of endpoints and another of the at least two channels is a broadcast channel from the first endpoint to at least two or more of the plurality of other endpoints. Also preferably, the link controller is operable to change the structure of each dedicated channel to alter its data transmission capacity to meet the needs of the endpoints. The present invention provides for the efficient utilization of a shared resource, such as a radio link, in a network including heterogeneous links. Data is organized in flows and each flow can be provided with its own logical channel with its own set of QoS attributes. These attributes can include prioritization, latency restrictions, data rate requirements, reliability requirements, etc. Data flows with wildly different quality of service attributes can be multiplexed onto a single link, which can have variable data transmission capacities, and the necessary differentiated quality of service for these flows can be efficiently provided. The range and/or types of attributes are not particularly limited and can include attributes such as: whether ARQ is to be provided; whether header compression is to be performed; priority, tolerance or intolerance to latency; etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein: FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a network and connected end users, the network being heterogeneous and comprising wireline and radio telecommunications links; FIG. 2 shows end user terminals connected to a schematic representation of a CPE; FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a QoS processor at a base station, including multiple prioritization and queuing engines; FIG. 4 is a flowchart representing the steps performed within the QoS processor upon receipt of a packet for transmission; FIG. 5 is a flowchart representing the steps performed by a Radio Link Controller to select and transmit a segment of a packet; FIG. 6 shows a plot of transmitted packet segments of different priorities; FIG. 7 shows a reassembly controller; and FIG. 8 shows a schematic representation of a prioritization and queuing engine at a CPE. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A telecommunication system 20 is illustrated in FIG. 1 and comprises a variety of end user data 24 and telephony 28 terminals connected by a network 32. Network 32 can be any suitable telecommunications network, such as a packet network implemented using IP and running on a wireline or optical backbone, etc. As illustrated, some terminals can be connected to network 32 via wired links 36 such as, for example, T1, xDSL, cable modem, dial up, fiber optic systems, etc. Other terminals can be connected via wireless links 40 that extend between radio base stations 44 and subscriber stations, such as customer premises equipment (CPE) 48, to which the terminals are connected. The base station 44 and subscriber stations can be components of any radio transmission system suitable for the transmission of data and, in a present embodiment, is the AMOSPHERE™ system manufactured and sold by the assignee of the present invention. The AMOSPHERE system employs wideband CDMA between NPM base stations and SOMAport™ CPEs and provides for the fully converged transport of data from CPEs 48, over a shared wireless link 40, to base stations 44 and to and from core network 32 via a backhaul 52. Backhaul 52 can be any suitable backhaul link including, but not limited to, T3, OC3, microwave or other telecommunications links. FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of one possible embodiment of CPE 48 in system 20. As shown, CPE 48 includes a microprocessor assembly 50 that includes one or more input/output ports allowing data terminals 24 to be connected to CPE 48. Similarly, CPE 48 includes a subscriber line interface circuit (SLIC) assembly 54 that provides one or more standard RJ-11 ports, or other suitable interfaces, to connect one or more telephony devices 28 to CPE 48. SLIC assembly 54 also includes A/D and D/A converters, as well as any desired voice codecs, to connect telephony devices 28 to microprocessor assembly 50. CPE 48 can also act as a wireless access point for wireless communication to and from end user terminals within the customer's premises, via any appropriate technology including, but not limited to, 802.11a, 802.11b or 802.11g radio access points, a Bluetooth transceiver, infrared transceiver, or any other suitable technology as will occur to those of skill in the art. Other embodiments of CPE 48 will occur to those of skill in the art, including PCMCIA or other form factor devices that can be connected, or installed in, various user terminals and which can operate in nomadic or mobile applications. As shown, microprocessor assembly 50 connects, via a modem 60, to a radio transceiver 64 which is, in turn, connected to antenna 68. Data is received over radio link 40 from a base station 44, via antenna 68, and is amplified by radio 64 and demodulated/decoded by modem 60 which provides the resulting data to microprocessor assembly 50. Microprocessor assembly 50 either acts on the received data, if it is a control signal, or passes the data, in the appropriate format, to the appropriate data terminal 24 or to telephony device 28 via SLIC assembly 54. Similarly, data is received by microprocessor assembly 50 from a data terminal 24 or telephony terminal 28, via SLIC assembly 54, and is modulated and encoded by modem 60, amplified by radio 64 and transmitted, via antenna 68, over radio link 40 to base station 44. As will be apparent, radio link 40 is subject to a variety of conditions and/or restrictions. For example, typically only a limited amount of radio spectrum (bandwidth) is available for use by radio link 40 and this bandwidth must be shared between all CPEs 48. Also, typically the total amount of data capacity available from the base station 44 to individual CPEs 48 (the downlink) is significantly higher than the data capacity available from CPEs 48 to base station 44 (the uplink). For example, an aggregate rate of twelve megabits per second (mbps) may be available in the downlink while the uplink may be limited to one mbps, or less. Further, the radio path characteristics between individual CPEs 48 and a base station 44 will vary widely due both to radio propagation factors (distance, orientation, etc.) and due to variations with time (fading, localized interference sources, etc.). Thus, any given CPE 48 will experience radio path characteristics at some times which allow it to receive or send data at some maximum rate (e.g.—five megabits per second) and will experience radio path characteristics at other times which only allow it to receive or send data at some minimum rate (e.g.—five hundred thousand bits per second) and each CPE 48 will experience radio path characteristics between each of these extremes at other times. Accordingly, system 20 must be able effectively use the capacity of radio link 40 even though that capacity will change with time and, in particular, the capacity between individual CPEs 48 and base station 44 can experience significant changes over time. Also, as radio channels are generally more prone to transmission errors than some other physical media, such as wireline links, it is necessary to appropriately format data for transmission over radio channels, hereinafter referred to as “packaging” of the data. This packaging can include employing error-correcting codes, interleaving the data, selecting the modulation employed, etc. One of the consequences of this packaging is that, typically, the maximum size of the physical layer transport block (i.e.—the largest amount of data that can be transmitted by the physical layer in a time period, such as a single frame) of a radio channel is smaller than would be the case for wireline transmissions. For example, in a wireline network the transport block for an Ethernet system can be fifteen hundred bytes or more in size, while in the above-mentioned AMOSPHERE system, the transport block may be only eleven bytes at minimum on the uplink (CPE 48 to base station 44) and nineteen bytes at minimum on the downlink (base station 44 to CPE 48). Also, rather than transmitting large packets which may have a greater probability of encountering a transmission error, it can be advantageous to transmit smaller packets which can have a reduced probability of experiencing an error and which, in the event of an error, can be retransmitted in less bandwidth than a larger packet would require. Thus, packets from a wireline system and/or a user terminal will usually require fragmentation prior to transmission over radio link 40. While fragmentation is employed in conventional IP systems when necessary, reassembly of fragmented packets is not typically performed until the packets arrive at their final destination. Further, the overhead (headers, etc.) in performing fragmentation can make it very expensive, in terms of efficient use of bandwidth and resources, to implement even when it is required. As will be described in detail below, in the present invention little overhead is required for segmentation of packets and reassembly of segmented packets to the pre-segmentation transport block size can be performed when the segments are received at the end of radio link 40. Thus, effective use of the radio link 40 requires management of a limited, shared, resource where the capabilities of individual terminals to use that resource can vary widely over time and where the fragmentation of data packets will be the norm. On top of these issues, if QoS is required for the data an extra degree of complexity must be included. FIG. 3 shows the QoS processor100 that runs at base stations 44 in system 20. A separate QoS processor 100 is available for each shared radio link 40, which in the above-mentioned AMOSPHERE system means that each radio sector in a multi-sector base station 44 has its own QoS processor 100. QoS processor 100 includes a network interface port 104x for each CPE 48x it serves, through which information to be transmitted to the respective CPE 48x is delivered. Each network interface port 104 feeds into a respective prioritization and queuing engine (PQE) 108x, each of which in turn includes a data classifier 112 and a set of logical channel queues LC0 to LCi. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, each PQE 108 includes sixteen logical channel queues, specifically, LC0 through LC15. Logical channel queues LCi comprise queues of packets to be transmitted, where each entry in a queue holds one packet. The size of the packets placed into the queues of different logical channel queues LCi can differ as necessary. For example, a voice telephony data packet may be twenty bytes while a web browsing session data packet can be several hundred bytes or more. As each packet arrives at a network interface port 104x, classifier 112x examines the packet to route it to an appropriate one of the up to sixteen logical channel queues LCi in PQE 108x. Classifier 112x can perform the classification based upon a variety of factors, including: the IP header TOS field contents; the source and/or destination IP addresses and ports; the payload type (if known); payload length; etc. Typically, each data flow from a base station 44 to a CPE 48, or vice versa, is assigned to a different logical channel queue LCi, and each logical channel queue LCi has an appropriate priority and set of QoS attributes defined for it. A data flow can be any communication need served by the network, for example a web browsing session can be one flow, while each of two telephony calls can be other flows and a file transfer can be a fourth flow. As used herein, and as discussed further below, the term “QoS attributes” can include a wide variety of attributes including., but not limited to: traffic shaping; segmentation prohibition; priority; data rate; latency; reliability; header compression techniques, probability of block errors; etc. For example: LC0 and LC1 can be defined with the low latency, high error tolerance, header compression QoS attributes suitable for voice data, if two voice connections are being provided between the base station 44 and a CPE 48; LC2 can be defined with the moderate tolerance for latency, low error tolerance QoS attributes appropriate to a web browsing session; LC3 can be defined with suitable QoS attributes (tolerance for high latency and low tolerance for errors, i.e.—ARQ enabled) for email; LC4 can be defined with appropriate QoS attributes for streaming media, such as video; LC5 can be defined with QoS attributes suitable for system control and messaging signals; and LC6 can be defined with the low latency, low error tolerance QoS attributes suitable for fax data using the T.38 protocol, etc. Logical channel queues can be instantiated as needed and the QoS attributes can be defined and/or modified as required, as discussed further below. FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the above-described process. At step 120, a packet is received at a PQE 108 from network interface port 104 and is classified by classifier 112. Classifier 112 determines the appropriate QoS attributes for the received packet. At step 124, classifier 112 determines if a logical channel queue LC is available for the packet and if such a logical channel queue is not available, the method creates the required logical channel queue at step 128, either by creating a new logical channel queue with the necessary QoS attributes, or by modifying the QoS attributes of an existing, empty, logical channel queue. When the required logical channel queue is available, the method enqueues the received packet at step 132. As described below, each logical channel queue LCi, performs prioritized scheduling of packets enqueued in it and data is transmitted from the logical channel queue LCi in a non-preemptive manner. Specifically, as each packet is added to a logical channel queue, its priority, relative to the already enqueued packets, is determined. The highest priority packet in the queue is selected for transmission and, as described below, once transmission is commenced, transmission of this packet is not interrupted by other packets in the logical channel queue LCi, even if a higher priority packet is subsequently enqueued. Logical channel queues LCi make their enqueued data available to a Radio Link Controller (RLC) 140. RLC 140 identifies radio available resources and feeds the enqueued data from the logical channel queues LCi in each PQE 108x to one or more of the available radio resources. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the available radio resources comprise a pool 144 of dedicated data channels (DDCHs) 1481 through 148k and a pool 152 of shared broadcast data channels (BDCHs) 1561 through 156q. In system 20, DDCHs 148 and BDCHs 156 can be assigned different amounts of the total capacity of radio link 40. In a present embodiment of the invention, three BDCHs 156 are available in pool 152 and a number, typically anywhere between twenty and eighty, of DDCHs 148 can be available in pool 144 and the DDCHs 148 can have different amounts of capacity assigned to them. The creation and deletion of DDCHs 148 and the assignment and/or reassignment of DDCHs 148 is performed dynamically by system 20. DDCHs 148 are data channels assigned to a CPE 48 for the duration of a connection session. A DDCH 148 can only have a single CPE 48 assigned to it and as a DDCH 148 can have a variable amount of capacity (effectively a data transmission rate) assigned to it, a CPE 48 only has one DDCH 148 assigned to it. The amount of capacity assigned to a particular DDCH 148 can be dynamically changed by system 20 as the requirements for the session change and/or as the amount of overall resources required or available in the sector of the base station 44 change. There is some overhead and/or delay in setting up and assigning a DDCH 148 for a CPE 48 and/or resizing or tearing down such a channel. BDCHs 156 are broadcast channels and are available whenever the base station 44 is operating. Each CPE 48 served by a base station 44, or by a sector (a shared radio link 40) in the case of a multi-sector base station 44, receives and monitors at least one, and typically three, of the BDCHs 156 in pool 152 for data addressed to the CPE 48. Because BDCHs 156 are broadcast channels, after start up of a base station 44 there is no additional requirement or overhead to setup the BDCH channel to send data to a CPE 48. Each BDCH 156 transmits blocks of information and can transmit blocks to any CPEs 48 receiving it by addressing the, block to the intended CPE 48. A particular embodiment of a suitable BDCH 156 is described in published PCT application WO 01/91407 (to Mantha), assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Suitable methods for managing the capacity resources (i.e.—admitting CPEs 48 to the network and providing capacity to them) of a base station 44, or of the sectors of a multi-sector base station 44, will be apparent to those of skill in the art and are outside the scope of the present invention and will not be discussed further herein. However, the number of DDCHs 148 and their capacities and the scheduling of BDCH blocks to CPEs 48 are all factors that QoS processor 100 and RLC 140 must cope with. In a present embodiment of the invention, the logical channel queues of a PQE 108x can be assigned to any two of the available BDCHs 156 that the destination CPE 48 is receiving and to one of the available DDCHs 148, although as mentioned above these DDCHs 148 can have different maximum data transfer rates, etc. As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, the present invention is not limited to being assigned to two BDCHs 156, nor to one DDCH 148 and in fact, having more than one DDCH 148 assigned permits implementation of desirable features such as soft or softer hand-off between sectors or base stations wherein each downlink DDCH 148 is transmitted from a different sector or base station 44. RLC 140 performs the prioritization, segmentation and, if desired, traffic shaping of data packets for transmission over the available radio resources. Specifically, RLC 140 includes a segmentation cache 160 for each logical channel queue LCi in each PQE 108x. Each segmentation cache 160 takes the highest priority packet, at any respective time, from its respective logical channel queue LCi and stores it within the cache until it has been completely transmitted over one or more of BDCHs 156 or DDCHs 148. Thus, the above-mentioned non-preemptive (within the logical channel queue) scheduling of the transmission of the highest priority packet in each logical channel queue LCi is achieved. RLC 140 communicates with each PQE 108x and with pool 152 and pool 144 to determine the transmission requirements for the logical channel queues and the radio resources available to serve them. RLC 140 examines the segmentation caches 160x,i for each PQE 108x to determine the cached packet, or remaining portion of a packet, with the highest priority. Pools 144 and 152 report the available capacity of each of their respective channels assigned to a PQE 108x to RLC 140 which will then select the contents of a segmentation cache 160x,I for the next transmission on a channel (DDCH or BDCH) assigned to that PQE 108x channel. For example, in FIG. 3 PQE 108x has both BDCHs 1561 and 156q and DDCH 1481 assigned to it. Specifically, LC0 and LC15 have been assigned to DDCH 1481, LC1 has been assigned to BDCH 1561 and LC15 has been assigned to BDCH 156q. Pool 144 will report its capacity to transmit data on its next transmission frame to RLC 140. For example, pool 144 can report that DDCH 1481 has the data transmission capacity to transmit twenty-four bytes of data on the next transmission frame. Similarly, pool 152 can report to RLC 140 that BDCHs 1561 and 156q have the data transmission capacity to transmit forty eight and ninety six bytes of data respectively on their next transmission frames. RLC 140 examines this reported data transmission capacity for DDCH 1481 and the relative priorities of the data in segmentation caches 160x,0 and 160x,15 and selects one of the two caches for transmission, for example the data in segmentation cache 160x,0. RLC 140 then segments the data in segmentation cache 160x,0, if necessary, to fit within the reported data transmission capacity of DDCH 1481 (i.e.—twenty four bytes in the above-mentioned example). This segmented data is then provided to DDCH 1481 for packaging and transmission in the next frame. Similarly, RLC 140 examines the reported data transmission capacities for BDCHs 1561 and 156q and the contents of the segmentation caches 160 assigned to each of these BDCHs. For each BDCH 156, RLC 140 selects the assigned segmentation cache 160 whose contents have the highest priority. RLC 140 segments the data in that segmentation cache 160, if necessary, to fit within the reported data transmission capacity for the BDCH 156 and this data is then provided to the BDCH 156 for packing and transmission in the next frame. As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, should the contents of the segmentation cache 160 with the highest priority not require all of the reported data transmission capacity of a DDCH or BDCH, RLC 140 can also include another segment, from the contents of the next highest priority segmentation cache 160 or from another packet from the same logical channel queue which is loaded into the highest priority segmentation cache 160, to utilize all of the available reported data transmission capacity. This can occur, for example, when the highest priority cache contains the last portion of a packet to be transmitted or contains a very small packet, and the data to be transmitted is less than the reported data transmission capacity. If the channel under consideration is a BDCH 156, RLC 140 can also add another segment from a logical channel queue assigned to the BDCH 156 from another PQE 108. FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the above-described process. As indicated at step 200, the method considers, in turn, each and every channel to which one or more segmentation caches 160 are assigned. At step 204, the non-empty segmentation cache 160 of the logical channel queue with the highest priority that is assigned to the channel under consideration is selected. At step 208, a segment of the contents of the selected segmentation cache 160 is formed, if necessary, to fit the data transmission capacity reported to RLC 140 by the channel. At step 212, the segment is presented to the channel for packaging and transmission. At step 216, a check is made to see if all of the reported data transmission capacity has been used. If all the capacity has been used, the process returns to step 200 for the next channel. If less than the total amount of reported data transmission capacity has been used, the process returns to step 204 where, if the channel under consideration is a BDCH 156, all of the logical channel queues (from any PQE 108) assigned to the BDCH 156 are considered by RLC 140 to be included as an additional segment. If the channel under consideration is a DDCH 148, RLC 140 will consider the next highest priority data from the same PQE 108 to be included as an additional segment. This process is performed by RLC 140 for each frame transmitted from base station 44, which can result in the contents of a different segmentation cache 160 being selected for the next transmission before the contents of another segmentation cache are completely transmitted. Thus, RLC 140 implements a preemptive scheduling method between logical channel queues and/or between PQE's 108. FIG. 6 shows an example of the results of preemptive scheduling in progress for one DDCH 148 that has at least logical channels LC0, LC2 and LC3 of a PQE 108 assigned to it. As shown in the FIG., in the frame transmitted commencing at time t0, the data in the segmentation cache for logical channel queue LC3 is segmented to the reported transmission capacity for DDCH 148 and is transmitted. Another segment of this data is formed and transmitted in the frame commencing transmission at time t1. While the illustration in the FIG. indicates that the segments are the same size, this need not be the case and the reported data transmission capacity can change frame to frame. For the frame transmitted commencing at time t2, further transmission of the contents of logical channel queue LC3 are preempted by the contents that have been placed into the segmentation cache for logical channel queue LC2 which RLC 140 determines have a higher priority. Thus, in the frame commencing transmission at time t2, a segment of the contents of the segmentation cache 160 logical channel queue LC2 is formed for the reported data transmission capacity and is transmitted. For the frame commencing transmission at time t3, RLC 140 determines that the contents that have been placed in the segmentation cache 160 for logical channel queue LC0 have yet a higher priority. Accordingly, transmission of the contents of LC2 is preempted and a segment of logical channel queue LC0 is formed for the reported data transmission capacity and is transmitted in the frame at time t3. As no higher priority data is found in the segmentation caches 160 for the logical channel queues assigned to the DDCH 148 during the time periods t4 and t5, segmentation and transmission of the remaining contents of the segmentation cache 160 for channel queue LC0 occur at times t4 and t5 until all three segments, representing the entire packet in the segmentation cache for logical channel queue LC0 have been transmitted. At time t6, RLC 140 determines the segmentation cache 160 with the highest remaining priority for transmission. In the illustrated example, the next highest priority data is the remaining portion of the data in the segmentation cache for logical channel queue LC2 and this data is segmented to fit the reported data transmission capacity and is transmitted in the frames commencing transmission at time t6 and t7. At time t8, RLC 140 determines the segmentation cache with the highest remaining priority for transmission. In the illustrated example, the next highest priority data is the remaining data in the segmentation cache 160 for logical channel queue LC3 and this data is segmented to fit the reported transmission capacity and is transmitted in the frames commencing transmission at times t8, t9, t10 and t11 at which time the complete packet has been transmitted. At each CPE 48, a reassembly controller 240 is provided, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Reassembly controller 240 receives data from each BDCH 156 and DDCH 148 channel that are transmitted to it over radio link 40. Data received by reassembly controller 240 is first examined by sequencer 244 that determines which, if any, existing logical channel queue LC at base station 44 was the source of the data. Sequencer 244 will place the received data into the reassembly queue RQi associated with the identified logical channel queue LC. If sequencer 244 determines that the data was transmitted by a newly created logical channel queue LC at base station 44, sequencer 244 will cause a complementary reassembly queue RQi to be instantiated in reassembly controller 240 and will place the received data therein. Each reassembly queue RQi examines data placed into it and reassembles the data segments into the original data packet. Once reassembly of a packet has been completed, it is output to the appropriate data target in CPE 48 and the reassembly queue RQi is emptied for the next received data. If transmission of a packet from base station 44 did not require segmentation, the received data packet is placed into reassembly queue RQi that then immediately outputs it. As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, a variety of techniques can be employed for dealing with dropped/lost packet segments and received erroneous packets and these techniques are outside the scope of the present invention and will not be described herein. FIG. 8 shows the prioritization and queuing engine PQE 300 which runs at each CPE 48 in system 20. PQE 300 is similar to PQE 108, although it is somewhat simpler as each CPE 48 only has access to a single uplink DDCH channel 148 on radio link 40 to base station 44. An uplink DDCH channel 148 is assigned to a CPE 48 when needed and, as mentioned above, can provide different amounts of data transmission capacity to meet the needs of the CPE 48 to which it is assigned. As was mentioned above, suitable methods for managing the capacity resources (i.e.—admitting CPEs 48 to the network and providing uplink capacity to them) in system 20 will be apparent to those of skill in the art and are outside the scope of the present invention and will not be discussed further herein. PQE 300 includes a network interface port 304 to which applications and/or processes running on the CPE 48, or the data terminals attached to it, send the information to be transmitted to base station 44. Data received at port 304 is classified by classifier 308, which performs the same functions as classifier 112, discussed above with reference to PQEs 108. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, each PQE 300 includes sixteen logical channel queues, specifically, Lc0 through Lc15 and each logical channel queue Lci has an appropriate priority and set of QoS attributes defined for it. While it is contemplated that one or more logical channel queues will be predefined for PQE 300, additional logical channel queues Lci can be created or removed, as desired, and the QoS attributes defined for each logical channel queue Lci can be set and reset as required. Each logical channel queue Lci has an associated segmentation cache 312i defined for it that performs the same functions as segmentation caches 160, discussed above with reference-to PQEs 108. Each CPE 48 also includes a radio link controller RLC 316 that operates to receive reported data traffic capacity information from DDCH 148 and to select the segmentation cache 312i whose contents have the highest priority for transmission. If necessary, PLC 316 will segment the contents of the selected cache 312i to fit the reported data traffic capacity and will provide the data (whether segmented or not) to DDCH 148 for transmission as the next transmitted frame. At base station 44, a reassembly controller (not shown) is provided for each uplink DDCH 148 then assigned to a CPE 48. These reassembly controllers are similar to those discussed above with respect to FIG. 7, and operate to reassemble segmented packets transmitted over the DDCHs 148 before forwarding the packets to their destination in base station 44 or elsewhere. As will now be apparent, the present invention provides QoS services for data flows with wildly different requirements over a link that has time varying capacities. The multiple logical channels queues share a single link and yet each queue can be provided with different QoS attributes appropriate to its needs even while the data transmission capacity of the link changes with time. In the downlink direction, the link can be structured into multiple channels and the logical channel queues can be mapped to one or more of these channels. These channels can include dedicated channels, each dedicate to a link between the base station 44 and a CPE 48, with variable data transmission capacities and one or more channels can be broadcast channels from the base station 44 to several, or all, of CPEs 48. In the uplink, the logical channel queues are mapped to a single dedicated channel that can have a variable data transmission capacity. One of the advantages of the present invention is that it allows QoS attributes to be defined and provided on a per logical channel basis which allows for network resources to be used efficiently, to provide differentiated QoS on a per data flow basis and to support QoS services over a wireless link. This allows, for example, the logical channel for a media connection such as a voice telephony data flow, to be defined with attributes for segmentation prohibition, low latency and low reliability which are suitable for such a connections, as a voice call is sensitive to latency, but can tolerate some dropped packets and its packets are always of a known size, as required by the particular codec employed. In such a situation, RLC 140 will attempt to ensure that packets in such a logical channel queue are transmitted with the required time periods (to meet the latency requirements) but without ARQ or other reliability techniques being applied to it. Conversely, a file transfer, such as an ftp session, between a CPE 48 and a base station 44 can be transmitted through a logical channel queue that has defined attributes for being latency tolerant, but requiring high reliability. Similarly, fax data may be transmitted through a logical channel queue that has defined attributes for being latency intolerant and requiring high reliability, so that ARQ or other reliability techniques are applied. As mentioned, reliability techniques such as ARQ can be provided on a per logical channel basis. Further, less conventional attributes, such as higher error correcting coding levels or even radio transmission power level margins can also be defined and implemented on a per logical channel basis. Also, other attributes such as whether and which types of header compression to apply to a flow can be defined per flow. Further, traffic shapers can be implemented and configured on a per logical channel basis. This allows, for example, voice telephony data to be transferred over link 40 as necessary, while other data types can be data rate limited according to parameters defined by the network operator. Thus, a telephony call can be conducted unimpeded while a file transfer or other large data transfer can be subject to a leaky bucket, or other traffic shaping process. As should now be apparent to those of skill in the art, the unique flexibility described above is achieved with a very low overhead impact on the transmission link capacity. Transmission of segments involves only the addition of a small header to each segment, the header identifying the sending logical channel and, in the case were segmentation of the packet has occurred, an indication of the segmentation of the packet and the location of the segment within the full packet. The present invention provides for the efficient utilization of a shared resource, such as a radio link, in a network including heterogeneous links. Data is arranged in flows and each flow can be provided with its own logical channel with its own set of QoS attributes. These attributes can include prioritization, latency restrictions, data rate requirements, reliability requirements, etc. The above-described embodiments of the invention are intended to be examples of the present invention and alterations and modifications may be effected thereto, by those of skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>One of the most ubiquitous data networks to date has been the Internet which is a packet data network employing the Internet Protocol (IP) as its network layer protocol. IP provides many advantages as a network layer protocol, including robustness and simplicity of implementation and one of its original principles is that the network layer need not know anything about the contents of the packets it transmits. In other words, to IP, a packet was a packet was a packet. Similarly, IP is intended to work independently of the physical layer of the network. In other words, IP is ignorant of whether the network it is operating over is an optical network or a wireline network, etc. More recently, much effort has been spent in creating converged networks wherein diverse types of data can be handled by a single network. For example, packet data networks are now often able to carry voice (telephony) data, “pure” data (such as data file transfers, emails, etc.), fax data, streaming video, video conferencing, etc. Many of these converged networks also employ IP as their network protocol. While IP continues to be the network layer protocol of choice for many modem networks, data from different user applications in a converged network can require different transmission characteristics to be provided for them. For example, data packets from and/or to telephony voice coders require relatively low end-to-end transmission latencies, but can accommodate relatively high error rates and/or dropped packets. In contrast, data packets from a file transfer protocol (FTP) session can accommodate relatively long latencies, but cannot well accommodate errors or dropped packets. Data packets carrying fax data using the T.38 protocol require both low latency and low error rates. The specific requirements for the acceptable transmission of the contents of a data packet are generally referred to as the required quality of service (QoS) for the data. As originally designed, IP did not contemplate providing different QoS levels for packets. To provide some measure of QoS control in IP, the fourth version of the protocol, typically referred to as IPv4, provided a Type of Service (TOS) byte in the standard IP header, as defined in IETF RFC 791 (1981) (available from www.ietf.org). The first three bits ( 0 to 2 ) of the TOS byte represent a precedence field with eight defined values (specifically, “Network Control”, “Internetwork Control”, “CRITIC/ECP”, “Flash Override”, “Flash”, “Immediate”, “Priority” and “Routine”). Apart from Router Table updates and similar networking functions, the precedence bits are not widely used in most networks today. The next four bits (bits 3 to 6 —typically referred to as the TOS bits) of the TOS byte represent flags indicating a desired type of service and the last bit (bit 7 ) is left blank. The TOS bits essentially act as flags to request from the network service levels to: minimize delay; maximize throughput; maximize reliability; or minimize monetary cost. An application can set any one of the four TOS bits as desired or, if none are set, it is assumed that normal service is desired. Suggested settings of the TOS bits for common applications were described in IETF RFC 1600 (Reynolds and Postel, 1992) and IETF RFC 1609 (Almquist, 1992). As specific examples, it is recommended in these documents that FTP control packets have the minimize delay bit set, that FTP data packets have the maximize throughput bit set and that usenet (NNTP) packets have the minimize monetary cost bit set. While TOS provides some ability to provide QoS, it is very limited. Accordingly, many other attempts have been made to provide QoS mechanisms for IP. For example, RSVP has been proposed as a mechanism for providing QoS assurance in an IP network. Essentially, RSVP reserves resources from network components to provide virtual connections through the otherwise connectionless IP network. RSVP suffers from difficulties in that it is not yet broadly supported and that, even when supported, it assumes that sufficiently large amounts of network resources (bandwidth, etc.) are available to permit some of these resources to be reserved for specific users and/or applications and it can result in inefficient use of these resources. Additional problems exist when trying to provide QoS over an IP network that is implemented on a physical layer with higher error probabilities. Specifically, IP was designed for, and assumes, a reliable physical layer, such as wired Ethernet or the like where congestion may be a problem, but where large amounts of generally reliable bandwidth are available. To date, implementing QoS-enabled IP based networks over less reliable physical layers, such as radio channels, has been difficult. Further, to date most attempts at implementing QoS for IP networks have taken an end to end approach and have not addressed networks with heterogeneous physical layers, such as networks with both wired and radio links. Different physical layers can result in much different QoS mechanisms being required. Also, in radio systems, such as that proposed by the third generation partnership project (3GPP), QoS must typically be provided at the physical layer of the system, requiring different channels to provide different QoS levels. Obviously, this can severely limit the range of QoS offerings that can be provided in a network. It is desired to have a broadly QoS-enabled IP network which can operate on a variety of physical layers, including relatively unreliable layers such as radio channels, and/or in networks with heterogeneous physical links.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus, system and method for transmitting at least two data flows over a telecommunications link structured into at least two channels, each data flow having different QoS attributes which obviates or mitigates at least one of the above-identified disadvantages of the prior art. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of transmitting at least two data flows over a telecommunications link, wherein each data flow can have a different set of quality of service attributes defined for it, comprising the steps of: (i) receiving a packet for transmission over said link; (ii) examining said packet to determine an appropriate set of quality of service attributes required for it; (iii) placing said examined packet into one of a plurality of logical channel queues, said one logical channel queue having defined therefor quality of service attributes corresponding to the determined quality of service attributes required for said packet; (iv) determining a data transmission capacity for said link and selecting one of said plurality of logical channel queues which holds data to be transmitted with the highest priority for transmission and packaging and transmitting as much data from said logical channel queue as can be packaged to fit within said determined transmission capacity of said channel; and (v) repeating steps (i) through (iii) and step (iv) as necessary. Preferably, the telecommunications link is structured into two or more channels, each of which can have different amounts of data transmission capacity and each of the logical channel queues can be assigned to one or more of the channels. In this case, the determined data transmission capacity is determined for each channel and, for each channel, one of the assigned logical channel queues is selected for transmission. Also preferably, each of the channels can be either a dedicated channel, between a pair of endpoints, or a broadcast channel between an endpoint and a plurality of other endpoints. Also preferably, for one to many endpoint configurations, a set of logical channel queues is defined at the one endpoint for transmissions to each of the many endpoints. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for the transmission of data flows from a first endpoint to one or more of a plurality of other endpoints through a link where each flow can have different quality of service attributes defined therefor, comprising: a network interface at said first endpoint to receive packets from said data flows for transmission through said link to said other endpoints; a set of logical channel queues, each of said logical channel queues in said set being operable to queue a received packet and having a set of defined quality of service attributes defined for the contents of the queue; a packet classifier to examine said received packets to determine the quality of service attributes for said packet and to place received packets into selected ones of said logical channel queues with corresponding quality of service attributes; and a link controller which determines the available data transmission capacity to said plurality of end points and which selects for transmission a portion of a packet from the logical channel queue whose contents have the highest priority, the link controller segmenting the packet as necessary to have the portion fit within the data transmission capacity of said link. Preferably, the system maintains a set of logical channel queues at the first end point for each of said plurality of other endpoints. Also preferably, the link is structured into two or more channels and the link controller selects, for each of the at least two channels, a portion of a packet from a logical channel queue for transmission to at least one of the plurality of endpoints. Also preferably, at least one of these least two channels is a dedicated channel between the first end point and one of the plurality of endpoints and another of the at least two channels is a broadcast channel from the first endpoint to at least two or more of the plurality of other endpoints. Also preferably, the link controller is operable to change the structure of each dedicated channel to alter its data transmission capacity to meet the needs of the endpoints. The present invention provides for the efficient utilization of a shared resource, such as a radio link, in a network including heterogeneous links. Data is organized in flows and each flow can be provided with its own logical channel with its own set of QoS attributes. These attributes can include prioritization, latency restrictions, data rate requirements, reliability requirements, etc. Data flows with wildly different quality of service attributes can be multiplexed onto a single link, which can have variable data transmission capacities, and the necessary differentiated quality of service for these flows can be efficiently provided. The range and/or types of attributes are not particularly limited and can include attributes such as: whether ARQ is to be provided; whether header compression is to be performed; priority, tolerance or intolerance to latency; etc.

20050118

20080219

20051110

57316.0

HO, DUC CHI

APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF DATA WITH DIFFERENT QOS ATTRIBUTES

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Secure authenticated distance measurement

The invention relates to a method for a first communication device to performing authenticated distance measurement between said first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first and the second communication device share a common secret and said common secret is used for performing the distance measurement between said first and said second communication device. The invention also relates to a method of determining whether data stored on a first communication device are to be accessed by a second communication device. Moreover, the invention relates to a communication device for performing authenticated distance measurement to a second communication device. The invention also relates to an apparatus for playing back multimedia content comprising a communication device.

1. A method for a first communication device to performing authenticated distance measurement between said first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first and the second communication device share a common secret and said common secret is used for performing the distance measurement between said first and said second communication device. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the authenticated distance measurement is performed according to the following steps, transmitting a first signal from the first communication device to the second communication device at a first time t1, said second communication device being adapted for receiving said first signal, generating a second signal by modifying the received first signal according to the common secret and transmitting the second signal to the first device, receiving the second signal at a second time t2, checking if the second signal has been modified according to the common secret, determining the distance between the first and the second communication device according to a time difference between t1 and t2. 3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the first signal is a spread spectrum signal. 4. A method according to any of the claims 2, wherein the step of checking if the second signal has been modified according to the common secret is performed by the steps of, generating a third signal by modifying the first signal according to the common secret, comparing the third signal with the received second signal. 5. A method according to any of the claims 2, wherein the first signal and the common secret are bit words and where the second signal comprises information being generated by performing an XOR between the bit words. 6. A method according to any of the claims 1, wherein the common secret has been shared before performing the distance measurement, the sharing being performed by the steps of, performing an authentication check from the first communication device on the second communication device, by checking whether said second communication device is compliant with a set of predefined compliance rules, if the second communication device is compliant, sharing said common secret by transmitting said secret to the second communication device. 7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the authentication check further comprises checking if the identification of the second device is compliant with an expected identification. 8. A method of determining whether data stored on a first communication device are to be accessed by a second communication device, the method comprising the step of performing a distance measurement between the first and the second communication device and checking whether said measured distance is within a predefined distance interval, wherein the distance measurement is an authenticated distance measurement according to claim 1. 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the data stored on the first device are sent to the second device if it is determined that the data stored on the first device are to be accessed by the second device. 10. A method of determining whether data stored on a first communication device is to be accessed by a second communication device, the method comprising the step of performing a distance measurement between a third communication device and the second communication device and checking whether said measured distance is within a predefined distance interval, wherein the distance measurement is an authenticated distance measurement according to claim 1. 11. A communication device for performing authenticated distance measurement to a second communication device, where the communication device shares a common secret with the second communication device and where the communication device comprises means for measuring the distance to the second device using said common secret. 12. A communication device according to claim 11, wherein the device comprises, means for transmitting a first signal to a second communication device at a first time t1, said second communication device being adapted for receiving said first signal, generating a second signal by modifying the received first signal according to the common secret and transmitting the second signal, means for receiving the second signal at a second time t2, means for checking if the second signal has been modified according to the common secret, means for determining the distance between the first and the second communication device according to a time difference between t1 and t2. 13. An apparatus for playing back multimedia content comprising a communication device according to claim 11.

The invention relates to a method for a first communication device to performing authenticated distance measurement between a first communication device and a second communication device. The invention also relates to a method of determining whether data stored on a first communication device is to be accessed by a second communication device. Moreover, the invention relates to a communication device for performing authenticated distance measurement to a second communication device. The invention also relates to an apparatus for playing back multimedia content comprising a communication device. Digital media have become popular carriers for various types of data information. Computer software and audio information, for instance, are widely available on optical compact disks (CDs) and recently also DVD has gained in distribution share. The CD and the DVD utilize a common standard for the digital recording of data, software, images, and audio. Additional media, such as recordable discs, solid-state memory, and the like, are making considerable gains in the software and data distribution market. The substantially superior quality of the digital format as compared to the analog format renders the former substantially more prone to unauthorized copying and pirating, further a digital format is both easier and faster to copy. Copying of a digital data stream, whether compressed, uncompressed, encrypted or non-encrypted, typically does not lead to any appreciable loss of quality in the data. Digital copying thus is essentially unlimited in terms of multi-generation copying. Analog data with its signal to noise ratio loss with every sequential copy, on the other hand, is naturally limited in terms of multi-generation and mass copying. The advent of the recent popularity in the digital format has also brought about a slew of copy protection and DRM systems and methods. These systems and methods use technologies such as encryption, watermarking and right descriptions (e.g. rules for accessing and copying data). One way of protecting content in the form of digital data is to ensure that content will only be transferred between devices if the receiving device has been authenticated as being a compliant device, if the user of the content has the right to transfer (move, copy) that content to another device. If transfer of content is allowed, this will typically be performed in an encrypted way to make sure that the content cannot be captured illegally in a useful format. Technology to perform device authentication and encrypted content transfer is available and is called a secure authenticated channel (SAC). Although it might be allowed to make copies of content over a SAC, the content industry is very bullish on content distribution over the Internet. This results in disagreement of the content industry on transferring content over interfaces that match well with the Internet, e.g. Ethernet. Further, it should be possible for a user visiting his neighbour to watch a movie, which he owns, on the neighbour's big television screen. Typically, the content owner will disallow this, but it might become acceptable if it can be proved that a license holder of that movie (or a device that the license holder owns) is near that television screen. It is therefore of interest to be able to include an authenticated distance measurement when deciding whether content should be accessed or copied by other devices. In the article by Stefan Brands and David Chaum, “Distance-Bounding protocols”, Eurocrypt '93 (1993), Pages 344-359, integration of distance-bounding protocols with public-key identification schemes is described. Here distance measurement is described based on time measurement using challenge and response bits and with the use of a commitment protocol. This does not allow authenticated device compliancy testing and is not efficient when two devices must also authenticate each other. It is an object of the invention to obtain a solution to the problem of performing a secure transfer of content within a limited distance. This is obtained by a method for a first communication device to performing authenticated distance measurement between said first communication device and a second communication device, wherein the first and the second communication device share a common secret and said common secret is used for performing the distance measurement between said first and said second communication device. Because the common secret is being used for performing the distance measurement, it can be ensured that when measuring the distance from the first communication device to the second communication device, it is the distance between the right devices that is being measured. The method combines a distance measurement protocol with an authentication protocol. This enables authenticated device compliancy testing and is efficient, because a secure channel is anyhow needed to enable secure communication between devices and a device can first be tested on compliancy before a distance measurement is executed. In a specific embodiment, the authenticated distance measurement is performed according to the following steps, transmitting a first signal from the first communication device to the second communication device at a first time t1, said second communication device being adapted for receiving said first signal, generating a second signal by modifying the received first signal according to the common secret and transmitting the second signal to the first device, receiving the second signal at a second time t2, checking if the second signal has been modified according to the common secret, determining the distance between the first and the second communication device according to a time difference between t1 and t2. When measuring a distance by measuring the time difference between transmitting and receiving a signal and using a secret, shared between the first and the second communication device, for determining whether the returned signal really originated from the second communication device, the distance is measured in a secure authenticated way ensuring that the distance will not be measured to a third communication device (not knowing the secret). Using the shared secret for modifying the signal is a simple way to perform a secure authenticated distance measurement. In a specific embodiment the first signal is a spread spectrum signal. Thereby a high resolution is obtained and it is possible to cope with bad transmission conditions (e.g. wireless environments with a lot of reflections). In another embodiment the step of checking if the second signal has been modified according to the common secret is performed by the steps of, generating a third signal by modifying the first signal according to the common secret, comparing the third signal with the received second signal. This method is an easy and simple way of performing the check, but it requires that both the first communication device and the second communication device know how the first signal is being modified using the common secret. In a specific embodiment the first signal and the common secret are bit words and the second signal comprises information being generated by performing an XOR between the bit words. Thereby, it is a very simple operation that has to be performed, resulting in demand for few resources by both the first and the second communication device when performing the operation. In an embodiment the common secret has been shared before performing the distance measurement, the sharing being performed by the steps of, performing an authentication check from the first communication device on the second communication device by checking whether said second communication device is compliant with a set of predefined compliance rules, if the second communication device is compliant, sharing said common secret by transmitting said secret to the second communication device. This is a secure way of performing the sharing of the secret, ensuring that only devices being compliant with compliance rules can receive the secret. Further, the shared secret can afterwards be used for generating a SAC channel between the two devices. The secret could be shared using e.g. key transport mechanisms as described in ISO 11770-3. Alternatively, a key agreement protocol could be used, which e.g. is also described in ISO 11770-3. In another embodiment the authentication check further comprises checking if the identification of the second device is compliant with an expected identification. Thereby, it is ensured that the second device really is the device that it should be. The identity could be obtained by checking a certificate stored in the second device. The invention also relates to a method of determining whether data stored on a first communication device are to be accessed by a second communication device, the method comprising the step of performing a distance measurement between the first and the second communication device and checking whether said measured distance is within a predefined distance interval, wherein the distance measurement is an authenticated distance measurement according to the above. By using the authenticated distance measurement in connection with sharing data between devices, unauthorised distribution of content can be reduced. In a specific embodiment the data stored on the first device is sent to the second device if it is determined that the data stored on the first device are to be accessed by the second device. The invention also relates to a method of determining whether data stored on a first communication device are to be accessed by a second communication device, the method comprising the step of performing a distance measurement between a third communication device and the second communication device and checking whether said measured distance is within a predefined distance interval, wherein the distance measurement is an authenticated distance measurement according to the above. In this embodiment, the distance is not measured between the first communication device, on which the data are stored, and the second communication device. Instead, the distance is measured between a third communication device and the second communication device, where the third communication device could be personal to the owner of the content. The invention also relates to a communication device for performing authenticated distance measurement to a second communication device, where the communication device shares a common secret with the second communication device and where the communication device comprises means for measuring the distance to the second device using said common secret. In an embodiment the device comprises, means for transmitting a first signal to a second communication device at a first time t1, said second communication device being adapted for receiving said first signal, generating a second signal by modifying the received first signal according to the common secret and transmitting the second signal, means for receiving the second signal at a second time t2, means for checking if the second signal has been modified according to the common secret, means for determining the distance between the first and the second communication device according to a time difference between t1 and t2. The invention also relates to an apparatus for playing back multimedia content comprising a communication device according to the above. In the following preferred embodiments of the invention will be described referring to the figures, wherein FIG. 1 illustrates authenticated distance measurement being used for content protection, FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the method of performing authenticated distance measurement, FIG. 3 illustrates in further detail the step of performing the authenticated distance measurement shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 4 illustrates a communication device for performing authenticated distance measurement. FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment where authenticated distance measurement is being used for content protection. In the centre of the circle 101 a computer 103 is placed. The computer comprises content, such as multimedia content being video or audio, stored on e.g. a hard disk, DVD or a CD. The owner of the computer owns the content and therefore the computer is authorised to access and present the multimedia content for the user. When the user wants to make a legal copy of the content to another device via e.g. a SAC, the distance between the other device and the computer 103 is measured and only devices within a predefined distance illustrated by the devices 105, 107, 109, 111, 113 inside the circle 101 are allowed to receive the content. Whereas the devices 115, 117, 119 having a distance to the computer 101 being larger than the predefined distance are not allowed to receive the content. In the example a device is a computer, but it could e.g. also be a DVD drive, a CD drive or a Video, as long as the device comprises a communication device for performing the distance measurement. In a specific example the distance might not have to be measured between the computer, on which the data are stored, and the other device, it could also be a third device e.g. a device being personal to the owner of the content which is within the predefined distance. In FIG. 2 a flow diagram illustrates the general idea of performing authenticated distance measurement between two devices, 201 and 203 each comprising communication devices for performing the authenticated distance measurement. In the example the first device 201 comprises content which the second device 203 has requested. The authenticated distance measurement then is as follows. In 205 the first device 201 authenticates the second device 203; this could comprise the steps of checking whether the second device 203 is a compliant device and might also comprise the step of checking whether the second device 203 really is the device identified to the first device 201. Then in 207, the first device 201 exchanges a secret with the second device 203, which e.g. could be performed by transmitting a random generated bit word to 203. The secret should be shared securely, e.g. according to some key management protocol as described in e.g. ISO 11770. Then in 209, a signal for distance measurement is transmitted to the second device 203; the second device modifies the received signal according to the secret and retransmits the modified signal back to the first device. The first device 201 measures the round trip time between the signal leaving and the signal returning and checks if the returned signal was modified according to the exchanged secret. The modification of the returned signal according to some secret will most likely be dependent on the transmission system and the signal used for distance measurement, i.e. it will be specific for each communication system (such as 1394, Ethernet, Bluetooth, ieee 802.11, etc.). The signal used for the distance measurement may be a normal data bit signal, but also special signals other than for data communication may be used. In an embodiment spread spectrum signals are used to be able to get high resolution and to be able to cope with bad transmission conditions (e.g. wireless environments with a lot of reflections). In a specific example a direct sequence spread spectrum signal is used for distance measurement; this signal could be modified by XORing the chips (e.g. spreading code consisting of 127 chips) of the direct sequence code by the bits of the secret (e.g. secret consists also of 127 bits). Also, other mathematical operations as XOR could be used. The authentication 205 and exchange of secret 207 could be performed using the protocols described in some known ISO standards ISO 9798 and ISO 11770. For example the first device 201 could authenticate the second device 203 according to the following communication scenario: First device→Second device: RB∥Text 1 where RB is a random number Second device→First device: CertA∥TokenAB Where CertA is a certificate of A TokenAB=RA∥RB∥B∥Text3∥sSA(RA∥RB∥B∥Text2) RA is a random number Indentifier B is an option sSA is a signature set by A using private key SA If TokenAB is replaced with the token as specified in ISO 11770-3 we at the same time can do secret key exchange. We can use this by substituting Text2 by: Text2:=ePB(A∥K∥Text2)∥Text3 Where ePB is encrypted with Public key B A is identifier of A K is a secret to be exchanged In this case the second device 203 determines the key (i.e. has key control), this is also called a key transport protocol, but also a key agreement protocol could be used. This may be undesirable in which case it can be reversed, such that the first device determines the key. A secret key has now been exchanged according to 207 in FIG. 2. Again, the secret key could be exchanged by e.g. a key transport protocol or a key agreement protocol. After the distance has been measured in a secure authenticated way as described above content, data can be send between the first and the second device in 211. FIG. 3 illustrates in further detail the step of performing the authenticated distance measurement. As described above the first device 301 and the second device 303 have exchanged a secret; the secret is stored in the memory 305 of the first device and the memory 307 of the second device. In order to perform the distance measurement, a signal is transmitted to the second device via a transmitter 309. The second device receives the signal via a receiver 311 and 313 modifies the signal by using the locally stored secret. The signal is modified according to rules known by the first device 301 and transmitted back to the first device 301 via a transmitter 315. The first device 301 receives the modified signal via a receiver 317 and in 319 the received modified signal is compared to a signal, which has been modified locally. The local modification is performed in 321 by using the signal transmitted to the second device in 309 and then modifying the signal using the locally stored secret similar to the modification rules used by the second device. If the received modified signal and the locally modified signal are identical, then the received signal is authenticated and can be used for determining the distance between the first and the second device. If the two signals are not identical, then the received signal cannot be authenticated and can therefore not be used for measuring the distance as illustrated by 325. In 323 the distance is calculated between the first and the second device; this could e.g. be performed by measuring the time, when the signal is transmitted by the transmitter 309 from the first device to the second device and measuring when the receiver 317 receives the signal from the second device. The time difference between transmittal time and receive time can then be used for determining the physical distance between the first device and the second device. In FIG. 4 a communication device for performing authenticated distance measurement is illustrated. The device 401 comprises a receiver 403 and a transmitter 411. The device further comprises means for performing the steps described above, which could be by executing software using a microprocessor 413 connected to memory 417 via a communication bus. The communication device could then be placed inside devices such as a DVD, a computer, a CD, a CD recorder, a television and other devices for accessing protected content.

20050121

20141111

20051208

63792.0

SCHWARTZ, DARREN B

SECURE AUTHENTICATED DISTANCE MEASUREMENT

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Optical element with periodic structure

An optical element comprising a periodic structure in which refractive index is distributed periodicly and a deforming portion which mechanically deforms by external action, wherein the deforming portion is integrally arranged with the periodic structure along the periodic direction of the periodic structure, and is so constructed as to change the periodicity of the periodic structure by deforming in the periodic direction of the periodic structure. A periodicity of the periodic structure (photonic band structure) in which the refractive index changes periodically can be controlled with a simple configuration.

1. An optical element for reflecting or transmitting an incident light, said optical element comprising a periodic structure in which refractive index is distributed periodicly and a deforming portion which deforms by external action, wherein said deforming portion is integrally arranged with said periodic structure along the periodic direction of said periodic structure, and is so constructed as to change the periodicity of said periodic structure by deforming in the periodic direction of said periodic structure. 2. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein said change in the periodicity is that in any one of the period, phase, duty and orientation of said periodic structure or in the combination thereof. 3. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein said deforming portion is positioned outside a path of reflecting or transmitting light of said optical element. 4. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein said deforming portion includes a member integrally joined to said periodic structure, and said member deforms in the direction parallel to the joining plane of said member with said periodic structure. 5. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein said deforming portion includes a member for supporting said periodic structure, and said member deforms in the direction parallel to the plane of said member supporting said periodic structure. 6. The optical element according to claim 5, wherein said member supporting the periodic structure is the same as a member constituting said periodic structure. 7. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein said deforming portion elongates and contracts in at least one direction. 8. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein said deforming portion causes shear deformation in at least one direction. 9. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein said deforming portion is constituted of a piezoelectric element. 10. The optical element according to claim 9, wherein said deforming portion includes a pair of electrodes, and said pair of electrodes are so arranged as to provide said deforming portion with an electric field substantially parallel to the periodic direction of said periodic structure. 11. The optical element according to claim 9, wherein said deforming portion includes a pair of electrodes, and said pair of electrodes are so arranged as to provide said deforming portion with an electric field substantially perpendicular to the periodic direction of said periodic structure. 12. The optical element according to claim 1, wherein said periodic structure is of a multi-dimensional photonic crystal. 13. The optical element according to claim 12, wherein said periodic structure is of a two-dimensional photonic crystal, and is composed of a portion having a two-dimensional periodicity and a support portion for supporting the portion having the two-dimensional periodicity. 14. The optical element according to claim 12, wherein said periodic structure is of a two-dimensional photonic crystal, and is composed solely of a portion having a two-dimensional periodicity. 15. A mirror comprising the optical element according to claim 1, and means for switching reflective and transmissive properties of said periodic structure alternatively by providing said deforming portion of said optical element with external force. 16. The optical deflector comprising the optical element according to claim 1, and means for changing a light-propagating direction of said periodic structure by providing said deforming portion of said optical element with periodic external force. 17. A control method for an optical element having a periodic structure in which refractive index is distributed periodicly, comprising the steps of arranging a deforming portion which deforms by external action integrally with said periodic structure along the periodic direction of said periodic structure, and changing the periodicity of said periodic structure by causing deformation in the periodic direction of said periodic structure.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an optical element having a periodic structure, and more particularly to a method for controlling the periodicity of a multi-dimensional periodic structure showing a periodic change in refractive index and an optical element comprising means which controls the periodicity of such periodic structure. BACKGROUND ART Recently, a new artificial crystal called “phototonic crystal”, in which materials of different refractive indexes are arranged periodicly with a pitch equivalent to wavelength, is proposed and is attracting attention (E. Yablonovitch, Phys. Rev. Lett., 58(1987) 2059-2062). Active researches and developments are being made on such artificial crystal for an application as an optical element, since it has an optical inhibition band (photonic band gap) resulting from the so-called photonic band structure similar to a band structure in a semiconductor, and it also has a specific effect resulting from an apparent abnormality in the refractive index (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-066002). Because of such background, a technology for precisely controlling the periodicity of the artificial crystal is becoming important for controlling the photonic band structure. In such technical field, there has been proposed a method of positioning actuators around a fiber diffraction grating and extending or contracting such actuators to apply a tension to the fiber thereby controlling the distribution of refractive index within the fiber (cf. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-253829). Also there has been proposed a method of introducing a substance of which the refractive index or the transmittance is externally controllable (for example a piezoelectric element) into the crystal, and causing elongation or contraction in such substance or a change of the characteristics thereof, thereby disturbing the periodicity of the crystal (cf. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-091911). Also there has been proposed a method of applying an external pressure to the photonic crystal thereby controlling the pitch of a lattice (cf. WO 02/27384). However, these prior technologies are associated with the following drawbacks. The method of extending or contracting the optical fiber changes a one-dimensional periodic structure arranged in the incident direction of light, and requires a member for generating an extending-contracting force, such as a piezoelectric element, and also a transmission member for transmitting such force to the fiber, and control accuracy of the lattice pitch is influenced by the material, arrangement, connection state etc. of such transmission member. Also the aforementioned apparent abnormality in the refractive index appears in a periodic structure of two or more dimensions, and the apparatus becomes more complex in order to apply forces in two or more directions through the transmission member. Also the method of incorporating means for disturbing the crystal structure within the photonic crystal is associated with drawbacks that the manufacture is complex, requiring a large number of process steps and that the usable material is considerably limited. Also in the method of applying an external pressure to the photonic crystal for varying the crystal structure thereof, it is necessary, as shown in FIG. 8, to support a photonic crystal 602 and a piezoelectric element 603 with a support member 601 in surrounding manner. Consequently the apparatus becomes bulky. Therefore, the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a periodic structure, capable of solving the aforementioned drawbacks and enabling to control a periodic structure which shows a periodic change in the refractive index (photonic band structure) with a simple configuration, and an optical element having periodic structure control means. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is constructed as follows. Firstly, an optical element of the present invention includes a periodic structure in which refractive index is distributed periodicly, and a deforming portion which is mechanically deformed by action from the exterior, and is characterized in that such deforming portion is integrally arranged with the periodic structure along a direction of periodicity of the periodic structure in such a manner as to change the periodicity of the periodic structure by deformation in the direction of periodicity of the periodic structure. Such change in the periodicity is a change in the period, phase, duty, orientation or combination thereof. The optical element of the present invention has a property of reflecting an incident light having a wavelength within a predetermined range and transmitting the other light. A light inside the optical element propagates in the region of periodicity of the aforementioned periodic structure. The aforementioned deforming portion is preferably positioned outside such light propagating region so as not to intercept the light propagation. The deforming portion is preferably a member integrally adjoined to the periodic structure or is formed by the same member as the periodic structure, and supports the periodic structure and deforms in the direction parallel to the joint interface or boundary plane with the periodic structure. The optical element of the present invention causes mechanical deformation in the deforming portion by an electrical, mechanical or other external force, and is applicable, utilizing a resulting change in the aforementioned optical property, to a mirror having a variable reflecting direction or a light deflector causing a change of the angle of a light exit direction with respect to a light incident direction. Also a control method for an optical element of the present invention is a method for controlling an optical element including a periodic structure in which the refractive index is distributed periodicly, characterized by arranging a deforming portion, which is mechanically deformed by action from the exterior, integrally with the periodic structure along the direction of periodicity of the periodic structure, and causing deformation in the direction of periodicity of the periodic structure, thereby changing the periodicity of the periodic structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view explaining an optical element in a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view explaining an optical element in a second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3A and 3B are views explaining an optical element in an example 1 of the present invention. FIGS. 4A and 4B are views explaining another configuration of the optical element in the example 1 of the present invention. FIGS. 5A and 5B are views explaining an optical element in an example 2 of the present invention. FIGS. 6A and 6B are views explaining another configuration of the optical element in the example 2 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of configuration of a mirror utilizing an optical element embodying the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view showing a prior example. FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D and 9E are views showing examples of deformation of the optical element of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following explanation of the drawings, including that of examples, the same components are indicated by the same symbol. FIG. 1 is a view showing an element configuration of an optical element, for explaining a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the optical element of the present embodiment is constituted of a photonic crystal (hereinafter represented as PC) 101, and a substrate 102. The PC 101 has a multi-dimensional periodic structure showing a periodic change of the refractive index. A crystal structure having such multi-dimensional periodic structure is not particularly restricted as long as there is formed a photonic band structure capable of suppressing light propagation. The PC 101 can be prepared by an already reported and known method, such as a lithographic technology, an etching technology, a self-forming method such as an opal method, or a micromachining technology, and the method of preparation is not particularly limited. The substrate 102 is constituted of a substance which changes its shape by externally applied energy. After the preparation of the PC 101, the PC 101 is closely adhered to the substrate 102 thereby obtaining the optical element. As explained in the foregoing, the optical element of the present embodiment is constituted in a state where the PC 101 is integrated on the substrate 102. Therefore, when the substrate 102 causes deformation (mechanical deformation) by externally applied energy, the PC 101 correspondingly deforms in shape integrally with the substrate 102. Thus the substrate constitutes a deforming portion for mechanically deforming the periodic structure, and deformation in the substrate itself integrally changes the periodicity of the periodic structure. Such deformation in the shape of the PC 101 integral with the mechanical deformation of the substrate allows to change the lattice shape or lattice pitch in the crystal structure (multi-dimensional periodic structure). Such change in the lattice shape or in the lattice pitch includes not only a change in the pitch, or the period itself, of the lattice but also a case of deforming the shape of individual lattices. The change in the lattice shape includes the change of the phase of the periodic structure and the change in distribution of refractive index within a period, namely the duty. It is also possible, the will be explained in the following, to change the orientation of the lattice by giving shear deformation thereto. A light entering one end of the PC 101 is reflected in case the frequency is within the inhibition band, but proceeds along the periodic structure in case the frequency is outside the inhibition band. In the absence of an anomaly in the refractive index, the light is emitted from the other end of the PC, while in the presence of an anomaly in the refractive index, the proceeding direction is changed but the light path remains within a plane of the same periodic structure. In either cases, the deforming portion (substrate 102), being positioned outside the plane of the two-dimensional periodic structure, does not hinder the light path. Therefore, it need not be formed of a transparent member, and also in case it is constituted of a piezoelectric member, an electrode material need not be transparent. Since the frequency of the light corresponding to the photonic band structure can be determined from the lattice shape and the lattice pitch mentioned above, such change in the shape of the PC 101 allows to change the lattice shape or the lattice pitch thereby controlling the frequency characteristics. FIGS. 9A to 9E show examples of the deformation in the periodic structure of the PC 101 in the present embodiment. FIGS. 9A to 9E are plan views of the optical element shown in FIG. 1, showing a two-dimensional periodic structure within a plane, in which the refractive index within circular cylinders arranged in a tetragonal lattice is different from that in the surrounding area. It is assumed that the light enters the PC 101 from the left-hand side of the drawing. FIG. 9A shows a state without deformation; FIG. 9B shows a state elongated in the x-direction; FIG. 9C shows a state contracted in the y-direction; FIG. 9D shows a state with a shear deformation in the x-direction; and FIG. 9E shows a state with a shear deformation in the y-direction. In FIGS. 9B and 9C, the lattice pitch or the period is changed respectively in the x-direction and in the y-direction, and in FIGS. 9D and 9E, the lattice shape changes from the tetragonal lattice to the orthorhombic lattice. At the same time, the cross section of the cylinders changes to an oval shape, whereby change occurs not only in the lattice pitch and the lattice shape but also in the refractive index distribution within a period (namely duty). Such changes in the periodicity changes the photonic band structure, thereby causing variations in the optical characteristics such as reflection and refraction for the incident light and in the frequency characteristics thereof. In the photonic crystal of the present invention, the change in the periodicity may appear singly in each of the lattice pitch, the lattice shape and the refractive index distribution or in combination. Thus, the optical element of the present embodiment can control the lattice shape or the lattice pitch of the crystal by action from the exterior, more specifically energy such as a mechanical force or an electric field applied from the exterior, whereby an element having a desired photonic band structure can be provided with a simple configuration. Since the present embodiment can be realized with a simple element configuration in which an existing photonic crystal is fixed on a substrate deformable by an externally applied energy, there can be obtained a compact apparatus configuration. Also there is a large freedom in selection of the shape and the material of the photonic crystal, the photonic band structure can be regulated with a compact configuration. Further, since in such regulating operation the substrate itself is moved by the externally applied energy, it is possible to increase the response speed of the element. In the following there will be explained a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing an element configuration of an optical element for explaining a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical element of the present embodiment is constituted of a photonic crystal portion (hereinafter represented as PC portion) 201 and a support portion 202. The PC 201 has a multi-dimensional periodic structure showing a periodic change of refractive index. A crystal structure having such multi-dimensional periodic structure is not particularly restricted as long as there is formed a photonic band structure capable of suppressing light propagation. The PC portion 201 is incorporated in a material showing deformation in shape by externally applied energy. The PC portion 201 can be prepared by an already reported and known method, such as a lithographic technology or an etching technology, and the method of preparation is not particularly limited. Such preparation technology is utilized to process a part of the aforementioned material showing a deformation in shape by the externally applied energy. A non-processed portion is used as a support portion 202, thereby obtaining an optical element integrated with the PC portion 201. As explained in the foregoing, the optical element of the present embodiment is constituted in a state where the PC portion 201 and the support portion 202 are integrated. Therefore, when the support portion 202 causes deformation by externally applied energy, the PC portion 201 correspondingly deforms in shape. In this case, as in the first embodiment of the present inventin, the deformation takes place in the direction parallel to the interfacial plane with the PC portion. As explained in the first embodiment, since the frequency of the light corresponding to a photonic band structure can be determined from the lattice shape and the lattice pitch mentioned above, such change in the shape of the PC portion 201 allows to change the lattice shape or the lattice pitch thereby controlling the frequency characteristics. Thus, the optical element of the present embodiment can control the lattice shape or the lattice pitch of the crystal by energy applied from the exterior, whereby an element having a desired photonic band structure can be provided with a simple configuration. In the present embodiment, as a portion showing a periodic change of the refractive index is integrally prepared on a support portion for supporting the portion showing the periodic change of the refractive index, there can be obtained a compact apparatus configuration. Also regulation of the photonic band structure is rendered possible with a compact configuration. Furthermore, this optical element can be prepared inexpensively since it is prepared with the same material. Further, since in such regulating operation the optical element itself is moved by the externally applied energy, it is possible to increase the response speed of the element. According to the present invention, there can be realized a periodic structure controlling method allowing to control a periodic structure showing a periodic change of the refractive index (photonic band structure) with a simple configuration, and an optical element having periodic structure control means. In the following there will be explained examples of the present invention. EXAMPLE 1 In an example 1, there will be explained an example of a configuration in which an optical element of the present example is applied to a mirror. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a configuration of a mirror in which the optical element of the present example is applied. In FIG. 7, there are shown a PC 101, a substrate 102 and a driver 501. FIGS. 3A and 3B show a specific configuration of the PC 101 of the present example, employing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. As a constituent material, there is utilized PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) having a refractive index of 1.49. As shown in FIG. 3A, the PC 101 is formed, by the EB lithography, in a two-dimensional rod-shaped crystal having a honeycomb structure. However, the crystal structure is not limited to such structure. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view along the line 3B-3B in FIG. 3A. As illustrated in these figures, the PC 101 is constituted of a rod portion showing a periodic change in the refractive index, and a support portion for the rods. In the present example, the support portion is made sufficiently thin, in order that the range of the deformation of the PC 101 is concentrated in the support portion, thereby causing an efficient change in the lattice pitch of the rod portion. In the present example, a piezoelectric element is employed as the substrate 102. After the PC 101 is formed with the above-explained method, the substrate 102 and the PC 101 are adhered to obtain an optical element. The substrate 102, in response to a voltage signal entered from the driver 501, elongates or contracts in the direction of the junction plane between the PC 101 and the substrate 102. The PC 101, being closely adhered to the substrate 102, can change the shape integrally with the elongation or contraction of the substrate 102. In such configuration, in a state where a light was entered from the direction parallel to the junction plane of the PC 101 and the substrate 102, the driver 501 was used to cause an elongating-contracting motion of the substrate 102 in a direction of the junction plane with the PC 101 for regulating the photonic band structure so as to suppress the wavelength of the incident light, it could be confirmed that the incident light was reflected efficiently. EXAMPLE 2 In an example 2, there will be explained an example of a configuration in which an optical element of the present example is applied to a mirror. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a configuration of a mirror in which the optical element of the present example is applied. In FIG. 7, there are shown a PC 101, a substrate 102 and a driver 501. FIGS. 4A and 4B show a specific configuration of the PC 101 of the present example, employing the configuration of the first embodiment of the present invention. As a constituent material, there is utilized PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) having a refractive index of 1.49. As shown in FIG. 4A, the PC 101 is formed, by the EB lithography, in a two-dimensional rod-shaped crystal having a honeycomb structure. However, the crystal structure is not limited to such structure. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view along the line 4B-4B in FIG. 4A. As illustrated in these figures, the PC 101 is constituted of rod portions, showing a periodic change in the refractive index, present in an isolated manner on the substrate 102. In the present example, a piezoelectric element is employed as the substrate 102. In the present example, after a PMMA film coat was applied on the substrate 102, the above-explained method was used to obtain an optical element in which the substrate 102 and the PC 101 are adhered. The substrate 102, in response to a voltage signal entered from the driver 501, elongates or contracts in the direction of the junction plane between the PC 101 and the substrate 102. The PC 101, being closely adhered to the substrate 102, can change the shape integrally with the elongation or contraction of the substrate 102. In such configuration, in a state where a light was entered from the direction parallel to the junction plane of the PC 101 and the substrate 102, the driver 501 was used to cause an elongating-contracting motion of the substrate 102 in the direction of the junction plane with the PC 101 for regulating the photonic band structure so as to suppress the wavelength of the incident light, it could be confirmed that the incident light was reflected efficiently. EXAMPLE 3 In an example 3, there will be explained an example of a configuration in which an optical element of the present example is applied to a mirror. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a configuration of a mirror in which the optical element of the present example is applied. In FIG. 7, there are shown a PC 101, a substrate 102 and a driver 501. FIGS. 5A and 5B show a specific configuration of the PC 201 of the present example, employing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. The present example is so constructed as to provide the deforming portion, namely the support portion 202, with an electric field substantially parallel to the periodic direction of the periodic structure of the PC 201. The present example employs, as the PC portion 201 and the support portion 202, a piezoelectric element (PLZT, refractive index 2.5). As shown in FIG. 5A, the PC portion 201 is formed, by the EB lithography, in a two-dimensional rod-shaped crystal having a honeycomb structure. However, the crystal structure is not limited to such structure. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view along the line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A. As illustrated in these figures, it is constituted of the PC portion 201 of a rod shape, showing a periodic change in the refractive index, and the support portion 202. In the optical element of the present example, electrodes 301, 302 are further prepared, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, on the left and right ends of the support portion 202, with respect to the boundary plane of the PC portion 201 and the support portion 202. Since the support portion 202 is formed of a piezoelectric element, an application of voltage to the electrodes 301 and 302 allows to cause deformation in the support portion 202. In the present example, in response to a voltage signal entered from the driver 501, the support portion 202 elongates and contracts in the direction of the boundary plane of the PC portion 201 and the support portion 202. The PC portion 201, being integral with the support portion 202, can change the shape with the elongation or contraction of the support portion 202. In such configuration, in a state where a light was entered from the direction parallel to the junction plane of the PC portion 201 and the support portion 202, the driver 501 was used to cause an elongating-contracting motion of the support portion 202 in the direction of the junction plane with the PC portion 201 for regulating the photonic band structure so as to suppress the wavelength of the incident light, it could be confirmed that the incident light was reflected efficiently. EXAMPLE 4 In an example 4, there will be explained an example of a configuration in which an optical element of the present example is applied to a mirror. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of a configuration of a mirror in which the optical element of the present example is applied. In FIG. 7, there are shown a PC 101, a substrate 102 and a driver 501. FIGS. 6A and 6B show a specific configuration of the PC 201 of the present example, employing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. The present example is so constructed as to provide the support portion 202 with an electric field substantially perpendicular to the periodic direction of the periodic structure of the PC 201. The present example employs, as the PC portion 201 and the support portion 202, a piezoelectric element (PLZT, refractive index 2.5). As shown in FIG. 6A, the PC portion 201 is formed, by an EB lithography, in a two-dimensional rod-shaped crystal having a honeycomb structure. However, the crystal structure is not limited to such structure. FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view along the line 6B-6B in FIG. 6A. As illustrated in these figures, it is constituted of the PC portion 201 of a rod shape, showing a periodic change in the refractive index, and the support portion 202. In the optical element of the present example, electrodes 401, 402 are further prepared, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, on the upper and lower ends of the support portion 202, with respect to the boundary plane of the PC portion 201 and the support portion 202. The electrodes are prepared by a sol-gel method. Since the support portion 202 is formed of a piezoelectric element, an application of voltage to the electrodes 401, 402 allows to cause deformation in the support portion 202. In the present example, in response to a voltage signal entered from the driver 501, the support portion 202 elongates and contracts in the direction of the boundary plane of the PC portion 201 and the support portion 202. The PC portion 201, being integral with the support portion 202, can change the shape with the elongation or contraction of the support portion 202. In such configuration, in a state where a light was entered from the direction parallel to the junction plane of the PC portion 201 and the support portion 202, the driver 501 was used to cause an elongating-contracting motion of the support portion 202 in the direction of the junction plane with the PC portion 201 for regulating the photonic band structure so as to suppress the wavelength of the incident light, it could be confirmed that the incident light was reflected efficiently.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Recently, a new artificial crystal called “phototonic crystal”, in which materials of different refractive indexes are arranged periodicly with a pitch equivalent to wavelength, is proposed and is attracting attention (E. Yablonovitch, Phys. Rev. Lett., 58(1987) 2059-2062). Active researches and developments are being made on such artificial crystal for an application as an optical element, since it has an optical inhibition band (photonic band gap) resulting from the so-called photonic band structure similar to a band structure in a semiconductor, and it also has a specific effect resulting from an apparent abnormality in the refractive index (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-066002). Because of such background, a technology for precisely controlling the periodicity of the artificial crystal is becoming important for controlling the photonic band structure. In such technical field, there has been proposed a method of positioning actuators around a fiber diffraction grating and extending or contracting such actuators to apply a tension to the fiber thereby controlling the distribution of refractive index within the fiber (cf. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-253829). Also there has been proposed a method of introducing a substance of which the refractive index or the transmittance is externally controllable (for example a piezoelectric element) into the crystal, and causing elongation or contraction in such substance or a change of the characteristics thereof, thereby disturbing the periodicity of the crystal (cf. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-091911). Also there has been proposed a method of applying an external pressure to the photonic crystal thereby controlling the pitch of a lattice (cf. WO 02/27384). However, these prior technologies are associated with the following drawbacks. The method of extending or contracting the optical fiber changes a one-dimensional periodic structure arranged in the incident direction of light, and requires a member for generating an extending-contracting force, such as a piezoelectric element, and also a transmission member for transmitting such force to the fiber, and control accuracy of the lattice pitch is influenced by the material, arrangement, connection state etc. of such transmission member. Also the aforementioned apparent abnormality in the refractive index appears in a periodic structure of two or more dimensions, and the apparatus becomes more complex in order to apply forces in two or more directions through the transmission member. Also the method of incorporating means for disturbing the crystal structure within the photonic crystal is associated with drawbacks that the manufacture is complex, requiring a large number of process steps and that the usable material is considerably limited. Also in the method of applying an external pressure to the photonic crystal for varying the crystal structure thereof, it is necessary, as shown in FIG. 8 , to support a photonic crystal 602 and a piezoelectric element 603 with a support member 601 in surrounding manner. Consequently the apparatus becomes bulky. Therefore, the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a periodic structure, capable of solving the aforementioned drawbacks and enabling to control a periodic structure which shows a periodic change in the refractive index (photonic band structure) with a simple configuration, and an optical element having periodic structure control means.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a view explaining an optical element in a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view explaining an optical element in a second embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3A and 3B are views explaining an optical element in an example 1 of the present invention. FIGS. 4A and 4B are views explaining another configuration of the optical element in the example 1 of the present invention. FIGS. 5A and 5B are views explaining an optical element in an example 2 of the present invention. FIGS. 6A and 6B are views explaining another configuration of the optical element in the example 2 of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a view showing an example of configuration of a mirror utilizing an optical element embodying the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view showing a prior example. FIGS. 9A, 9B , 9 C, 9 D and 9 E are views showing examples of deformation of the optical element of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050124

20060627

20051103

66801.0

BLEVINS, JERRY M

OPTICAL ELEMENT WITH PERIODIC STRUCTURE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Method for producing by vapour-phase epitaxy a gallium nitride film with low defect density

The invention concerns a method for preparing gallium nitride films by vapour-phase epitaxy with low defect densities. The invention concerns a method for producing a gallium nitride (GaN) film from a substrate by vapour-phase epitaxy deposition of gallium nitride. The invention is characterized in that the gallium nitride deposition comprises at least one step of vapour-phase epitaxial lateral overgrowth, in that at least one of said epitaxial lateral overgrowth steps is preceded by etching openings either in a dielectric mask previously deposited, or directly into the substrate, and in that it consists in introducing a dissymmetry in the environment of dislocations during one of the epitaxial lateral overgrowth steps so as to produce a maximum number of curves in the dislocations, the curved dislocations not emerging at the surface of the resulting gallium nitride layer. The invention also concerns the optoelectronic and electronic components produced from said gallium nitride films.

1. Process for making a film of gallium nitride (GaN) starting from a substrate, by depositing GaN by vapour phase epitaxy, characterised in that the GaN deposit comprises at least one vapour phase epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) step, and in that at least one of these ELO steps is preceded by etching of openings: either in a previously deposited dielectric mask, or directly in the substrate, and in that an asymmetry is introduced into the dislocations environment during one of the ELO steps so as to cause the largest possible number of dislocation curvatures, since curved dislocations do not emerge at the surface of the GaN layer thus obtained. 2. Process for making a film of gallium nitride GaN according to claim 1, characterised in that asymmetry is induced: (1) by varying growth parameters either by applying an electric field perpendicular to the growth axis, or applying a magnetic field, or by illuminating using a lamp producing UV radiation at about 170 to 400 nm, to cause preferential growth of a single family of facets {11-22}, or (2) by making openings with unequal widths or with unequal geometry, either in the dielectric mask or directly in the substrate to apply geometric shapes to the GaN patterns to facilitate the curvature of dislocations. 3. Process according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that asymmetry is introduced by making openings either in the dielectric mask or directly in the substrate, that are adjacent, unequal and asymmetric forming a basic pattern of a periodic network, the basic pattern comprising at least 2 openings. 4. Process according to claim 3, characterised in that the openings are lines, hexagons, triangles or a combination of these openings. 5. Process according to claim 3 or 4, characterised in the periodic network extends along the [10-10] direction. 6. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) step(s) is (are) made by vapour phase epitaxy from chlorides and hydrides (HVPE), by OrganoMetallic pyrolysis in Vapbur Phase Epitaxy (OMVPE), or by CSVT (Close Space Vapour Transport). 7. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) step(s) are done along one of the C(0001), M(1-100), A(11-20), R(1-102), S(10-11) and N(11-23) planes of the substrate. 8. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the substrate is chosen from among sapphire, ZnO, 6H—SiC, 4H—SiC, 3C—SiC, GaN, AIN, LiAiO2, LiGaO2, MgAlO4, Si, HfB2 or GaAs. 9. Process according to claim 8, characterised in that the substrate is a sapphire substrate. 10. Process according to any one claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the gallium nitride is doped during at least one epitaxial lateral growth in vapour phase using a doping substance that can be chosen from among magnesium, zincs beryllium, calcium, carbon, silicon, oxygen, tin and germanium. 11. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that an isoelectric impurity such as In, Sc, Sb, Bi is introduced in the gallium nitride. 12. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the openings are etched in a dielectric mask. 13. Process according to claim 12, characterised in that before deposition of the dielectric mask, a GaN base layer is made by vapour phase epitaxy from chlorides and hydrides (HVPE), by OrganoMetallic pyrolysis in Vapour Phase Epitaxy (OMVPE), or by CSVT (Close Space Vapour Transport). 14. Process according to claim 13, characterised in that the formation of the GaN base layer comprises the following steps: deposition of silicon nitride with a thickness approximately equal to one atomic plane, deposition of a GaN buffer layer, high temperature annealing at between 950 and 1120° C., such that the buffer layer changes from a continuous layer to a discontinuous layer formed of GaN patterns in the form of islands, then, deposition by epitaxy of GaN. 15. Process for making a film of gallium nitride (GaN) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the process comprises two separate vapour phase epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) steps, the GaN deposition during the first step is made in the GaN zones located in the openings, and the GaN deposition during the second step leads to lateral overgrowth until coalescence of the GaN patterns. 16. Process according to claim 15, characterised in that the GaN deposition during the :first step is made under growth conditions such that the growth rate along the <0001> direction is greater than the lateral growth rate, and the GaN deposition during the second step is made under modified experimental conditions such that the lateral growth rate is greater than the growth rate along the <0001> direction so as to obtain full coalescence of the patterns. 17. Process according to claim 16, characterised in that the modification of the growth conditions to obtain a lateral growth rate higher than the growth rate along the <0001> direction consists of adding magnesium, antimony or bismuth. 18. Process according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the openings are directly etched in the substrate. 19. Process according to claim 18, characterised in that this process is implemented according to operational conditions described in claims 14 to 17. 20. Gallium nitride film, characterised in that it may be obtained using a process according to any one of claims 1 to 19. 21. Gallium nitride film according to claim 20, characterised in that it has a thickness of between 1 and 20 μm. 22. Optoelectronic component, characterised in that it is made from a GaN film according to either claim 20 or 21. 23. Laser diode, photodetector or transistor, characterised in that it is made from a GaN film according to either claim 20 or 21.

This invention relates to the preparation of films made of gallium nitride (GaN) with low defect densities by vapour phase epitaxy. It also relates to optoelectronic and electronic components made from these gallium nitride films. At the end of 1995, the Nichia Company made a laser diode from III-V nitrides. This result showed that it is possible to obtain a laser emission from a heteroepitaxial structure in which the dislocation density was as high as 108 to 1010 cm−2. At the end of 1997, Nichia demonstrated that laser emission for 10000 hours could be obtained provided that the structure of the laser diode is made on a good quality GaN layer. This requires GaN layers produced using the ELO (Epitaxial Lateral Overgrowth) technology. Although it has been asserted for a long time that dislocations in GaN do not behave as non-radiative recombination centres, it has now been shown that some dislocations with a screw component actually introduce non-radiative centres and that the component performances are very much better on a better crystallographic quality structure. Thus, the life of laser diodes based on III-V nitride depends critically on the dislocation density in GaN layers on which structures are made. All efforts being made at the moment are aimed at obtaining heteroepitaxied GaN with the best possible crystalline quality. This is why the ELO (Epitaxial Lateral Overgrowth) technique has been broadly developed for GaN with a large number of variants. Since solid GaN substrates are not available with a satisfactory surface and in sufficient quantity, III-V based nitride components are made by heteroepitaxy on substrates such as sapphire, SiC, Si or other. The sapphire typically used as a substrate does not have a cleavage plane, which implies that in a laser diode structure based on GaN epitaxied on sapphire, it is difficult to make reflecting facets. Furthermore., the use of a substrate such as sapphire with a mismatch in the network parameter and the coefficient of thermal expansion generates a very high dislocation density in heteroepitaxial layers of GaN/sapphire. Regardless of the technology, the density of extended defects (dislocations, stacking defects, inversion domains, nanotubes) does not drop below 5×108 cm−2. Dislocations propagate in the growth direction and emerge on the surface where they can be identified by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) or CathodoLuminescence (CL). These dislocations are harmful in several respects. Firstly, with a high density (more than 5×108 cm−2), defects degrade electronic mobility and electronic properties (photoluminescence intensity, life of carriers). Furthermore the emergence of surface dislocations results in a surface depression (Heying et al., J. Appl. Phys. 85, 6470, 1999). In a laser diode structure based on GaInN multi-quantum wells (MQWs), the dislocations disturb the order of MQWs, and cause non-homogenous light emission. Finally, metals used for pure resistive contacts can also diffuse through these dislocations and nanotubes. Different epitaxial lateral overgrowth techniques have been developed for implementation of ELO: 1) by HVPE (Hydride Vapour Phase Epitaxy), 2) by OMVPE (OrganoMetallic Vapour Phase Epitaxy), 3) by pseudo-sublimation or more precisely CSVT for Close Space Vapour Transport and 4) miscellaneous variants without mask for example using etched substrates. All can be used to obtain GaN layers with dislocation densities of less than 107 cm−2 compared with 108 to 1010 using the standard technology. However, as we will see later, and as is inherent to the technology used, zones remain in which the dislocation density remains high, above openings and coalescence joints in a technology with an epitaxy step, at coalescence joints and in the middle of openings in a two-step technology in which a first step is carried out to deposit GaN by epitaxy in openings after masking and etching a dielectric layer (particularly by photolithography) to form these said openings followed by a second Epitaxial Lateral Overgrowth (ELO) step in which lateral growth of the initially deposited GaN patterns continues until their coalescence. One known variant of the growth technology is based on Organometallic Vapour Phase Epitaxy (OMVPE) using a process that has now been well defined (on sapphire): surface treatment on sapphire, low temperature nucleation of a GaN or AIN layer, annealing of this nucleation layer until the final growth temperature and growth of GaN at high temperature (1000-1100° C.) Several technologies were developed to optimise this heteroepitaxy and to limit the dislocation density in GaN to about 5×108 cm−2 (coalescence of islands of GaN, Haffouz et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 73, 1278 (1998), X. H Wu. et al, Jpn J. Appl. Phys., 35, L1648 (1996)). The low temperature nucleation layer is no longer necessary on SiC, and the first step is to make an AIN layer at high temperature before the GaN is deposited. However, the dislocation density remains approximately of the order of 5×108 cm−2. Thus, as presented above, epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) and its many variants forms one of the most relevant methods of reducing the dislocation density by several orders of magnitude, in other words to less than about 107 cm−2. The following describes how defect lines propagate in GaN firstly when the ELO process with one-step epitaxy is used, and secondly when the two-step process is used, to better understand the invention. One-Step Epitaxy Process The first step is to epitaxy a first layer of GaN on a substrate, and a dielectric mask is then deposited on this layer. The next step is to perform photolithography of openings in this dielectric mask with clearly defined dimensions and crystallographic orientations. Epitaxy is continued on GaN layers thus prepared firstly in the openings; this resumed epitaxy causes lateral growth of GaN crystals which has the effect of reducing the dislocation density by several orders of magnitude. Through dislocations do not propagate above the mask. However, GaN that is epitaxied from the openings, consistent with the initial GaN, maintains the same dislocation density as the initial compound. Furthermore, lateral patterns with a low dislocation density coalesce and, since the initial GaN is in a mosaic pattern, the weak disorientation leads to a region with a high dislocation density in the coalescence plane or the coalescence joint. Consequently, it is impossible to use the entire surface to manufacture optoelectronic components if a one-step ELO is used. FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows this one-step epitaxy process. A GaN layer is epitaxied (GaN base layer 2) on a substrate 1. A mask 3 (SiO2, SiNx, Al2O3, W, etc.) is then deposited (by CVD, PACVD, cathodic sputtering, sublimation, in situ CVD or any other deposition method). Openings are formed on this mask by photolithography, along clearly defined crystallographic directions and with appropriate dimensions, for example 3 μm openings separated by 7 μm along the [1-100]GaN direction. When GaN growth is resumed, the deposition takes place firstly in the openings 5, then laterally above the mask 4. Above the openings, GaN in epitaxial contact with the substrate, maintains the same defect density as the base layer 2. The black lines in FIG. 1 represent dislocation lines. The GaN laterally grows above the mask (overgrowth of GaN 4). Through dislocations do not propagate in this zone, as is established in the state of art. However, a coalescence joint 6 is formed when the two lateral overgrowth fronts join in the middle of the mask. Therefore the manufacturing technology for a laser diode on an ELO substrate as described above requires a complex technology since the diodes structure has to be made on overgrowth zones 4, between the coalescence joint and the zone in epitaxial contact with the substrate, which requires an alignment precision of the order of one μm. Two-Step Epitaxy Process This variant is an improvement to the one-step epitaxy process. It is shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. FIGS. 2 and 3 are analysed as follows: After epitaxying a GaN base layer reference 2 on a sapphire substrate reference 1, an in situ deposit of SiN is made (masks 3), and openings 5 are then etched by photolithography along clearly defined crystallographic directions. The final step is to resume growth which firstly leads to selective epitaxial overgrowth 6. During the first resumed epitaxy, growth conditions are adjusted to obtain a higher growth rate along direction <0001> than the lateral growth rate, such that overgrowth in the form of strips with a triangular section with facets {11-22} is obtained. The advantage of this procedure is to induce curvature of emerging dislocations at 90° as illustrated in FIG. 4. This dislocation curvature is explained by energy considerations. The force acting on a dislocation line is the sum of two terms: one makes this line curved so that it remains normal to the surface, the other tends to align the dislocation line with the Burgers vector (to minimise the dislocation formation energy). In the second step, the experimental conditions are modified to obtain a lateral growth rate greater than the growth rate along the <0001> direction to obtain total coalescence. FIG. 3 shows an intermediate step in which facet (0001) 7 reappears. This two-step process is described particularly in patent application WO99/20816. The modification of experimental conditions to obtain a lateral growth rate higher than the growth rate along the <0001> direction may consist of adding magnesium, antimony (Sb) or bismuth (Bi) to cause anisotropic GaN growth (L. Zhang et al, Appl. Phys. Lett., 79, 3059 (2001). This technology provides a means of obtaining GaN with dislocation densities less than or equal to 107 cm−2 (over the entire surface between coalescence zones) (Vennéguès et al, J. Appl. Phys. 87, 4175 (2000)). There are regions with almost no observable defects between the coalescence zones as can be seen in the images of the surface in cathodoluminiscence presented in FIG. 5, in which part (a) of the figure is an image of a GaN layer obtained by a two-step epitaxy process and part (b) is an image of a GaN layer obtained by a one-step epitaxy process. These zones with a low defect density are sufficiently wide to make optoelectronic components such as laser diodes. A careful examination of these images shows that there is a significantly higher density of black dots (emergence of dislocations) at approximately the centre of strips defined by coalescence zones, than in the rest of the strip with a low defect density. These dislocations have their origin in the GaN base layer, located in the middle of the openings, which after the growth step emerge near the vertex of triangular overgrowths, and which thus escape the dislocation curvature process. During ELO growth, after selective epitaxy, experimental conditions are such that the facets {11-22} begin to form, and through dislocations at the edge of the mask curve first. FIG. 4 gives a good understanding of this phenomenon. Dislocations in the middle of the mask can escape from this process and emerge on the surface (dislocation A). Furthermore, after curvature, the dislocations propagate parallel to the base plane. The two lateral overgrowth fronts meet and create a coalescence joint. The dislocations that follow the lateral growth front can either terminate in the coalescence zone (in which there may be a void) or they may curve towards the substrate, or they may curve at 90° and emerge on the surface. This coalescence joint in which the through dislocation density is high also limits the useable surface of the ELO substrate. Therefore, it is clear that this two-step epitaxy process cannot eliminate, all dislocations and particularly dislocations originating in the middle of the masks and coalescence joints. To complete the description and to give a good understanding of the context of the invention described below, we will now describe the propagation of dislocation lines. The following description is particularly applicable to dislocations that originate in the middle of the mask openings. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the case in which dislocations might emerge on the surface. We will refer to this figure throughout the remainder of the description when mentioning the different types of symmetry that can be encountered (a), (b) or (b′). FIG. 7 illustrates the case in which the pattern 4 has a trapezoidal or triangular section and the mask 3 have a common axis of symmetry. Emergent dislocations are located at the vertex of the triangular section 4 and coalescence joints 6 form vertical planes. The environment of a dislocation for which the line coincides with the common axis of symmetry is firstly an (a) configuration then (b) then (a) again during growth: it is never curved. Similarly, the environment of a dislocation of the coalescence joint during growth is a type (b′) configuration then (a); there is no curvature of its line. Other variants of the ELO vapour phase technology use textured or periodically etched substrates (Ashby et al. Appl. Phys. Lett. 77, 3233 (2000) instead of a dielectric mask. In these technologies, etchings are made directly in the substrate, which avoids a growth step and deposition of a mask. This technique cannot eliminate all dislocations and particularly dislocations originating from the middle of openings and coalescence joints. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find technical solutions to this problem of dislocations emerging on the surface of GaN films that reduce the useable surfaces of GaN films for manufacturing optoelectronic components, regardless of the process adopted for making the film using one, two or even several epitaxy steps or etching openings directly in the substrate. The purpose of the invention is to propose a process for making a GaN film that provides a GaN film with low defect densities. Note that in the context of this invention, the GaN may or may not be doped. Doping substances include particularly magnesium, zinc, beryllium, calcium, carbon, silicon, oxygen, tin and germanium. It is also possible to introduce an isoelectronic impurity such as In, Sc, Sb, Bi among the elements in column III or V in the Mendeleev periodic table. Thus, the purpose of the invention is a process for making a film of gallium nitride (GaN) starting from a substrate, by depositing GaN by vapour phase epitaxy, characterised in that the GaN deposit comprises at least one vapour phase epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) step, and in that at least one of these ELO steps is preceded by etching of openings: either in a previously deposited dielectric mask, or directly in the substrate, and in that an asymmetry is introduced into the dislocations environment during one of the ELO steps so as to cause the largest possible number of dislocation curvatures, since curved dislocations do not emerge at the surface of the GaN layer thus obtained. The asymmetry of the dislocations environment may be induced particularly: (1) by varying growth parameters either by applying an electric field perpendicular to the growth axis, or by illuminating using a lamp producing UV radiation at about 170 to 400 nm, to cause preferential growth of a single family of facets {11-22}, or (2) by making openings with unequal widths or with unequal geometry, either in the dielectric mask or directly in the substrate to apply geometric shapes to the GaN patterns to facilitate the curvature of dislocations, or in other words making use of specific properties of different geometric shapes that can be taken on by GaN patterns during resumed growth. This asymmetry provides a means of taking action of most through dislocations originating from mask openings. Consequently, they no longer emerge on the surface. In particular, the purpose of the invention is a process like that described above, characterised in that asymmetry is introduced by making openings either in the dielectric mask or directly in the substrate, that are adjacent, unequal and asymmetric forming a basic pattern of a periodic network, the basic pattern comprising at least 2 openings, these openings possibly being of different types and particularly lines, hexagons, triangles or a combination of such openings. Preferably, the periodic network defined above extends along a [10-10] direction. The ELO technology according to this invention is known by the acronym ALFAGEO (Asymmetric Lateral Facet Grown—Epitaxial Overgrowth). The epitaxial lateral overgrowth step(s) is (are) advantageously made by vapour phase epitaxy from chlorides and hydrides (HVPE), by OrganoMetallic pyrolysis in Vapour Phase Epitaxy (OMVPE), or by CSVT (Close Space Vapour Transport). It is also possible to perform these epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) steps along one or of the M(1-100), A(11-20), R(1-102), S(10-11) and N(11-23) planes of the substrate, so as to eliminate the piezoelectric field that exists when epitaxy is done along the C(0001) plane. The substrates may be about a hundred micrometers thick, usually of the order of 200 μm, and may chosen from among sapphire, ZnO, 6H—SiC, 4H—SiC, 3C—SiC, GaN, AIN, LiAiO2, LiGaO2, MgAlO4, Si, HfB2 or GaAs. The substrates may be treated before any deposition of GaN by nitridation. The invention also relates to any GaN film that could be obtained by the process according to the invention. The GaN film thus obtained may be between 1 and 100 μm thick. According to one particular embodiment of the invention, the GaN film obtained may be between 5 and 15 μm thick. An optoelectronic component is also proposed, and particularly a laser diode, a photodetector or a transistor, characterised in that it is provided with a GaN film that could be obtained by the process according to the invention. Thus, according to a first variant of the invention openings are made in a dielectric mask, and according to a second variant of the invention the openings are made directly in the substrate. When the openings are made in the dielectric mask, namely according to the first variant, the process advantageously comprises a two-step epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) using the technique described above. One of the purposes of the invention is thus to propose a process for making a GaN film that provides a GaN film in which the density of dislocations originating from the middle of the openings and coalescence joints are strongly reduced in the case in which the two-step epitaxy process is adopted for production of the said GaN film. The case in which facets {11-22} grow at a different rate so as to cause curvature of the dislocation lines or cases in which openings in the mask cause different surface facets are illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 8, t0 denotes the first instant at which the dislocation may be curved, and at t1 (previous t0) the dislocation is in a symmetrical environment configuration such as (a) for (c) and (d) or such as (b) for (e) and (f). A t+1, the dislocation propagates in the base plane (0001). Configuration (c) is the configuration used in the two-step ELO described above. In configuration (d), t1 and t′−1 show two possible geometries leading to the same shape at t0 . In the remainder of the description, reference is made to this Figure when mentioning typical asymmetry cases (c), (d), (e) and (f). In case (1) above, the applied asymmetry is according to case (e) and in case (2) the applied asymmetry is according to cases (d) and (f). The asymmetry in application of configuration (d) may also beneficially eliminate coalescence joints, such that the entire ELO surface can be used for manufacture of optoelectronic components. The dielectric masks that can be used to make this variant of the process according to the invention may be composed of silicon nitride (SiN), SiO2 or W. The dielectric is deposited according to techniques well known to those skilled in the art. The first deposition of GaN may be made by any vapour phase deposition method, namely HVPE (Hydride Vapour Phase Epitaxy), pyrolysis in Organometallics Vapour Phase Epitaxy (OMVPE) or Close Space Vapour Transport (CSVT). OMVPE will be used in preference. The gas vector is preferably a mix of N2 and H2. Other vapour phase epitaxy technologies can also be used for this first layer such as MBE, cathodic sputtering or laser ablation. A layer of GaN obtained according to the process described below can advantageously be used for masking followed by resumed epitaxy, from a base layer of GaN. The substrate is covered by a thickness of silicon nitride approximately equal to one atomic plane. After the dielectric mask has been formed, a layer of GaN is deposited, called the continuous buffer layer. The thickness of this layer may be between 20 and 30 nm. The temperature during this operation may be between 300 and 900° C. The next step is high temperature annealing at between 950 and 1120° C. The buffer layer changes from a continuous layer to a discontinuous layer formed of GaN patterns, or in other words GaN patterns in the form of islands. The zones in which the dielectric has been exposed then act like a mask and the GaN patterns act like GaN zones located in openings made ex situ in the mask. After deposition and annealing of the nucleation layer, a thin layer of GaN, typically 2 to 5 μm thick, is deposited by Organometaillic pyrolysis in Vapour Phase Epitaxy. The gallium source is Trimethylgallium (TMGa) and the nitrogen source is ammonia. Such a method is described in many documents. This technique is described particularly in patent application WO99/20816, in example 5 that is incorporated herein by reference. Using this base layer of GaN has the advantage of limiting the dislocation density at the beginning of the process according to the invention. The following describes different possible embodiments of the first variant of the invention, that are intended to illustrate the invention and do not limit its scope. All embodiments described below relate to two-step ELO processes like those described above. Thus, the invention more particularly relates to a process for making a GaN film, characterised in that the GaN deposition that follows the formation of openings is broken down into two-step epitaxy, the first being done under growth conditions such that the growth rate along the <0001> direction is greater than the lateral growth rate and the second being done under modified experimental conditions such that the lateral growth rate is greater than the growth rate along the <0001> direction so as to obtain full coalescence of the patterns. The modification of growth conditions such that the lateral growth rate becomes greater than the growth rate along the <0001> direction consists of adding magnesium, antimony and bismuth. According to a first embodiment, adjacent unequal asymmetrical openings are made to form the basic pattern of a periodic network preferably along a [10-10] direction. Examples of such asymmetric opening patterns are shown in FIG. 10. The asymmetric basic pattern is not limited to linear openings, it would be possible to imagine many other patterns such as hexagonal openings parallel to the [10-10] directions or triangular openings. The basis of the invention is to induce propagation of dislocations by asymmetry of the openings that leads to a greater reduction of their density than in the ELO. After making these asymmetric openings, treatment of the epitaxied, masked and etched substrate, for example as shown in FIG. 10 under deposition conditions, is resumed by epitaxy of gallium nitride so as to induce deposition of gallium nitride patterns on facing zones and anisotropic and lateral growth of the said patterns, lateral growth being continued until coalescence of the said patterns. For example, FIG. 11 diagrammatically shows the variation of the morphology during ELO of GaN when the widths of the openings are unequal. During the first step, growth conditions are chosen such that the (0001) plane is a fast plane. This first step terminates when the (0001) plane has disappeared, all GaN patterns obtained by growth from unequal openings then reach a triangular section; the section of the GaN pattern corresponds to the thick black line delimiting the two separate grey areas in FIG. 11. During this first step (dark grey area delimited by the black line in FIG. 11), through dislocations are curved at 90° when they meet the lateral facets {11-22} during growth (such that N is at point 4 in configuration (c)). Dislocations located at the exact mid-point of small and large openings are not curved (denoted M1 and M2) and continue to propagate vertically beyond this first step. Similarly, if patterns already coalesce at this stage as is the case in FIG. 11, dislocations such as N′and N″ converge towards the coalescence joint (denoted C1), and propagate vertically beyond this first step. The result is a void formed in the middle of the masks. In the second step, in which growth conditions are modified, the facets (0001) reappear. This second ELO step consists of resumed epitaxy by changing the growth conditions to change the growth anisotropy so that it becomes conducive to planarisation of GaN patterns. As described in WO 99/20816, this can be achieved either by adding magnesium in the vapour phase, or by increasing the temperature. In this second step, GaN patterns develop with an expansion of the facet (0001) (which reappears at the vertex of each pattern) while the surface of the lateral facets reduces. Due to the asymmetry of the pattern, the dislocations M2 of the small openings and C1, C2 of the coalescence joints emerge in the lateral facets {11-22} in the type (d) configuration at points 2, 1 and 3 respectively, in which they are subjected to a curvature at 90°. In this embodiment, the small number of type M1 dislocations are not curved. On the other hand, the large number of C2 type dislocations are curved at 3 in the base plane and can interact and cancel each other out. FIG. 12 illustrates this behaviour of the dislocations, and the behaviour of type N, N′and N″ dislocations of large openings, small openings and type C1 openings respectively that are curved at 1 can be identified. According to a second embodiment, unequal openings are used differently from the way in which they are used in the first embodiment. FIG. 13 illustrates an example embodiment of this second embodiment. As in the first embodiment, growth takes place in two steps that are different in their growth conditions. But for this second embodiment, the first step terminates when the GaN patterns originating from unequal openings in the mask have completely coalesced to form a single pattern with a triangular section. The intermediate geometries that can be observed during the first step are indicated in a black dashed line in FIG. 13. In the second step, growth conditions are chosen to achieve planarisation by making the base plane C (0001) reappear as shown in a grey dashed line in FIG. 11. Type C1 and M2 dislocations are curved for reasons mentioned in the description of the first embodiment. This second embodiment is different from the first in the behaviour of type M1 and C2 dislocations. Type M1 dislocations are curved at point 1 because, at this point, M1 is in a (c) configuration. On the other hand, type C2 dislocations are not curved. In a third embodiment, three unequal openings are used. The previous two embodiments allow one dislocation type: M1 in the first embodiment and C2 in the second embodiment. These first two embodiments can be combined into a third, so that type M1 and type C2 can both be curved. Once again there are two steps with different growth conditions. This third embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 14. During the first step, the GaN patterns originating from unequal openings O1 and O2 coalesce to form a pattern with a single triangular section and M1 dislocations are curved; this is the same as the second embodiment. At the same time, the pattern originating from opening O3, located sufficiently far from O2, develops to reach a triangular section. The end of the first step coincides with obtaining a profile shown with a black line in FIG. 14; this is the same as the first embodiment profile. Grain joints (C3 in FIG. 14) are curved at 6. In a fourth embodiment, asymmetry is introduced during growth. As mentioned in the introduction, asymmetry may also be created by illuminating the side of the substrate during growth with UV radiation so as to increase the growth rate of a single family of facets {1-212}. An electric field can also be applied perpendicular to the direction of the openings. Asymmetry is introduced into the growth starting from symmetrical etched patterns (or unequal patterns to combine effects), and after coalescence at the end of the first step (or at the beginning of the first step), by increasing the growth rate of one of two equivalent facets {11-22} (for example by illuminating the side of the structure with a UV laser, or by applying an electric field perpendicular to the directions of the openings). Through dislocations M located in the middle of the mask are not curved in the first phase of the ELO, on the other hand they are curved at 1 (FIG. 8(e) when asymmetry is introduced into the facet growth rate {11-22}. The result of the asymmetry is a coalescence joint that is no longer perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, such that the dislocations, after being curved at 90°, join together in the coalescence joint. Some of the dislocations stop in this joint, in which there is often a void, and one part propagates downwards and another part propagates vertically, denoted C. These parts meet a facet {11-22} at 2, and are curved at 90°. When the openings are etched directly in the substrate, namely according to the second variant, the step for formation of the GaN base layer may be done under the same conditions as described above, in other words when the first variant of the process is implemented. Similarly, this second variant may advantageously Comprise two lateral overgrowth steps (ELO) that may be done under the same conditions as described above, in other words when the first variant of the process is implemented. The characteristics, purposes and advantages of the invention will also become clear after reading the following example of a particular embodiment of the invention and the attached figures in which: FIG. 1 represents a one-step epitaxy; FIG. 2 represents a first step in a two-step epitaxial lateral overgrowth;, FIG. 3 represents a second step in a two-step epitaxial lateral overgrowth; FIG. 4 shows the variation of the structure before total coalescence. The dislocations propagate parallel to the base plane. The dashed lines represent the different possible shapes of the ELO patterns at the end of the first step; FIG. 5 shows a set of two images of the surface in cathodoiuminiscence. Each black dot corresponds to emergence of a through dislocation. Part (a) of the image represents a GaN surface produced according to the two-step epitaxy process and part (b) of the image represents a GaN surface produced according to the one-step process. The diameter of the * mark is 20 μm; FIG. 6 represents 3 example configurations in which the dislocation propagates in an environment that remains symmetric during growth (solid bold lines t0 and dashed lines t1 show two positions at successive times of planes C in (a) and (11-22) in (b) and (b′); FIG. 7 represents the case of symmetrical growth in which the overgrowth of GaN and the opening 5 have a common axis of symmetry; FIG. 8 represents cases of asymmetrical growth; FIG. 9(a) shows a case of asymmetrical growth obtained when the left facet grows faster that the right facet; 4 and {3 and 5} have discontinuous axes (or planes) of symmetry. All dislocations originating from the opening of the mask are in configuration (c) or (e) at a given moment. Curvature will occur; FIG. 9(b) represents a case of asymmetry obtained by choosing an unequal shape for openings 5a and 5b; the overgrowths 4a and 4b coalesce to form a ribbon 4c for which the plane of symmetry A4 does not coincide by construction with any of the other planes of symmetry (A1, A2, A3). All dislocations originating from openings in mask 5a and 5b or that propagate vertically above the mask 3b, are in configuration (c) at a given moment. There will be curvature; FIG. 10, (a) represents a mask with openings along a [1-100] direction with unequal width openings, and (b) and (c) represent a mask with openings along the two type [1-100] directions; FIG. 11 represents a diagrammatic view of a two-step ELO process starting from openings in the mask with unequal widths. The first step is shown as a thick black line and the second planarisation step is shown as a dashed line; FIG. 12 represents the structure of through dislocations in a GaN layer made by a two-step ELO process, starting from asymmetric openings. The section of two patterns coalesced during the first step is shown as a white line. Dislocations curved at 90° are identified, and no type M dislocation is observed in the smallest pattern. The {11-22} facet that is developed during the second step is shown in dashed grey lines. The type C dislocations that originate from coalescence joint are curved at 90° when they meet this facet (point 2). FIG. 13 represents the variation of GaN patterns when the process is implemented according to the second embodiment described above; FIG. 14 represents the variation of GaN patterns when the process is implemented according to the third embodiment described above. EXAMPLE The first part of the example has been taken from example 1 in WO 99/20816. An appropriate vertical reactor is used operating at atmospheric pressure for Organometallic pyrolysis in Vapour Phase Epitaxy. A thin layer of gallium nitride (2 μm thick) is deposited on a 200 to 500 μm thick sapphire substrate (0001), by Organometallic pyrolysis in Vapour Phase Epitaxy at 1080° C. The gallium source is trimethylgallium (TMGa) and the nitrogen source is ammonia. Many documents describe such a method. The experimental conditions are as follows: The gas carrier is a mix of equal quantities of H2 and N2 (4 sl/mn). Ammonia is added through a separate pipe (2 sl/mn). After growth of the first epitaxial layer of gallium nitride, a thin layer of silicon nitride is deposited in the growth chamber. Asymmetric openings are formed in the dielectric by photolithography, with 1 μm and 2 μm openings (mask in FIG. 10(a)). The linear openings are advantageously oriented along a [10-10] direction of GaN although the process described in this example can eventually be carried out for other orientations of openings particularly along the [11-20] direction of GaN. Epitaxy is resumed on zones exposed using GaN not intentionally doped under operational conditions of the first resumed epitaxy in the two-step process such that the growth rate along the [0001] direction of GaN patterns is sufficiently greater than the growth rate along the direction normal to the inclined sides of the said patterns. Under these conditions, growth anisotropy causes disappearance of the (0001) facet. The first step in use of the process terminates when the (0001) facet of the GaN pattern disappears. At the end of the first step, the patterns are in the shape of strips with a triangular section (with lateral facets with orientation {11-22} or {1-101} depending on whether the initial strips were oriented along [10-10] or [11-20]), with unequal size (FIG. 12). The second step consists of resuming epitaxy by GaN by modifying the growth anisotropy (by increasing the temperature to 1120° C. or by adding magnesium in the form of a volatile organometallic form (MeCp2Mg) in the vapour phase). The TMGa flow is 100 μmole/minute. The (0001) facet reappears at the vertex of each GaN pattern obtained in the first phase. These GaN patterns then develop with expansion of the (0001) facets and, on the contrary, a reduction in the flanks. Due to the asymmetry of the triangular patterns, two adjacent flanks (originating from different sized patterns) coalesce before total coalescence of all patterns. In this variant of the ELO, the coalescence zone (or the coalescence joint) of two patterns is no longer a plane parallel to the openings but is a plane inclined at an angle determined by the ratio between the growth rates along the c axis and laterally. The second step terminates when all flanks have completely disappeared, the upper surface of the deposit formed by the coalesced patterns of GaN then being plane. Use of the process according to the invention as described results firstly in obtaining a plane GaN layer, that can therefore be used as a substrate for the subsequent deposition of the component structure, particularly the laser diode structure, by resumed epitaxy, but also leads to a very advantageous improvement in the crystalline quality of the said substrate. The lines of dislocations originating from the subjacent GaN layer propagate through openings formed in the mask vertically in the patterns created in the first step. But it is found that the dislocation lines are curved at 90° in a second step. FIG. 12 shows a high resolution electronic microscopy image of the layer thus obtained and the dislocations are curved at 90° above each opening when they meet facets {11-22} during the growth. All that can escape at the beginning of this growth phase are dislocations that originate in the centre of the mask. Defect lines then propagate along directions parallel to the surface of the masked GaN layer.

20051021

20081125

20060511

63013.0

H01L2120

KUNEMUND, ROBERT M

METHOD FOR PRODUCING BY VAPOUR-PHASE EPITAXY A GALLIUM NITRIDE FILM WITH LOW DEFECT DENSITY

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H01L

ACCEPTED

Audio information leaflet system

A method for the dissemination of audio information in a hostile environment via an airdrop to mainly illiterate populations in a target area by means of a leaflet (10, 14) containing audio circuitry (12). In the first step (1) the hostile target population is identified and the desired content of the audio information is selected. In the next steps, hardened, waterproof audio leaflets (10, 14) are manufactured (2) and recorded (4), (5) with the desired audio information. Finally, the audio leaflets are then airdropped (6) to the target population. The audio message is played (7) when the leaflet is activated by a member of the target population. The method is practiced using an audio leaflet designed to play an audio message. The leaflet (10, 14) is embodied in a protective structure capable of surviving (i) an impact resulting from and airdrop and (ii) extended exposure to adverse elements of nature for at least three days. A memory circuit (12) is contained within the leaflet and is capable of storing at least one audio message. The leaflet may include a lightweight speaker, a power source and an activating switch coupled to the memory circuit, as well as an audio playback circuit coupled to the memory circuit to play the at least one audio message from the lightweight speaker.

1. A method for repeated dissemination of audio information in mass by means of an airdrop to an identifiable target population lacking in literacy, comprising the following steps: a) identifying the target population and selecting a desired content for the audio information; b) manufacturing a plurality of leaflets containing a memory chip; c) recording the audio information into a recording device in a language understood by the target population; d) transferring the recorded audio information from the recording device to the memory chip; and d) distributing in mass the leaflets containing the recorded audio information to the target population by means of the airdrop. 2. The method as in claim 1 wherein the manufacture of the leaflets comprises the following steps: a) manufacturing the leaflets such that the leaflets are embodied in a protective structure that is resistant to water and other elements of nature, and is capable of withstanding an impact with the ground in response to the airdrop; and b) placing within the leaflet a playback circuit, the memory chip, activating switch and a power source for playing the recorded audio information. 3. The method as in claim 1 wherein a text copy of the recorded audio information is printed on the leaflet. 4. The method as in claim 1 wherein the recorded audio information does not exceed 3 minutes in length. 5. The method as in claim 1 wherein: a) the recording device is portable; b) the recording of the audio information occurs in a field setting; and c) the transfer of the recorded audio information to the memory chip in the leaflet is by means of the portable recording device. 6. The method as in claim 1 wherein the transfer of the recorded audio information to the memory chip in the leaflet is by a means selected from the group consisting of induction and electromechanical contact. 7. The method as in claim 1 wherein the audio information is transferred to the plurality of leaflets in succession by an automated means. 8. The method as in claim 1 wherein the audio information is transferred to a single leaflet. 9. The method as in claim 1 wherein the distributing of the leaflets further comprises the following steps: a) distributing the leaflets containing the recorded audio information to the target population by means of the airdrop; b) receiving the leaflet by an individual of the target population; and c) playing of the recorded audio information due to an action by the individual of the target population. 10. The method as in claim 9 wherein the means of the airdrop includes any intentional means whereby the leaflets fall through open air. 11. The method as in claim 9 wherein the action applied by the individual of the target population is an unfolding of the leaflet. 12. The method as in claim 9 wherein the action applied by the individual of the target population is a pressing of the activating switch. 13. The method as in claim 9 wherein the action applied by the individual of the target population is a picking up of the leaflet causing an activation of the playback circuit by means of a grounding contact across the individual's skin. 14. The method as in claim 1 wherein: a) the recording of the audio information to the recording device occurs in a manufacturing setting; and b) the recorded audio information is transferred from the recording device to the memory chips of the plurality of leaflets in succession by an automated means. 15. An audio leaflet designed to play an audio message comprising: a) a leaflet embodied in a protective structure capable of surviving (i) an impact resulting from and airdrop and (ii) extended exposure to adverse elements of nature for at least three days; b) a memory circuit contained within the leaflet capable of storing at least one audio message; c) a lightweight speaker, a power source and an activating switch coupled to the memory circuit; and d) an audio playback circuit coupled to the memory circuit to play the at least one audio message from the lightweight speaker. 16. The audio leaflet as in claim 15, wherein the protective structure is comprised of a hardened material that is resistant to water and other elements of nature, and is capable of withstanding an impact with the ground in response to the airdrop. 17. The audio leaflet as in claim 15 wherein text corresponding to the audio message is printed on the leaflet. 18. The audio leaflet as in claim 15 wherein the audio message is configured to be recorded into the memory circuit by means of a portable recording device. 19. The audio leaflet as in claim 15 wherein the memory circuit is configured to receive the audio information by a means selected from the group consisting of induction and electromechanical contact. 20. The audio leaflet as in claim 15 wherein the memory circuit is configured to be recorded by an automated means in succession. 21. The audio leaflet as in claim 15 wherein: a) the leaflet is folded; and b) the switch is activated by opening the leaflet. 22. The audio leaflet as in claim 15 wherein: a) the leaflet is flat; and b) the switch is activated by pressing the switch. 23. The audio leaflet as in claim 15 wherein: a) the leaflet is flat; and b) the switch is activated by touching an electrical grounding circuit. 24. The audio leaflet as in claim 15 wherein the switch is a plurality of security switches, wherein the plurality of security switches requires activation in a predetermined order to play the audio message.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to psychological and informational operations supporting military campaigns. More particularly, the present invention relates to targeted audio information dissemination. RELATED ART Psychological and informational operations play a major role in a majority of U.S. military actions, many of them focused on target countries where the population is often illiterate and adverse in interest to the U.S. The dissemination of specially selected information concerning U.S. involvement in the conflict and the nature of the opposing party can act to increase the efficiency of the military action by altering the local support from the general population, thus hastening the end to the conflict and ultimately saving lives. One of the reasons why psychological and informational operations play a major role in these situations is because they can impact the mental state of the population in the target country thus demoralizing them and reducing their support to the enemy military. Alternatively, information disseminated to the population targeting injustices perpetrated by the opposing side can cause the population to rally in support of the U.S. forces, again causing reduced support to the opposing military. These operations have traditionally been implemented through the use of radio broadcasts and dropping printed leaflets from airplanes, both passively and with the use of “leaflet bombs.” One major issue concerning the dissemination of information in these psychological and informational operations pertains to the literacy and the economic condition of the recipients. In many areas of the world where conflicts arise, a large portion of the population is illiterate and very poor. Radio broadcasts are generally ineffective in these locations because of the low numbers of radio receivers owned by individuals in the population. Additionally, those individuals that do possess radios must have them tuned to the correct frequency to allow reception of the message during the broadcast. And once the message has been broadcast, its informational value is gone, thus further decreasing the effectiveness of the dissemination of information. Leaflets printed with the information to be disseminated have many advantages over radio. They are cheap to print and can be distributed over large areas to many individuals regardless of their economic condition, simply by dropping them from an airplane. Additionally, the information has the potential to remain for a longer period of time in the population than a radio broadcast because the recipient has a physical copy. But there are also significant disadvantages associated with this method of dissemination. Though it is easy to get a leaflet into the hands of almost any target population, the individual recipients must be able to read what is printed on it or have it read to them. This greatly increases the chance that the leaflet will be torn up and discarded due to the lack of understanding or possible misinformation concerning the nature of the printed material. In many operations, such as Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, a great number of individuals who received the leaflet destroyed it because they were illiterate. Though the leaflet was received the message content was not. A more efficient dissemination of information in these situations would combine the best attributes of both of these methods. Namely, an audio message that could be cheaply distributed to a target population, and that did not require a receiver, would greatly increase the efficiency of these operations. An area of prior art that disseminates information cheaply without a receiver is that of audio greeting and advertising cards. These cards play a prerecorded audio message or segment of music from an embedded audio circuit when the card is opened. They are typically given to single individuals of a population in response to some special occasion, and are intended to be kept for a period of time and discarded. The design of the cards is such that they will quickly biodegrade in a landfill. These cards are not, however, suitable for the purpose of this invention. It is questionable that greeting cards would even be considered as prior art, because one of ordinary skill in the art of disseminating propaganda would not associate a greeting card as something related to the issue of air dropping leaflets from the air in an open, adverse environment. Their design would not allow them to drop from a great height without a high risk of compromising the audio information. Also, any cards that did survive the airdrop intact would be exposed to rain, snow and sun, thus quickly destroying the audio circuits and degrading the paper material they are printed on, rendering them useless. It is even questionable that the ordinary artisan would mentally connect the field of friendly greeting cards to dissemination of information across enemy lines. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for the dissemination of audio information via an airdrop in a hostile environment to individuals of a target population lacking in literacy. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for the dissemination of audio information that will, because of its novelty, cause further penetration and dissemination of the information into the hostile population. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method that will allow the disseminated audio information to remain in the hostile population for longer periods of time, due to the durability and novelty of the carrier of the audio information. It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method that will increase the retention of the information in a literate individual through the use of a combination of text and audio. The present invention concerns a method for the dissemination of audio information in a hostile environment via an airdrop to mainly illiterate populations in a target area by means of a leaflet containing audio circuitry (FIG. 1). In the first step (1) of the method the hostile target population is identified and the desired content of the audio information is selected. An audio leaflet is manufactured in the second step (2). A plurality of leaflets may be manufactured prior to step (1) and stored for subsequent use. The leaflet can be a flat sheet or folded, and is constructed of a hardened material designed to withstand an impact with the ground following an airdrop. This hardening process will also function to make the leaflet waterproof, and to protect it from whatever elements it will encounter in the target area. Printed material and pictures corresponding to the audio information can also be printed on the leaflet. A memory chip capable of storing at least one minute of audio information is then incorporated into an audio playback circuit, with an associated power supply, switch and speaker to play the audio information. The switch will activate the audio circuit when the leaflet is opened, when a button is pressed or when it is picked up, by means of a grounding circuit across the recipient's skin. The desired content of the audio information is then recorded into a recording device in a language that will be understood by the recipient, preferably spoken by an individual that will be recognized as a member of the target population. The message is intended to be a short expression of information. The recording of the audio information can take place in the field by means of a portable recording device or in a manufacturing setting. In the field setting, the audio information is recorded to the portable recording device and then transferred to the plurality of leaflets in an automated process. A stack of leaflets would be placed in a receptacle on the portable recording device and sequentially programmed with the audio information. The portable recorder would also program single leaflets with a more personalized message. In the manufacturing setting the audio information is recorded and then transferred to the memory chip either before the chip is inserted into the leaflet or after the leaflet is fully constructed. The final steps of the method concern leaflet distribution. A specific target population is identified and the leaflets are airdropped into that area (6). The audio information is subsequently played when activated by a recipient from the target population, and the message is received irrespective of the individual's literacy. Because of the durability and novelty of the leaflet, it is likely to be repeatedly played and demonstrated to others in the population, thus causing a general retention and further dissemination of the audio information. In addition, the combination of text and audio will increase the retention of the information in an individual. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a representative description of the steps comprising the method according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a frontal view of a folded leaflet according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a frontal view of flat leaflet according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view of audio circuitry within the audio leaflet according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of audio circuitry within the recording device according to the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic view of the exterior of the recording device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, this invention is a method for the repeated dissemination of audio information in mass to a specific, often hostile and illiterate, target population by an airdrop of leaflets. In the first step (1) the target population is identified and the content of the audio information is determined. This may consist of an examination of various key locations of military strategy, where an alteration of the mental state of the target population would increase the chances for the success of the operation. The content of the message would then be dependent on the nature of the target population and the desired change in mental state. A plurality of leaflets is manufactured in the next step (2). The leaflets are embodied in a protective structure to protect them from water and other elements of nature. This may be accomplished by any method that hardens or plasticizes the leaflet material to provide a durable, waterproof finish. The protective structure will also enable the leaflet to withstand an impact with the ground in response to the airdrop. Audio circuitry is placed within the leaflet (3) comprising a playback circuit, a memory chip, an activating switch and a power source for playing the contents of the memory chip. In the next step (4, 5) the selected audio content is recorded in the language of the target population to a recording device. The efficiency of the change in mental state would be enhanced by recording the audio information from an individual speaking the local dialect and who would sound like a member of the target population. Additionally, the preferred embodiment of audio information is intended to be a short expression not exceeding 3 minutes in duration. In a manufacturing setting (5), the recorded information can be transferred to the memory chip before it is inserted into the leaflet or after complete assembly of the leaflet. Situations arise, however, when a selection of suitable audio information content is not available in advance. In these cases, the audio information is recorded in the field (4) by means of a portable recording device, which then transfers this recorded audio information to the memory chip in the fully constructed leaflet through inductive or electromechanical means. Once the audio information is recorded into the portable recording device, an automated process transfers the audio information to the plurality of leaflets. This would not, however, preclude the creation of single leaflets with more personalized messages. Also, it is contemplated that multiple versions of the same message recorded in different languages may be contained in the same leaflet. The next step of the method (6) consists of distributing the leaflets containing the recorded audio information by an airdrop to the target population. The term “airdrop” includes any means by which the leaflets fall through the open air. This would encompass any type of passive release from a height, such as from an airplane or helicopter, a bomb or artillery shell containing leaflets, or release from a train, truck or other mobile carrier. The protective structure will allow the leaflet to impact the ground without damaging it or the enclosed audio circuitry, and will protect it from the elements. In the final step (7) the leaflet is received by an individual of the target population. When the individual opens or otherwise activates the leaflet, the audio information is played and the message is received, irrespective of the literacy of the recipient. The durability of the leaflet will enhance the length of time that the audio information will be available to the population, because it cannot be easily torn up or destroyed. The leaflet will also be played to other individuals in the target population to demonstrate its novelty, thus facilitating further dissemination of the audio information irrespective of the content. Also, by printing a text copy of the audio information on the leaflet, individual retention of the information will be increased. FIG. 2 shows a leaflet that is folded (10) with the audio circuit (12) being activated by the closing of a switch (13) when the card is unfolded. FIG. 3 shows a leaflet that is flat (14). In this case the audio circuit (12) would be activated by a switch (15) that is clearly marked on the leaflet in the language of the target population. The switch (15) could be activated by pressing or by a grounding circuit across the recipient individual's skin. Other mechanisms for activating the circuit will be apparent to those skilled in the art. By way of example, the invention could be described as a method for repeated dissemination of audio information in mass by means of an airdrop to an identifiable target population lacking in literacy, comprising the steps of: (1) identifying the target population and selecting a desired content for the audio information; (2) manufacturing a plurality of leaflets containing a memory chip; (3) recording the audio information into a recording device in a language understood by the target population; (4) transferring the recorded audio information from the recording device to the memory chip by any means such as induction or electromechanical contact; and (5) distributing in mass the leaflets containing the recorded audio information to the target population by means of the airdrop. The manufacturing step comprises embodying the leaflets in a protective structure that is resistant to water and other elements of nature, and is capable of withstanding an impact with the ground in response to the airdrop. A playback circuit, the memory chip, activating switch and a power source for playing the recorded audio information is placed within the leaflet. The audio information is intended to be a short expression of information. A text copy of the recorded audio information can be printed on the leaflet. The distributing step comprises: (1) distributing the leaflets containing the recorded audio information to the target population by means of the airdrop; (2) receiving the leaflet by an individual of the target population; and (3) playing of the recorded audio information due to an action by the individual of the target population. An airdrop includes any intentional means whereby the leaflets fall through open air. The action applied by the individual of the target population could be by unfolding the leaflet, by pressing a button or a grounding contact across the individual's skin. As another example, the invention could be described as the method above wherein the audio information is recorded to the leaflet in a field setting with a portable recorder. The audio information is first recorded into the portable recorder. The recorded audio information is then transferred to the leaflet by the portable recorder. The recorded audio information can be transferred automatically to the plurality of leaflets in succession, or to a single leaflet. As yet another example, the invention could be described as the method above wherein the audio information is recorded to the plurality of leaflets in a manufacturing setting by an automated means. As still another example, the invention could be described as a folded or flat audio leaflet designed to play an audio message comprising a leaflet embodied in a protective structure capable of surviving an impact resulting from and airdrop and extended exposure to adverse elements of nature for at least three days. The protective structure is comprised of a hardened material that is resistant to water and other elements of nature, and is capable of withstanding an impact with the ground in response to the airdrop. A text copy of the audio message can be printed on the leaflet. The audio leaflet further comprises a memory circuit contained within the leaflet capable of storing at least one audio message, a lightweight speaker, a power source and an activating switch coupled to the memory circuit, and an audio playback circuit coupled to the memory circuit to play the audio message from the lightweight speaker. The audio leaflet is configured such that the audio message can be recorded into the memory circuit by means of induction, electromechanical contact, or any other means familiar to one skilled in the art. The audio message can be recorded into the memory chip in a manufacturing setting or in a field setting by means of an automated portable recording device. The activating switch can be a switch that activates when the leaflet is unfolded, when the switch is pressed or when the leaflet it touched, by means of a grounding contact across the recipient's skin. FIG. 4 shows an electrical diagram of one example embodiment of the audio circuitry 20 of an audio leaflet. This embodiment comprises a playback chip 22, an activating switch 24, a speaker 26, a battery 28, an audio input 30, and a 12V input 32. The playback chip may be any audio chip that can receive an audio signal, store the audio signal, and subsequently play the audio signal via a small speaker. One example of such a chip includes, but is not limited to, the ISD1810 Chipcorder by ISD. Other electronic components are associated with the playback chip 22 that are not shown in FIG. 4, but that would be appreciated by one skilled in the art. It should also be noted that situations may arise where messages may need to be sent securely between individuals. In these cases, it is contemplated that an audio leaflet may be constructed with a plurality of security switches. When the leaflet is being encoded with the audio message, a combination may be encoded into the audio leaflet that is associated with the plurality of security switches. When the leaflet is received by the recipient, the audio message may only be unlocked and played by pressing the correct combination of security switches. The combination may be set before or after the card is programmed. FIG. 5 shows an electrical diagram of one example embodiment of the recording device audio circuitry 40. This embodiment may include a recording/playback chip 42. This chip may be of any design that allows the recording of an audio message, the storage of that audio message, followed by the programming of that audio message into one or a plurality of audio leaflets. An example of such a chip includes, but is not limited to, the ISD1416 and the ISD1420 Chipcorder by ISD. This embodiment also includes a storage array 44 into which the audio message is stored after being received by the chip from a microphone 48 or other device attached via an auxiliary jack 50. Upon activation of a record switch 46, the audio message is transferred to one or a plurality of audio leaflets by means of an address buffer array 52. The recording device audio circuitry 40 may be powered by an external 12V AC or DC source 54. Other electronic components are associated with the recording/playback chip 42 that are not shown in FIG. 5, but that would be appreciated by one skilled in the art. FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic view of an example embodiment of a portable recording device 60. The device may include a housing 62. This housing 62 may be rugged and waterproof to withstand extreme field conditions. The recording device may include a microphone 64 coupled to the housing, and it may also include an auxiliary input 66 for coupling to an external microphone or other audio input. Additionally, the unit may be operated with AC power 74, or from DC power 76. The AC power 74 input may include a universal adapter for operation in countries with diverse power requirements. One example of a DC power source may include a vehicle DC power adapter. The recording device 60 may also include a record message button 68. This button would be depressed while recording an audio message to activate the recording mode of the recording/playback chip 42. This action would cause the audio message to be stored in the storage array 44. Upon releasing the record message button 68, recording would cease. Audio leaflets may be inserted into one or a plurality of connector slots 72. Upon activation of a leaflet program button 70, the audio message is transferred to the audio leaflets. This transfer may occur by induction, electromechanical contact or any other means known to one skilled in the art. The audio message may remain in the storage array 44 until the record message button 68 is activated, allowing multiple batches of audio leaflets to be programmed with the same audio message. It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variation in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth herein.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to psychological and informational operations supporting military campaigns. More particularly, the present invention relates to targeted audio information dissemination.

<SOH> OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for the dissemination of audio information via an airdrop in a hostile environment to individuals of a target population lacking in literacy. It is another object of the present invention to provide a method for the dissemination of audio information that will, because of its novelty, cause further penetration and dissemination of the information into the hostile population. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method that will allow the disseminated audio information to remain in the hostile population for longer periods of time, due to the durability and novelty of the carrier of the audio information. It is yet another object of this invention to provide a method that will increase the retention of the information in a literate individual through the use of a combination of text and audio. The present invention concerns a method for the dissemination of audio information in a hostile environment via an airdrop to mainly illiterate populations in a target area by means of a leaflet containing audio circuitry ( FIG. 1 ). In the first step ( 1 ) of the method the hostile target population is identified and the desired content of the audio information is selected. An audio leaflet is manufactured in the second step ( 2 ). A plurality of leaflets may be manufactured prior to step ( 1 ) and stored for subsequent use. The leaflet can be a flat sheet or folded, and is constructed of a hardened material designed to withstand an impact with the ground following an airdrop. This hardening process will also function to make the leaflet waterproof, and to protect it from whatever elements it will encounter in the target area. Printed material and pictures corresponding to the audio information can also be printed on the leaflet. A memory chip capable of storing at least one minute of audio information is then incorporated into an audio playback circuit, with an associated power supply, switch and speaker to play the audio information. The switch will activate the audio circuit when the leaflet is opened, when a button is pressed or when it is picked up, by means of a grounding circuit across the recipient's skin. The desired content of the audio information is then recorded into a recording device in a language that will be understood by the recipient, preferably spoken by an individual that will be recognized as a member of the target population. The message is intended to be a short expression of information. The recording of the audio information can take place in the field by means of a portable recording device or in a manufacturing setting. In the field setting, the audio information is recorded to the portable recording device and then transferred to the plurality of leaflets in an automated process. A stack of leaflets would be placed in a receptacle on the portable recording device and sequentially programmed with the audio information. The portable recorder would also program single leaflets with a more personalized message. In the manufacturing setting the audio information is recorded and then transferred to the memory chip either before the chip is inserted into the leaflet or after the leaflet is fully constructed. The final steps of the method concern leaflet distribution. A specific target population is identified and the leaflets are airdropped into that area ( 6 ). The audio information is subsequently played when activated by a recipient from the target population, and the message is received irrespective of the individual's literacy. Because of the durability and novelty of the leaflet, it is likely to be repeatedly played and demonstrated to others in the population, thus causing a general retention and further dissemination of the audio information. In addition, the combination of text and audio will increase the retention of the information in an individual. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.

20050125

20070123

20050929

71719.0

PALADINI, ALBERT WILLIAM

AUDIO INFORMATION LEAFLET SYSTEM

SMALL

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Method for evaluating the signals of an electronic image sensor during pattern recognition of image contents in a test piece

Signals generated by an electronic image sensor, during pattern recognition of image contents in a test piece, are evaluated. The image sensor receives an input light signal and emits an electrical output signal that correlates with the input light signal. The image content of a window, having a size of n×n pixels, is analyzed. The output signals that are either directly or indirectly emitted by the image sensor are transformed into at least one translationally invariant characteristic value by the use of at least one calculation specification. This characteristic value is weighted by at least one fuzzy matching function which correlates with the value range of the characteristic value. A higher-order fuzzy matching function is generated by linking all of the matching functions by use of a calculation specification including at least one rule. A sympathy value is determined from the higher-order fuzzy matching function. That sympathy value is compared with a threshold value. A decision is then made from this comparison regarding association with a class.

1-23. (canceled) 24. A method for evaluation of a multiple pixel output signal of an electronic image sensor in the course of pattern recognition of the image content of an image of a test body including; generating a multiple pixel output signal, said signal comprising a window within said image of said test body having a size of n×n pixels; analyzing the image content in said window by converting said output signal into at least one invariant characteristic value using at least one calculation specification in the form of a two-dimensional mathematical spectral transformation method selected from the group comprising a Fourier, Walsh, Hadamard or circular transformation; weighting said characteristic value with at least one indistinct affiliation function, said affiliation function defining a relationship between a value range of said characteristic value and a characteristic; generating a higher order indistinct affiliation function by conjunctive linking of all of said affiliation functions of said characteristic; determining a sympathetic value from said higher order affiliation function, said sympathetic value defining a degree to which a characteristic in said image is similar to a reference characteristic; comparing said sympathetic value with a threshold value; and deciding a class affiliation for said signal from said comparison of said sympathetic value and said threshold value. 25. The method of claim 24 further including dividing the image of said test body into a group of N×N grid-like windows each of said size of n×n pixels; analyzing image content of one of said n×n pixel windows; defining two dimensional spectra from said image content; calculating spectral amplitude values from these two-dimensional spectra; linking together said spectral amplitude values; and forming one said sympathetic value for each said window. 26. The method of claim 24 further including forming only one said sympathetic value for each said window of said size of n×n pixels. 27. The method of claim 24 further including dividing the test body into a group of N×N grid-like windows each of said size of n×n pixels. 28. The method of claim 24 further including determining said sympathetic value using one of a main emphasis and a maximum method. 29. The method of claim 25 further including determining said sympathetic value using one of a main emphasis and a maximum method. 30. The method of claim 24 further including dividing said method into a learning phase and a work phase, using said learning phase for defining and matching at least one of a parameter and a threshold value, and, in said work phase, evaluating said image content of the image of the test body and evaluating said image using results from said learning phase. 31. The method of claim 25 further including dividing said method into a learning phase and a work phase, using said learning phase for defining and matching at least one of a parameter and a threshold value, and, in said work phase, evaluating said image content of the image of the test body and evaluating said image using results from said learning phase. 32. The method of claim 24 further including providing a learning phase and using said learning phase for teaching said affiliation function. 33. The method of claim 24 wherein each said affiliation function is a unimodal function. 34. The method of claim 24 wherein each said higher order affiliation function is a multimodal function. 35. The method of claim 24 wherein at least one said affiliation function and said higher order affiliation function is a potential function. 36. The method of claim 24 further including generating said higher order affiliation function by processing partial steps of premise evaluation, activation and aggregation, wherein, in said premise evaluation step, an affiliation value is determined for each IF portion of a calculation specification, wherein, in said activation step, an affiliation function is fixed for each IF . . . THEN calculation specification, and wherein, during said aggregation step, said higher order affiliation function is generated by superimposing all of said affiliation functions formed during said activation. 37. A method for evaluation of a multiple pixel output signal of an electronic image sensor in the course of pattern recognition of the image content of an image of a test body including; generating a multiple pixel image of said test body to be evaluated; dividing said image to be evaluated into N×N grid-like windows each having a size of n×n pixels; analyzing said image context of one of said windows of said size of n×n pixels; defining two-dimensional spectra from said image contents; and forming a spectral transformation using a circular transformation. 38. The method of claim 37 further including generating an invariant spectrum. 39. The method of claim 38 further including providing said invariant property adjustable by using transformation coefficients. 40. The method of claim 37 further including performing said circular transformation using real coefficients. 41. The method of claim 37 further including forming associated work coefficients by combining spectral coefficients in groups.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This U.S. patent application is the U.S. national phase, under 35 U.S.C. 371 of PCT/DE2003/002467, filed Jul. 22, 2003; published as WO 2004/017252A1 on Feb. 26, 2004, and claiming priority to DE 102 34 086.2 filed Jul. 26, 2002, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to methods for signal evaluation of an electronic image sensor in the course of pattern recognition of the image contents of a test body. The image sensor receives a light input signal and emits an electrical output signal which correlates with the light input signal. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Known methods for analyzing the image contents of a test body are mainly based on metrics for determining similarities, such as distance measurements of segmented objects, or the calculation of global threshold distributions. These methods are based on translatorily invariable initial spectra. Situations often occur in reality, such as object displacements underneath the recording system, or different backgrounds during recording, or aliasing effects, so that in many cases a direct comparison of these initial spectra cannot be performed. It is known from the reference book of Thomas TILLI, “Mustererkennung mit Fuzzy-Logik: Analysieren, klassifizieren, erkennen und diagnostizieren” [Pattern Recognition by Means of Fuzzy Logic: Analyzing, Classifying, Determining and Diagnosing], Franzis-Verlag GmbH, München, publishers, 1993, pp. 183/184, 208 to 210, 235 to 257, to use fuzzy logic for image processing, wherein a spectral transformation can be one type of signal preparation. The technical article “Mustererkennung mit Fuzzy-Logik” [Pattern Recognition by Means of Fuzzy Logic] by Peter ARNEMANN, Elektronik 22/1992, pages 88 to 92, describes how to perform pattern recognition by the use of fuzzy logic. The article by D. Charalampidis, T. Kasparis, M. Georgiopoulos, J. Rolland “A Fuzzy ARTMAP-Based Classification Technique of Natural Textures”, Fuzzy Information Processing Society, 1999, NAFIPS, 18th International Conference of the North American Fuzzy Information Processing Society, Jun. 10 to 12 1999, pp. 507 to 511, describes the performance of pattern recognition with a training phase and the use of a window of 16×16 pixels for image recognition. The publication “Volker Lohweg and Dietmar Müiller: Ein generalisiertes Verfahren zur Berechnung von translationsinvarianten Zirkulartransformationen füir die Anwendung in der Signal-und Bildverarbeitung” [A Generalized Method for Calculating Translation-invariant Circular Transformations for Employment in Signal and Image Processing], Mustererkennung [Pattern Recognition] 2000, 22nd DAGM Symposium, 09/13 to 15/2000, pages 213 to 220” describes the mathematical bases and the application of circular transformation in image processing. U.S. Pat. No. 0,039,446/2002 discloses a method for comparing two patterns by the use of classification methods. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is directed to providing methods for signal evaluation of an electronic image sensor in the course of pattern recognition of the image contents of a test body. In accordance with the invention, this object is attained by generating a multiple pixel output signal with the image sensor. The output signal comprises an n×n pixel window within an image of the test body, whose contents are analyzed. The output signal is converted into at least one translationally invariant characteristic value by use of at least one calculation specification. In a fuzzification step, the characteristic value is weighted with a least one indistinct affiliation function. A higher order affiliation function is determined from the at least one affiliation function during an interference step. During defuzzification, a sympathetic value is determined from the higher order affiliation function and is compared with a threshold value. A class affiliation is then decided from this comparison. An advantage of the present invention lies, in particular, in that a sensor signal is analyzed in an image window of the size of n×n pixels. As a result of this, it is possible to consider the sensor signal of this image window to be local. The image analysis method in accordance with the present invention can be divided into the following substantial steps: characteristics formation, fuzzyfying, interference, defuzzyfying and decision regarding the class affiliation. In the course of characteristics formation, the sensor signal is converted, by the use of at least one calculation specification, into an invariant, and in particular into a translation-invariant, signal in the characteristic space. It is the aim of the characteristics formation to define those values by which typical signal properties of the image content are characterized. The typical signal properties of the image content are represented by so-called characteristics. In this case, the characteristics can be represented by values in the characteristic space, or by linguistic variables. A signal is formed by transferring the sensor signal into the characteristic space, which consists of one characteristic value or of several characteristic values. The affiliation of a characteristic value with a characteristic is described by at least one indistinct affiliation function. This is a soft or indistinct affiliation, wherein the affiliation of the characteristic value with the characteristic exists as a function of the characteristic value in a standardized interval between 0 and 1. The concept of the affiliation function leads to a characteristic value no longer totally, or not at all, being capable of being affiliated with a characteristic, but which instead can take on a fuzzy affiliation, which is located between the Boolean logical functions 1 and 0. The above-described step is called fuzzyfication. Thus, in the course of fuzzyfication, a conversion of a definite characteristic value into one or into several indistinct affiliations substantially takes place. In connection with the interference step, a higher order affiliation function is generated by use of a calculation specification consisting of at least one rule, wherein all of the affiliation functions are linked to each other. As a result, a higher order affiliation function is therefore obtained for each image window. In connection with the defuzzyfication step, a number value, also called a sympathetic value, is determined from the higher order affiliation function formed during interference. In the course of the decision regarding class affiliation, a comparison of the sympathetic value with a previously fixed threshold value takes place, by which comparison the affiliation of the window with a defined class is decided. What type the characteristic values in the characteristic space are is of lesser importance for the principle of the present invention. Thus, for example, in connection with time signals, there is the possibility to set the mean value or the variance as characteristic values. If it is required of the evaluation process that it can process the image contents free of errors, regardless of the respectively prevailing signal intensity, and if furthermore small, but permissible fluctuations in the image signal do not lead to interference, it is useful if the conversion of the sensor signal from the two-dimensional local space is performed by the use of a two-dimensional spectral transformation, such as, for example, a two-dimensional Fourier, or a two-dimensional Walsh, or a two-dimensional Hadamard, or a two-dimensional circular transformation. Invariant characteristic values are obtained by the use of the two-dimensional spectral transformation. A further preferred embodiment of the present invention consists in using the amount of the spectral coefficient obtained by the spectral transformation as the characteristic value. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the affiliation functions are unimodal potential functions, and the higher order affiliation function is a multimodal potential function. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one affiliation function is parametrized. If the affiliation function has positive and negative slopes, it is advantageous if it is possible to determine the positive and negative slopes separately. An improved matching of the parameters to the data sets to be examined is assured by this. In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method for evaluating the images of the electronic image sensor can be divided into a learning phase and a working phase. If the affiliation functions are parametrized, it is possible, in the learning phase, to determine the parameters of the affiliation functions from measured data sets. In the learning phase, the parameters of the affiliation functions are adapted to so-called reference images, i.e. during the learning phase an affiliation of the characteristic values resulting from the reference images with the respective characteristics is derived by the use of the affiliation functions and their parameters. In the subsequent work phase, the characteristic values resulting from the now measured data sets are weighted with the affiliation functions whose parameters had been determined in the learning phase, from which step an affiliation of the characteristic values of the now measured data sets with the corresponding characteristics is produced. By dividing the method into a learning phase and a work phase, the parameters of the affiliation functions are determined by the use of measured reference data sets. In the subsequent work phase, the measured data sets, which are to be tested, are weighted with the affiliation functions fixed during the learning phase, and are then evaluated. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one rule by which the affiliation functions are linked with each other, is a conjunctive rule within the meaning of an IF . . . THEN linkage. A further preferred embodiment of the present invention subdivides the generation of the higher order indistinct affiliation functions into the processing of the partial steps: premise evaluation, activation and aggregation. In this case, in the premise evaluation partial step, an affiliation value is determined for each IF portion of a rule, and during the activation step, an affiliation function is fixed for each IF . . . THEN rule. Thereafter, during the aggregation step, the higher order affiliation function is generated by superimposing all of the affiliation functions created during the activation step. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sympathetic value determination is performed, in particular, in accordance with a main emphasis and/or a maximum method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the present invention are represented in the drawings and will be described in greater detail in what follows. Shown are in: FIG. 1, a flow diagram of the signal evaluation method in accordance with the present invention, in FIG. 2, a sympathetic curve, in FIG. 3a, a difference function of the power of D=8, in FIG. 3b, a difference function of the power of D=4, and in FIG. 3c, a difference function of the power of D=2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A flow diagram of the signal evaluation method to be described in what follows, in accordance with the present invention, is shown in FIG. 1. In the method for signal evaluation of image contents of a test body, a grid of N×N windows 01 is placed over the entire image to be analyzed. Each window 01 here consists of n×n pixels 02. In the course of the image analysis, the signal from each window 01 is analyzed separately. As a result, the image content 03 of each window 01 can be considered to be local. The two-dimensional image of the local space is transformed into a two-dimensional image in the frequency space by one or by several spectral transformations. The spectrum obtained is called a frequency spectrum. Since this is a discrete spectrum in the present preferred embodiment, the frequency spectrum is also discrete. The frequency spectrum is constituted by the spectral coefficients 06, which are also called spectral values 06. In the subsequent method step, the amount formation 07 of the spectral values 06 takes place. The amounts of the spectral values 06 are called spectral amplitude values 08. In the present preferred embodiment, the spectral amplitude values 08 constitute the characteristic values, i.e. they are identical to the characteristic values. A circular transformation is preferably used for the transformation. With the circular transformation, the invariance properties can be adjusted via the transformation coefficients. It is possible to set a translation invariance, as well as a reflection invariance, or an invariance with respect to different other permutation groups. In this way, it is possible to utilize the above mentioned transformation, for example, in the reflection-variant variation for inspecting characters. Consider the differentiation between the numbers “9” and “6”. In the same way, the reflection-invariant variation can be used for inspecting workpieces, since here it is not necessary, in particular, to make a differentiation between a reflected part and the original. It should be mentioned that the amount spectrum of the Fourier transformation is reflection-invariant. These transformations work with real coefficient values. It is therefore not necessary to utilize a complex calculation, as with the Fourier transformation. The circular transformation is extremely tolerant, even in the sub-pixel range, in connection with any arbitrary displacements. Comparisons have shown that this circular transformation is superior to other known transformations in regard to displacements. The number of work coefficients (characteristics, features) is small, because the spectral coefficients are again combined in groups. The tolerance to displacements is created by the combination. Even if a signal runs partially out of a measurement field, the characteristics remain relatively stable. Tests have shown that stability is maintained, even if the image contents lie outside of the measurement field by up to approximately 30%. The characteristic selection 09 follows as a further method step. The aim of the characteristic selection 09 is to select the characteristics 11, which are characteristic for the image content 03 of the image to be analyzed. Characteristic spectral amplitude values 08, which define the characteristic 11 by their position in the frequency space and by their amplitude, are possible as characteristics 11. Linguistic variables, such as “gray”, “black” or “white”, are also possible as characteristics 11. In the next method step, the fuzzyfication step 12, the affiliation of each spectral amplitude value 08 with a characteristic 11 is fixed by the use of a soft or an indistinct affiliation function 13. In other words, weighting is performed. If it is intended, during a learning phase, to match the affiliation functions 13 to so-called reference data sets, it is useful if the affiliation functions 13 are parametrized monomodal, i.e. are one-dimensional potential functions, wherein the parameters of the positive and negative slopes can be matched separately to the data sets to be examined. In the work phase, which follows the learning phase, the data sets of the image content, from which the characteristic values 08 of the test images result, are weighted with the respective affiliation functions 13 whose parameters had been determined in the previous learning phase. This means that, for each characteristic 11, a sort of TARGET-ACTUAL comparison between the reference data set, expressed in the parameters of the affiliation function 13, and the data set of the test image takes place. A soft or indistinct affiliation between the respective characteristic value 08 and the characteristic 11 is made by use of the affiliation functions 13. In the next method step, the interference step 14, a conjunctive linkage 15, also called aggregation 15, of all affiliation functions 13 of the characteristics 11 takes place. A higher order affiliation function 16 is thus created or formed. The next method step, the defuzzyfication step 17, determines a concrete affiliation or sympathetic value 18 from the higher order affiliation function 16. During the classification 19, this sympathetic value 18 is compared with a previously set threshold value 21, so that a classification statement can be made. The threshold value 21 is set either manually or automatically. Setting of the threshold value 21 takes also place during the learning phase. During the classification, a numerical value is not assigned directly to a defined class by the use of a true or false statement. A unimodal function is set instead, which function describes an affiliation with a true or false statement. In the course of this, the class affiliation is trained, i.e. the decision curves are taught by the use of measured values determined during the process. The functions by which a degree of affiliation is determined, are called affiliation functions ZGF=μ(mx). The calculated value of the affiliation function ZGF is called a sympathetic value μ. Several affiliation functions ZGF are often used, which are further combined in the subsequent steps in order to achieve an unequivocal statement. However, this is specifically not a neuronal network being used. It is known that neuronal networks can be trained. The fuzzy plate classification is based on a concept which simultaneously provides a distance measurement and a characteristic linkage. The “fuzzy” fact here is that the characteristics are “rounded off”, not logically, but indistinctly. For one, this leads to all characteristics being summarily considered. This means that small deviations from a characteristic are still tolerated. If, secondly, the deviation from a characteristic becomes too large, this immediately has a large effect on the distance measurement. Accordingly, the output of the classificator does not provide a “good/bad” decision, but a continuous output value between. Thereafter a threshold value is used, which makes a “good/bad” decision possible. The output value for the distance measurement (sympathetic value) is μ=2−2, wherein z = 1 M ⁢ ∑ z = 0 M - 1 ⁢ (  m x - x 0 ⁡ ( m x )  C x ) D , 0 ≤ z ≤ 10 , z > 10 ⇒ μ ⁡ ( z ) ≡ 0 , Here, the coefficients have the following meanings: x=counting index, z=averaged distance measurement, M=number of characteristics, xo=mean value of Cdiff, Cx=expansion value, D=power, μ=sympathetic value, Cdiff=difference measurement of the expansion value. The expansion value C is taught with the aid of measured values which had been generated by the use of the circular transformation. The μ-value describes how close the similarity of a pattern is in relation to a reference pattern described by the characteristics. This means that the z-value takes over the actual control of the μ-value. If the z-value is very small, the μ-value is close to 1. The patterns are very similar, or are sympathetic. However, if the z-value is large, the μ-value will become small. This indicates that the patterns are not similar. The course of the curve, as implemented, is represented in FIG. 2. Initially, in the learning phase, the values Cdiffx are determined, namely for each characteristic mx one value: Cdiffx=max(mx)−min(mx) wherein Cdiff is the difference measurement of the expansion value, and m are the characteristics. During the inspection, the learned Cdiff values are used. The values can still be assigned an additional tolerance a. Settlement takes place during the running time: Cx=(1+2 pce) max(mx)2−min(mx), a=(1+2 pce) wherein C is the expansion value and Pce is the percental tolerance of Cdiff. The value range of “a” lies between. The value Pce indicates the percental tolerance with which Cdiff is respectively charged. A 50% expansion of the range of Cdiff is intended to be achieved; in that case “a”=1+2*0.5=2. The xo value indicates the mean value of Cdiff; it is calculated for each characteristic during the running time. The difference between the characteristic value and the mean characteristic value, which is determined from the value Cx, is calculated. This difference is standardized with the width of the expansion value Cx. The result is that, with a slight deviation, the corresponding characteristic contributes little to the z-value. However, with a large deviation, a large deviation value will result as a function of the difference measure of the expansion value Cdiff. The standardized difference is called dx. The power D (2, 4, 8) sets the sensitivity at the flanks of the standardized difference function dx. If the value D is set to “infinity”, which is not technically possible, an infinite flank steepness is also obtained, and therefore a hard good/bad decision is made. Therefore, the values are customarily set to between 2 . . . 20. The curves for the values 2, 4 and 8 are represented in FIGS. 3c, 3b and 3a. The exponentiated functions dx are added up. However, only the number M of the characteristics m which have been switched on is used. Following the adding-up, the calculated value is divided by the number M. The mean value of all exponentiated differences dx is thus determined. The effect is the following: because of the exponentiation, small deviations will not be important, but the importance of large ones will be increased. A deviation of all characteristic differences is calculated by averaging. This has the result that, even with the deviation of several characteristics, the μ-value is not drastically lowered. This value will become very small only with larger deviations. A threshold value evaluation follows thereafter. Good, if μ(z)≧μs μklass=Error, if μ(z)<μs This process is performed for all windows. An evaluation of dynamic processes, such a printing processes, requires non-linear distance measurements or sympathetic values. While preferred embodiments of methods for evaluating the signals of an electronic image sensor during pattern recognition of image contents of a test piece, in accordance with the present invention, have been set forth fully and completely hereinabove, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that various changes in, for example the specific image to be evaluated, the specific type of electronic image sensor used to receive the light input signal, and the like could be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention which is accordingly to be limited only by the following claims.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Known methods for analyzing the image contents of a test body are mainly based on metrics for determining similarities, such as distance measurements of segmented objects, or the calculation of global threshold distributions. These methods are based on translatorily invariable initial spectra. Situations often occur in reality, such as object displacements underneath the recording system, or different backgrounds during recording, or aliasing effects, so that in many cases a direct comparison of these initial spectra cannot be performed. It is known from the reference book of Thomas TILLI, “Mustererkennung mit Fuzzy-Logik: Analysieren, klassifizieren, erkennen und diagnostizieren” [Pattern Recognition by Means of Fuzzy Logic: Analyzing, Classifying, Determining and Diagnosing], Franzis-Verlag GmbH, München, publishers, 1993, pp. 183/184, 208 to 210, 235 to 257, to use fuzzy logic for image processing, wherein a spectral transformation can be one type of signal preparation. The technical article “Mustererkennung mit Fuzzy-Logik” [Pattern Recognition by Means of Fuzzy Logic] by Peter ARNEMANN, Elektronik 22/1992, pages 88 to 92, describes how to perform pattern recognition by the use of fuzzy logic. The article by D. Charalampidis, T. Kasparis, M. Georgiopoulos, J. Rolland “A Fuzzy ARTMAP-Based Classification Technique of Natural Textures”, Fuzzy Information Processing Society, 1999, NAFIPS, 18th International Conference of the North American Fuzzy Information Processing Society, Jun. 10 to 12 1999, pp. 507 to 511, describes the performance of pattern recognition with a training phase and the use of a window of 16×16 pixels for image recognition. The publication “Volker Lohweg and Dietmar Müiller: Ein generalisiertes Verfahren zur Berechnung von translationsinvarianten Zirkulartransformationen füir die Anwendung in der Signal-und Bildverarbeitung” [A Generalized Method for Calculating Translation-invariant Circular Transformations for Employment in Signal and Image Processing], Mustererkennung [Pattern Recognition] 2000, 22 nd DAGM Symposium, 09/13 to 15/2000, pages 213 to 220” describes the mathematical bases and the application of circular transformation in image processing. U.S. Pat. No. 0,039,446/2002 discloses a method for comparing two patterns by the use of classification methods.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The object of the present invention is directed to providing methods for signal evaluation of an electronic image sensor in the course of pattern recognition of the image contents of a test body. In accordance with the invention, this object is attained by generating a multiple pixel output signal with the image sensor. The output signal comprises an n×n pixel window within an image of the test body, whose contents are analyzed. The output signal is converted into at least one translationally invariant characteristic value by use of at least one calculation specification. In a fuzzification step, the characteristic value is weighted with a least one indistinct affiliation function. A higher order affiliation function is determined from the at least one affiliation function during an interference step. During defuzzification, a sympathetic value is determined from the higher order affiliation function and is compared with a threshold value. A class affiliation is then decided from this comparison. An advantage of the present invention lies, in particular, in that a sensor signal is analyzed in an image window of the size of n×n pixels. As a result of this, it is possible to consider the sensor signal of this image window to be local. The image analysis method in accordance with the present invention can be divided into the following substantial steps: characteristics formation, fuzzyfying, interference, defuzzyfying and decision regarding the class affiliation. In the course of characteristics formation, the sensor signal is converted, by the use of at least one calculation specification, into an invariant, and in particular into a translation-invariant, signal in the characteristic space. It is the aim of the characteristics formation to define those values by which typical signal properties of the image content are characterized. The typical signal properties of the image content are represented by so-called characteristics. In this case, the characteristics can be represented by values in the characteristic space, or by linguistic variables. A signal is formed by transferring the sensor signal into the characteristic space, which consists of one characteristic value or of several characteristic values. The affiliation of a characteristic value with a characteristic is described by at least one indistinct affiliation function. This is a soft or indistinct affiliation, wherein the affiliation of the characteristic value with the characteristic exists as a function of the characteristic value in a standardized interval between 0 and 1. The concept of the affiliation function leads to a characteristic value no longer totally, or not at all, being capable of being affiliated with a characteristic, but which instead can take on a fuzzy affiliation, which is located between the Boolean logical functions 1 and 0. The above-described step is called fuzzyfication. Thus, in the course of fuzzyfication, a conversion of a definite characteristic value into one or into several indistinct affiliations substantially takes place. In connection with the interference step, a higher order affiliation function is generated by use of a calculation specification consisting of at least one rule, wherein all of the affiliation functions are linked to each other. As a result, a higher order affiliation function is therefore obtained for each image window. In connection with the defuzzyfication step, a number value, also called a sympathetic value, is determined from the higher order affiliation function formed during interference. In the course of the decision regarding class affiliation, a comparison of the sympathetic value with a previously fixed threshold value takes place, by which comparison the affiliation of the window with a defined class is decided. What type the characteristic values in the characteristic space are is of lesser importance for the principle of the present invention. Thus, for example, in connection with time signals, there is the possibility to set the mean value or the variance as characteristic values. If it is required of the evaluation process that it can process the image contents free of errors, regardless of the respectively prevailing signal intensity, and if furthermore small, but permissible fluctuations in the image signal do not lead to interference, it is useful if the conversion of the sensor signal from the two-dimensional local space is performed by the use of a two-dimensional spectral transformation, such as, for example, a two-dimensional Fourier, or a two-dimensional Walsh, or a two-dimensional Hadamard, or a two-dimensional circular transformation. Invariant characteristic values are obtained by the use of the two-dimensional spectral transformation. A further preferred embodiment of the present invention consists in using the amount of the spectral coefficient obtained by the spectral transformation as the characteristic value. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the affiliation functions are unimodal potential functions, and the higher order affiliation function is a multimodal potential function. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one affiliation function is parametrized. If the affiliation function has positive and negative slopes, it is advantageous if it is possible to determine the positive and negative slopes separately. An improved matching of the parameters to the data sets to be examined is assured by this. In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method for evaluating the images of the electronic image sensor can be divided into a learning phase and a working phase. If the affiliation functions are parametrized, it is possible, in the learning phase, to determine the parameters of the affiliation functions from measured data sets. In the learning phase, the parameters of the affiliation functions are adapted to so-called reference images, i.e. during the learning phase an affiliation of the characteristic values resulting from the reference images with the respective characteristics is derived by the use of the affiliation functions and their parameters. In the subsequent work phase, the characteristic values resulting from the now measured data sets are weighted with the affiliation functions whose parameters had been determined in the learning phase, from which step an affiliation of the characteristic values of the now measured data sets with the corresponding characteristics is produced. By dividing the method into a learning phase and a work phase, the parameters of the affiliation functions are determined by the use of measured reference data sets. In the subsequent work phase, the measured data sets, which are to be tested, are weighted with the affiliation functions fixed during the learning phase, and are then evaluated. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one rule by which the affiliation functions are linked with each other, is a conjunctive rule within the meaning of an IF . . . THEN linkage. A further preferred embodiment of the present invention subdivides the generation of the higher order indistinct affiliation functions into the processing of the partial steps: premise evaluation, activation and aggregation. In this case, in the premise evaluation partial step, an affiliation value is determined for each IF portion of a rule, and during the activation step, an affiliation function is fixed for each IF . . . THEN rule. Thereafter, during the aggregation step, the higher order affiliation function is generated by superimposing all of the affiliation functions created during the activation step. In accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sympathetic value determination is performed, in particular, in accordance with a main emphasis and/or a maximum method.

20050126

20090127

20060309

60995.0

G06K920

PERUNGAVOOR, SATHYANARAYA V

METHOD FOR EVALUATING THE SIGNALS OF AN ELECTRONIC IMAGE SENSOR DURING PATTERN RECOGNITION OF IMAGE CONTENTS IN A TEST PIECE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

G06K

ACCEPTED

Screwdriver with removable rod

Screwing tool (1) having a grip (2) and a shank (3), which is received removably in a cavity (4) open toward an end of the grip (2) and which at its free end has an actuating portion (5). The shank (3) is retained in a position of use such that it is fixed in terms of rotation on the grip, to avoid sliding in the axial direction, by a retaining element (14) associated with the grip (2). The retaining element (14) can be displaced into a removal position by displacement of an actuating member (6) in order for the shank to be removed from the grip (2). In a storage position, a large part of the shank (3) is located in the cavity (4), where it is held by a holding element (H). The holding element (H) is releasable, so that part of the shank (3) can be moved out.

1-23. (canceled) 24. Screwing tool (1) having a grip (2) and a shank (3), which is received removably in a cavity (4) open toward an end of the grip (2) and which at its free end has an actuating portion (5); wherein the shank (3) is retained in a position of use with the shank being fixed in terms of rotation on the grip without sliding in the axial direction, by means of a retaining element (14) associated with the grip (2); wherein the retaining element (14) can be displaced into a removal position by displacement of an actuating member (6) in order for the shank to be removed from the grip (2); in which tool, in a stored position, a large part of the shank (3) is located in the cavity (4), where it is held releasably, wherein the shank, in the stored position, is held by means of releasable holding means (H) separate from the retaining element (14), it being possible, during release of the holding means, for that part of the shank (3) which is located in the cavity (4), apart from a holding portion (H) of the shank (3) associated with the fixed shank end, to be moved out of the cavity (4) into the position of use onto a stop (A) formed by the remaining element (14) through the application of force. 25. Screwing tool according to claim 24, wherein the actuating member associated with the grip (2) is displaced into a release position for releasing the holding means (H), and has the form of a sleeve (6). 26. Screwing tool according to claim 25, wherein the stop (A) is formed by the retaining element (14) which can be moved into the removal position by displacement of the actuating sleeve (6) to beyond the release position. 27. Screwing tool according to claim 24, wherein the retaining element (14) which forms the stop can be moved into the removal position by displacement of the actuating member (6) to beyond the release position. 28. Screwing tool according to claim 24, wherein a force required to extend the shank (3) into the position of use is applied by a spring (24), which is stressed as the shank (3) moves into the storage position and is supported against the base of the cavity (4). 29. Screwing tool according to claim 24, wherein the stop (A) or the retaining element (14) is formed by at least one blocking ball (14) which enters a blocking recess at the shank end. 30. Screwing tool according to claim 29, wherein the blocking ball (14) is located in a window (12) in the cavity wall and interacts with a locking sleeve (15) which is spring-loaded in the axial direction. 31. Screwing tool according to claim 30, wherein the blocking ball (14), which is located in the window (12) in the storage position, and while the shank (3) is being extended, is spring-loaded in the radial direction by a boundary edge (30) of the locking sleeve (15). 32. Screwing tool according to claim 29, wherein the blocking recess is an annular neck (31) with an axial length which is greater than the diameter of the blocking ball. 33. Screwing tool according to claim 24, wherein the holding means (H) is at least one latching ball (13) which interacts with a corner cutout (29) of the polygonal shank (3). 34. Screwing tool according to claim 33, wherein the latching ball (13) is acted on by an oblique flank (28) of an actuating sleeve (6) which is spring-loaded in the axial direction. 35. Screwing tool according to claim 33, wherein the actuating member (6) has the form of a sleeve, and the latching ball (13), both in the stored position and in the position of use, is located in a corner clearance (29) of the shank (3), to be released by axial displacement of the actuating sleeve (6), in order to axially retain the shank (3). 36. Screwing tool according to claim 35, further comprising a rear stop shoulder (20′) of the actuating sleeve (6) which, during axial displacement of the actuating sleeve (6), slides a locking sleeve (15) from its locking position into a release position which allows a blocking ball (14) to be displaced in the radial direction. 37. Screwing tool according to claim 36, wherein the stop shoulder (20′) is formed by an annular portion (20) which has a compression spring (16) associated with the actuating sleeve (6), the annular portion engaging over the spring and into a cavity (21) of which the blocking ball (14) can be displaced in the release position. 38. Screwing tool according to claim 30, wherein the locking sleeve (15), in a locking position, is supported against an annular collar (18) which is the abutment for an actuating sleeve spring (16). 39. Screwing tool according to claim 24, wherein the grip cavity (4) is defined by a tube (7) which receives the shank (3) and has a polygonal cavity (9) that provides windows (11, 12) for a blocking ball (14) and a latching ball (13). 40. Screwing tool according to claim 39, wherein the diameter of the latching ball (13) is smaller than the diameter of the blocking ball (14). 41. Screwing tool according to claim 24, wherein the shank (3) can be completely removed from the grip cavity (4) when a stop (A) has been deactivated. 42. Screwing tool according to claim 39, wherein the actuating member (6) has the form of a sleeve, and the actuating sleeve (6), as it is being displaced out of its locking position, encounters a perceptible resistance after it has reached the release position of the latching ball (13) but before it has reached the release position of the blocking ball (14). 43. Screwing tool according to claim 42, wherein the resistance is audibly overcome. 44. Screwing tool according to claim 43, wherein the resistance is provided by a collar (34) of the actuating sleeve (6), which collar moves onto a circlip (32) located in a groove (33) in a bush (7) which defines the cavity (4). 45. Screwing tool according to claim 44, wherein the actuating sleeve (6) has to be rotated in order to overcome the resistance. 46. Screwing tool according to claim 44, wherein the bush (7) which defines the cavity (4) forms a connecting link (35) in which a pin (36) engages, the pin being fixed to the grip. 47. Screwing tool according to claim 31, wherein the boundary edge (30) is an inclined boundary edge.

The invention relates to a screwing tool having a grip and a shank which is received removably by a chuck associated with the grip and at its free end has an actuating portion. Screwing tools of this type are known from the prior art. Screwing tools of this type usually have exchangeable blades. The grip has a central cavity, into which a clamping portion of the blade can be slid. There, on the side of the cavity opening, it is possible to provide a clamping chuck which has clamping jaws that can be moved radially onto the blade in order to hold the blade retained in the axial direction. The blade can be used with different lengths by means of a chuck of this type. Although this solution has the advantage of a stepless length adjustment, if the clamping jaws are not pressed onto the shank with sufficient force, the shank can slip into the grip in the event of a corresponding axial load being applied to the grip. Furthermore, the prior art has disclosed clamping chucks for holding bits. Clamping chucks for bits are shown, for example, in DE-U1 85 02 308, DE-U1 201 06 986.5 and DE-U1 90 00 245.8. Screwdrivers with exchangeable blades are known from DE 44 01 335 C2 and DE-U1 90 02 085. The invention is based on the object of further developing the screwing tool of the generic type in a way which is advantageous for use. The object is achieved by the invention given in the claims. Claim 1 provides firstly and substantially that the removable shank can also be moved into a storage position, in which a large part of the shank is located in a rear part of the cavity, where it is held by means of holding means, which holding means are releasable, so that that part of the shank which is located within the cavity, apart from a holding portion of the shank associated with the fixed end of the shank, can be moved out of the cavity into a position of use onto a stop by the application of force, in which position of use the holding portion is retained in the axial direction and in the direction of rotation by the chuck. This retaining can be released in order for the shank to be removed. On account of this configuration, the screwing tool can not only be moved telescopically from an operating position into a storage position and vice versa, with the shank being held in both these positions, but also the shank which bears the screwing working tip is also removable from the grip and in particular exchangeable. The screwing tool can be stored in a space-saving manner in the storage position. An actuating member, in particular in the form of an actuating sleeve, which is associated with the grip and is displaceable into a release position, is preferably provided in order to release the holding means. Furthermore, it is proposed that a stop which can be deactivated by the actuating member being displaced to beyond the release position is provided. The stop can preferably be activated under spring loading. Furthermore, it proves advantageous for the force required to extend the shank into the position of use to be applied by a spring which is stressed as the shank is slid into the storage position and is supported against the base of the cavity. In this case, the stop is formed by at least one blocking ball which enters a blocking recess at the shank end. It is preferable for the blocking ball to be located in a window in the cavity wall and to interact with a locking sleeve which is spring-loaded in the axial direction of the screwing tool. Furthermore, it is provided that the blocking ball, which is located in the window in the storage position and while the shank is being extended, to be spring-loaded in the radial direction by a boundary edge, in particular an inclined boundary edge, of the locking sleeve. The blocking recess may be formed as an annular neck. In this case, the axial length of the annular neck is greater than the diameter of the blocking ball. It has proven advantageous for the holding means to be at least one latching ball which interacts with a corner cutout of the polygonal shank. In this case, the latching ball is acted on by an oblique flank of an actuating sleeve which is spring-loaded in the axial direction of the screwing tool. A configuration which is pertinent to the invention provides for the latching ball to be located in a corner cutout of the shank such that it can be released by axial displacement of the actuating sleeve in the storage position and in the position of use, in order to axially retain the shank. A further configuration which is pertinent to the invention provides a rear stop shoulder of the actuating sleeve, which during axial displacement of the actuating sleeve slides the locking sleeve from its locking position into a release position which allows the blocking ball to be displaced in the radial direction. The stop shoulder is preferably formed by an annular portion, which has a compression spring associated with the actuating sleeve engaging over it and into the cavity of which the blocking ball can be displaced in the release position. It is also possible to provide for the locking sleeve to be supported, in the locking position, against an annular collar which is the abutment for the actuating sleeve spring. A preferred refinement of the invention provides for the grip cavity to be formed by a tube which receives the shank, has a polygonal cavity and provides the windows for the blocking ball and the latching balls. The diameter of the latching ball is smaller than the diameter of the blocking ball. With the stop deactivated, the shank can be completely removed from the grip cavity. In a variant of the invention, it is provided that the actuating sleeve, as it is being displaced out of its locking position, encounters a perceptible resistance after it has reached the release position of the latching ball, in which the shank can be displaced outward with respect to the grip by the compression spring, but before it has reached the release position of the blocking ball, which captures the shank on reaching its outwardly displaced position. This refinement has the advantage that the actuator initially only displaces the actuating sleeve sufficiently far for the shank to be the subject of preliminary displacement. The further displacement into the release position of the blocking ball has to be deliberate. It is particularly advantageous if the resistance is audibly overcome. For example, it is provided that the bush which defines the cavity for receiving the shank has an annular groove, in which a circlip is located. An inwardly directed collar of the actuating sleeve comes into contact with this circlip. This produces the perceptible resistance. The depth of the groove is such that the circlip can yield into it. Therefore, it has to be compressed if the collar is to be lifted over the circlip. Moreover, this is associated with an audible click. In a further configuration of the invention, it is provided that the actuating sleeve has a link guide. This link guide comprises a longitudinal slot in which a guide pin engages. The longitudinal slot has an obtuse-angled extension into which the guide pin engages when the actuating sleeve is rotated. Rotation of the actuating sleeve is required in order to release the blocking ball. The invention of the latching mechanism is of stand-alone inventive importance even independently of the removability of the shank which was primarily outlined above. The shank is rotationally fixedly connected to the grip in the position of use. In the storage position, rotationally fixed connection with respect to the shank is not required. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of the grip of the screwing tool with associable shank; FIG. 2 shows a view toward the screwing tool in a position of use; FIG. 3 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 2 rotated through 90°; FIG. 4 shows a rear view of FIG. 2 rotated through 90°; FIG. 5 shows a section on line V-V in FIG. 2, but in a released position of the shank; FIG. 6 shows the section on line VI-VI in FIG. 3, but relating to the position illustrated in FIG. 5; FIG. 7 shows the follow-up illustration to FIG. 5, but in a position of use of the shank; FIG. 8 shows a follow-up illustration to FIG. 6, but in the position of use; FIG. 9 shows a follow-up illustration to FIG. 7, but in a storage position of the shank; FIG. 10 shows a follow-up illustration to FIG. 8, but in the storage position; FIG. 11 shows a sectional view on line XI-XI in FIG. 5; FIG. 12 shows a sectional view on line XII-XII in FIG. 7; FIG. 13 shows a sectional view on line XIII-XIII in FIG. 6; FIG. 14 shows a sectional view on line XIV-XIV in FIG. 8; FIG. 15 shows a sectional illustration of a further exemplary embodiment of the invention in the region of the chuck with locked actuating sleeve; FIG. 16 shows the exemplary embodiment in accordance with FIG. 15, with the actuating sleeve 6 having been displaced into the release position of the latching ball 13; FIG. 17 shows the exemplary embodiment in accordance with FIG. 15, with the actuating sleeve having been displaced into the release position of the blocking ball; FIG. 18 shows a further exemplary embodiment in plan view; FIG. 19 shows a sectional illustration of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with FIG. 18 with the actuating sleeve locked; FIG. 20 shows an illustration in accordance with FIG. 19, with the actuating sleeve having been displaced into the release position of the latching ball, and FIG. 21 shows an illustration in accordance with FIG. 19, with the actuating sleeve having been displaced into the release position of the blocking ball. Reference numeral 1 denotes a screwing tool which is composed of a grip 2 and a polygonal shank 3. The hexagonal shank 3 can be fitted into an axially disposed cavity 4 in the grip 2. The free end of the polygonal shank 3 has an actuating portion in the form of a clamping chuck 5. An axially displaceable actuating sleeve 6 is associated with the grip 2 to the rear of the opening of the cavity 4. Furthermore, the grip 2 is in the shape and form of a screwdriver handle. The grip cavity 4 which has already been mentioned above is formed by a tube 7 which receives the shank 3. Approximately half of the body length of the tube 7 is seated in a rotationally fixed manner in an axially disposed opening 8 in the grip 2, the opening 8 extending further toward the inside of the grip. In the insertion region, the cavity 4 is in part shaped as a polygonal cavity 9. Furthermore, at its free end which projects beyond the grip 2, the tube 7 has an engagement shoulder 10 of larger diameter. Furthermore, the tube 7 has window-like apertures 11 and 12 which have been formed in the radial direction and are located axially offset, with three windows 11 located in a first plane being disposed at an angle of 120° with respect to one another and the two windows 12 located in the second plane, which is offset toward the rear, being disposed diametrically opposite one another. Latching balls 13 are disposed in the windows 11 such that they are retained in terms of movement, and blocking balls 14 are disposed in the windows 12 such that they are retained in terms of movement. Furthermore, the diameters of the latching balls 13 are smaller than the diameters of the blocking balls 14 (cf. in particular the illustrations in FIGS. 11 and 13). Beyond the stop shoulder 10, i.e. directed toward the inside of the grip, the axially slidable actuating sleeve 6 slides on a portion 7′ of wider diameter of the tube 7. A locking sleeve 15 is associated with the actuating sleeve 6 to the rear. The same locking sleeve 15 likewise slides on the portion 7′ of larger diameter of the tube 7. Both the actuating sleeve 6 and the locking sleeve 15 are spring-loaded outward in the axial direction by springs 16 and 17. In this context, spring 16 is associated with the actuating sleeve 6 and spring 17 is associated with the actuating sleeve 15. Both springs 16 and 17 are likewise disposed in axially oriented manner on the portion 7′ of the tube 7. Two annular collars 18 and 19 serve as the necessary abutment for the springs 16 and 17, the annular collars 18 and 19 each being located radially in circumferential grooves of the tube 7. In this context, the annular collar 18 is associated with the spring 16 and the annular collar 19 is associated with the spring 17. While one side of the spring 17 is supported on the end face 15′ of the locking sleeve 15, the spring 16 has an annular portion 20 of the actuating sleeve 6 engaging over it, which annular portion 20 defines a cavity 21, one side of the spring 16 being supported on the base of the cavity 21. Furthermore, it is provided that the latching balls 13 interact with the actuating sleeve 6 and the blocking balls 14 interact with the locking sleeve 15. Whereas the actuating sleeve 6 is only partly engaged over by the grip 2, which has an opening 22 which at the end is matched to the diameter of the actuating sleeve 6 in order to ensure axial slidability, the locking sleeve 15 is completely received in an axial opening 23 which is made in the base of the opening 22 and is of reduced diameter compared to the opening 22. In this context, the spring 16 and the annular collar 18 are associated with the opening 22 and the spring 17 and the annular collar 19 are associated with the opening 23 of the grip 2. The positioning of the latching balls 13 and of the blocking balls 14 is such that the latching balls 13 are located in that portion of the tube 7 which projects beyond the grip 2 and the blocking balls 14 are located in that portion of the tube 7 which the grip 2 engages over, in the region of the step between the openings 22 and 23. The opening 8 which is formed in the axial direction and has already been mentioned above opens into the base of the opening 23. One side of a spring 24 may be adhesively bonded or injection-molded to the base of the opening 8. Furthermore, the spring 24 is wound around a peg 25 of the grip 2, which peg 25 is identical in terms of materials to the grip 2. The free end of the spring 24 penetrates into the cavity 4. The spring 24 is guided by the inner wall 4 of the tube 7. The diameter of the spring 24 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the cavity 4. The mode of action will now be explained in more detail with reference to the illustrations in FIGS. 5 and 6: To move the screwing tool 1 into a position of use, the actuating sleeve 6 has to be displaced inward with respect to the grip counter to the spring force of the spring 16. This is associated with the end face 20′ of the annular portion 20 of the actuating sleeve 6 acting on the end face 15″ of the locking sleeve 15, causing the same locking sleeve 15 to move inward with respect to the grip counter to the spring force of the spring 17. This displacement of the actuating sleeve 6 and of the locking sleeve 15 into a release position means that the latching balls 13 and the blocking balls 14 are now in a position to move radially outward. In the process, the latching balls 13 partially pass through the windows 11 in the tube 7 and then, in segmented fashion, enter a cavity 27 in the actuating sleeve 6. The blocking balls 14 likewise move partially through the windows 12 in the tube 7 and then in segmented fashion enter the cavity 21 in the annular portion 20 of the actuating sleeve 6. Depending on the position of the screwing tool 1, the latching balls 13 and the blocking balls 14 can move radially outward of their own accord in this situation as illustrated. To produce a locking position of the screwing tool, the situation as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is established. For this purpose, the shank 3 has to be fitted into the cavity 4 in the insertion direction x through the polygonal cavity 9. This is associated with a radially outward displacement by the run-up slope 3′ of the shank 3 of both the latching balls 13 and the blocking balls 14. As the shank 3 slides in further, the latching balls 13 and the blocking balls 14 move with it on the outer lateral surface of the shank 3. The shank 3 is introduced into the cavity 4 until the blocking balls 14 move into the annular neck 31. After the actuating sleeve 6 has been released, both the actuating sleeve 6 and the locking sleeve 15 are displaced outward with respect to the grip by the prestressed springs 16 and 17, the outward displacement of the actuating sleeve 6 being limited by the stop shoulder 10. The annular collar 18 prevents further axially outward displacement of the locking sleeve 15, with the end face 15″ of the locking sleeve 15 acting on the underside of the annular collar 18. The following occurs during the axially outward displacement of the actuating sleeve 6 and of the locking sleeve 15: By means of an axially oriented oblique flank 28, the actuating sleeve 6 acts on the latching balls 13 and causes them to partially pass through the windows 11 in the tube 7 and then to engage in corner cutouts 29 of the shank 3. In this context, the positioning of the corner cutouts 29 is selected in such a manner that they are disposed transversely with respect to the position in which the shank 3 extends. A radially oriented oblique boundary edge 30 of the locking sleeve 15 acts on the blocking balls 14 and causes them to partially pass through the windows 12 in the tube 7 in order then to engage in an annular neck 31 of the shank 3. In this context, the axial length of the annular neck 31 is greater than the diameter of the blocking balls. Therefore, the screwing tool 1 is located in a latch-secured position of use, with the latching balls 13 forming an axial securing feature for the shank 3 in the grip 2 (cf. in particular the illustrations in FIGS. 7 and 8). The blocking balls 14 are located in a positively locking manner beneath the cylindrical wall of the cavity 26. Furthermore, the latching balls 13 perform the function of a holding means H. The blocking balls 14 perform the function of a stop A in order to define the insertion position of the shank 3 in the position of use. With regard to the mode of operation of the holding means H, reference is made to DE-U1 90 00 245, in the name of the present Applicant. According to this, with the shank 3 inserted, each of the corner cutouts 29 is aligned with a latching ball 13, which through the released actuating sleeve 6 comes into two-point contact with the surfaces, which are in a prism-like relationship with respect to one another, of the corner cutouts 29. As shown in the illustrations presented in FIGS. 9 and 10, it is also possible for the shank 3, which includes the clamping chuck 5, to be moved into a so-called storage position, i.e. for virtually the entire length of the shank 3 to be slid into the cavity 4 in the grip 2. For this purpose, the actuating sleeve 6 and the corresponding locking sleeve 15 have to be displaced inward with respect to the grip, so that the inclined flank 28 of the actuating sleeve 6 releases the latching balls 13. This is associated with the boundary edge 30 of the locking sleeve 15 releasing the blocking balls 14. If the shank 3 is then displaced further inward with respect to the grip, counter to the spring force of the spring 24, the latching balls 13 and the blocking balls 14 are also displaced radially outward as a result of this sliding-in motion. The blocking balls 14 are supported against the slopes 30. Since the blocking balls 14 cannot penetrate radially inward, but rather rest against the shank 3, the locking sleeve 15 remains in its rear position. The axial spacing which can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 and in principle allows a certain preliminary displacement of the actuating sleeve 6 before it drags the locking sleeve 15 with it is greater in the storage position illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10. During further displacement of the shank 3 which includes the clamping chuck 5, the spring 24 is prestressed. To allow the shank to be held in this storage position inside the grip 2, the shank 3 has further axially offset corner cutouts 29′, into which the latching balls 13 once again move in a blocking manner after the storage position has been reached. Releasing the actuating sleeve 6 secures this position, with only the latching balls 13 entering the corner cutouts 29 of the shank 3. The blocking balls 14 which form the stop A are only supported on the outer surfaces of the polygonal shank (cf. in particular the illustration in FIG. 10). In the storage position, the blocking ball 14 is pressed onto the shank by the oblique boundary edge 30 of the locking sleeve 15. This effects a certain frictional moment. If, starting from the storage position illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the actuating sleeve 6 is displaced slightly inward with respect to the grip, the cavity 27 moves over the latching balls 13, so that the latching balls 13 can move radially out of their associated corner cutouts 29′. In this intermediate position, the rear boundary edge 20′ of the actuating sleeve 6 does not yet need to have come into contact with the boundary edge 30 of the locking sleeve 15. If the force of the spring 24 is greater than the above-described frictional force of the blocking ball 14 on the shank 3, the shank 3 is moved out of the cavity 8 solely by the force of the spring 24. The spring 17 which loads the locking sleeve 15 at the rear ensures that the blocking ball 14 can enter the annular neck 31 when the latter is located beneath the blocking ball 14. As a result, the outward movement of the shank 3 is stopped. When the actuating sleeve is released again, the latching ball 13 enters the corner cutout 29, so that the position of use illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 is reached. Should the frictional force which the blocking ball 14 exerts on the shank 3 be greater than the force of the spring 24, which is not desired, the blocking ball 14 can nevertheless perform its stop function if the shank 3 is moved out of the cavity 4 under the force of gravity or by a pulling action on the clamping chuck 5. If it is desired for the shank 3 which has the clamping chuck to be completely removed, the actuating sleeve 6 and the corresponding locking sleeve 15 have to be displaced inward with respect to the grip. This allows the spring 24 to exert its prestressed force, so that the shank 3 is displaced outward with respect to the grip. This is also associated with the latching balls 13 and the blocking balls 14 being displaced radially outward, so that they can in turn move into the cavities 27 in the actuating sleeve 6 and 21 in the annular portion 20. Consequently, the shank 3 which includes the clamping chuck can be separated from the grip 2 in order if appropriate for a shank 3 which has a different actuating portion to be fitted in. It is considered particularly advantageous for the shank 3 at its end to have an annular neck 31 which is at a spacing from the end of the shank 3 such that the hexagonal shank can be fitted into a standard chuck of an electric screwdriver or the like. A chuck of this type may, for example, be configured as described in DE 199 32 369.0. Therefore, the tool according to the invention is suitable for use with a power screwdriver and at the same time for being driven by a manually actuable grip. If it is used as a manual screwdriver, it has proven advantageous for the grip to perform the function of a storage chamber into which the shank can be fitted. By snapping the shank out of the cavity in the grip, it is possible to produce a practical screwdriver with a suitably long blade. In the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 21, the actuating sleeve 6 can initially be displaced into a release position for the latching ball 13. In this release position, the shank 3, which is located in the storage position, can undergo preliminary displacement into the position of use. This is effected by means of the compression spring 24. In this position, the blocking ball 15 is still subject to the action of its associated locking sleeve 15. Therefore, when the position of use is reached, the blocking ball 14 latches into its associated annular neck 31 of the shank 3. In the two exemplary embodiments, this position of the actuating sleeve can only be passed by overcoming a resistance. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 17, the resistance is provided by a radially inwardly directed collar 34 of the actuating sleeve 6, which butts against a radially protruding portion of a circlip 32 located in an annular groove 33. In this exemplary embodiment, the actuating sleeve 6 is in two parts. It comprises a tubular core 6 and an actuating portion 6′ which is applied to the core 6 and consists of plastic. The collar 34 is associated with the core 6. The annular groove 33 is associated with the tube denoted by reference numeral 7. The circlip 32, which consists of spring steel, is located in this annular groove with radial play. The depth of the annular groove 33 is such that the ring 32 can be completely recessed into it when it is acted on by the boundary edge of the collar 34. This takes place with an audible click. It is then possible to reach the operating position illustrated in FIG. 16, in which the actuating sleeve 6 has displaced the locking sleeve 15 to the rear in such a manner that the blocking ball 14 can move out of the annular neck 31. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 18 to 20, the actuating sleeve 6, during displacement out of the locking position, encounters a resistance, likewise before the release position of the blocking ball 14 is reached. In this exemplary embodiment, a guide pin 36, which is fixedly connected to the grip, projects into a link guide 35 associated with the actuating sleeve 6. The link guide 35 has a slot portion 35′ running in the axial direction and a portion 35″ which adjoins the portion 35′ at an obtuse angle. During displacement of the actuating sleeve from the locking position into the release position of the latching ball 13, the guide pin 36 slides in the axial slot portion 35′. As a result of subsequent turning of the actuating sleeve, the guide pin 36 moves within the obtuse-angled portion 35′ of the link guide 35, with the result that the actuating sleeve 6 is displaced further inward with respect to the grip until it displaces the locking sleeve 15 into the release position of the blocking ball 14. All features disclosed are (inherently) pertinent to the invention. The disclosure content of the associated/appended priority documents (copy of the prior application) is hereby incorporated in its entirety in the disclosure of the application, partly with a view to incorporating features of these documents in claims of the present application.

20050829

20071030

20060309

58163.0

B25B2316

MEISLIN, DEBRA S

SCREWDRIVER WITH REMOVABLE ROD

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B25B

ACCEPTED

Filter element and method for the production thereof

The invention relates to a filter element comprising a filter cylinder whose outer side rests against a fluid-permeable supporting tube (15). The inside (3) of the filter cylinder can be flown through by the fluid to be filtered, and the filter cylinder is formed by a filter mat web. The filter mat web has a series of folds (9) that rest against one another at least in areas. Both ends of the filter mat web are joined to one another at a junction (5) in order to form an annolar body (1). The inventive filter element comprises a device that acts upon the junction (5) in order to prevent, in the area of the junction (5), a bulging of the folds (9) that is caused by the flow of the fluid.

1. a filter element which has a filter cylinder adjacent to a fluid-permeable support tube (15) through which filter cylinder the fluid to be filtered may flow from its interior and which is in the form of a filter mat web having a series of folds (9) adjacent to each other at least in individual areas and the two ends of which are connected to each other at a junction point (5) for formation of an annular element (1), characterized by a configuration effective at the junction point (5) in preventing bulging of the folds (9) in the area of the junction point (5) as a result of flow of fluid. 2. The filter element as claimed in claim 1, wherein a configuration preventing bulging in the area of the junction point (5) is formed in that the respective folds (9) of the filter mat web on the ends are joined to each other along the end edges which face the inside (3) of the annular element (1) to be formed, so that the two folds (9) adjoining the junction point (5) are positioned with their crowns (11) on the outside on the annular element (1) and facing the support tube (15). 3. The filter element as claimed in claim 2, wherein the filter mat web is in the form of a flexible mat structure of metal-free plastic-supported filter mats. 4. The filter element as claimed in claim 3, wherein the connection of the ends of the filter mat web is in the form of a fusion seam (5). 5. The filter element as claimed in claims 3, wherein the dimensions determined for the flexible filter mat web are such that, after formation of an exterior fusion seam (5) joining the filter mat web, the annular element (1) may be reversed so that the fusion seam (5) is in the interior on the reversed annular element (1). 6. The filter element as claimed in claims 1, wherein the configuration preventing bulging in the area of the junction point (5) has a retaining device which has retaining elements (23, 25), which overlap the adjacent folds (9) on both sides of the annular element (1) on the sides of such folds facing away from the junction point (5). 7. The filter element as claimed in claim 6, wherein the retaining elements are in the form of retaining projections (23, 25) which are configured to project radially inward on the inside of the support tube (15). 8. The filter element as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support tube (15) is configured as a transfer-molded plastic component with retaining projections (23, 25) of the retaining device integrated with it. 9. The filter element as claimed in claim 6, wherein the retaining elements are in the form of the legs of a clamping element (31) U-shaped in cross-section, it being possible to insert such clamping element onto the folds (9) adjacent to the junction point (5) of the annular element (1). 10. A process for production of a filter element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a filter cylinder adjoining a fluid-permeable support tube (15) is formed on the exterior of such filter element by joining together a flexible filter mat web having series of folds adjacent to each other at least in individual areas on its end edges to form an annular element (1) and joined along a junction point (5) positioned on the exterior of the annular element (1), and in that the annular element (1) formed is reversed so that the junction point (5) is in contact with it in the interior.

The invention relates to a filter element having a filter cylinder adjoining on its exterior a fluid-permeable support tube through which filter cylinder fluid to be filtered may flow and which is made up of a filter mat web which has a sequence of folds adjacent to each other at least in individual areas and the two ends of which are joined to each other at a connecting point in order to form an annular element. The invention also relates to a method for the production of such a filter element. Filter elements of the type indicated in the foregoing are available on the market and are widely used, for example, in hydraulic assemblies in branches of a system through which hydraulic fluids flow. The known filter elements are not entirely satisfactory with respect to their safety in operation and the beta value stability of decisive importance for filter output. With high fluid outputs in particular, the danger exists that deformation or damage may occur at the junction point at which the ends of the filter mat web are joined to form the annular element forming the filter cylinder as a result of the differential pressure of the fluid which acts on the junction point. Such damage and/or deformation of the folds in the area of the junction point are here identified by the common expression Afold bulging.@ The object of the invention is to create a filter element characterized by operating safety and beta value stability which are better than those in the state of the art, even with high flow output. In the case of one filter element of the type indicated in the foregoing, this object is attained by means of a configuration at the junction point acting to prevent a bulging of the folds in the area of the junction point caused by the action of fluid flow. In that, as claimed for the invention, special protective measures have been taken at the point of junction of the filter mat web, which prevent bulging of the folds in this area, the desired improvement in operating safety is achieved even in the event of high flow output and correspondingly high fluid differential pressures in the area of the junction point. In one preferred exemplary embodiment, the configuration preventing bulging in the area of the junction point is formed in that the folds of the filter mat web are joined to each other along those end edges, which face the interior of the annular element to be formed, so that both folds adjacent to each other at the junction point have their tops positioned on the exterior on the annular element and facing the support tube. In that the junction point, that is, the fusion seam or area of adhesion by means of which the annular element forming the filter cylinder is closed, is positioned in the interior on the filter cylinder, the junction point on both sides rests on the support tube by way of the adjacent folds, the tops of which are positioned on the exterior on the annular element. In this configuration the junction point forms no point weak in resisting the active forces resulting from the differential pressure applied in operation. By preference, the filter mat web is in the form of a flexible mat structure of metal-free plastic-supported filter mats, connection of the ends of the filter mat web, so that a closed annular structure is formed, being effected by means of a fusion seam. In order to make simple and efficient production possible, the fusing process must be carried out on the exterior of the annular element, that is, the junction point is positioned on the exterior of the filter cylinder so that, as stated earlier, the fusion seam would form a weak point of the filter cylinder during operation. In order to make allowance for this factor, provision is made by the invention for an especially advantageous exemplary embodiment such that the dimensions determined for the flexible filter mat web are such that the annular element may be reversed after formation of an exterior fusion seam, so that the fusion seam is now positioned on the interior on the reversed annular element now ready for use. Despite the simplicity of the production method, that is, formation of a fusion seam on the exterior, the annular element forming the filter cylinder after reversal is protected as desired from bulges in the area of the fusion seam now positioned in the interior. In place of the protection from bulges resulting from the positioning of the junction point in the interior, or in addition to this protection, it is claimed for the invention that the configuration preventing bulging may have in the area of the junction point a retaining device with retaining elements which overlap the folds of the annular element adjoining the junction point on both sides, on the side of the folds facing away from the junction point. Especially secure support of the folds in the area of the junction point is thereby ensured. The retaining elements of the retaining device may be in the form of a retaining projections formed on the inside of the support tube and projecting radially inward. As an alternative, the retaining elements may be in the form of legs of a clamping element U-shaped in cross-section, which may be inserted onto the folds adjacent to the junction point of the annular element. Another object of the invention is provision of a process for production of the filter element, the characteristics of this process being specified in claim 10. The invention will be described in greater detail below with the aid of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows a top view of an annular element provided for a filter element as claimed for the invention, in the partly completed state, a fusion seam formed on the annular element from the exterior being positioned on the exterior; FIG. 2 is a top view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing the annular element forming the filter cylinder in the finished state, that is, with the fusion seam positioned on the exterior after reversal; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the annular element of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the filter disk formed in the course of reversal of the annular element shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a greatly enlarged representation of a fold section of the annular element, along with data indicating the dimensions; FIG. 6 is a cross-section of a second exemplary embodiment of the filter element claimed for the invention; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the support tube of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6 less the filter cylinder present in this support tube, and FIG. 8 a perspective exploded view of a third exemplary embodiment of the filter element. Reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 5, which illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of the filter element claimed for the invention, the conventionally configured support tube not being shown in these figures. When the filter cylinder is in the finished state, it is enclosed in this support tube, and is designated as a whole as 1, while in the form shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 it has been introduced into the support tube, which is not shown. During operation, filter fluid-flows through the interior of the annular element indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3; that is, the clean side of the filter device (not shown) having the filter element claimed for the invention is situated on the exterior of the support tube enclosing the annular element 1. As shown in the figures, the annular element 1 is in the form of a folded filter mat web, which is joined at its two ends to form a closed ring, the junction point being configured as a fusion seam 5. In the exemplary embodiments described here, the filter mat web is in the form of a flexible mat structure possessing resilient properties, more precisely in that of metal-free plastic-supported filter mats which may be fused together by a fusion seam 5 extending longitudinally to produce the annular element 1. By preference a six-layer structure of the filter mat web is provided which has the following layers in sequence: an exterior support, a protective nonwoven layer, a prefilter layer, a main filter layer, a nonwoven support layer, and an interior support. A polyamide grid or a polyester fabric may be considered for the exterior support. A polyester material may be provided as the protective nonwoven layer. A glass fiber material, preferably in reduced form with respect to thickness and base weight, or a meltblown material may be considered for the filter layer. The main filter layer may analogously be a glass fiber material, which optionally is impregnated, or a meltblown material. A polyester or polyamide material may in turn be used as the support nonwoven layer, which may also be represented by a viscose nonwoven material or a polyamide with meltblown material. The interior support may, like the exterior support, be configured as a grid or fabric based on a polyamide or polyester basis. As is shown by comparison of FIGS. 1 to 4, this fusion seam 5 is displaced to the interior in the finished state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 by reversal of the annular element 1 from the initial state illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the fusion seam 5 is positioned on the exterior, that is to say, is in the form of a lengthwise seam made on the outside. While in the state shown in FIG. 1, with fusion seam 5 positioned on the exterior, on the outer edge of the annular element 1, a gap 7 exists in the area of which there is no contact between the tops 11 of the folds 9 immediately adjacent to the fusion seam 5 on both sides and the enclosing support tube (not shown), in the state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the tops 11 of the folds 9 immediately adjacent to the fusion seam 5 are positioned on the outside (see FIG. 2) and accordingly are positioned adjacent on the support tube. While in the case of the state shown in FIG. 1 there exists at the differential pressure prevailing during operation the danger of bulging in the area of the fusion seam 5, which may be moved radially outward by pressure forces, tensile forces being active on the fusion seam 5, which tend to tear the seam open, in the case of the reverse state illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, neither is bulging as a result of radial movement of the fusion seam 5 possible, since the adjacent fold top 11 is supported, nor is the fusion seam 5 subject to load application in the form of forces of pressure tending to effect separation. FIGS. 4 and 5 serve to illustrate the configuration and determination of the dimensions of the filter mat web forming the annular element 1, that is, a configuration which permits reversal of the annular element. The maximum length of the annular element, which permits reversal if it is in the form of a flexible fold structure, depends on the number of folds, the height of the folds, the strength of the mat structure, and the thickness of the folds of the annular element. FIG. 4 illustrates the exterior and interior diameters of the disk element 13 which are temporarily obtained in the course of reversal of the annular element 1. FIG. 5 illustrates determination of the dimensions of the folds 9 with respect both to strength of the material and to the fold size. The maximum length of the annular element may be determined as follows on the basis of the parameters entered in FIGS. 4 and 5: FANZ=number of folds FH=height of fold FD=thickness of fold M=strength of material of mat structure LM=extended length of filter web LMmax=maximum extended length of filter web Damax=maximum external diameter of filter disk Di=internal diameter of filter disk Lmax=maximum length of filter cylinder L M = 2 * ⁢ F Ans * ( F H - 2 * ⁢ M + π * ⁢ M 2 ) 1 ) D a max = D i + 2 * ⁢ L max 2 ) L max = D a max - D i 2 3 ) D i ⁢ ⁢ 2 = F Ans * F D π 4 ) L M max = D a max * π 5 ) D a max = L M max π 6 ) D a max = D i + 2 * L max 7 ) L max = D a max - D i 2 8 ) L max = L M max π - D i 2 ⁢ 8 ) ⁢ ⁢ mit ⁢ ⁢ 6 ) 9 ) L max = L M max - F Ans * F D 2 * π ⁢ 9 ) ⁢ ⁢ mit ⁢ ⁢ 4 ) 10 ) L max = F Ans * ( F H - 2 * M + π * M 2 - F D 2 ) π ⁢ 10 ) ⁢ ⁢ mit ⁢ ⁢ 1 ) ⁢ [ mit = with ⁢ ⁢ value ⁢ ⁢ of ] 11 ) FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a second exemplary embodiment of the filter element claimed for the invention. Unlike the preceding example the support tube 15 enclosing the filter cylinder is shown, this support tube 15 being shown separately in FIG. 7, that is, without the filter cylinder inserted. As is clearly shown in FIG. 7, the support tube 15, which is of transfer-molded plastic, has on the exterior, which in a filter device as claimed for the invention adjoins the clean side, has strips 17 extending longitudinally which are connected by webs 19 forming annular elements between which are apertures 21 as fluid passages. As shown in FIG. 6, when a filter cylinder has been inserted into the support tube 15, the area adjacent to the fusion seam 5 on both sides is secured by a retaining device having retaining projections 23 and 25, which overlap the folds of the annular element, which are adjacent to the fusion seam on both sides, on the sides of the folds facing away from the fusion seam 5 (see FIG. 6). As shown in FIG. 7 in particular, the retaining projections 23 and 25 are integrally molded on the inside of the support tube 15, a retaining projection 23 being configured to extend along and through a strip 17 of the support element, while divided retaining projections 25 are provided on the other side between which are interstices 27 corresponding to the apertures 21 forming the fluid passages. With the enclosure of the area of the fusion seam 5 formed by the retaining projections 23 and 25 effective protection is obtained from the danger of bulging in the area of the junction point. FIG. 8 shows a third exemplary embodiment having a support tube 15 without interior retaining projections 23 and 25. In place of the enclosure of the area of the junction point, that is, the fusion seam 5, there is provided in this exemplary embodiment a retaining device having a metal clamping element 31 U-shaped in cross-section which may be positioned by way of insertion on the sides facing away from the fusion seam 5 and the retaining action essentially corresponds to that of the retaining projections 23 and 25 of the preceding exemplary embodiment. In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the annular element 1 has been reversed to assume the state shown in FIG. 2, so that the fusion seam 5 is positioned in the interior and the tops of the folds adjoining this seam are supported directly by the support tube 15. Consequently, this exemplary embodiment is protected in two ways from bulging in the area of the fusion seam 5.

20050131

20081209

20051229

63230.0

KIM, SUN U

FILTER ELEMENT AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Piezoactuator and method for production of the piezoactuator

A piezoactuator, includes at least one stacked piezoelement, with at least two electrode layers, arranged one over the other along a stacking direction of the piezoelement, at least one piezoelectric layer, arranged between two of the electrode layers and at least one pre-tensioning device, for introduction of force into a volume of the piezoelectric layer via at least one force introduction surface on the piezoelectric layer, which is arranged on at least one of the surface sections facing the pretensioning device. The force introduction surface is smaller than the surface section of the piezoelectric layer and the volume is a partial volume of the piezoelectric layer. The production of the piezoactuator is achieved by introduction of a force into the partial volume of the piezoelectric layer via the force introduction surface on the piezoelectric layer.

1. Piezoactuator (1) comprising at least one stacked piezoelement (2), with at least two electrode layers (7, 8, 9), arranged one over the other along a stacking direction (10) of the piezoelement (2), and at least one piezoelectric layer (4), arranged between two electrode layers (7, 8, 9), and at least one pretensioning device (15) for introduction of force (32) into a volume of the piezoelectric layer (4) by means of at least one force introduction surface (13, 14, 23, 24) on the piezoelectric layer (4), which is arranged on at least one of the surface sections (11, 12) of the piezoelectric layer (4) so that it faces the pretensioning device (15), the force introduction surface (13, 14, 23, 24) is smaller than the surface section (11, 12) of the piezoelectric layer (4) and that the volume is a partial volume (5) of the piezoelectric layer (4). 2. Piezoactuator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of force introduction surfaces (13, 14) are distributed over the piezoelectric layer (4) in such a way that the introduction of force causes a bending of the piezoelectric layer (4). 3. Piezoactuator according to claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric layer (4) comprises a surface section (11) having at least one force introduction surface (13), and a further surface section (12) facing away from the surface section (11) and having at least one further force introduction surface (14), and in which the force introduction surfaces (13, 14) are laterally offset from one another relative to the stacking direction (10) of the piezoelement (2). 4. Piezoactuator according to one of claim 1, wherein at least one of the designs chosen for the pretensioning device (15) and/or piezoelement (2) for generating the force introduction surface (13, 14, 23, 24) takes the form of a spherical cup (18), frustum of a cone (19, 29), cuboid (30, 31), ring (17) and/or cylinder (21, 22). 5. Piezoactuator according to claim 1, wherein the force introduction surface (23) is pointlike. 6. Piezoactuator according to claim 1, wherein the force introduction surface (24, 24′) is stripe-shaped. 7. Piezoactuator according to claim 1, wherein the force introduction surface (23′) is ring-shaped. 8. Piezoactuator according to claim 1, wherein there are at least three force introduction surfaces, evenly distributed over the surface section (11, 12) of the piezoelectric layer (4). 9. Piezoactuator according to claim 1, wherein there are at least three force introduction surfaces, arranged in a row (25) on the surface section (11, 12) of the piezoelectric layer (4). 10. Piezoactuator according to claim 1, wherein surface sections (11, 12) of the piezoelectric layer (4) which face away from one another have identical and/or differently shaped force introduction surfaces (13, 14, 23, 24) arranged along the stacking direction (10) and offset from one another. 11. Piezoactuator according to claim 1, wherein a thickness (6) selected for the piezoelectric layer (4) is in the range 20 μm to 200 μm inclusive. 12. Piezoactuator according to claim 11, wherein an extent of the force introduction surface (13, 14, 23, 24) virtually corresponds to the thickness (6) of the piezoelectric layer (4). 13. Piezoactuator according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of piezoelements (2) are stacked one over the other. 14. Piezoactuator according to claim 13, wherein at least two piezoelements (2) are stacked over one another in such a way that force introduction surfaces (13, 14, 23, 24) of the piezoelements (2) are arranged more or less flush one over the other. 15. Method for producing a piezoactuator (2) according to claim 1 by introducing a force (32) into a partial volume (5) of the piezoelectric layer (4) via the force introduction surface (13, 14, 23, 24) of the piezoelectric layer (4) in such a way that, in the partial volume (5) of the piezoelectric layer, a polarization (27) is generated transverse to the stacking direction (10). 16. Method according to claim 15, wherein a partial volume (5) extending along an entire thickness (6) of the piezoelectric layer (4) is used. 17. Method according to claim 15, wherein virtually complete polarization transverse to the stacking direction (10) is generated in the partial volume (5). 18. Method according to claim 16, wherein virtually complete polarization transverse to the stacking direction (10) is generated in the partial volume (5).

The invention relates to a piezoactuator comprising at least one stacked piezoelement with at least two electrode layers, arranged one over the other along a stacking direction of the piezoelement, at least one piezoelectric layer, arranged between two of the electrode layers, and at least one pretensioning device, for introduction of force into a volume of the piezoelectric layer by means of at least one force introduction surface on the piezoelectric layer, which is arranged on at least one of the surface sections facing the pretensioning device. A method for production of the piezoactuator is also specified. A piezoactuator of the said kind is known from US 6 274 967 B1. The piezoactuator has a piezoelement constructed in multiple layers. In such a piezoelement a plurality of electrode layers and piezoelectric layers are stacked alternately one over the other. The piezoelectric layers consist of a piezo-ceramic material. The pretensioning device for the introduction of force into the respective volume of the individual piezoelectric layers consists of a hollow, cylindrical spring element, an actuator cover and an actuator bottom plate. The piezoelement together with both its end faces is pre-tensioned between the actuator cover and the actuator bottom plate by means of the spring element. A force is introduced into a total volume of each of the piezoelectric layers with the aid of the pretensioning device. A unidirectional compressive tension is applied to the piezoelectric layers along the stacking direction. Introduction of the force or compressive tension causes a switching of domains. The domains are preferably polarized transverse to the direction of force introduction or the stacking direction. In order to introduce the force into the total volume of each of the piezoelectric layers, each piezoelectric layer has surface sections which face away from one another and are aligned parallel to the end faces of the piezoelement. These surface sections face toward either the actuator cover or the actuator bottom plate of the pretensioning device. The surface sections are the same size as the end faces of the piezoelement. The force is introduced into the total volume of the piezoelectric layer in each case via the total surface section of the piezoelectric layer. The known piezoactuator is used for example to activate an injection valve in what is known as a common rail injection system. For this purpose it is necessary that both a defined displacement and a defined force can be transmitted along the stacking direction. A dimension for the displaceability of the piezoelectric material in the direction of an applied electrical field strength is known as the piezoelectric loading constant d33. One possible way to obtain a relatively large displacement at a given value of d33 would be to increase the total height of the piezoelement. Alternatively a relatively large displacement can be obtained by introducing a force or a unidirectional compressive tension along the stacking direction of the piezoelement. For this purpose the statistically distributed ferro-electrical domains are switched by means of a so-called ferro-elastic process preferably transverse to the applied compressive tension or transverse to the stacking direction, for example in an unpolarized piezoelement. This gives rise to a permanent shortening of the piezoelement. This shortened piezoelement is electrically activated. Applying an electrical field parallel to the stacking direction causes domain switching with a preferred direction parallel to the applied electrical field. Significantly more domains are switched in comparison with the piezoelement that has no compressive pretensioning. As a result there is a greater displacement of the piezoelement in the stacking direction when compared to the piezoelement that has no compressive pretensioning. For it to be possible to use this means to obtain greater displacement in a stacked piezoelement constructed in multiple monolithic layers, a force of over 100 N would be necessary in the case of, for example, a basic piezoelement surface area of 1×1 mm2. In the case of a basic surface area of 5×5 mm2 a force of around 2.5 kN would be needed. This can only be accomplished with the aid of a stiff spring with a corresponding loss of no-load displacement. However, using compressive pretensioning to increase the displacement is not only a problem for piezoactuators on the macro-scale. In particular, using compressive pretensioning to increase displacement is unsuitable for producing a piezoactuator with a relatively large displacement and force translation on the micro-scale. The object of the invention is to provide an actuator which can be used as a micro-actuator and which has a very large relative displacement in comparison with the known prior art. This object is achieved by means of a piezoactuator comprising at least one stacked piezoelement with at least two electrode layers, arranged one over the other along a stacking direction of the piezoelement, at least one piezoelectric layer, arranged between two of the electrode layers, and at least one pretensioning device, for introduction of force into a volume of the piezoelectric layer by means of at least one force introduction surface on the piezoelectric layer, which is arranged on at least one of the surface sections facing the pretensioning device. The piezoactuator is characterized in that the force introduction surface is smaller than the surface section of the piezoelectric layer and that the volume is a partial volume of the piezoelectric layer. This partial volume is effective as an actuator. The object is further achieved in that a method is specified for producing the piezoactuator by introducing a force into the partial volume of the piezoelectric layer by means of the force introduction surface on the piezoelectric layer. The force is introduced in such a way that, in the partial volume of the piezoelectric layer, a polarization is generated transverse to the stacking direction. The polarization of the domains in the partial volume is preferably oriented transverse to the stacking direction. This makes the partial volume effective as an actuator. Preferably the piezoelement is in a non-electrically activated state. No electrical field is applied. Along the stacking direction, the pretensioning device introduces indirectly via the force introduction surfaces a locally limited force or a locally limited mechanical compressive tension in a partial volume of the piezoelectric layer. Due to this mechanical compressive tension, the ferro-electrical domains statistically distributed in the partial volume of the piezoelectric layer in an unpolarized piezoelectric layer or oriented parallel to the pressure introduction in a normally polarized piezoelectric layer are switched in a preferred direction transverse to the applied mechanical compressive tension. This causes a permanent deformation or rather shortening of the piezoelectric layer in the region of the partial volume. A thickness of the piezoelectric layer is reduced in size. This results in a deformed or rather shortened piezoelement. If the piezoelement created in this way is activated by an electrical field strength in the direction of polarity (parallel to the stacking direction), all domains both inside and outside the partial volume of the piezoelectric layer are switched approximately parallel to the direction of polarity. The piezoactuator in the region of the partial volume of the piezoelectric layer remains under compressive tension during this switching process. However, an increased displacement is measured in the stacking direction of the piezoelement. The increased displacement is the result of an increased d33 value. In a particular embodiment, a plurality of force introduction surfaces are distributed over the piezoelectric layer in such a way that the introduction of force causes a bending of the piezoelectric layer. For example the piezoelectric layer is a piezo-ceramic layer made from lead zirconate titanate. The bending initiated by the introduction of force results from an elastic deflection of the piezoelectric layer. If the force introduction surfaces, a thickness of the piezo-ceramic layer and the introduced force are suitably matched, a ferro-elastic deflection can be superimposed on the elastic deflection. A displacement which can be measured on the pretensioning device consists of a reduction in the deflection, an increase in the thickness of the piezo-ceramic layer due to 90° domain switching and an increase in the thickness of the layer due to the normal piezo effect. Relative to an initial thickness of the piezoelectric layer, d33 values of up to 15 000 pm/V are measured for a typical field strength of 1 kV/mm. This corresponds to an increase in displacement by a factor of 10 relative to previous actuator solutions. A particular embodiment uses a partial volume extending along an entire thickness of the piezoelectric layer. A partial volume is created extending from one surface section of the piezoelectric layer to the other surface section. The partial volume pervades the entire piezoelectric layer in the thickness direction. It is preferable for virtually complete polarization to be generated transverse to the stacking direction in this partial volume. The mechanical compressive tension causes almost complete domain switching transverse to the incoming compressive tension to be reached or exceeded in the partial volume. The compressive tension to be applied for this purpose depends on the piezoelectric material used in the piezoelectric layer. The compressive tension typically decreases in direct proportion to the decrease in the Curie temperature Tc or the coercive field strength Ec of the piezoelectric material. In a particular embodiment, at least one of the designs chosen for the pretensioning device and/or piezoelement for generating the force introduction surface takes the form of a spherical cup (spherical cap), frustum of a cone, cuboid, ring and/or cylinder. A prism is also possible. These designs in particular enable force introduction surfaces to be produced in both pointlike and stripe form. Pointlike means that the force introduction surface can be described by a circular or near circular surface. Such a force introduction surface, as also in the case of a ring, can be not only round but also oval or square. For example the pretensioning device has a stamp in the form of a cuboid with a square base surface area or in the form of a cylinder with a round base surface area. These base surface areas are used to transfer the mechanical compressive pretensioning to the piezoelement. The mechanical compressive pretensioning corresponding to the base surface area of the stamp is introduced via a round or square force introduction surface of the piezoelectric layer in the partial volume of the piezoelectric layer. If the cuboid has a rectangular base surface area, the force is introduced along a stripe-shaped force introduction surface into a correspondingly shaped partial volume of the piezoelectric layer. In the case of a cylinder it is also possible for the force not to be introduced via a base surface area but rather via an area of the cylindrical surface. This is then typically a line-shaped force introduction surface. It is also possible for the force introduction surfaces to be produced with the aid of a structured electrode layer of the piezoelement. Structured electrode layers enable the force to be introduced into the piezoelectric layer at specific locations only. The introduction of a force produces domain switching exclusively at these locations. All known micro-structuring methods may be used for structuring the electrode layer. In a particular embodiment, a plurality of partial volumes are generated in the piezoelectric layer. In this case the partial volumes are preferably separate from one another. This means that switching of the polarization of the domains is generated transverse to the stacking direction via a plurality of force introduction surfaces in the piezoelectric layer. In this case preferably the same compressive tension is introduced via the force introduction surfaces. This typically means that when the force introduction surfaces are the same size, equal force is brought to bear on each of the force introduction surfaces via the pretensioning device. In particular there are at least three force introduction surfaces, evenly distributed over the surface section of the piezoelectric layer. With three evenly distributed force introduction surfaces, it is relatively easy to introduce the same compressive tension into the partial volumes. The force is increased due to the enlargement of the total force introduction surface. Greater force must be exerted for the purpose of force introduction. However, there is greater force to draw upon. In a particular embodiment there are at least three force introduction surfaces, arranged in a row on the surface section of the piezoelectric layer. With this arrangement it is for instance possible for stripe-shaped force introduction surfaces to be distributed parallel to one another over the surface section. Another possibility is for a plurality of pointlike force introduction surfaces to form a matrix of force introduction surfaces. This then results in a corresponding matrix of partial volumes in the piezoelectric layer. The force introduction surfaces arranged on surface sections of the piezoelectric layer which face away from one another can be different in both shape and size. For example the force introduction surface on one of the surface sections is pointlike. However the force introduction surface on the other surface section can take the form of a stripe. In a particular embodiment, surface sections of the piezoelectric layer which face away from one another have virtually identical and/or differently shaped force introduction surfaces for the purpose of creating a partial volume extending in the thickness direction. Virtually identical in this case means that the force introduction surfaces are the same size to within 10%. Differently shaped force introduction surfaces exist when for instance the force introduction surface on one surface section of the piezoelectric [layer) is pointlike and the other force introduction surface on the other surface section is ring-shaped. These force introduction surfaces are arranged one over the other in such a way that the pointlike force introduction surface is in the center of the ring-shaped force introduction surface. In a particular embodiment, the thickness selected for the piezoelectric layer is in the range 20 μm to 200 μm inclusive. It has been shown that at this layer thickness the application of even a small force brings about a significantly increased d33 value. In a particular embodiment, the extent of the force introduction surface virtually corresponds to the thickness of the piezoelectric layer. In a typical example the extent is a diameter or edge length of the force introduction surface. In the case of the combination of pointlike and ring-shaped force introduction surfaces described above, however, a diameter of the ring-shaped force introduction surface is significantly greater. The diameter of the ring typically comes to 500 μm. A diameter could even be as large as 1 mm. In a particular embodiment, a plurality of piezoelements are stacked one over the other. In this case preferably at least two piezoelements are stacked over one another in such a way that force introduction surfaces of the piezoelements are arranged more or less flush one over the other. The partial volumes of a given piezoelectric layer are arranged one over the other in the stacking direction over the partial volumes of the piezoelectric layer of further piezoelements. This produces not only an unusually high displacement value for a given individual piezoelement, but also a piezoactuator with extremely large displacement. Any displacement is amplified as a result. The force that has to be applied in order to produce a large displacement in the volume of the piezoelectric layers is thus relatively small. In summary the invention provides the following advantages in particular: The way the force is introduced into a partial volume of the piezoelectric layer produces a piezoelement having a significantly greater displacement. This makes it possible to produce for instance a micro-actuator with an overall height of 1 mm and a displacement of 10 μm. At half the no-load displacement of a micro-actuator a working force of 10-20 cN can be obtained. The force and mechanical work can be amplified by suitably stacked piezoelements and used for a plurality of applications. By linking piezo-ceramic multi-layer technology, micro-structuring and micro-mechanics, the invention provides solutions for a plurality of application areas (micro-pumps, micro-valves, micro-motors, etc.). The invention will be described below in greater detail with the aid of several examples and the associated figures. The description of the invention discloses individual embodiments thereof which can be combined with one another in any form. The figures are diagrams and are not drawn to scale. FIGS. 1 to 7 each show a section of a different piezoactuator as a side-view seen in cross-section. FIGS. 8 to 10 each show a section of a piezoelectric layer having force introduction surfaces, looking down on the piezoelectric layer from above. FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a piezoactuator in which a stripe-shaped force introduction surface has been produced. FIG. 12 shows a piezoelement constructed in multiple layers. The piezoactuator 1 according to FIGS. 1 to 9 has in each case at least one stacked piezoelement 2 formed from two electrode layers 7 and 8 arranged one over the other along the one stacking direction 10 of the piezoelement 2 and one piezoelectric layer 4 arranged between the electrode layers 7 and 8. The piezoelectric layer 4 consists of a soft PZT (lead zirconate titanate). The Curie temperature Tc is around 170° C. The coercive field strength Ec of the soft PZT is 0.5 kV/mm. The thickness 6 of the piezoelectric layer 4 is around 120 μm. The piezoactuator 1 has in each case a pretensioning device 15 for introduction of force into a partial volume 5 of the piezoelectric layer 4. A force 32 is introduced into the partial volume 5 of the piezoelectric layer 4 via the force introduction surfaces 13 and 14. The force introduction surfaces 13 and 14 are arranged on the surface sections 11 and 12 of the piezoelectric layer 4 facing the pretensioning device 15. The surface sections 11 and 12 are thus facing away from one another. At least one of the force introduction surfaces 13 or 14 is smaller than the associated surface section 11 or 12 of the piezoelectric layer 4. For the purpose of creating the force introduction surfaces 13 and 14, the pretensioning device 15 is mechanically in contact with the electrode layers 7 and 8. The force introduction surfaces 13 and 14 of the surface sections 11 and 12 of the piezoelectric layer 4 are generated indirectly via the electrode layers 7 and 8. An extent of the force introduction surfaces 13 and 14 corresponds mainly to a respective mechanical contact surface between the pretensioning device 15 and the corresponding electrode layer 7 and 8. The force introduction surfaces 13 and 14 are distributed over the piezoelectric layer 4 in the stacking direction 19 of the piezoelement 2 in such a way that the introduction of force generates bending of the piezoelectric layer 4. According to FIG. 1 the pretensioning device 15 has at least one spherical cup 18 and at least one support ring 17 (cf. FIG. 8, reference numbers 23 and 23′). The support ring 17 has the cross-section of a spherical cup. The support ring 17 is connected to a base 16 of the pretensioning device 15. The force 32 to be introduced into the partial volume of the piezoelectric layer 4 is transmitted to the spherical cup 18 with the aid of a spring (not shown). The support ring 17 and the spherical cup 18 are positioned opposite one another and arranged so that they are in mechanical contact with one of the electrode layers 7 and 8 in each case. The spherical cup 18 leads to a pointlike force introduction surface 14. The diameter of the pointlike force introduction surface is about 50 μm. The support ring 17 leads to a ring-shaped force introduction surface 13 having a diameter of around 500 μm. The spherical cup 18 and the ring 17 are thus arranged in such a way that the pointlike force introduction surface 14 is arranged in the center of the ring-shaped force introduction surface 13. Applying a compressive tension causes a force 4 to be introduced into the partial volume 5 of the piezoelectric layer 4 via the force introduction surfaces 13 and 14. As a result, a switching of the polarization 27 of the domains takes place in the partial volume 5 so that the polarization is transverse to the stacking direction 10. The partial volume 5 extends in the stacking direction 10 of the piezoelement 2 along the entire thickness 6 of the piezoelectric layer 4. Virtually complete polarization takes place in the partial volume 5. Unlike the previous example, the pointlike force introduction surface 14 is generated according to FIG. 2 with the aid of a frustum of a cone 20 and according to FIG. 3 with the aid of a cylinder 22. The support ring 17 has according to FIG. 2 the cross-section of a frustum of a cone 19 and according to FIG. 3 the cross-section of a cylinder 21. In a further embodiment according to FIG. 11, force introduction surfaces 24 and 24′ are generated with the aid of cuboids 30 and 31 having a rectangular base surface area, and are arranged in sequence 25 or 25′ (cf. FIG. 9). According to FIG. 4, both the pretensioning device 15 and the piezoelement 2 have cylinders 22 and 21 with a pointlike base surface area for the purpose of generating the force introduction surfaces. The cylinder 21 of the piezoelement 2 is produced with the aid of a structured electrode layer 9. The cylinders 22 of the pretensioning device 15 and the cylinders 21 of the piezoelement 2 are offset from one another relative to the stacking direction 10. The materials in the piezoelectric layer and the electrode layers are selected to enable the stack to bend. This makes it possible to obtain a particularly large increase in displacement when the compressive tension is applied. FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment in which a plurality of cylinders applied to the surface sections 11 and 12 are arranged in a row 25. If the base surface areas of the cylinders are stripe-shaped, this results in stripe-shaped force introduction surfaces 24 and 24′ (FIG. 9). The force introduction surfaces 24 and 24′ are offset from one another. FIG. 10 shows a variant of the stripe-shaped force introduction surfaces 24 and 24′. The stripe-shaped force introduction surfaces 24 and 24′ are in each case connected with one another transverse to the lengthways direction of the stripes by bridging pieces. The force is introduced into the piezoelectric layer 4 in the manner of a mesh. A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 8. A plurality of pointlike force introduction surfaces 23 are distributed over a surface section 11 and a plurality of ring-shaped force introduction surfaces 23′ are distributed over the other surface section 12 of the piezoelectric layer 4 in the form of a matrix 26 and 26′ in each case. FIGS. 6 and 7 show two typical embodiments in which two piezoelements 2 are stacked in such a way that the force introduction surfaces 13, 14 of the piezoelements 2 are arranged flush one over the other. According to FIG. 6 a structured metal foil 28 is placed between the piezoelements 2 for the purpose of introducing the force into the piezoelectric layers 2. On the other hand FIG. 7 shows an extension of the typical embodiment according to FIG. 4. The electrode layers 9 have at least some cylinders for introducing the force. The electrode layers 9 are structured. An intermediate metal foil 29 is arranged between the structured electrode layers 9 of the stacked piezoelements 2 for the purpose of adapting a frictional connection. Further embodiments result from using piezoelements 3 constructed in multiple layers, in which a plurality of electrode layers 7 and piezoelectric layers 4 are arranged alternately one over the other (FIG. 12). According to a further embodiment the outer electrode layers 7 are structured electrode layers 9. The test results listed in Table 1 were obtained on the basis of the piezoactuator 1 according to FIG. 1. A static force of 0.7 N was applied to the piezoelement 2. The piezoelectric loading constant d33 was determined as a function both of the piezo-ceramic material and of the thickness 6 of the piezoelectric layer 4, at an electrical field strength of 1 kV/mm. Values of up to 15,000 pm/V may be obtained for d33. TABLE 1 Coercive Curie field Test Test Piezo- temperature strength thickness d33 No. 1 ceramics [° C.] [kV/mm] [μm] [pm/V] 1 Soft PZT 330 1.0 1000 650 2 Soft PZT 330 1.0 110 2200 3 Soft PZT 170 0.5 1000 1150 4 Soft PZT 170 0.5 260 1600 5 Soft PZT 170 0.5 120 15000 6 Soft PZT 120 0.3 1000 1400 7 Soft PZT 120 0.3 160 3500

20050131

20071218

20051124

72225.0

BUDD, MARK OSBORNE

PIEZOACTUATOR AND METHOD FOR PRODUCTION OF THE PIEZOACTUATOR

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Transponder with two supply voltages

In a transponder (1) and an integrated circuit (5), the integrated circuit (5) has two circuit sections (18, 19) that are arranged for supply with two supply voltages of different levels (VL-HV, VL-LV), a first rectifier circuit (20) and a limiter stage (21) connected downstream of the first rectifier circuit (20) being provided, from which limiter stage (21) the higher, first supply voltage (VL-HV) for the first circuit section (18) can be picked off, and a second rectifier circuit (23) and a control stage (24) to control said second rectifier circuit (23) being provided, from which second rectifier circuit (23) the lower, second supply voltage (VL-LV) for the second circuit section (19) can be picked off without passing through an intervening limiter stage.

1. A transponder that is arranged for non-contacting communication with a communication station and that has transmission means Sand that has an integrated circuit with circuit connecting contacts, wherein the transmission means are connected to the circuit connecting contacts and an input voltage can be picked off from said circuit connecting contacts, wherein the integrated circuit has a first circuit section and a second circuit section, wherein the first circuit section (is arranged for being supplied with a first supply voltage and the second circuit section His arranged for being supplied with a second supply voltage, wherein first rectifier means and limiter means cooperating with said first rectifier means rare provided, wherein a voltage representing the input voltage can be fed to the first rectifier means , wherein the first supply voltage can be picked off from the first rectifier means for from the limiter means, wherein second rectifier means sand control means for controlling said second rectifier means rare provided, wherein a voltage representing the input voltage can also be fed to the second rectifier means, wherein the second supply voltage can be picked off from the second rectifier means, and wherein the value of the second supply voltage (that can be picked off from the second rectifier means can be controlled by the control means. 2. A transponder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control means are arranged to control the value of the second supply voltage as a function of the value of the output variable arising at the output of the second rectifier means. 3. An integrated circuit that is intended for use in a transponder for non-contacting communication with a communication station and that has circuit connecting contacts that are intended for connection to transmission means the transponder, from which contacts an input voltage can be picked off, and that has a first circuit section and a second circuit section, wherein the first circuit section is arranged for being supplied with a first supply voltage and the second circuit section his arranged for being supplied with a second supply voltage, wherein first rectifier means and limiter means cooperating with said first rectifier means are provided, to which first rectifier means a voltage representing the input voltage can be fed and from which limiter means the first supply voltage can be picked off, wherein second rectifier means Sand control means for controlling said second rectifier means (are provided, to which second rectifier means a voltage representing the input voltage can also be fed and from which second rectifier means the second supply voltage can be picked off, and by which control means the amplitude of the second supply voltage that can be picked off from the second rectifier means can be controlled. 4. An integrated circuit as claimed in claim, wherein the control means are arranged to control the amplitude of the second supply voltage as a function of the amplitude of the output variable arising at the output of the second rectifier means.

The invention relates to a transponder that is arranged for non-contacting communication with a communication station and that has transmission means and that has an integrated circuit with circuit connecting contacts, wherein the transmission means are connected to the circuit connecting contacts and an input voltage can be picked off from said circuit connecting contacts, wherein first rectifier means and limiter means cooperating with said first rectifier means are provided, wherein a voltage representing the input voltage can be fed to the first rectifier means, and wherein a first supply voltage can be picked off from the first rectifier means or from the limiter means. The invention further relates to an integrated circuit that is intended for use in a transponder for non-contacting communication with a communication station, which transponder is arranged as detailed in the first paragraph. A transponder of the kind detailed in the first paragraph and an integrated circuit of the kind detailed in the second paragraph have become commercially available in a number of variant versions and are therefore known. In connection with a transponder of this kind, reference may also be made to U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,083 B1. In the known transponder that has been put on the market, the design of the integrated circuit is such that only the first supply voltage is required for supplying the integrated circuit, which first supply voltage is generated by means of the first rectifier means and the limiter means connected downstream of the first rectifier means, use being made for this purpose of the input voltage that arises at the circuit connecting contacts, which input voltage originates from a load-modulated carrier signal when the transponder is in a transmitting mode and from an amplitude-modulated carrier signal when it is in a receiving mode. In the field of transponders, the direction in which development is moving is that, to produce an integrated circuit for a transponder of this kind, increasing frequent use is being made of integration processes involving shorter and shorter channels lengths, which has the advantage that even circuits of relatively complicated design can be produced in the form of integrated circuits that are very small in area and hence inexpensive. However, going hand in hand with this is the fact that, compared with what was true earlier and hitherto, it is only lower maximum supply voltages that are permitted for a part of an integrated circuit but there are also circuit components, and particularly memories such as an EEPROM, present in an integrated circuit of this kind that still require a relatively high supply voltage. In the known data carrier, the relatively low supply voltage could be generated by generating it in a separate supply-voltage generating circuit having a rectifier circuit and a limiter circuit connected downstream of the rectifier circuit, but this meant that only a relatively low input voltage could be obtained at the circuit connecting contacts, which resulted in a reduced modulation spectrum and hence a reduced range of communication when the transponder was in the transmitting mode, which is of course undesirable. It is an object of the invention to solve the above problems in an easy way and to produce an improved transponder and an improved integrated circuit for such a transponder. To achieve the object stated above, features according to the invention are provided in a transponder according to the invention such that a transponder according to the invention can be characterized as follows, namely: A transponder that is arranged for non-contacting communication with a communication station and that has transmission means and that has an integrated circuit with circuit connecting contacts, wherein the transmission means are connected to circuit connecting contacts and an input voltage can be picked off from said circuit connecting contacts, wherein the integrated circuit has a first circuit section and a second circuit section, wherein the first circuit section is arranged for being supplied with a first supply voltage and the second circuit section is arranged for being supplied with a second supply voltage, wherein first rectifier means and limiter means cooperating with said first rectifier means are provided, wherein a voltage representing the input voltage can be fed to the first rectifier means, wherein the first supply voltage can be picked off from the first rectifier means or from the limiter means, wherein second rectifier means and control means for controlling said second rectifier means are provided, wherein a voltage representing the input voltage can also be fed to the second rectifier means, wherein the second supply voltage can be picked off from the second rectifier means, and wherein the value of the second supply voltage that can be picked off from the second rectifier means can be controlled by the control means. To achieve the object stated above, features according to the invention are provided in an integrated circuit according to the invention such that an integrated circuit according to the invention can be characterized as follows, namely: An integrated circuit that is intended for use in a transponder for non-contacting communication with a communication station and that has circuit connecting contacts that are intended for connection to transmission means of the transponder, from which contacts an input voltage can be picked off, and that has a first circuit section and a second circuit section, wherein the first circuit section is arranged for being supplied with a first supply voltage and the second circuit section is arranged for being supplied with a second supply voltage, wherein first rectifier means and limiter means cooperating with said first rectifier means are provided, wherein a voltage representing the input voltage can be fed to the first rectifier means, wherein the first supply voltage can be picked off from the first rectifier means or from the limiter means, wherein second rectifier means and control means for controlling said second rectifier means are provided, wherein a voltage representing the input voltage can also be fed to the second rectifier means, wherein the second supply voltage can be picked off from the second rectifier means, and wherein the value of the second supply voltage that can be picked off from the second rectifier means can be controlled by the control means. What is achieved by the provision of the features according to the invention, in a manner which is simple in terms of circuitry, is that, in a transponder according to the invention and in an integrated circuit according to the invention, both a higher, first supply voltage and a lower, second supply voltage can be generated and that, despite the generation of the lower, second supply voltage, a wide modulation spectrum is ensured that is independent of the lower, second supply voltage and is dependent only on the higher, first supply voltage obtained by means of the limiter means, and a long range of communication is thus ensured when the transponder is in a transmitting mode. The generation of the lower, second supply voltage also produces the major advantage that the section of the circuit that is arranged for supply with the lower, second supply voltage also draws only a smaller supply current, which means that, overall, the power consumption of this section of the circuit, and hence of the integrated circuit and of the transponder, is low. The generation of the lower, second supply voltage also produces another advantage, namely that a back-up capacitor that is produced by integrated circuit technology and at which this lower, second supply voltage arises can be made relatively small in terms of area. In a transponder according to the invention and in an integrated circuit according to the invention, the control means may be arranged to control the value, i.e. the amplitude, of the lower, second supply voltage as a function of the value, i.e. the amplitude, of the input voltage that can be picked off from the circuit connecting contacts. It has however proved particularly advantageous if, in a transponder according to the invention and in an integrated circuit according to the invention, the features claimed in claim 2 and in claim 4 are also provided in the respective cases. An arrangement of this kind has proved advantageous with regard to particularly accurate control of the value of the lower, second supply voltage. The output voltage or the output current from the second rectifier means can be used as an output variable in this case. These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiment described hereinafter, though the invention is not limited to this embodiment. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram that shows, in a highly diagrammatic form, a part of a transponder, and of an integrated circuit for the said transponder, that is essential in the present connection, according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a transponder 1. The transponder 1 is in the form of a tag or label. The transponder 1 may however also be in the form of a card-like data carrier. The transponder 1 is intended and arranged for non-contacting communication with a communication station (not shown). For this purpose, the transponder 1 has transmission means 2 that are formed in the present case by a transmission coil 2 that, in an inductive manner, i.e. in the manner employed in a transformer, can enter into working connection with a transmission coil of the communication station (not shown), to allow a transmission to be made. Transmission means that operate capacitively may be provided in place of the transmission coil 2. The transmission means may also be formed by a dipole or monopole, particularly when transmission takes place at very high frequencies in the MHz or GHz range. The transmission coil 2, i.e. the transmission means 2, has a first transmission-means connecting contact 3 and a second transmission-means connecting contact 4. The transmission means may also have more than two transmission-means connecting contacts. The transponder 1 also contains an integrated circuit 5. The integrated circuit 5 has a first circuit connecting contact 6 and a second circuit connecting contact 7. Other circuit connecting contacts are not shown. The first circuit connecting contact 6 has an electrically conductive connection to the first transmission-means connecting contact 3 and the second circuit connecting contact 7 has an electrically conductive connection to the second transmission-means connecting contact 4. Because a transmission coil 2 is provided as the transmission means in the present case, there is connected to the two circuit connecting contacts 6 and 7 a capacitor 8 that is produced in the integrated circuit 5 and that forms a resonant circuit with the transmission coil 2. The capacitor 8 may also be provided outside the integrated circuit 5. The resonant frequency of the resonant circuit is matched in the present case to the frequency of a carrier signal CS, but this need not necessarily be the case. When the transponder 1 is in a transmitting mode, the carrier signal CS is received from the communication station (not shown) in an unmodulated form and is load-modulated by the transponder 1. When the transponder 1 is in a receiving mode, the carrier signal CS is emitted in amplitude-modulated form by the communication station (not shown). Rather than amplitude modulation, use may also be made of frequency modulation or phase modulation. Both in its load-modulated form and in its amplitude-modulated form and its unmodulated form, the carrier signal CS produces an input voltage UIN that can be picked off from the two circuit connecting contacts 6 and 7. To allow the unmodulated carrier signal CS to be load-modulated, the transponder 1 and the integrated circuit 5 have load-modulating means 9 that are connected to the two circuit connecting contacts 6 and 7. The load-modulating means 9 have a load-modulation control circuit 10 and two electronic switches 11 and 12 that can be controlled by the load-modulation control circuit 10, with a first resistor 13 being connected in series with the first switch 11 and a second resistor 14 being connected in series with the second switch 12. First data DATAI in coded form can be fed to the load-modulation control circuit 10, which results in the load-modulation control circuit 10 exerting control on the two switches 11 and 12 as a function of the first data DATA1 fed to it, which causes the two switches 11 and 12 to open and close as a function of the first data DATA1, which in turn results in the unmodulated carrier signal CS being load-modulated by the opening and closing of the two switches and by the switching in and out of the two resistors 13 and 14 that occurs as a result of this. There are other possible designs of circuit for effecting the load-modulation, such for example as one having only one electronic switch and one resistor or having a capacitor instead of the resistor. To allow an amplitude-modulated carrier signal CS that is received by means of the transmission coil 2 to be demodulated, the transponder 1 and the integrated circuit 5 have a demodulating circuit 15 that is likewise connected to the two circuit connecting contacts 6 and 7. Demodulation of the amplitude-modulated carrier signal CS can be performed by means of the demodulating circuit 15, which results in the demodulating circuit 15 emitting second data DATA2, this second data DATA2 still being in coded form. Also connected to the two circuit connecting contacts 6 and 7 is a clock-signal regeneration circuit 16 by means of which a clock signal CLK can be regenerated from the carrier signal CS. It is however also possible for a clock-signal generator, with which a clock signal can be generated independently of a carrier signal, to be provided in place of the clock-signal regeneration circuit 16. The transponder 1 and the integrated circuit 5 also contain a microcomputer 17. A hard-wired logic circuit may also be provided in place of the microcomputer 17. The microcomputer 17 contains memory means (not shown). The microcomputer 17 is intended and arranged to process first data DATA1 to be read out, which data DATA1 is stored in the memory means (not shown), and to process second data DATA2 to be stored. The microcomputer 17 contains a first circuit section 18 and a second circuit section 19. The two circuit sections 18 and 19 are intended and arranged to process data or signals, with the first circuit section 18 being intended and arranged mainly, but not exclusively, to process analog signals and the second circuit section 19 being intended and arranged mainly, but not exclusively, to process digital signals. The first circuit section 18 and the second circuit section 19 each comprise a large number of circuit assemblies. The first circuit section 18 may contain the above-mentioned memory means for example. The two circuit sections 18 and 19 are merely shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 in the form of load resistors having resistances RL-HV and RL-LV respectively. In the transponder 1 and the integrated circuit 5, the first circuit section 18 is arranged for being supplied with a first supply voltage VL-HV. The second circuit section 19 is arranged for being supplied with a second supply voltage VL-LV. In most of the circumstances under which the transponder 1 operates, namely when the transponder 1 is relatively close to a communication station and is communicating therewith, the second supply voltage VL-LV is lower in this case than the first supply voltage VL-HV. To generate the first supply voltage VL-HV that is higher in most of the circumstances under which the transponder 1 operates, the transponder I and the integrated circuit 5 have first rectifier means 20 and limiter means 21 connected downstream of said first rectifier means 20. Connected downstream of the limiter means 21 in this case is a first storage capacitor 22 that acts as a means of storing energy. An arrangement where there is no such storage capacitor may also be implemented. The first rectifier means 20 comprise a bridge rectifier in this case but they may also be implemented in some other way. The limiter means 21 are implemented by using a Zener diode. Limiter means 21 of this kind have long been known. Such limiter means may also take the form of a so-called shunt regulator. A voltage representing the input voltage UIN can be fed to the first rectifier means 20, the input voltage UIN being fed directly to the rectifier means 20 in the transponder 1 shown in FIG. 1. This need not necessarily be the case however, because a voltage that is reduced in comparison with the input voltage UIN may also be fed to the first rectifier means 20. The input voltage UIN is rectified by the first rectifier means 20, after which limitation to the desired higher, first supply voltage VL-HV takes place by means of the limiter means 21. In the transponder 1 and the integrated circuit 5, the maximum voltage UIN at the circuit connecting contacts 6 and 7 is determined essentially by the sum of the voltage drop VR across the first rectifier means 20 and the higher, first supply voltage VL-HV. In the case of the solution that was produced in the course of developing the transponder 1 and the integrated circuit 5, the maximum higher, first supply voltage was selected to be approximately 5.5 V, thus giving, with a voltage drop of approximately 1 V across the first rectifier means 20, a maximum input voltage UIN of 6.5 V, namely in the case where the input voltage UIN is produced by the unmodulated carrier signal CS. When the transponder 1 is in a transmitting mode, the unmodulated carrier signal is, as already mentioned, subjected to load modulation by the load-modulating means 9, a load then being applied to the unmodulated carrier signal CS by the resistors 13 and 14 when the switches 11 and 12 are closed, which results in a reduced amplitude being obtained for the carrier signal CS. The reduced amplitude of the carrier signal CS is independent in this case of the amplitude of the unmodulated carrier signal CS. Due to the fact that the unmodulated carrier signal CS, and hence the input voltage UIN, is higher than the higher, first supply voltage VL-HV by the voltage drop VR across the first rectifier means 20, a relatively high input voltage UIN can be obtained in the case of an unmodulated carrier signal CS, which in turn results in a high modulation spectrum. A high modulation spectrum of this kind has the advantage that communication by the transponder 1 with a communication station becomes possible over a relatively long communication range. To generate the second supply voltage VL-LV that is lower in most of the circumstances under which the transponder 1 operates, the transponder 1 and the integrated circuit 5 have second rectifier means 23, and control means 24 to control said second rectifier means 23. Connected to the output of the second rectifier means 23 is a second storage capacitor 25 that is intended for energy storage purposes. The second rectifier means 23 comprise controlled diodes in this case. The second rectifier means 23 may however also be implemented in some other way, such as with a controlled bridge rectifier for example. A voltage representing the input voltage UIN can also be fed to the second rectifier means 23, the input voltage UIN being fed directly to the second rectifier means 23 in this case too. In the case of the second rectifier means 23 too, this need not necessarily be the case, because a voltage that is reduced, or even raised, in comparison with the input voltage UIN may also be fed to the second rectifier means 23. A raised voltage of this kind may for example be generated by means of a voltage doubling circuit. The lower, second supply voltage VL-LV is generated by the second rectifier means 23. The lower, second supply voltage VL-LV can be picked off from the second rectifier means 23 and fed to the second circuit section 19 without passing through any intervening limiter means, i.e. unlike the normally higher, first supply voltage VL-HV. The control means 24 are arranged in the present case to control the value, i.e. the amplitude, of the lower, second supply voltage VL-LV as a function of the value, i.e. the amplitude of the lower, second supply voltage VL-LV that arises at the output of the second rectifier means 23. By means of the control means, the second rectifier means 23 are controlled in such a way that the amplitude of the second supply voltage VL-LV that can be picked off from the second rectifier means 23 is controlled, this control being such that the usually lower, second supply voltage VL-LV always lies within a given range of voltages. Due to the fact that the second rectifier means 23 do not have any limiter means connected downstream of them, the advantage is obtained that the lower, second supply voltage VL-LV cannot have any disadvantageous, namely reducing, effect on the input voltage UIN, which means that the input voltage UIN is dependent only on the higher, first supply voltage VL-HV. This gives the major advantage in the case of the transponder 1 and the integrated circuit 5 that the second circuit section 19 can be supplied with a lower, second supply voltage VL-LV, which is advantageous with regard to having a power consumption that is as low as possible, but that a high modulation spectrum can be obtained in the region of the circuit connecting contacts 6 and 7, which means that the transponder 1 has a long range of communication that is determined essentially by the higher, first supply voltage VL-HV and is not adversely, namely reducingly, affected by the lower, second supply voltage VL-LV. It should be explicitly mentioned that operating situations may also occur in the transponder 1 and in the integrated circuit 5 in which the voltage of the usually lower, first supply voltage VL-LV is of a higher value than that of the usually higher, first supply voltage VL-HV. This happens particularly when the transponder 1 is communicating with a first communication station from relatively far away from the communication station, in which case there is then only a relatively low input voltage. Only a first circuit section 18 and a second circuit section 19 are provided in the transponder 1 and the integrated circuit 5 that have been described with reference to FIG. 1. It should be mentioned that a transponder of this kind may also comprise at least one further circuit section, which has to be supplied with a further supply voltage that is lower than the first supply voltage VL-HV. A supply voltage of this kind may for example be generated by using the second supply voltage VL-LV, by means of a so-called in-phase regulator. In the transponder 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the integrated circuit 5 shown in FIG. 1, the limiter means 21 cooperating with the first rectifier means 20 are connected downstream of the first rectifier means 21. This need not necessarily be the case, because it is also possible to have designs of circuit in which the limiter means are connected upstream of the rectifier means, in which case the higher, first supply voltage VL-HV is then picked off from the rectifier means.

20050128

20071030

20051103

74058.0

TRIEU, VAN THANH

TRANSPONDER WITH TWO SUPPLY VOLTAGES

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Acrylic block copolymer and thermoplastic resin composition

The present invention provides a novel acrylic block copolymer rich in flexibility and excellent in mechanical strength, moldability, oil resistance, heat resistance, thermal decomposition resistance, weather resistance, and compression set, and further rich in reactivity. The present invention also provides compositions, seal products, and automobile, electric, and electronic parts, all of which include the acrylic block copolymer. The acrylic block copolymer includes a methacrylic polymer block (a) and an acrylic polymer block (b), at least one of the polymer blocks containing, in its main chain, at least one acid anhydride group (c) represented by formula (1): (wherein R1s each represent hydrogen or a methyl group and may be the same or different, n represents an integer of 0 to 3, and m represents an integer of 0 or 1).

1. An acrylic block copolymer (A) comprising a methacrylic polymer block (a) and an acrylic polymer block (b), at least one of the polymer blocks containing, in its main chain, at least one acid anhydride group (c) represented by formula (1): (wherein R1s each represent hydrogen or a methyl group and may be the same or different, n represents an integer of 0 to 3, and m represents an integer of 0 or 1). 2. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, containing 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight of a carboxyl group (d). 3. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the acrylic block copolymer is at least one type selected from the group consisting of (a-b)n, b-(a-b)n and (a-b)n-a. 4. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the number-average molecular weight is 30,000 to 500,000. 5. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the ratio (Mw/Mn) of the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) to the number-average molecular weight (Mn) according to gel permeation chromatographic measurement is 1 to 1.8. 6. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, comprising 5% by weight to 80% by weight of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and 95% by weight to 20% by weight of the acrylic polymer block (b). 7. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the methacrylic polymer block (a) contains the acid anhydride group (c). 8. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the acrylic polymer block (b) contains the acid anhydride group (c). 9. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 7, wherein the content of the acid anhydride group (c) is 0.1% by weight to 99.9% by weight. 10. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 8, wherein the content of the acid anhydride group (c) is 0.1% by weight to 99.9% by weight. 11. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the carboxyl group (d) is contained in the block containing the acid anhydride group (c). 12. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the acrylic polymer block (b) comprises 50% by weight to 100% by weight of at least one acrylate selected from the group consisting of n-butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate, and 0% by weight to 50% by weight of another acrylate and/or a vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the acrylate. 13. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the acrylic polymer block (b) comprises n-butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate. 14. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the acrylic polymer block (b) comprises n-butyl acrylate and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate. 15. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the acrylic polymer block (b) comprises n-butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. 16. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, containing a carboxyl group (e) produced in its side chains by hydrolytic ring opening of the acid anhydride group. 17. The acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, wherein the acrylic block copolymer is produced by atom transfer radical polymerization. 18. A composition comprising the acrylic block copolymer (A) according to claim 1 and at least one selected from the group consisting of cross-linked rubber (B), a thermoplastic resin (C), a thermoplastic elastomer (D), a lubricant (E), an inorganic filler (F), and a stabilizer (G). 19. The composition according to claim 18, comprising 0.5% by weight to 99.5% by weight of the acrylic block copolymer (A), and 99.5% by weight to 0.5% by weight of the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D). 20. The composition according to claim 19, wherein the thermoplastic resin (C) is selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl chloride resin, a polymethyl methacrylate resin, an acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin, a methyl methacrylate-styrene copolymer resin, a polycarbonate resin, a polyester resin, and a polyamide resin, and the thermoplastic elastomer (D) is selected from the group consisting of a styrene elastomer, an olefin elastomer, an urethane elastomer, a vinyl chloride elastomer, an amide elastomer, an ester elastomer, and an acryl elastomer. 21. The composition according to claim 18, comprising 0.01 parts by weight to 50 parts by weight of the lubricant (E) and/or 0.01 parts by weight to 300 parts by weight of the inorganic filler (F) on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the acrylic block copolymer (A). 22. The composition according to claim 18, wherein the acrylic block copolymer (A) contains at least one acrylate unit selected from the group consisting of a n-butyl acrylate unit, an ethyl acrylate unit, and a 2-methoxyethyl acrylate unit. 23. A process for producing the acrylic block copolymer according to claim 1, the process comprising melt-kneading an acrylic block copolymer (A′) at a temperature of 180° C. to 300° C., the acrylic block copolymer (A′) comprising a methacrylic polymer block (a) and an acrylic polymer block (b), at least one of the polymer blocks containing, in its main chain, at least one unit represented by formula (2): (wherein R2 represents hydrogen or a methyl group, and R3s each represent hydrogen, a methyl group, or a phenyl group, and may be the same or different as long as at least one R3 is a methyl group). 24. The process according to claim 23, wherein the acrylic block copolymer (A′) is produced by controlled radical polymerization. 25. A process for producing the acrylic block copolymer according to claim 16, comprising melt-kneading the acrylic block copolymer (A) with water. 26. A seal product produced by molding the acrylic block copolymer (A) according to claim 1. 27. A seal product comprising the composition according to claim 18. 28. An automobile, electric, or electronic part comprising the acrylic block copolymer (A) according to claim 1. 29. An automobile, electric, or electronic part comprising the composition according to claim 18.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to nonconventional acrylic block copolymers and compositions which are rich in flexibility and excellent in mechanical strength, moldability, oil resistance, heat resistance, thermal decomposition resistance, weather resistance, and compression set, and is further rich in reactivity. The present invention also relates to seal products for automobiles, home electric appliances, or office electric appliances, and automobile, electric, and electronic parts all of which are produced using the acrylic block copolymers or compositions comprising the acrylic block copolymers. The present invention further relates to a process for producing the acrylic block copolymers. BACKGROUND ART Although vulcanized rubber has excellent flexibility and excellent rubber elasticity, rubber must be mixed with an additive and vulcanized in molding to increase the molding cycle time and complicate the molding process, thereby causing a problem of moldability. Also, vulcanized rubber is disadvantageous in that it is not melted even by reheating after molding and vulcanization, and thus it cannot be post-processed by bonding or the like and is difficult to recycle after use. From this viewpoint, in recent years, thermoplastic elastomers have been increasingly used in place of vulcanized rubber. For example, in automobile vehicles, various seal parts such as glass run channels, weatherstrips, various boots, draining moldings, and the like are used. These parts are mostly made of vulcanized rubber, but lightweight and recyclable olefinic thermoplastic elastomers have been recently brought into use for some of the seal parts from the viewpoint of improvement in fuel consumption and environmental problems. A thermoplastic elastomer generally has an alloy structure comprising a rubber component (soft segment) exhibiting entropy elasticity, and a restrictive component (hard segment) which flows at high temperatures but inhibits plastic deformation at room temperature to give a reinforcing effect to the rubber component. For example, in a styrenic elastomer, a styrene block aggregates and functions as a hard segment, and a butadiene block or an isoprene block forms a matrix and functions as a soft segment. An olefinic elastomer has an alloy structure in which rubber such as ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber (EPDM) or the like is dispersed in a polypropylene (PP) resin or the like. Any type of thermoplastic elastomer can be thermoplastically processed by injection molding or the like because the hard segment flows at high temperatures. However, conventional styrenic or olefinic thermoplastic elastomers are disadvantageous in that they have insufficient rubber elasticity and heat resistance (corresponding to compression set characteristics at high temperatures) in comparison to vulcanized rubber, and also have low oil resistance. On the other hand, as thermoplastic elastomers having excellent oil resistance, acrylic block copolymers having methacrylic blocks and acrylic blocks have been recently disclosed, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2,553,134. Like the styrenic elastomers, these elastomers have excellent moldability, but have the disadvantage that they have low heat resistance. Also, the hard segments of thermoplastic elastomers flow at high temperatures, and thus the thermoplastic elastomers can be thermoplastically processed. However, when the thermal decomposition temperatures of the thermoplastic elastomers are lower than injection molding temperatures, the thermoplastic elastomers thermally deteriorate in some cases. Particularly, methacrylic polymers are often decomposed to monomers at 170° C. to 250° C. by depolymerization (Polymer Handbook Third Edition: Wiley-Interscience 1989). When high-temperature heat stability is required, therefore, these polymers cannot be used disadvantageously. On the other hand, it has been known that thermoplastic elastomers are added for modifying resins, for example, improving the impact resistance of thermoplastic resins, or compounded as soft materials with thermoplastic resins (refer to, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-279738). The styrenic elastomers and olefinic elastomers are nonpolar resins and thus can be used for modifying other nonpolar resins. However, the elastomers are poor in compatibility with polar resins, and thus compatibilizers must be added for modifying polar resins, or compounds such as maleic anhydride or the like must be added as grafts to thermoplastic elastomers, for modifying the elastomers (refer to, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 7-173390 and 2000-265033). In this case, modification can be made, but oil resistance deteriorates due to the characteristics of the styrenic or olefinic thermoplastic elastomers. Although the above-described acrylic block copolymers have higher oil resistance and compatibility than those of the styrenic or olefinic thermoplastic elastomers, the oil resistance and compatibility are still at insufficient levels. There is thus demand for development of thermoplastic elastomers excellent in oil resistance, heat resistance, and thermal decomposition resistance, and also excellent for modification of thermoplastic resins and excellent in compounding characteristics. Examples of conventional materials having oil resistance, heat resistance, and rubber elasticity include nitrile rubber (NBR), acrylic rubber (ACM), silicone rubber (VMQ), and chloroprene rubber (CR). These materials are used for seal products for automobiles, seal products for home electric appliances, seal products for office electric appliances, and automobile, electric, and electronic parts, etc. However, as described above, kneaded products prepared by kneading mixtures with additives must be supplied into molds and then vulcanized, thereby necessitating a special molding machine, increasing the molding cycle time, and complicating the molding process. Therefore, promising thermoplastic elastomers are desired. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a novel acrylic block copolymer rich in flexibility and excellent in mechanical strength, moldability, oil resistance, heat resistance, thermal decomposition resistance, weather resistance, and compression set, and also rich in reactivity, and a process for producing the acrylic block copolymer. Another object of the present invention is to provide the acrylic block copolymer, and compositions, seal products for automobiles, seal products for home electric appliances, seal products for office electric appliances, and automobile, electric, and electronic parts, each of which comprises the acrylic block copolymer. As a result of studies for solving the above-described problems, it was found that an acrylic block copolymer comprising a methacrylic polymer block (a) and an acrylic polymer block (b), at least one of the polymer blocks containing a specified acid anhydride group in its main chain, is rich in flexibility and excellent in mechanical strength, moldability, oil resistance, heat resistance, thermal decomposition resistance, and compression set, and is further rich in reactivity. This finding resulted in the completion of the present invention. Namely, the present invention relates to an acrylic block copolymer comprising a methacrylic polymer block (a) and an acrylic polymer block (b), at least one of the polymer blocks containing, in its main chain, at least one acid anhydride group (c) represented by formula (1): (wherein R1s each represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and may be the same or different, n represents an integer of 0 to 3, and m represents an integer of 0 or 1). The acrylic block copolymer preferably contains 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight of a carboxyl group (d). The acrylic block copolymer is preferably of at least one type selected from the group consisting of (a-b)n, b-(a-b)n, and (a-b)n-a. The acrylic block copolymer preferably has a number-average molecular weight of 30,000 to 500,000. The acrylic block copolymer preferably has a ratio (Mw/Mn) of 1 to 1.8 of the weight-average molecular weight (Mw) to the number-average molecular weight (Mn) according to gel permeation chromatographic measurement. The acrylic block copolymer preferably comprises 5% by weight to 80% by weight of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and 95% by weight to 20% by weight of the acrylic polymer block (b). The methacrylic polymer block (a) preferably contains the acid anhydride group (c). The acrylic polymer block (b) preferably contains the acid anhydride group (c). The content of the acid anhydride group (c) is preferably 0.1% by weight to 99.9% by weight of the whole of the acrylic block copolymer (A). The carboxyl group (d) is preferably contained in the block containing the acid anhydride group (c). The acrylic polymer block (b) preferably comprises 50% by weight to 100% by weight of at least one acrylate selected from the group consisting of n-butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate, and 0% by weight to 50% by weight of another acrylate and/or a vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the acrylate. The acrylic polymer block (b) preferably comprises n-butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate. The acrylic polymer block (b) preferably comprises n-butyl acrylate and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate. The acrylic polymer block (b) preferably comprises n-butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. The acrylic block copolymer preferably contains a carboxyl group (e) produced in its side chains by hydrolytic ring opening of the acid anhydride group. The acrylic block copolymer is preferably produced by atom transfer radical polymerization. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising the acrylic block copolymer (A) and at least one selected from the group consisting of cross-linked rubber (B), a thermoplastic resin (C), a thermoplastic elastomer (D), a lubricant (E), an inorganic filler (F), and a stabilizer (G) The composition preferably comprises 0.5% by weight to 99.5% by weight of the acrylic block copolymer (A), and 99.5% by weight to 0.5% by weight of the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) on the basis of the whole of the composition. The thermoplastic resin (C) is preferably selected from the group consisting of a polyvinyl chloride resin, a polymethyl methacrylate resin, an acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin, a methyl methacrylate-styrene copolymer resin, a polycarbonate resin, a polyester resin, and a polyamide resin. The thermoplastic elastomer (D) is preferably selected from the group consisting of a styrene elastomer, an olefin elastomer, an urethane elastomer, a vinyl chloride elastomer, an amide elastomer, an ester elastomer, and an acryl elastomer. The composition preferably contains 0.01 parts by weight to 50 parts by weight of the lubricant (E) and/or 0.01 parts by weight to 300 parts by weight of the inorganic filler (F) on the basis of 100 parts by weight of the acrylic block copolymer (A). The acrylic block copolymer (A) preferably contains at least one acrylate unit selected from the group consisting of a n-butyl acrylate unit, an ethyl acrylate unit, and a 2-methoxyethyl acrylate unit. The present invention further relates to a process for producing the acrylic block copolymer comprising melt-kneading an acrylic block copolymer (A′) at a temperature of 180° C. to 300° C., the acrylic block copolymer (A′) comprising a methacrylic polymer block (a) and an acrylic polymer block (b), at least one of the polymer blocks containing, in its main chain, at least one unit represented by formula (2): (wherein R2 represents hydrogen or a methyl group, and R3s each represent hydrogen, a methyl group, or a phenyl group, and may be the same or different as long as at least one R3 is a methyl group). The acrylic block copolymer (A′) is preferably produced by controlled radical polymerization. The acrylic block copolymer (A) is preferably melt-kneaded with water. The present invention further relates to a seal product produced by molding the acrylic block copolymer (A). The present invention further relates to a seal product comprising the composition. The present invention further relates to an automobile, electric, or electronic part comprising the acrylic block copolymer (A) BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an acrylic block copolymer (A) comprising a methacrylic polymer block (a) and an acrylic polymer block (b), at least one of the polymer blocks containing, in its main chain, at least one acid anhydride group (c) represented by formula (1): (wherein R1s each represent a hydrogen atom or a methyl group and may be the same or different, n represents an integer of 0 to 3, and m represents an integer of 0 or 1). The present invention will be described in detail below. <Acrylic Block Copolymer (A)> The acrylic block copolymer (A) of the present invention may have the structure of a linear block copolymer or a branched (star) block copolymer, or a mixture thereof. The structures of the block copolymer are properly used according to the required physical properties of the acrylic block copolymer (A) and the required processing properties and mechanical properties of a composition with cross-linked rubber (B) and a thermoplastic resin (C). However, in view of cost and polymerizability, a linear block copolymer is preferred. The structure of the linear block copolymer is not particularly limited. From the viewpoint of the physical properties of the linear block copolymer or the physical properties of a composition, the acrylic block copolymer is preferably of at least one type selected from the group consisting of (a-b)n, b-(a-b)n, and (a-b)n-a (n is an integer of 1 or more, e.g., an integer of 1 to 3) wherein the methacrylic polymer block (a) is denoted by a, and the acrylic polymer block (b) is denoted by b. Although the type is not particularly limited, an (a-b)-diblock copolymer, an (a-b-a)-triblock copolymer, or a mixture thereof is preferred from the viewpoint of handleability in processing and the physical properties of compositions. In the present invention, at least one acid anhydride group (c) is introduced into at least one of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b). When two or more acid anhydride groups are introduced, polymerization of a monomer containing the acid anhydride group is random copolymerization or block copolymerization. For example, the type of a (a-b-a)-triblock copolymer may be any one of (a/z)-b-a, (a/z)-b-(a/z), z-a-b-a, z-a-b-a-z, a-(b/z)-a, a-b-z-a, a-z-b-z-a, (a/z)-(b/z)-(a/z), and z-a-z-b-z-a-z. In these expressions, z represents a monomer or polymer block containing the acid anhydride group (c), (a/z) represents copolymerization of the methacrylic polymer block (a) with a monomer containing the acid anhydride group (c), and (b/z) represents copolymerization of the acrylic polymer block (b) with a monomer containing the acid anhydride group (c). In the methacrylic polymer block (a) or the acrylic polymer block (b), the segment and form in which z is contained may be freely determined according to purposes. The number-average molecular weight of the acrylic block copolymer (A) is not particularly limited and may be determined according to the required molecular weights of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b). When the molecular weight is small, the copolymer (A) may exhibit insufficient mechanical properties as an elastomer, while when the molecular weight is excessively large, processing characteristics may deteriorate. From this viewpoint, the number-average molecular weight of the acrylic block copolymer (A) is preferably 30,000 to 500,000, more preferably 40,000 to 400,000, and most preferably 50,000 to 300,000. Although the ratio (Mw/Mn) of the weight-average molecular weight to the number-average molecular weight (Mn) of the acrylic block copolymer (A) according to gel permeation chromatographic measurement is not particularly limited, the ratio is preferably 1 to 1.8, and more preferably 1 to 1.5. With the ratio (Mw/Mn) over 1.8, the uniformity of the acrylic block copolymer may deteriorate. The composition ratios of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b) which constitute the acrylic block copolymer (A) are not particularly limited. The ratios may be determined according to the physical properties required for intended purposes, the moldability required for processing compositions, and the required molecular weights of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b). For example, the composition ratios of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b) are preferably 5% by weight to 80% by weight and 95% by weight to 20% by weight, more preferably 10% by weight to 70% by weight and 90% by weight to 30% by weight, and most preferably 10% by weight to 60% by weight and 90% by weight to 40% by weight, respectively. Particularly, the composition ratios of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b) are preferably 20% by weight to 50% by weight and 80% by weight to 50% by weight, respectively. When the ratio of the methacrylic polymer block (a) is less than 5% by weight, rubber elasticity at high temperatures may decrease, while when the ratio exceeds 80% by weight, the mechanical properties of elastomers, particularly elongation at break, may decrease, or the flexibility of compositions with thermoplastic resins may decrease. Assuming that the glass transition temperatures of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b) which constitute the acrylic block copolymer (A) are Tga and Tgb, respectively, the glass transition temperatures of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b) preferably satisfies the following relationship: Tga>Tgb The glass transition temperature (Tg) of each of the polymers (the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b)) can be determined using the weight ratio of the monomer of each polymer according to the following Fox's equation. 1/Tg=(W1/Tg1)+(W2/Tg2)+ . . . +(Wm/Tgm) W1+W2+ . . . +Wm=1 In the equation, Tg represents the glass transition temperature of a polymer, Tg1, Tg2, . . . , Tgm each represent the glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of each monomer, and W1, W2, . . . , Wm each represent the weight ratio of each monomer. As the glass transition temperature of each homopolymer in the above Fox's equation, for example, the value described in Polymer Handbook Third Edition (Wiley-Interscience 1989) may be used. The glass transition temperature can be determined by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) or a tan δ peak of dynamic viscoelasticity. However, when the polarities of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b) are excessively close to each other, or when the number of the linked monomers is excessively small, the measured value may deviate from the value calculated according to the Fox's equation. The acid anhydride group (c) represented by formula (1) may be introduced into the block copolymer by any desired method without limitation. (wherein R1s each represent hydrogen or a methyl group and may be the same or different, n represents an integer of 0 to 3, and m represents an integer of 0 or 1.) However, from the viewpoint of easy introduction and easy purification after introduction, the acid anhydride group (c) is preferably introduced in the form of a functional group as a precursor, for example, a form represented by formula (2), into the acrylic block copolymer (A) and then subjected to cyclization. In formula (1), n is an integer of 0 to 3, preferably 0 or 1, and more preferably 1. When n is 4 or more, polymerization may be complicated, or cyclization of the acid anhydride group may be made difficult. In formula (1), m is an integer of 0 or 1. When n is 0, m is preferably 0, and when n is 1 to 3, m is preferably 1. The acid anhydride group (c) may be introduced in one or both of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b). The acid anhydride group (c) may be introduced under preferred conditions according to purposes, i.e., according to the reactive site of the acrylic block copolymer (A), cohesive force and glass transition temperatures of the blocks (the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b)) which constitute the acrylic block copolymer (A), and the required physical properties of the acrylic block copolymer (A). For example, when the methacrylic polymer block (a) or the acrylic polymer block (b) is desired to be selectively modified or reacted with a compound having an amino group or hydroxyl group using the acid anhydride group as a reactive site, the acid anhydride group (c) may be introduced into a block which is desired to be modified or reacted. In view of improvement in the heat resistance and thermal decomposition resistance of the acrylic block copolymer (A), the acid anhydride group (c) may be introduced into the methacrylic polymer block (a). From the viewpoint that oil resistance, higher rubber elasticity, and compression set are imparted to the acrylic block copolymer (A), the acid anhydride group (c) may be introduced as a cross-linking reactive site (cross-linking point) into the acrylic polymer block (b). As a nonlimiting example, the acid anhydride group (c) is preferably introduced into any one of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b) from the viewpoint of control of the reactive site, heat resistance, and rubber elasticity. As a nonlimiting example, when the acid anhydride group (c) is introduced into the methacrylic polymer block (a), both R1s in formula (1) are preferably methyl groups, and when the acid anhydride group (c) is introduced into the acrylic polymer block (b), both R1s in formula (1) are preferably hydrogen atoms. Where both R1s are hydrogen atoms when the acid anhydride group (c) is introduced into the methacrylic polymer block (a), and both R1s are methyl groups when the acid anhydride group (c) is introduced into the acrylic polymer block (b), a polymerization operation for the acrylic block polymer (A) becomes complicated, and a difference between the glass transition temperatures of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b) decreases, thus the rubber elasticity of the acrylic block copolymer (A) tends to decrease. The preferred range of contents of the acid anhydride group (c) depends on the cohesive force and reactivity of the acid anhydride group (c), the structure and composition of the acrylic block copolymer (A), the number of the constituent blocks of the acrylic block copolymer (A), and the glass transition temperature thereof, and the introduction site and form of the acid anhydride group (c). For example, the content of the acid anhydride group (c) preferably ranges from 0.1% by weight to 99.9% by weight, and more preferably ranges from 0.5% by weight to 99.9% by weight, relative to the whole of the acrylic block copolymer (A). With the content of less than 0.1% by weight, the reactivity of the acrylic block copolymer (A) and compatibility with thermoplastic resins may become insufficient. When the acid anhydride group (c) having high Tg is introduced into the methacrylic polymer block (a) serving as the hard segment in order to improve the heat resistance and thermal decomposition resistance of the acrylic block copolymer (A), with the content of less than 0.1% by weight, the heat resistance and the thermal decomposition resistance may be not sufficiently improved to decrease the expression of rubber elasticity at high temperatures. On the other hand, with the content of over 99.9% by weight, the introduction may become difficult, and cohesive force may excessively increase, thereby degrading processability. When the acid anhydride group (c) is introduced into the acrylic polymer block (b) in order to impart oil resistance and rubber elasticity to the acrylic block copolymer (A), with the content of less than 0.1% by weight, the oil resistance and cohesive force are not sufficiently imparted, and reaction of the acid anhydride group (c) used as a reactive site becomes insufficient. Therefore, the rubber elasticity and compression set tend to deteriorate. On the other hand, with the content of over 99.9% by weight, the introduction tends to become difficult, and flexibility and mechanical properties tend to decrease. The content of the acid anhydride group (c) is represented by percent by weight of a monomer unit originally containing the acid anhydride group (c) or a monomer unit having the acid anhydride group (c) produced by reaction or the like. The content can be determined by 13C(1H)-NMR analysis. The block containing the acid anhydride group (c) and the content of the acid anhydride group (c) may be appropriately determined according to the required cohesive force and glass transition temperature, compatibility with the cross-linking rubber (B), the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D), and the reactive site. From the viewpoint of further improvement in heat resistance and cohesive force, the acrylic block copolymer (A) may contain a carboxyl group (d). The carboxyl group (d) can be produced in the process for introducing the acid anhydride group (c) into the acrylic block copolymer (A). The carboxyl group (d) may be introduced to only one or both of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b). In view of the reactive site of the acrylic block copolymer (A), the cohesive force and glass transition temperatures of the constituent blocks of the acrylic block copolymer (A), and the required physical properties of the acrylic block copolymer (A), the carboxyl group (d) may be appropriately introduced under preferred conditions according to purposes. As a nonlimiting example, from the viewpoint of control of the reactive site of the acrylic block copolymer (A) and ease of introduction of the carboxyl group (d) into the acrylic block copolymer (A), the carboxyl group (d) is preferably introduced into the block containing the acid anhydride group (c). From the viewpoint of heat resistance and cohesive force, the carboxyl group (d) is more preferably introduced into the methacrylic polymer block (a). This is because when the carboxyl group (d) having high Tg and high cohesive force is introduced into the hard segment, the rubber elasticity can be further expressed even at a high temperature. When the carboxyl group (d) is introduced into the acrylic polymer block (b), the carboxyl group (d) can be used as a cross-linking reactive site (cross-linking point) for imparting oil resistance and higher rubber elasticity and compression set characteristic, and compatibility with cross-linked rubber, the thermoplastic resin and/or the thermoplastic elastomer can be desirably improved. The number of the carboxyl group (d) per polymer block may be at least one. When the number is 2 or more, polymerization of a monomer containing the carboxyl group (d) may be random copolymerization or block copolymerization. For example, a (a-b-a)-triblock copolymer may be any type of (a/y)-b-a, (a/y)-b-(a/y), y-a-b-a, y-a-b-a-y, a-(b/y)-a, a-b-y-a, a-y-b-y-a, (a/y)-(b/y)-(a/y), and y-a-y-b-y-a-y. In these expressions, y represents a monomer or polymer block containing the carboxyl group (d), (a/y) represents copolymerization of the methacrylic polymer block (a) with a monomer containing the carboxyl group (d), and (b/y) represents copolymerization of the acrylic polymer block (b) with a monomer containing the carboxyl group (d). In the methacrylic polymer block (a) or the acrylic polymer block (b), the segment and form in which y is contained may be freely determined according to purposes. A preferred range of contents of the carboxyl group (d) depends on the cohesive force of the carboxyl group (d), the structure and composition of the acrylic block copolymer (A), the number of the constituent blocks of the acrylic block copolymer (A), and the introduction segment and form of the carboxyl group (d). For example, the content of the carboxyl group (d) preferably ranges from 0 to 50% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 50% by weight, and most preferably 0.5 to 40% by weight, of the constituent monomers of the acrylic block copolymer (A). When the acrylic block copolymer (A) is required to have higher heat resistance and cohesive force, the carboxyl group (d) is preferably introduced within a range to 50% by weight. With the content of over 50% by weight, the carboxyl group (d) tends to cyclize with an adjacent ester unit at a high temperature, and thus the operation for introducing the carboxyl group (d) tends to become complicated. When the carboxyl group (d) is produced in the process for introducing the acid anhydride group (c), 0.1% by weight or more of the carboxyl group (d) is generally produced. When less than 0.1% by weight of the carboxyl group (d) is introduced into the hard segment, heat resistance and cohesive force may be not sufficiently improved. The content of the carboxyl group (d) is represented by percent by weight of a monomer unit originally containing the carboxyl group (d) or a monomer unit having the carboxyl group (d) produced by reaction or the like. The content can be determined by 13C(1H)-NMR analysis. <Methacrylic Polymer Block (a)> The constituent monomer of the methacrylic polymer block (a) preferably satisfies the relation Tga>Tgb between the glass transition temperatures of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b) which constitute the acrylic block copolymer (A). Also, the monomer preferably comprises a methacrylate and another vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the methacrylate from the viewpoint of easy production of the acrylic block copolymer having desired physical properties, cost, and availability. Furthermore, a monomer containing the acid anhydride group (c) or the carboxyl group (d) may be contained as a methacrylate. The ratio of the methacrylate is preferably 50% by weight or more, and more preferably 75% by weight or more, of the whole of the methacrylic polymer block (a). With the ratio of less than 50% by weight, the characteristics of methacrylates, for example, weather resistance, high glass transition temperatures, and compatibility with resins, may deteriorate. The ratio of another vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the methacrylate is preferably 0 to 50% by weight, and more preferably 0 to 25% by weight. The required molecular weight of the methacrylic polymer block (a) may be determined according to the required cohesive force of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the time required for polymerization therefor. The cohesive force is considered to depend on molecular interaction and a degree of entanglement. As the molecular weight increases, the number of entanglement points increases to increase the cohesive force. Namely, assuming that the required molecular weight of the methacrylic polymer block (a) is Ma, and the molecular weight of an entanglement strand of the constituent polymer of the methacrylic polymer block (a) is Mca, a preferred example of the Ma range is Ma>Mca when cohesive force is required, and Ma>2Mca when higher cohesive force is required. When a certain degree of cohesive force and a creeping property are simultaneously satisfied, the Ma range is preferably Mca<Ma<2Mca. As the molecular weight of the entanglement strand, the value described in the document by Wu, et al. (Polym. Eng. and Sci.), 1990, vol. 30, p. 753) may be referred. For example, on the assumption that the methacrylic polymer block (a) entirely comprises methyl methacrylate, when the cohesive force is required, a preferred example of the number-average molecular weight of the methacrylic polymer block (a) is in a range of 9200 or more. However, when the acid anhydride group (c) is introduced into the methacrylic polymer block (a), the cohesive force is imparted by the acid anhydride group (c), and thus the molecular weight can be set to a lower value. Since the polymerization time tends to increase as the number-average molecular weight increases, the number-average molecular weight may be determined according to the required productivity. However, the number-average molecular weight is preferably 200,000 or less, and more preferably 100,000 or less. Examples of the constituent methacrylate of the methacrylic polymer block (a) include methacrylic acid aliphatic hydrocarbon (for example, alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms) esters, such as methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, n-pentyl methacrylate, n-hexyl methacrylate, n-heptyl methacrylate, n-octyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, nonyl methacrylate, decyl methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate, and stearyl methacrylate; methacrylic acid alicyclic hydrocarbon esters such as cyclohexyl methacrylate and isobornyl methacrylate; methacrylic acid aralkyl esters such as benzyl methacrylate; methacrylic acid aromatic hydrocarbon esters such as phenyl methacrylate and tolyl methacrylate; methacrylic acid esters with functional group-containing alcohols having ether oxygen, such as 2-methoxyethyl methacrylate and 3-methoxybutyl methacrylate; methacrylic acid fluoroalkyl esters such as trifluoromethyl methacrylate, trifluoromethylmethyl methacrylate, 2-trifluoromethylethyl methacrylate, 2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, 2-perfluoroethylethyl methacrylate, 2-perfluoroethyl-2-perfluorobutylethyl methacrylate, 2-perfluoroethyl methacrylate, perfluoromethyl methacrylate, diperfluoromethylmethyl methacrylate, 2-perfluoromethyl-2-perfluoroethylmethyl methacrylate, 2-perfluorohexylethyl methacrylate, 2-perfluorodecylethyl methacrylate, and 2-perfluorohexadecylethyl methacrylate. At lest one of these methacrylates is used. Among these methacrylates, methyl methacrylate is preferred from the viewpoint of compatibility with a thermoplastic resin to be combined, cost, and availability. Examples of the vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the constituent methacrylate of the methacrylic polymer block (a) include acrylates, aromatic alkenyl compounds, vinyl cyanide compounds, conjugated diene compounds, halogen-containing unsaturated compounds, unsaturated carboxylic acid compounds, unsaturated dicarboxylic acid compounds, vinyl ester compounds, and maleimide compounds. Examples of acrylates include acrylic acid aliphatic hydrocarbon (for example, alkyl having 1 to 18 carbon atoms) esters such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, n-pentyl acrylate, n-hexyl acrylate, n-heptyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, nonyl acrylate, decyl acrylate, dodecyl acrylate, and stearyl acrylate; acrylic acid alicyclic hydrocarbon esters such as cyclohexyl acrylate and isobornyl acrylate; acrylic acid aromatic hydrocarbon esters such as phenyl acrylate and tolyl acrylate; acrylic acid aralkyl esters such as benzyl acrylate; acrylic acid esters with functional group-containing alcohols having ether oxygen, such as 2-methoxyethyl acrylate, and 3-methoxybutyl acrylate; acrylic acid fluoroalkyl esters such as trifluoromethylmethyl acrylate, 2-trifluoromethylethyl acrylate, 2-perfluoroethylethyl acrylate, 2-perfluoroethyl-2-perfluorobutylethyl acrylate, 2-perfluoroethyl acrylate, perfluoromethyl acrylate, diperfluoromethylmethyl acrylate, 2-perfluoromethyl-2-perfluoroethylmethyl acrylate, 2-perfluorohexylethyl acrylate, 2-perfluorodecylethyl acrylate, and 2-perfluorohexadecylethyl acrylate. Examples of aromatic alkenyl compounds include styrene, α-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, and p-methoxystyrene. Examples of vinyl cyanide compounds include acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile. Examples of conjugated diene compounds include butadiene and isoprene. Examples of halogen-containing unsaturated compounds include vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, perfluoroethylene, perfluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride. Examples of unsaturated carboxylic acid compounds include methacrylic acid and acrylic acid. Examples of unsaturated dicarboxylic acid compounds include maleic anhydride, maleic acid, maleic acid monoalkyl esters and dialkyl esters, fumaric acid, and fumaric acid monoalkyl esters and dialkyl esters. Examples of vinyl ester compounds include vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl pivalate, vinyl benzoate, and vinyl cinnamate. Examples of maleimide compounds include maleimide, methylmaleimide, ethylmaleimide, propylmaleimide, butylmaleimide, hexylmaleimide, octylmaleimide, dodecylmaleimide, stearylmaleimide, phenylmaleimide, and cyclohexylmaleimide. At least one of these compounds is used. The vinyl monomer is preferably selected according to compatibility of the acrylic block copolymer with the cross-linked rubber (B), the thermoplastic resin (C), and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D). A polymer of methyl methacrylate is depolymerized approximately quantitatively by thermal decomposition. Moreover, in order to suppress depolymerization, the polymer can be copolymerized with an acrylate, for example, methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-methoxyethyl acrylate, or a mixture thereof, or styrene. In order to further improve oil resistance, the polymer can be copolymerized with acrylonitrile. The glass transition temperature of the methacrylic polymer block (a) is preferably 100° C. or more, and more preferably 110° C. or more. With the glass transition temperature of less than 100° C., rubber elasticity at high temperatures degrades. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the methacrylic polymer block (a) can be determined from the weight ratio of the monomer of each polymer segment according to the Fox's equation. The glass transition temperature is calculated according to the Fox's equation using the polymerization ratio of each monomer and the glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of each monomer which is described in Polymer Handbook Third Edition (Wiley-Interscience 1989). <Acrylic Polymer Block (b)> The constituent monomer of the acrylic polymer block (b) preferably satisfies the relation Tga>Tgb between the glass transition temperatures of the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b) which constitute the acrylic block copolymer (A). Also, the monomer preferably comprises an acrylate and a vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the acrylate from the viewpoint of easy production of a composition having desired physical properties, cost, and availability. Furthermore, a monomer containing the acid anhydride group (c) or the carboxyl group (d) may be contained as an acrylate. The ratio of the acrylate is preferably 50% by weight or more, and more preferably 70% by weight or more, of the whole of the acrylic polymer block (b). With the ratio of less than 50% by weight, the physical properties of a composition, particularly impact resistance, flexibility, and oil resistance, which are characteristic of use of an acrylate, may deteriorate. The ratio of another vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the acrylate is preferably 0 to 50% by weight, and more preferably 0 to 30% by weight. The required molecular weight of the acrylic polymer block (b) may be determined according to the elastic modulus and rubber elasticity of the acrylic polymer block (b), and the time required for polymerization therefor. The elastic modulus is closely related to the mobility of a molecular chain and the molecular weight thereof, and the inherent elastic modulus is not exhibited unless the molecular weight is a certain value or more. This is true for rubber elasticity, but the molecular weight is preferably as large as possible from the viewpoint of rubber elasticity. For example, a range of the required molecular weight Mb of the acrylic polymer block (b) is preferably Mb>3,000, more preferably Mb>5,000, further preferably Mb>10,000, particularly preferably Mb>20,000, and most preferably Mb>40,000. However, the polymerization time tends to increase as the number-average molecular weight increases, and thus the molecular weight is preferably 500,000 or less, and more preferably 300,000 or less according to the required productivity. Examples of the acrylate constituting the acrylic polymer block (b) include the same as acrylates used for the methacrylic polymer block (a). At least one of the acrylates is used. Among the acrylates, n-butyl acrylate is preferred from the viewpoint of impact resistance, compression set, cost, and availability. When oil resistance is required, ethyl acrylate is preferred. When a material having flexibility, low-temperature characteristics, and lower hardness is required, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate is preferred. When a material having a balance between flexibility and mechanical strength, and lower hardness is required, a mixture of n-butyl acrylate and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate is preferred. When oil resistance and low-temperature characteristics are desired to be simultaneously satisfied, a mixture of ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate is preferred. When oil resistance and flexibility are required, a mixture of n-butyl acrylate and 2-methoxyethyl acrylate is preferred. Examples of the vinyl monomer copolymerizable with the constituent acrylate of the acrylic polymer block (b) include methacrylates, aromatic alkenyl compounds, vinyl cyanide compounds, conjugated diene compounds, halogen-containing unsaturated compounds, unsaturated dicarboxylic acid compounds, vinyl ester compounds, and maleimide compounds. Specific examples of these compounds include the same as those used for the methacrylic polymer block (a). At least one of these compounds is used. The vinyl monomer is preferably selected according to the required glass transition temperature, elastic modulus, and polarity of the acrylic polymer block (b), the required physical properties of a composition, and compatibility with the cross-linked rubber, the thermoplastic resin, and/or the thermoplastic elastomer. For example, in order to improve oil resistance of a composition, the polymer block (b) can be copolymerized with acrylonitrile. The glass transition temperature of the acrylic polymer block (b) is preferably 50° C. or less, and more preferably 0° C. or less. With the glass transition temperature of over 50° C., the rubber elasticity of the acrylic block copolymer (A) may degrade. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the acrylic polymer block (b) can be determined from the weight ratio of the monomer of each polymer segment according to the Fox's equation. The glass transition temperature is calculated according to the Fox's equation using the polymerization ratio of each monomer and the glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of each monomer, which is described in Polymer Handbook Third Edition (Wiley-Interscience 1989). <Acid Anhydride Group (c)> The acid anhydride group (c) is characterized in that it has reactivity against a compound having an amino group, a hydroxyl group, an epoxy group, or the like, and thus it can be used as a reactive site for modifying a polymer, as a site for improving compatibility in a blend with the cross-linked rubber, the thermoplastic resin, and/or the thermoplastic elastomer, or as a cross-linking point for imparting higher rubber elasticity to a soft segment. Since the acid anhydride group (c) also has a high glass transition temperature (Tg), the acid anhydride group (c) has the effect of improving the heat resistance of the acrylic block copolymer (A) when being introduced into the hard segment.. The glass transition temperature of a polymer containing an acid anhydride group is high, and for example, the glass transition temperature of polymethacrylic anhydride is as high as 159° C. By introducing a unit containing the acid anhydride, the heat resistance of the acrylic block copolymer can be improved. As a method for introducing the acid anhydride group (c), preferably, a precursor of the acid anhydride group (c) is introduced into the acrylic block copolymer and then cyclized. As a nonlimiting example, the acid anhydride group is preferably introduced by melt-kneading cyclization, at a temperature of 180° C. to 300° C., of an acrylic block copolymer (A′) comprising a methacrylic polymer block (a) and a methacrylic polymer block (b), at least one of these polymer blocks (a) and (b) containing at least one unit represented by formula (2): (wherein R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R3s each represent a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, or a phenyl group and may be the same or different as long as at least one of R3s is a methyl group). The unit represented by formula (2) can be introduced into the acrylic block copolymer by copolymerization with an acrylate or methacrylate monomer derived from the unit represented by formula (2). The unit represented by formula (2) undergoes elimination and cyclization with the adjacent ester unit at a high temperature to produce an acid anhydride group (refer to, for example, Hatada, et al., J. M. S.-PURE APPL. CHEM., A30 (9&10), PP. 645-667 (1993)). According to this document, a polymer having a bulk ester unit and β-hydrogen generally undergoes decomposition of the ester unit and then cyclization at a high temperature to produce an acid anhydride group. By using this method, the acid anhydride group can easily be introduced into the acrylic block copolymer. Specific examples of such a monomer include, without limitation to, tert-butyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, α,α-dimethylbenzyl acrylate, α-methylbenzyl acrylate, tert-butyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, α,α-dimethylbenzyl methacrylate, and α-methylbenzyl methacrylate. Among these monomers, tert-butyl acrylate and tert-butyl methacrylate are preferred from the viewpoint of availability, easy polymerization, and easy production of the acid anhydride group. In order to form the acid anhydride group, the acrylic block copolymer (A′) is preferably heated at a high temperature. As a nonlimiting example, heating is preferably performed at 180° C. to 300° C. With heating at a temperature of lower than 180° C., the acid anhydride group may be not sufficiently produced, while with heating at a temperature of over 300° C., the polymer (A′) may be decomposed. <Carboxyl Group (d) and Carboxyl Group (e)> A carboxyl group has high cohesive force, and a monomer containing a carboxyl group has a high glass transition temperature (Tg) and thus has the effect of improving the heat resistance of the acrylic block copolymer. Although a functional group such as a hydroxyl group also has a hydrogen bonding ability, the functional group has low Tg and has the small effect of improving heat resistance, as compared with a monomer containing a carboxyl group. Therefore, from the viewpoint of further improvements in heat resistance and cohesive force of the acrylic block copolymer (A), the acrylic block copolymer may contain the carboxyl group (d) and/or the carboxyl group (e). A method for introducing the carboxyl group (d) is not particularly limited, but the carboxyl group (d) is preferably produced in the process for introducing the acid anhydride group into the acrylic block copolymer (A). The method will be described below. In the acrylic block copolymer (A′) having the unit represented by formula (2), the unit represented by formula (2) undergoes elimination and cyclization with the adjacent ester unit at a high temperature to produce the acid anhydride group (c). In this case, the ester units partially take a path comprising decomposition of the ester unit to produce the carboxyl group (d), and then cyclization to produce the acid anhydride group (c). By utilizing this path, the carboxyl group (d) can be introduced by appropriately controlling the heating temperature and time according to the type and content of the unit represented by formula (2). Specifically, the acrylic block copolymer (A′) may be heated under pressure in the state of a polymer solution or directly heated to melt. In view of simplicity of production, the acrylic block copolymer (A′) is more preferably melt-kneaded. In melt-kneading the acrylic block copolymer (A′), the melt-kneading time (the retention time in an extruder when the extruder is used) may be appropriately determined according to the melt-kneading temperature, the configuration of a screw, L/D (ratio of the effective length L of the screw to the diameter D of the screw), and the rotational speed of the screw. In this method, the carboxyl group (d) tends to cyclize with the adjacent ester unit at a high temperature. Therefore, when over 50% by weight of the carboxyl group (d) is introduced, an introduction operation tends to become complicated. Also, the physical properties after processing tend to change, thereby causing difficulty in producing products with stable physical properties. When the acrylic block copolymer (A) is required to have higher heat resistance, the carboxyl group (e) can be introduced. From the viewpoint of cost and simplicity of production, the carboxyl group (e) is preferably introduced by a method in which the acid anhydride group of the acrylic block copolymer (A) is subjected to hydrolytic ring opening. As described above, the method for producing the carboxyl group (d) in the process for introducing the acid anhydride group (c) into the acrylic block copolymer (A) has the tendency that the carboxyl group (d) cyclizes with the adjacent ester unit, and thus the operation for introducing over 50% by weight of the carboxyl group (d) tends to become complicated. On the other hand, when the carboxyl group is introduced by direct polymerization with a monomer having the carboxyl group under polymerization conditions, the monomer having the carboxyl group may inactivate the catalyst used in the polymerization. Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 2001-234147 and 10-298248 disclose a method for introducing a carboxyl group in which a carboxyl group is introduced in a form protected by an appropriate protective group or in the form of a functional group as a precursor of the carboxyl group into an acrylic block copolymer, followed by selective decomposition. This method has the problem of cost, and the tendency that production becomes complicated. Although the carboxyl group (e) is produced by hydrolysis of the acid anhydride group (c), the carboxyl group (e) need not be discriminated from the carboxyl group (d) produced in the process for introducing the acid anhydride group (c). These carboxyl groups can easily be introduced so that the total of the monomer containing the carboxyl group (d) and the monomer containing the carboxyl group (e) is 50% by weight or more of the monomers constituting the acrylic block copolymer (A). Also, the acid anhydride groups (c) are entirely hydrolyzed to produce a block copolymer having only carboxyl groups as functional groups. Such an acrylic block copolymer can be preferably produced by hydrolytic ring opening of the acid anhydride group (c) of the acrylic block copolymer (A). The method for introducing the carboxyl group (e) by hydrolysis is not particularly limited, but the acrylic block copolymer (A) may be heated together with water under pressure or melt-kneaded with water. From the viewpoint of simplicity of production and cost, the acrylic block copolymer (A) is preferably melt-kneaded with water. The method of heating the acrylic block copolymer (A) together with water under pressure can be performed in a pressure-resistant reactor. The method of melt-kneading the acrylic block copolymer (A) with water can be performed in any one of various apparatuses capable of simultaneously performing heating and kneading. Examples of such apparatuses include apparatuses generally used for processing rubber, such as a Banbury mixer, a kneader, and a single-screw or multi-screw extruder. In view of reactivity into the carboxyl group and simplicity of production, an extruder is preferably used, and a closed extruder is more preferably used. In melt-kneading the acrylic block copolymer (A), the melt-kneading time (retention time in the extruder used) may be appropriately determined according to the melt-kneading temperature, the configuration of the screw, L/D (ratio of the effective length L of the screw to the diameter D of the screw), the screw rotational speed, and the like. A polymer having the carboxyl group (d) and/or the carboxyl group (e) has a high glass transition temperature, and for example, polymethacrylic acid has a glass transition temperature of as high as 228° C. Therefore, the heat resistance of the acrylic block copolymer (A) can be improved by introducing a monomer constituting carboxyl group. The content of the carboxyl groups may be appropriately determined according to the required physical properties of the acrylic block copolymer (A). <Process for Producing the Acrylic Block Copolymer (A′)> Although the process for producing the acrylic block copolymer (A′) is not particularly limited, controlled polymerization using an initiator for a polymer is preferably performed. Examples of the controlled polymerization include living anionic polymerization, radical polymerization using a chain transfer agent, and living radical polymerization recently developed. In particular, living radical polymerization is preferred from the viewpoint of control of the molecular weight and structure of the acrylic block copolymer. The living radical polymerization is radical polymerization in which the activity of the polymerization terminal is maintained without a loss. In a narrow sense, living polymerization represents polymerization in which the terminal continuously possesses activity. However, living polymerization includes pseudo living polymerization in which inactivated terminals are equilibrium with activated terminals. In the present invention, the meaning of living polymerization includes the pseudo living polymerization. In recent years, living radical polymerization has been actively studied by various groups. Examples of living radical polymerization include polymerization using a polysulfide as a chain transfer agent, polymerization using a cobalt porphyrin complex (Journal of American Chemical Society (J. Am. Chem. Soc.), 1994, vol. 116, p. 7943) or a nitroxide compound as a radical scavenger (Macromolecules, 1994, vol. 27, p. 7228), and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using an organic halide as an initiator and a transition metal complex as a catalyst. In the present invention, any one of these polymerization methods can be used, but atom transfer radical polymerization is preferred from the viewpoint of ease of control. The atom transfer radical polymerization is performed using an organic halide or a sulfonyl halide compound as an initiator, and using a metal complex including a central metal selected from the elements of Groups VII, VIII, IX, X, or XI of the periodic table as a catalyst (refer to, for example, Matyjaszewski, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1995, Vol. 117, p. 5614, Macromolecules, 1995, Vol. 28, p. 7901, Science, 1996, Vo. 272, p. 866, or Sawamoto, et al., (Macromolecules, 1995, Vol. 28, p. 1721). This is a radical polymerization method which generally has a very high polymerization rate and which easily causes termination reaction such as coupling between radicals or the like. However, polymerization proceeds in a living state to produce a polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn=1.1 to 1.5), and the molecular weight can be freely controlled by the charging ratio of the monomer to the initiator. In the atom transfer radical polymerization, a mono-, di- or higher-functional compound can be used as the organic halide or the sulfonyl halide compound serving as the initiator. These compounds may be appropriately used according to purposes. However, a monofunctional compound is preferably used for producing a diblock copolymer from the viewpoint of availability of the initiator, and a difunctional compound is preferably used for producing (a-b-a)-triblock copolymer or a (b-a-b)-triblock copolymer from the viewpoint of the number of the reaction steps and the short reaction time. A polyfunctional compound is preferably used for producing a branched block copolymer from the viewpoint of the number of the reaction steps and the short reaction time. A polymeric initiator can be used as the initiator. The polymeric initiator is a compound among the organic halide and the sulfonyl halide compound, and comprises a polymer having a halogen atom bonded to an end of its molecular chain. Such a polymeric initiator can be produced by a controlled polymerization method other than the living radical polymerization method, and is thus characteristic in that a block copolymer comprising polymers bonded together and produced by different polymerization methods can be produced. Examples of the monofunctional compound include the following: C6H5—CH2X C6H5—C(H) (X)—CH3 C6H5—C(X) (CH3)2 R4—C(H) (X)—COOR5 R4—C(CH3) (X)—COOR5 R4—C(H)(X)—CO—R5 R4—C(CH3) (X)—CO—R5 R4—C6H4—SO2X In the formulae, C6H5 represents a phenyl group, C6H4 represents a phenylene group (which may be any one of ortho-substituted, metha-substituted, and para-substituted), R4 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, X represents chlorine, bromine, or iodine, and R5 represents a monovalent organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Examples of an alkyl group (including an alicyclic hydrocarbon group) having 1 to 20 carbon atoms as R4 include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, cyclohexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl, and isobornyl. Examples of an aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms include phenyl, tolyl, and naphthyl. Examples of an aralkyl group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms include benzyl and phenetyl. Examples of a monovalent organic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms as R5 include the same as those of R4. Specific examples of the monofunctional compound include tosyl bromide, methyl 2-bromopropionate, ethyl 2-bromopropionate, butyl 2-bromopropionate, methyl 2-bromoisobutyrate, ethyl 2-bromoisobutyrate, and butyl 2-bromoisobutyrate. Among these compounds, ethyl 2-bromopropionate and butyl 2-bromopropionate are preferred from the viewpoint that polymerization can easily be controlled because the structures are similar to that of an acrylate monomer. Examples of the difunctional compound include the following: X—CH2—C6H4—CH2—X X—CH (CH3)—C6H4—CH (CH3)—X X—C (CH3)2—C6H4—C (CH3)2—X X—CH(COOR6 )—(CH2)n—CH (COOR6)—X X—C(CH3) (COOR6)—(CH2)n—C(CH3)(COOR6)—X X—CH(COR6)—(CH2)n—CH(COR6)—X X—C(CH3)(COR6)—(CH2)n—C(CH3)(COR6)—X X—CH2—CO—CH2—X X—CH(CH3)—CO—CH(CH3)—X X—C(CH3)2—CO—C(CH3)2—X X—CH (C6H5)—CO—CH(C6H5)—X X—CH2—COO—(CH2)n—OCO—CH2—X X—CH(CH3)—COO—(CH2)n—OCO—CH(CH3)—X X—C(CH3)2—COO—(CH2)n—OCO—C(CH3)2—X X—CH2—CO—CO—CH2—X X—CH(CH3)—CO—CO—CH(CH3)—X X—C(CH3)2—CO—CO—C(CH3)2—X X—CH2—COO—C6H4—OCO—CH2—X X—CH(CH3)—COO—C6H4—OCO—CH(CH3)—X X—C(CH3)2—COO—C6H4—OCO—C (CH3)2—X X—SO2—C6H4—SO2—X In the formulae, R6 represents alkyl having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or aralkyl having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer of 0 to 20. C6H5, C6H4, and X represent the same as the above. Specific examples of alkyl having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and aralkyl having 7 to 20 carbon atoms as R6 are the same as those of alkyl having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and aralkyl having 7 to 20 carbon atoms as R4. Specific examples of the difunctional compound include bis(bromomethyl)benzene, bis(l-bromoethyl)benzene, bis(1-bromoisopropyl)benzene, dimethyl 2,3-dibromosuccinate, diethyl 2,3-dibromosuccinate, dibutyl 2,3-dibromosuccinate, dimethyl 2,4-dibromoglutarate, diethyl 2,4-dibromoglutarate, dibutyl 2,4-dibromoglutarate, dimethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, dibutyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, dimethyl 2,6-dibromopimelate, diethyl 2,6-dibromopimelate, dibutyl 2,6-dibromopimelate, dimethyl 2,7-dibromosuberate, diethyl 2,7-dibromosuberate, and dibutyl 2,7-dibromosuberate. Among these compounds, bis(bromomethyl)benzene, diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, and diethyl 2,6-dibromopimelate are preferred from the viewpoint of availability. Examples of the polyfunctional compound include the following: C6H3—(CH2—X)3 C6H3—(CH (CH3)—X)3 C6H3—(C(CH3)2—X)3 C6H3—(OCO—CH2—X)3 C6H3—(OCO—CH(CH3)—X)3 C6H3—(OCO—C(CH3)2—X)3 C6H3—(SO2—X)3 In the formulae, C6H3 represents a trivalent phenyl group (having any desired combination of three bonding positions among the 1- to 6-position), and X represents the same as the above. Specific examples of the polyfunctional group include tris(bromomethyl)benzene, tris(l-bromoethyl)benzene, and tris(l-bromoisopropyl)benzene. Among these compounds, tris(bromomethyl)benzene is preferred from the viewpoint of availability. When an organic halide or sulfonyl halide compound having a functional group other than a polymerization initiating group is used, a polymer having a functional group other than a polymerization initiating group in its terminal or its molecule can be obtained. Examples of a functional group other then a polymerization initiating group include alkenyl, hydroxyl, epoxy, amino, amido, and silyl. The organic halide or sulfonyl halide compound which can be used as the initiator has a carbon atom bonded to a halogen group (halogen atom) and to a carbonyl or phenyl group, and a carbon-halogen bond is activated to initiate polymerization. The amount of the initiator used may be determined from a molar ratio to the monomer used according to the required molecular weight of the acrylic block copolymer. Namely, the molecular weight of the acrylic block copolymer can be controlled by controlling the number of the monomer molecules used per molecule of the initiator. Although the transition metal complex used as the catalyst for the atom transfer radical polymerization is not particularly limited, complexes of mono- or zero-valent copper, divalent ruthenium, divalent iron, and divalent nickel are preferably used. Among these complexes, copper complexes are preferred from the viewpoint of cost and reaction controllability. Examples of copper(I) compounds include cuprous chloride, cuprous bromide, cuprous iodide, cuprous cyanide, cuprous oxide, and cuprous perchlorate. Among these compounds, cuprous chloride and cuprous bromide are preferred from the viewpoint of polymerization controllability. When a copper (I) compound is used, a ligand may be added for increasing catalytic activity. Examples or such a ligand include 2,2′-bipyridyl compounds such as 2,2′-bipyridyl and its derivatives (for example, 4,4′-dinoryl-2,2′-bipyridyl and 4,4′-di(5-noryl)-2,2′-bipyridyl); 1,10-phenanthroline compounds such as 1,10-phenanthroine and its derivatives (for example, 4,7-dinoryl-1,10-phenanthroline and 5,6-dinoryl-1,10-phenanthroline); and polyamines such as tetramethyldiethylenetriamine (TMEDA), pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, and hexamethyl (2-aminoethyl)amine. Also, a tristriphenylphosphine complex (RuCl2(PPh3)3) of ruthenium (II) chloride is preferred as the catalyst. When a ruthenium compound is used as the catalyst, an aluminum alkoxide may be added as an activating agent. Furthermore, a bistriphenylphosphine complex (FeCl2(PPh3)2) of divalent iron, a bistriphenylphosphine complex (NiCl2(PPh3)2) of divalent nickel, and a bistributylphosphine complex (NiBr2(PBu3)2) of divalent nickel are preferred as the catalyst. Although the types of the catalyst, ligand, and activating agent used are not particularly limited, the types may be properly determined from the relation between the required reaction rate and the types of the initiator, monomer, and solvent used. For example, when an acrylic monomer such as an acrylate or the like is used for polymerization, a propagation end of a polymer chain preferably has a carbon-bromine bond from the controllability of polymerization. Therefore, preferably, an organic bromide or sulfonyl bromide is used as the initiator, and acetonitrile is used as the solvent, a metal complex including copper of copper bromide, preferably cuprous bromide, as a central metal is used as the catalyst, and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine or the like is used as the ligand. On the other hand, when a methacrylic monomer such as a methacrylate or the like is used for polymerization, a propagation end of a polymer chain preferably has a carbon-chlorine bond from the viewpoint of the controllability of polymerization. Therefore, preferably, an organic chloride or sulfonyl chloride is used as the initiator, and acetonitrile, and if required, a mixture with toluene, is used as the solvent, a metal complex including copper of copper chloride, preferably cuprous chloride, as a central metal is used as the catalyst, and pentamethyldiethylenetriamine or the like is used as the ligand. The amounts of the catalyst and ligand used may be properly determined from the relation between the required reaction rate and the amounts of the initiator, monomer, and solvent used. For example, when a polymer having a high molecular weight is desired, the initiator/monomer ratio must be lower than that for producing a polymer having a low molecular weight. In this case, the reaction rate can be increased by increasing the amounts of the catalyst and ligand used. Also, when a polymer having a higher glass transition temperature than room temperature is produced, in some cases, an appropriate organic solvent is added for decreasing the viscosity of the system and increasing the efficiency of stirring, and thus the reaction rate tends to decrease. In this case, the reaction rate can be increased by increasing the amounts of the catalyst and ligand used. The atom transfer radical polymerization can be performed without a solvent (bulk polymerization) or in any of various solvents. The bulk polymerization or polymerization in any of various solvents can be stopped during the reaction. Examples of the solvent include hydrocarbon solvents, ether solvents, halogenated hydrocarbon solvents, ketone solvents, alcohol solvents, nitrile solvents, ester solvents, and carbonate solvents. Examples of hydrocarbon solvents include benzene and toluene. Examples of ether solvents include diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran. Examples of halogenated hydrocarbon solvents include methylene chloride and chloroform. Examples of ketone solvents include acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and methyl isobutyl ketone. Examples of alcohol solvents include methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, and tert-butanol. Examples of nitrile solvents include acetonitrile, propionitrile, and benzonitrile. Examples of ester solvents include ethyl acetate and butyl acetate. Examples of carbonate solvents include ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate. At least one of these solvents can be used. When the solvent is used, the amount of the solvent used may be properly determined based on the relation between the viscosity of the whole system and the required efficiency of stirring. When bulk polymerization or polymerization in a solvent is stopped during the reaction, the conversion rate of the monomer at the reaction stop point may be properly determined based on the relation between the viscosity of the whole system and the required efficiency of stirring. The polymerization can be performed in the range of 23° C. to 200° C., and preferably 50° C. to 150° C. Examples of a method for producing the acrylic block copolymer by the polymerization include a method of successively adding monomers, a method of polymerizing a monomer for a second block using a previously synthesized polymer as a polymeric initiator, and a method of bonding different polymers by reaction, the polymers being separately produced by polymerization. Any one of these methods may be properly used according to purposes. In view of simplicity of the production process, the method of successively adding monomers is preferably used. When it is desired to avoid a remaining monomer of a first block from being copolymerized with a second block, the method of polymerizing a monomer of the second block using the previously synthesized polymer as the polymeric initiator is preferably used. Description will be made of the method of successively adding monomers, and the method of polymerizing a monomer of the second block using the previously synthesized polymer as the polymeric initiator. However, the method for producing the acrylic block copolymer of the present invention is not limited to these methods. In the method of successively adding monomers, the second monomer to be polymerized is preferably charged when the conversion ratio of the first monomer to be polymerized reaches 80% to 95%. When polymerization proceeds until the conversion ratio exceeds 95%, the propagation reaction of a polymer chain is inhibited with high probability. There is also the tendency that polymer radicals readily react with each other to easily cause side reactions such as disproportionation, coupling, chain transfer, and the like. When the second monomer to be polymerized is charged at a conversion ratio of less than 80%, the first monomer to be polymerized may be disadvantageously mixed and copolymerized with the second monomer to be polymerized. In this case, possible methods for adding in order the monomers include a method (p1) in which an acrylic monomer is first charged and polymerized, and then a methacrylic monomer is charged and polymerized, and a method (q1) in which a methacrylic monomer is first charged and polymerized, and then an acrylic monomer is charged and polymerized. The method (pl) in which an acrylic monomer is first charged and polymerized, and then a methacrylic monomer is charged and polymerized is preferred from the viewpoint of controllability of polymerization. This is because it is preferable that the methacrylic polymer block is propagated from the end of the acrylic polymer block. As a possible example of the method of polymerizing a monomer of the second block using the previously synthesized polymer as the polymeric initiator, polymerization of a monomer of the first block is stopped at a desired point by decreasing the temperature in a living state, and a monomer of the second block is added after the monomer of the first block is removed by distillation or the like under reduced pressure. When polymerization of monomer of a third block is desired, the same operation as that for the second block may be performed. This method can avoid the remaining monomer of the previous block from being copolymerized in polymerization of a monomer of the subsequent block. In this case, possible methods for polymerizing in order the monomers of the blocks include a method (p2) in which an acrylic block is first produced by polymerization, and then a methacrylic block is produced by polymerization, and a method (q2) in which a methacrylic block is first produced by polymerization, and then an acrylic block is produced by polymerization. The method (p2) in which an acrylic block is first produced by polymerization, and then a methacrylic block is produced by polymerization is preferred from the viewpoint of controllability of polymerization. This is because it is preferable that the methacrylic polymer block be propagated from the end of the acrylic polymer block. Next, a method for determining the conversion ratio of the acrylic monomer, the methacrylic monomer, or the like will be described. In order to determine the conversion ratio, a gas chromatographic (GC) method, a weight method, or the like can be used. In the GC method, reaction solutions are sampled from the polymerization system at any time before initiation of the reaction and in the course of the reaction and subjected to GC measurement, and the consumption rate of a monomer is determined from the existence ratio of the monomer to the internal standard previously added to the polymerization system. This method is advantageous in that even when a plurality of monomers is present in the system, the conversion ratios can be independently determined. In the weight method, a reaction solution is sampled from the polymerization system, and a solid concentration is determined from the weights before and after drying to determine the overall conversion ratio of monomers. This method is advantageous in that the conversion ratio can easily be determined. Of these methods, the GC method is preferred for a case in which a plurality of monomers is present in the system, for example, the acrylic monomer is present as a co-monomer for the methacrylic monomer. The reaction solution obtained by polymerization contains a mixture of a polymer and a metal complex. Therefore, an organic acid containing a carboxyl group or a sulfonyl group is added to the reaction solution to produce a metal salt with the metal complex so that the metal complex can be removed as a solid by filtration or the like. Then, the impurities such as the acid remaining in the solution are removed by adsorption with basic activated alumina, a basic adsorbent, a solid inorganic acid, an anion exchange resin, or a cellulose anion exchanger to produce a solution of the acrylic block copolymer. Then, the polymerization solvent and unreacted monomers remaining in the thus-obtained polymer solution are removed by evaporation to isolate the acrylic block copolymer. As the evaporation method, a thin-film evaporation method, a flash evaporation method, a horizontal evaporation method using an extrusion screw, or the like can be used. Since the acrylic block copolymer has tackiness, evaporation can be efficiently performed by the horizontal evaporation method using the extrusion screw among these evaporation methods, or by combination of the horizontal evaporation method with another evaporation method. <Process for Producing Acrylic Block Copolymer (A)> A preferred process for producing the acrylic block copolymer (A) comprises heating the acrylic block copolymer (A′) at a high temperature of 180° C. to 300° C. In this process, the acrylic block copolymer (A′) may be heated in the state of the polymer solution under pressure, heated while being subjected to evaporation for removing the solvent from the polymer solution, or directly heat-melted. However, from the viewpoint of reactivity into the acid anhydride group and simplicity of production, the acrylic block copolymer (A′) is preferably directly heat-melted. The acrylic block copolymer (A′) is more preferably melt-kneaded. The method of heating the acrylic block copolymer (A′) in the state of the polymer solution can be performed using a pressure-resistant reactor. The method of heating the acrylic block copolymer (A′) while removing the solvent from the polymer solution by evaporation can be performed by the horizontal evaporation method using the extrusion screw. The method of directly heat-melting the acrylic block copolymer (A′) can be performed using a pressing machine or an injection molding machine. In order to further improve the efficiency of the reaction, the acrylic block copolymer (A′) may be melt-kneaded by any of various apparatuses capable of heating and kneading at the same time. Examples of such apparatuses include apparatuses ordinarily used for rubber, such as a Banbury mixer, a kneader, and a single-screw or multi-screw extruder. As a nonlimiting example, an extruder is preferably used in view of reactivity into the acid anhydride group, and simplicity of production. When the acrylic block copolymer (A′) is melt-kneaded, the melt-kneading time (retention time in an extruder if the extruder is used) may be appropriately determined according to the melt-kneading temperature, the configuration of the screw, L/D (effective length L of the screw/diameter D of the screw), the screw rotational speed, etc. <Composition> The acrylic block copolymer (A) of the present invention can be used as a composition with at least one selected from the group consisting of the cross-linked rubber (B), the thermoplastic resin (C), the thermoplastic elastomer (D), a lubricant (E), an inorganic filler (F), and a stabilizer (G). The composition can be suitably used for seal products or the like. As a nonlimiting example, the composition of the acrylic block copolymer (A) with at least one of the cross-linked rubber (B), the thermoplastic resin (C), the thermoplastic elastomer (D), the lubricant (E), the inorganic filler (F), or the stabilizer (G) can be preferably used for the following cases: The cross-linked rubber (B) is added to the acrylic block copolymer (A) to impart rubber elasticity to the acrylic block copolymer (A) and improve the physical properties thereof, such as low-temperature properties, or the acrylic block copolymer (A) is added to the cross-linked rubber (B) to impart thermoplasticity to the cross-linked rubber and improve the processability and recycle property of the cross-linked rubber (B). The thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) is added to the acrylic block copolymer (A) to control the hardness of the acrylic block copolymer (A) and improve the physical properties thereof, such as mechanical properties and low-temperature properties, or the acrylic block copolymer (A) is added as a softener to the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) to control the hardness of the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) while maintaining the high elastic modulus and improving the compression set. The acrylic block copolymer (A) is added as a compatibilizer to at least two types of the cross-linked rubber (B) and/or the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) to improve mechanical properties by utilizing the reactivity of the acrylic block copolymer (A). The lubricant (E) and the inorganic filler (G) are added to the acrylic block copolymer (A) or its composition to decrease the surface frictionality of the acrylic block copolymer (A) or its composition, to improve the mechanical properties such as elastic modulus, and further to improve processability. The stabilizer (G) can be used for preventing thermal deterioration or acid deterioration in processing, or improving the heat resistance and weather resistance of products. The mixing ratios of the acrylic block copolymer (A) to the cross-linked rubber (B), the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D), and to the lubricant (E) and/or the inorganic filler (F), and/or the stabilizer (G) may be appropriately determined according to the required physical properties of the resultant composition, for example, the characteristics of a seal product, and the like. When it is necessary to impart rubber elasticity to the acrylic block copolymer (A) or improve the low-temperature properties thereof, or when the acrylic block copolymer (A) is added to the cross-linked rubber in order to impart thermoplasticity thereto, the mixing ratio is preferably 0.5% by weight to 99.5% by weight of the acrylic block copolymer (A) to 99.5% by weight to 0.5% by weight of the cross-linked rubber (B), and more preferably 0.5% by weight to 90% by weight of the acrylic block copolymer (A) to 99.5% by weight to 10% by weight of the cross-linked rubber (B). When the content of the acrylic block copolymer (A) is less than 0.5% by weight, there is the tendency that thermoplasticity is not sufficiently imparted to the cross-linked rubber. When the content of the cross-linked rubber (B) is less than 0.5% by weight, there is the tendency that rubber elasticity is not sufficiently imparted to the acrylic block copolymer (A), and the low-temperature properties are not sufficiently improved. The mixing ratio of the acrylic block copolymer (A) to the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) may be appropriately determined according to demand. The mixing ratio is, without limitation to, preferably 0.5% by weight to 99.5% by weight of the acrylic block copolymer (A) to 99.5% by weight to 0.5% by weight of the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D), and more preferably 0.5% by weight to 90% by weight of the acrylic block copolymer (A) to 99.5% by weight to 10% by weight of the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D). When the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) is added to the acrylic block copolymer (A) to control hardness or improve physical properties such as mechanical properties, the content of the acrylic block copolymer (A) is preferably 99.5% by weight to 50% by weight, and the content of the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) is preferably 0.5% by weight to 50% by weight. When the content of the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) is less than 0.5% by weight, the hardness of the acrylic block copolymer may not be sufficiently controlled, and the physical properties such as mechanical properties may not be sufficiently improved. When the acrylic block copolymer (A) is added as a softener to the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) to control the hardness of the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) and improve the compression set thereof while maintaining the high elastic modulus, the content of the acrylic block copolymer (A) is preferably 0.5% by weight to 50% by weight, and the content of the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) is preferably 99.5% by weight to 50% by weight. When the content of the acrylic block copolymer (A) is less than 0.5% by weight, the hardness of the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) may not be sufficiently controlled, and the physical properties such as mechanical properties may not be sufficiently improved. When the acrylic block copolymer (A) is added as a compatibilizer to at least two types of the cross-linked rubber (B) and/or the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) to improve the mechanical properties, the content of the acrylic block copolymer (A) is preferably 0.5% by weight to 20% by weight, and the content of the cross-linked rubber (B) and/or the thermoplastic resin (C) and/or the thermoplastic elastomer (D) is preferably 80% by weight to 99.5% by weight. When the content of the acrylic block copolymer (A) is less than 0.5% by weight, the mechanical properties and compatibility may not be sufficiently improved. When the lubricant (E), the inorganic filler (F), and the stabilizer (G) are added to the acrylic block copolymer (A) or its composition, the contents of the lubricant (E), the inorganic filler (F), and the stabilizer (G) are preferably 0.01 parts by weight to 50 parts by weight, 0.01 parts by weight to 300 parts by weight, and 0.01 parts by weight to 15 part by weight, respectively, based on 100 parts by weight of the acrylic block copolymer (A) or its composition. More preferably, the contents of the lubricant (E) and the inorganic filler (F) are preferably 0.1 parts by weight to 30 parts by weight and 0.1 parts by weight to 100 parts by weight, respectively, based on 100 parts by weight of the acrylic block copolymer (A) or its composition. When the content of the lubricant (E) is less than 0.01 parts by weight, surface frictionality may not decrease. When the content of the lubricant (E) exceeds 50 parts by weight, the lubricant may bleed out from the acrylic block copolymer (A) or its composition, or oil resistance may deteriorate. When the content of the inorganic filler (F) is less than 0.01 parts by weight, the mechanical properties such as elastic modulus may not be sufficiently improved. When the content of the inorganic filler (F) exceeds 300 parts by weight, tensile elongation may decrease, or compression set may degrade. When the content of the stabilizer (G) is less than 0.01 parts by weight, the effect of preventing heat deterioration and acid deterioration in processing and improving the heat resistance and weather resistance of a product may become insufficient. When the content of the stabilizer (G) exceeds 15 parts by weight, the mechanical properties of the acrylic block copolymer (A) or its composition may deteriorate or coloring may occur. <Cross-Linked Rubber (B)> In the present invention, the cross-linked rubber (B) is vulcanized rubber or core-shell rubber cross-linked with a graft crossing agent or the like. The core-shell type is preferred from the viewpoint of compatibility with the acrylic block copolymer (A). Examples of the cross-linked rubber (B) include acrylic rubber (ACM), ethylene-acrylate copolymer rubber (AEM), acrylonitrile-acrylate copolymer rubber (ANM), chlorinated polyethylene (CM), chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM), ethylene-propylene copolymer rubber (EPM), ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber (EPDM), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer rubber (EVA), tetrafluoroethylene-propylene rubber (FEPM), tetrafluoroethylene-propylene-vinylidene fluoride rubber, fluororubber (FKM), polyisobutylene (PIB), epichlorohydrin rubber (CO), acrylate-butadiene rubber (ABR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), butadiene rubber (BR), natural rubber (NR), epoxidized natural rubber (ENR), isoprene rubber (IR), butyl rubber (IIR), brominated butyl rubber (BIIR), chlorinated butyl rubber (CIIR), acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer rubber (NBR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (H-NBR), chloroprene rubber, norbornene rubber (NOR), polyester urethane rubber (AU), polyether urethane rubber (EU), silicone rubber (VMQ), fluorosilicone rubber (FVMQ), polydimethylsiloxane (MQ), polysulfide rubber, ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer rubber (EMA), ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer rubber (EEA), and ethylene-methyl methacrylate copolymer rubber (EMMA). Examples of the core-shell type cross-linked rubber having excellent compatibility with other resins include, without limitation to, a methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymer (MBS resin), an acrylic graft copolymer, and an acrylic-silicone composite rubber graft copolymer. Commercially available industrial products of the MBS resin include KaneAce B Series and KaneAce M Series (produced by Kanegafuchi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.). Commercially available industrial products of the acrylic graft copolymer include KaneAce FM Series (produced by Kanegafuchi Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.). Commercially available industrial products of the acrylic-silicone composite rubber graft copolymer include Metablen S-2001 (Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.). At least one of these rubber materials may be used. Among these rubber materials, silicone rubber (VMQ) is preferred from the viewpoint of excellent low-temperature properties and high-temperature properties (heat resistance) required for various seal products. Also, core-shell silicone rubber comprising a core made of silicone and a shell made of methyl methacrylate or the like is preferred because it further has mechanical properties. Another rubber having high compatibility with the acrylic block copolymer (A) can also be preferably used. <Thermoplastic Resin (C)> Examples of resins usable as the thermoplastic resin (C) in the present invention include, without limitation to, polyvinyl chloride resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, cyclic olefin copolymer resin, polymethyl methacrylate resin, styrene-methyl methacrylate resin, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin, polystyrene resin, polyphenylene ether resin, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin, polyamide resin, polyacetal resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polysulfone resin, polyimide resin, polyetherimide resin, polyether ketone resin, polyetherether ketone resin, and polyamide-imide resin. At least one of these resins can be used. As a nonlimiting example, a resin having high compatibility with the acrylic block copolymer (A) is preferably used, and a resin having a functional group reactive with an acid anhydride group is more preferably used. Examples of a functional group reactive with an acid anhydride group include an amino group and a hydroxyl group. Examples of a thermoplastic resin having such a functional group include polyester resins and polyamide resins. Other thermoplastic resins containing a functional group reactive with an acid anhydride can also be preferably used. Polyvinyl chloride resin, polymethyl methacrylate resin, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer resin, methyl methacrylate-styrene copolymer resin, and polycarbonate resin have high compatibility with the acrylic block copolymer (A). Therefore, the use of such resins has the effect of improving hardness while maintaining mechanical strength, and acting as a compatibilizer with polyester resin and polyamide resin. <Thermoplastic Elastomer (D)> Examples of thermoplastic elastomers usable as the thermoplastic elastomer (D) in the present invention include, without limitation to, a styrene elastomer, an olefin elastomer, an urethane elastomer, a vinyl chloride elastomer, an ester elastomer, an amide elastomer, and an acrylic elastomer. At least one of these elastomers can be used. Among these elastomers, the acrylic elastomer is preferred from the viewpoint of oil resistance, heat resistance, and compatibility, and the ester elastomer and the amide elastomer are preferred from the viewpoint of oil resistance, heat resistance, and the presence of a functional group reactive to an acid anhydride group. Other thermoplastic elastomers having functional groups reactive to an acid anhydride group can also be preferably used. The use of the styrene elastomer, the olefin elastomer, the urethane elastomer, or the vinyl chloride elastomer has the effect of imparting oil resistance, heat resistance, weather resistance, and scratch resistance, and the like while maintaining properties such as rubber elasticity and flexibility. <Lubricant (E)> Examples of materials usable as the lubricant (E) in the present invention include fatty acids such as stearic acid and palmitic acid; fatty acid metal salts such as calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, potassium palmitate, and sodium palmitate; waxes such as polyethylene wax, polypropylene wax, and montan wax; low-molecular-weight polyolefins such as low-molecular-weight polyethylene and low-molecular-weight polypropylene; polyorganosiloxane such as dimethylpolysiloxane; octadecylamine; alkyl phosphates; fatty acid esters; amide lubricants such as ethylene bis-stearylamide; fluororesin powders such as tetrafluoroethylene resin; molybdenum disulfide powders; silicone resin powders; silicone rubber powders; and silica. At least one of these lubricants can be used. Among these lubricants, stearic acid, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, and magnesium stearate are preferred from the viewpoint of cost and excellent processability. When the resultant composition is used for various seal products, stearic acid, zinc stearate, and calcium stearate are preferred from the viewpoint that the required low frictionality can be imparted. <Inorganic Filler (F)> Examples of materials usable as the inorganic filler (F) in the present invention include, without limitation to, titanium oxide, zinc sulfide, zinc oxide, carbon black, calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, clay, kaoline, silica, mica powder, alumina, glass fibers, metal fibers, potassium titanate whiskers, asbestos, wollastonite, mica, talc, glass flakes, milled fibers, and metal powders. At least one of these materials can be used. Among these materials, titanium oxide, carbon black, calcium carbonate, silica, and talc are preferred from the viewpoint of improvement in mechanical properties, a reinforcing effect, and cost. When the resultant composition is used for various seal products, carbon black and titanium oxide are preferred from the viewpoint of required high elastic modulus, weather resistance, and usability as pigments. <Stabilizer (G)> Examples of materials usable as the stabilizer (G) in the present invention include an antioxidant, a photo stabilizer, and an ultraviolet absorber. Specific examples of the antioxidant include, without limitation to, amine antioxidants such as phenyl-α-naphthylamine (PAN), octyldiphenylamine, N,N′-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine (DPPD), N,N′-di-β-naphthyl-p-phenylenediamine (DNPD), N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N-phenyl-N′-isopropyl-p-phenylenediamine (IPPN), N,N′-diallyl-p-phenylenediamine, phenothiazine derivatives, diallyl-p-phenylenediamine mixtures, alkylated phenylenediamine, 4,4′-bis(α,α-dimethylbenzyl)diphenylamine, N-phenyl-N′-(3-methacryloyloxy-2-hydropropyl)-p-phenylenediamine, diallylphenylenediamine mixtures, diallyl-p-phenylenediamine mixtures, N-(1-methylheptyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, and diphenylamine derivatives; imidazole antioxidants such as 2-mercaptobenzoimidazole (MBI); phenolic antioxidants such as 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol and pentaerythrityl tetrakis[3-(5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenol)-propionate]; phosphate antioxidants such as nickel diethyl-dithiocarbamate; secondary antioxidants such as triphenyl phosphite; 2-tert-butyl-6-(3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)-4-methylphenyl acrylate; and 2-[1-(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-pentylphenyl)ethyl]-4,6-di-tert-pentylphenyl acrylate. Examples of the photo stabilizer and the ultraviolet absorber include 4-tert-butylphenyl salicylate, 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, ethyl-2-cyano-3,3′-diphenyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl-2-cyano-3,3′-diphenyl acrylate, 2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzophenone, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-2-hydroxy-4-octoxybenzophenone, monoglycol salicylate, oxalic amide, and 2,2′,4,4′-tetrahydroxybenzophenone. Commercially available industrial products of the antioxidants include Irganox 1010 (produced by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), Sanol LS770 (produced by Sankyo Lifetech Co., Ltd.), Adekastab LA-57 (produced by Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K.), Adekastab LA-68 (produced by Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K.), Chimassorb 944 (produced by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), Sanol LS765 (produced by Sankyo Lifetech Co., Ltd.), Adekastab LA-62 (produced by Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K.), TINUVIN 144 (produced by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), Adekastab LA-63 (produced by Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K.), TINUVIN 622 (produced by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), Adekastab LA-32 (produced by Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K.), Adekastab LA-36 (produced by Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K.), TINUVIN 571 (produced by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), TINUVIN 234 (produced by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), Adekastab LA-31 (produced by Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K.), TINUVIN 1130 (produced by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), Adekastab AO-20 (produced by Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K.), Adekastab AO-50 (produced by Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K.), Adekastab 2112 (produced by Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K.), Adekastab PEP-36 (produced by Asahi Denka Kogyo K.K.), Sumilizer GM (produced by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.), Sumilizer GS (produced by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.), and Sumilizer TP-D (produced by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.). These antioxidants may be used alone or combination of two or more. Among these antioxidants, Sanol LS770, Irganox 1010, Sumilizer GS, and TINUVIN 234 are preferred from the viewpoint of cost and the effect of preventing thermal and optical deterioration of the acrylic block copolymer. <Process for Producing Thermoplastic Elastomer Composition> As a nonlimiting example of a method for processing or producing the acrylic block copolymer (A) of the present invention or a composition comprising the acrylic block copolymer (A) and at least one selected from the group consisting the cross-linked rubber (B) the thermoplastic resin (C), the thermoplastic elastomer (D), the lubricant (E), the inorganic filler (F), and the stabilizer (G), an existing method comprising mechanically mixing with, for example, a Banbury mixer, a roller mill, a kneader, a single-screw or multi-screw extruder, or the like, and then pelletizing the resultant mixture can be used. The kneading temperature may be controlled according to productivity, the melting temperatures of the used components selected from the acrylic block copolymer (A), the cross-linked rubber (B) the thermoplastic resin (C), the thermoplastic elastomer (D), the lubricant (E), the inorganic filler (F), and the stabilizer (G), and the mechanical properties of the resultant acrylic block copolymer (A) or composition. For example, the kneading temperature for production is 100° C. to 300° C., preferably 130° C. to 300° C., and more preferably 150° C. to 250° C. With the kneading temperature lower than 100° C., melting of the acrylic block copolymer (A) may become insufficient, thereby causing nonuniform kneading with the cross-linked rubber (B) the thermoplastic resin (C), the thermoplastic elastomer (D), the lubricant (E), the inorganic filler (F), and the stabilizer (G). With the kneading temperature higher than 300° C., the acrylic block copolymer (A) may be decomposed. According to demand, a flexibilizer, a flame retardant, a pigment, a mold release agent, an antistatic agent, an antibacterial-antifungal agent, a compatibilizer, and the like may be added to the acrylic block copolymer (A) or the composition comprising the acrylic block copolymer (A) and at least one selected from the group consisting the cross-linked rubber (B), the thermoplastic resin (C), the thermoplastic elastomer (D), the lubricant (E), the inorganic filler (F), and the stabilizer (G). As the additives, optimum additives may be appropriately selected according to the required physical properties and purposes of use. Examples of the flexibilizer include, without limitation to, compounds such as plasticizers ordinarily added to thermoplastic resins and rubber; softeners such as process oil; oligomers; oils such as animal oil and vegetable oil; petroleum fractions such as kerosene, heavy oil, light oil, and naphtha. Examples of the softeners include process oils, for example, petroleum process oils such as paraffin oil, naphthenic process oil, and aromatic process oil. Examples of the plasticizers include phthalic acid derivatives such as dimethyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, di-n-butyl phthalate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diheptyl phthalate, diisodecyl phthalate, di-n-octyl phthalate, diisononyl phthalate, ditridecyl phthalate, octyldecyl phthalate, butylbenzyl phthalate, dicyclohexyl phthalate, and β-hydroxyethyl-2-ethylhexyl phthalate; isophthalic acid derivatives such as dimethyl isophthalate; tetrahydrophthalic acid derivatives such as di-(2-ethylhexyl)tetrahydrophthalic acid; adipic acid derivatives such as dimethyl adipate, dibutyl adipate, di-n-hexyl adipate, di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, isononyl adipate, diisodecyl adipate, dibutyl diglycol adipate; azelaic acid derivatives such as di-2-ethylhexyl azelate; sebacic acid derivatives such as dibutyl sebacate; dodecan-2-oic acid derivatives; maleic acid derivatives such as dibutyl maleate and di-2-ethylhexyl maleate; fumaric acid derivatives such as dibutyl fumarate; p-oxybenzoic acid derivatives such as 2-ethylhexyl p-oxybenzoate; trimellitic acid derivatives such as tris-2-ethylhexyl trimellitate; pyromellitic acid derivatives; citric acid derivatives such as acetyl tributyl citrate; itaconic acid derivatives; oleic acid derivatives; ricinoleic acid derivatives; stearic acid derivatives; other fatty acid derivatives; sulfonic acid derivatives; phosphoric acid derivatives; glutaric acid derivatives; polyester plasticizers each comprising a polymer of a dibasic acid such as adipic acid, azelaic acid, phthalic acid, or the like, glycol, and a monohydric alcohol; glycol derivatives; glycerin derivatives; paraffin derivatives such as chlorinated paraffin; epoxy derivative polyester polymer plasticizers; polyether polymer plasticizers; carbonate derivatives such as ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate; sulfonamide derivatives such as N-butylbenzenesulfonamide, N-ethyltoluenesulfonamide and N-cyclohexyltoluenesulfonamide; and vinyl polymers such as acrylic plasticizers produced by polymerizing vinyl monomers by various methods. In the present invention, the plasticizer is not limited to these plasticizers, and various plasticizers can be used. Also, commercially available plasticizers for rubber or thermoplastic resins can be used. Examples of the commercially available plasticizers include Thiokol TP (produced by Morton Corporation), Adekacizer O-130P, C-79, UL-100, P-200, and RS-735 (produced by Asahi Denka Co., Ltd.), Sansocizer N-400 (produced by Shin-Nippon Rika Co., Ltd.), BM-4 (produced by Daihachi Chemical Industry Ltd.), EHPB (Ueno Fine Chemicals Industry, Ltd.), and UP-1000 (produced by Toagosei Co., Ltd.). Examples of vegetable oil include castor oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, palm oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, pine oil, and tall oil. The flexibilizer used preferably has excellent affinity for the acrylic block copolymer (A), the cross-linked rubber (B), the thermoplastic resin (C), and the thermoplastic elastomer (D). Preferred examples of such a flexibilizer include, without limitation to, low-volatile plasticizers causing small heating losses, such as adipic acid derivatives, phthalic aid derivatives, glutaric acid derivatives, trimellitic acid derivatives, pyromellitic acid derivatives, polyester plasticizers, glycerin derivatives, epoxy derivative polyester polymer plasticizers, polyether polymer plasticizers, and acrylic plasticizers. At least one of these flexibilizers can be used. Examples of the flame retardant include, without limitation to, compounds such as triphenyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate, decabromobiphenyl, decabromobiphenyl ether, and antimony trioxide. These compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of the pigment include, without limitation to, compounds such as titanium oxide, zinc sulfide, and zinc oxide. These compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Commercially available products of the compatibilizer include Kraton Series (produced by Shell Japan Co.,), Tuftec Series (produced by Asahi Chemical Industry Co.,), Dynaron (produced by Nippon Synthetic Rubber K.K.), Epofriend (produced by Daicel Chemical Industries Ltd.), Septon (produced by Kuraray Co., Ltd.), Nofalloy (produced by NOF Corporation), Rexpearl (Nippon Polyolefin Co., Ltd.), Bondfast (produced by Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.), Bondine (Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.), Admer (Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.), Youmex (Produced by Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd.), VMX (produced by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation), Modiper (produced by NOF Corporation), Staphyloid (Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and Reseda (Toagosei Co., Ltd.). As the acrylic block copolymer (A) of the present invention, acrylic block copolymers having hardness in a wide range can be produced by controlling the types of the constituent monomers and the composition ratio between the methacrylic polymer block (a) and the acrylic polymer block (b). When an acrylic block copolymer having low hardness and flexibility is produced in the form of a powder or pellets, blocking may occur. Therefore, when the composition comprising the acrylic block copolymer (A) and at least one selected from the group consisting of the cross-linked rubber (B), the thermoplastic resin (C), the thermoplastic elastomer (D), the lubricant (E), the inorganic filler (F), and the stabilizer (G) is produced in the form of a powder or pellet, any of various lubricants may be coated for preventing blocking. Specific examples of the lubricant include the lubricant (E), calcium carbonate, talc, kaoline, alumina, aluminum hydroxide, and acrylic polymer fine particles. At least one selected from these compounds is preferably used. In view of cost, calcium carbonate and talc are preferred. In particular, when the methacrylic polymer block (a) of a methacrylic block copolymer comprises methyl methacrylate as a main component, a polymethyl methacrylate resin powder is preferably used as the lubricant because the addition of the lubricant possibly has substantially no influence on the physical properties of products. In the present invention, the lubricant may be added to a powder or pellets by a method in which the powder or pellets are produced without the lubricant, and then the lubricant is applied to the powder or pellets, or a method in which the lubricant is coated during production of the powder or pellets. Examples of the method in which the pellets are produced without the lubricant, and then the lubricant is coated to the pellets include a method of dispersing the polymer pellets in a solvent containing the lubricant, a method of spraying a solvent containing the lubricant to the pellets, and a method of directly mixing the pellets and the lubricant. Examples of the method in which the lubricant is coated during production of the pellets include an underwater cutting method and a strand cutting method. In the underwater cutting method for producing the pellets, it is necessary to prevent blocking of the pellets near a die or a cutter in some cases. In this case, a polymer is cut in circulating cooling water, and thus a blocking property can be improved by adding at least one lubricant to the circulating cooling water. In the strand cutting method, generally, a resin discharged from the die reaches a high temperature, and thus a strand is cooled with an aqueous phase to solidify the resin before cutting. Therefore, the lubricant is previously added to the aqueous phase and dispersed therein, and the strand is immersed in the aqueous phase to coat the lubricant on the surface. In this case, the effect of preventing blocking of the pellets can be exhibited. <Automobile, Electric and Electronic Parts> The acrylic block copolymer (A) of the present invention and the composition comprising the acrylic block copolymer (A) and at least one selected from the group consisting of the cross-linked rubber (B), the thermoplastic resin (C), the thermoplastic elastomer (D), the lubricant (E), the inorganic filler (F), and the stabilizer (G) are improved in oil resistance, heat resistance, thermal decomposition resistance, weather resistance, mechanical properties, compression set, etc. while maintaining the characteristics inherent to acrylic block copolymers. Therefore, the acrylic block copolymer (A) and the composition can be more preferably used for automobile, electric and electronic parts, for example, seal products for automobiles, seal products for home electric appliances, and seal products for office appliances. The seal products according to the present invention are excellent in oil resistance and heat resistance, and excellent in simplification of the molding process and recycling property as compared with conventional seal products, for example, vulcanized rubber products. The seal products are also excellent in oil resistance and weather resistance as compared with olefin thermoplastic elastomers. Specific examples of such parts include various types of oil seals such as an oil seal and a reciprocation oil seal; various types of packings such as a ground packing, a lip packing, and a squeeze packing; various types of boots such as a constant velocity joint boot, a strut boot, a rack and pinion boot, a brake booster boot, a steering ball joint boot; various types of dust covers such as a suspension dust cover, a suspension tie-rod dust cover, and a stabilizer tie-rod dust cover; various types of gaskets such as a resin intake manifold gasket, a throttle-body gasket, a power-steering vane pump gasket, a head-cover gasket, a water heater self-priming pump gasket, a filter gasket, a pipe joint (ABS & HBB) gasket, a HDD top-cover gasket, a HDD connector gasket, a cylinder-head gasket combined with a metal, a car cooler compressor gasket, a gasket around an engine, an AT separate plate, and general-purpose gaskets (industrial sewing machine, a nailing machine, and the like); various types of valves such as a needle valve, a plunger valve, a water/gas valve, a brake valve, a drinking valve, and a safety valve for an aluminum electrolytic capacitor; various types of stopper mainly having a buffer function, such as a diaphragm for a vacuum booster or water and gas, a seal washer, a bore plug, and a high-precision stopper; and precision seal rubbers such as a plug tube seal, an injection pipe seal, an oil receiver, a brake drum seal, a shading seal, a plug seal, a connector seal, and a keyless entry cover. Other examples of seal products include various types of weatherstrips such as a weatherstrip for automobile parts, a trunk seal, and a glass run channel. In addition to the automobile, electric and electronic parts, the acrylic block copolymer (A) and the composition comprising the acrylic block copolymer (A) and at least one selected from the group consisting of the cross-linked rubber (B), the thermoplastic resin (C), the thermoplastic elastomer (D), the lubricant (E), the inorganic filler (F), and the stabilizer (G) can be preferably used in the fields of package materials, construction and civil engineering, miscellaneous goods, and the like. For example, the acrylic block copolymer (A) and the composition can be widely used for a hose, a sheet, a film material, a damping material, a vibration proof material, a grip, a buffer, a base polymer of an adhesive, a resin modifier, and the like. The above-described products can be molded by any desired molding method such as extrusion molding, compression molding, blow molding, calender molding, vacuum molding, foam molding, injection molding, powder slash molding, injection blowing, or the like using the acrylic block copolymer (A) or the composition thereof. Among these methods, injection molding is preferred from the viewpoint of simplicity. Although the present invention will be described in detail below on the basis of examples, the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the examples, BA, EA, MEA, 2EHA, MMA, TBMA, and TBA represent n-butyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, 2-methoxyethyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, tert-butyl methacrylate, and tert-butyl acrylate, respectively. <Test Method> (Molecular Weight) In each of the examples, a molecular weight was determined in terms of polystyrene by GPC measurement using a GPC analyzer, chloroform as a mobile phase, and a polystyrene gel column. The GPC measurement was performed using the GPC analyzer (system: GPC system produced by Waters Corporation, column: Shodex K-804 (polystyrene gel) produced by Showa Denko K.K.) and chloroform as the mobile phase. The molecular weight was determined in terms of polystyrene. (Analysis of Conversion to Acid Anhydride Group) Reaction of conversion to an acid anhydride group in an acrylic block copolymer was confirmed by an infrared spectrum (FTIR-8100 produced by Shimadzu Corporation) and nuclear magnetic resonance (AM400 produced by BRUKER Corporation). As a measurement solvent for nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, deuterochloroform was used for a block having a carboxylic acid ester, and deuteroacetone was used for a block containing an acid anhydride group. (Analysis of Conversion to Carboxyl Group) Reaction of conversion to a carboxyl group in an acrylic block copolymer was confirmed by an infrared spectrum (FTIR-8100 produced by Shimadzu Corporation) and nuclear magnetic resonance (AM400 produced by BRUKER Corporation). As a measurement solvent for nuclear magnetic resonance analysis, deuterochloroform was used for a block having a carboxylic ester, and deuteromethanol was used for a block containing a carboxyl group. (Hardness) Hardness at 23° C. (initial value, according to JIS A) was measured according to JIS K6253. However, when hardness measured by a type A durometer was over 90, the hardness was measured by a type D durometer (JIS D). (Mechanical Strength) According to the method of JIS K7113, mechanical strength was measured by AG-10TB model autograph produced by Shimadzu Corporation. Measurement was performed with n=3, and averages of strength (MPa) and elongation (%) at breakage of a specimen were used. The specimen had a shape of No. 2(⅓) having a thickness of about 2 mm. A test was carried out at 23° C. and a test rate of 500 mm/min. As a rule, the specimen was conditioned at a temperature of 23±2° C. and relative humidity of 50±5% for 48 hours or more before the test. (Compression Set) According to JIS K6301, a cylindrical molded product was maintained with a compression rate of 25% at 70° C., 100° C., or 120° C. for 22 hours or 72 hours, and then allowed to stand at 23° C. for 30 minutes. Then, the thickness of the molded product was measured to calculate residual strain. Namely, a compression set of 0% corresponds to complete recovery of strain, and a compression set of 100% corresponds to no recovery of strain. (Oil Resistance) According to ASTM D638, a molded product was maintained in ASTM No. 3 oil kept at 150° C. for 72 hours to determine a rate of weight change (% by weight). The shape after immersion in oil was evaluated based on the following criteria: Shape: maintained=◯, slightly swollen=◯˜Δ, swollen=Δ, significantly swollen or partially dissolved=×, completely dissolved=×× (Heat Resistance) Heat resistance was evaluated by comparison of flow beginning temperatures. A flow beginning temperature was measured by extruding a resin from a nozzle having an inner diameter of 1 mm and a length of 10 mm under a load of 60 Kgf/cm2 while heating the resin at a heating rate of 5° C./min using a Kokashiki flow tester CFT-500C model produced by Shimadzu Corporation. The temperature at start of lowering of a resin extrusion piston of the flow tester (indicated by Tfb in the measuring meter) was regarded as the flow beginning temperature. (Thermogravimetric Analysis) The thermal decomposition resistance of an acrylic block copolymer was measured with a differential thermogravimetric simultaneous measurement apparatus (DTG-50) produced by Shimadzu Corporation. Measurement was performed under a nitrogen stream at a flow rate of 50.0 ml/min and a heating rate of 10.0° C./min. The 5% weight loss temperature was determined on the basis of the weight at 100° C. (Insoluble Content Ratio (% by Weight)) In order to measure an insoluble content ratio, 1 g (Wu) of a sample was covered with a 100-mesh wire gauze and immersed in toluene at 80° C. or acetone 60° C. for 24 hours (toluene or acetone in which an acrylic block copolymer was soluble was selected), and a toluene or acetone soluble content was separated. Then, the residual solid was dried under vacuum at 60° C., and the weight g (Wc) of the residual solid after drying was measured. The insoluble content ratio was determined from the weight of the residual solid (Wc) relative to 1 g (Wu) of the sample. The progress of reaction can be confirmed by the insoluble content ratio (% by weight). (Frictionality) In order to measure frictionality due to friction between samples of the same material according to JIS K7215, a dynamic coefficient of friction was determined by SURFACE PROPERTY TESTER (produced HEIDON Corporation, TYPE: 14DR) using a test piece having a shape of 80×200 mm and a counter piece having a shape of 20×20 mm, both pieces being cut out of a sheet having a thickness of 2 mm. A test was performed at a load of 100 gf and a rate of 50 mm/min. When frictionality could not be measured because of high tackiness, frictionality was evaluated as x. (Recycling Property) A sheet formed for evaluating the tensile properties and the like was again milled and kneaded by Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) at a temperature of processing for producing the sheet, and then pressed at each of temperatures. When the sheet similar to that before kneading was obtained, the recycling property was evaluated as good (◯) When the sheet similar to that before kneading was not be obtained, the recycling property was evaluated as bad (×). (Low-Temperature Brittleness) According to JIS K7216, a sample of 38×6 mm was cut out from a molded sheet of 2 mm in thickness, and the low-temperature brittle temperature was measured by a low-temperature brittle temperature measuring device (Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.). (Processability) A molded sheet of 2 mm in thickness produced for evaluating the tensile properties and the like was cut into pellets, and the processing temperature was measured with melt viscosity (1500 poise) by Capilograph (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.). Measurement was performed under the conditions of a capillary length of 10 mm, a capillary diameter of 1 mm, and a barrel diameter of 9.55 mm. <Production of Acrylic Block Copolymer> PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of (MMA-co-TBMA)-b-BA-b-(MMA-co-TBMA) (MMA/TBMA=50/50 Mol %, BA/(MMA-co-TBMA)=70/30% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “50TBA7” Hereinafter) The procedures below were preformed for producing 50TBA7. The air in a 5-L separable flask used as a polymerization vessel was replaced by nitrogen, and 11.3 g (78.5 mmol) of copper bromide and 180 mL of acetonitrile (bubbled with nitrogen) were added to the flask. After stirring under heating at 70° C. for 30 minutes, 5.65 g (15.7 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate serving as an initiator and 900 ml (6.28 mol) of BA were added to the flask. The resultant mixture was stirred under heating at 85° C., and 1.64 ml (7.85 mmol) of diethylenetriamine was added as a ligand to initiate polymerization. After the initiation of polymerization, 0.2 mL of a solution was sampled from the polymerization solution with predetermined time intervals, and the BA conversion rate was determined by gas chromatographic analysis of the sampled solution. The polymerization rate was controlled by adding triamine at any desired time. At a BA conversion rate of 95%, 351 ml (2.16 mol) of TBMA, 232 ml (2.16 mol) of MMA, 7.77 g (78.5 mmol) of copper chloride, 1.64 ml (7.85 mmol) of diethylenetriamine, and 1148 ml of toluene (bubbled with nitrogen) were added to the reaction solution. Similarly, the conversion rates of TBMA and MMA were determined. At a TBMA conversion rate of 70% and an MMA conversion rate of 62%, 1500 ml of toluene was added to the reaction solution, and the reactor was cooled in a water bath to terminate the reaction. The reaction solution was diluted with 2.0 L of toluene, and then 17.9 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate was added to the reaction solution, followed by stirring at room temperature for 3 hours. Then, 12.0 g of Kyowaad 500SH (produced by Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was added as an adsorbent to the polymer solution, followed by further stirring at room temperature for 3 hours. Then, the adsorbent was filtered off with a Kiriyama funnel to produce a colorless transparent polymer solution. The resultant solution was dried to remove the solvent and the residual monomers, and thereby the target acrylic block copolymer 50TBA7 was obtained. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer 50TBA7 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 108,240 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.49. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 2 Synthesis of (MMA-co-TBMA)-b-BA-b-(MMA-co-TBMA) (MMA/TBMA=95/5 Mol %, BA/(MMA-co-TBMA)=70/30% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “5TBA7” Hereinafter) The target acrylic block copolymer 5TBA7 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 5.80 g (16.1 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate and 900 ml (6.28 mol) of BA were charged and subjected to polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 95%, 40.9 ml (0.25 mol) of TBMA and 512.6 ml (4.82 mol) of MMA were added to the reaction solution. At a TBMA conversion rate of 60% and an MMA conversion rate of 57%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer 5TBA7 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 107,312 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.58. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 3 Synthesis of (MMA-co-TBMA)-b-BA-b-(MMA-co-TBMA) (MMA/TBMA=80/20 Mol %, BA/(MMA-co-TBMA)=70/30% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “20TBA7” Hereinafter) The target acrylic block copolymer 20TBA7 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 5.65 g (15.7 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate and 900 ml (6.28 mol) of BA were charged and subjected to polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 95%, 151.9 ml (0.94 mol) of TBMA and 400.9 ml (3.77 mol) of MMA were added to the reaction solution. At a TBMA conversion rate of 70% and an MMA conversion rate of 64%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer 20TBA7 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 122,858 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.46. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 4 Synthesis of TBMA-b-BA-b-TBMA (BA/TBMA=70/30% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “100TBA7” Hereinafter) The target acrylic block copolymer 100TBA7 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 2-L separable flask, 2.26 g (6.3 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate and 360 ml (2.51 mol) of BA were charged and subjected to polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 95%, 243ml (1.50 mol) of TBMA was added to the reaction solution. At a TBMA conversion rate of 70% and an MMA conversion rate of 68%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer 100TBA7 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 95,491 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.44. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 5 Synthesis of (MMA-co-TBMA)-b-(BA-co-EA-co-MEA)-b-(MMA-co-TBMA) (MMA/TBMA=95/5 Mol %, (BA-co-EA-co-MEA)/(MMA-co-TBMA)=70/30% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “5T3A7” Hereinafter) The target acrylic block copolymer 5T3A7 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 6.04 g (16.8 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 362 ml (2.52 mol) of BA, 344 ml (3.17 mol) of EA, and 195 ml (1.51 mol) of MEA were charged and subjected to polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 95%, an EA conversion rate of 95%, and an MEA conversion rate of 97%, 42.5 ml (0.26 mol) of TBMA and 534 ml (5.02 mol) of MMA were added to the reaction solution. At a TBMA conversion rate of 63% and an MMA conversion rate of 58%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer 5T3A7 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 12,400 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.45. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 6 Synthesis of (MMA-co-TBMA)-b-(BA-co-EA-co-MEA)-b-(MMA-co-TBMA) (MMA/TBMA=80/20 Mol %, (BA-co-EA-co-MEA)/(MMA-co-TBMA)=70/30% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “20T3A7” Hereinafter) The target acrylic block copolymer 20T3A7 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 5.89 g (16.4 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 362 ml (2.52 mol) of BA, 344 ml (3.17 mol) of EA, and 195 ml (1.51 mol) of MEA were charged and subjected to polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 95%, an EA conversion rate of 95%, and an MEA conversion rate of 97%, 158 ml (0.98 mol) of TBMA and 418 ml (3.92 mol) of MMA were added to the reaction solution. At a TBMA conversion rate of 64% and an MMA conversion rate of 59%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer 20T3A7 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 111,000 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.47. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 7 Synthesis of (MMA-co-TBMA)-b-(BA-co-EA-co-MEA)-b-(MMA-co-TBMA) (MMA/TBMA=80/20 Mol %, (BA-co-EA-co-MEA)/(MMA-co-TBMA)=60/40% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “20T3A6” Hereinafter) The target acrylic block copolymer 20T3A6 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 5.31 g (14.8 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 281 ml (1.96 mol) of BA, 267 ml (2.47 mol) of EA, and 151 ml (1.18 mol) of MEA were charged and subjected to polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 95%, an EA conversion rate of 95%, and an MEA conversion rate of 97%, 193 ml (1.20 mol) of TBMA and 509 ml (4.78 mol) of MMA were added to the reaction solution. At a TBMA conversion rate of 64% and an MMA conversion rate of 61%, the. reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer 20T3A6 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 118,927 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.49. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 8 Synthesis of (MMA-co-TBMA)-b-(BA-co-EA-co-MEA)-b-(MMA-co-TBMA) (MMA/TBMA=50/50 Mol %, (BA-co-EA-co-MEA)/(MMA-co-TBMA)=60/40% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “50T3A6” Hereinafter) The target acrylic block copolymer 50T3A6 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 5.31 g (14.8 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 281 ml (1.96 mol) of BA, 267 ml (2.47 mol) of EA, and 151 ml (1.18 mol) of MEA were charged and subjected to polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 95%, an EA conversion rate of 95%, and an MEA conversion rate of 98%, 435 ml (2.70 mol) of TBMA and 287 ml 2.70 mol) of MMA were added to the reaction solution. At a TBMA conversion rate of 67% and an MMA conversion rate of 59%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer 50T3A6 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 96,778 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.46. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 9 Synthesis of TBMA-b-(BA-co-EA-co-MEA)-b-TBMA ((BA-co-EA-co-MEA)/TBMA=60/40% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “100T3A6” Hereinafter) The target acrylic block copolymer 100T3A6 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 5.69 g (15.8 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 301 ml (2.10 mol) of BA, 286 ml (2.64 mol) of EA, and 162 ml (1.26 mol) of MEA were charged and subjected to polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 96%, an EA conversion rate of 96%, and an MEA conversion rate of 98%, 636 ml (3.94 mol) of TBMA was added to the reaction solution. At a TBMA conversion rate of 77%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer 100T3A6 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 90,416 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.43. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 10 Synthesis of TBMA-b-(BA-co-MEA)-b-TBMA (BA/MEA=50/50 Mol %, (BA-co-MEA)/TBMA=60/40 (% by Weight)) Block Copolymer (Referred to as “100T2A6” Hereinafter) The target block copolymer 100T2A6 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 5.45 g (15.1 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 369 ml (2.57 mol) of BA, and 331 ml (2.57 mol) of MEA were charged and subjected to polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 94% and an MEA conversion rate of 97%, 503 ml (3.10 mol) of TBMA was added to the reaction solution. At a TBMA conversion rate of 72%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant block copolymer 100T2A6 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 80,400 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.55. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 11 Synthesis of (MMA-co-TBMA)-b-(BA-co-MEA)-b-(MMA-co-TBMA) (MMA/TBMA=60/40 Mol %, BA/MEA=67/33 Mol %, (BA-co-MEA)/(MMA-co-TBMA)=65/35% by Weight) Block Copolymer (Referred to as “40T2A′6.5” Hereinafter) The target block copolymer 40T2A′6.5 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 5.34 g (14.8 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 518 ml (3.61 mol) of BA, and 232 ml (1.80 mol) of MEA were charged and subjected to polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 95% and an MEA conversion rate of 97%, 311 ml (1.93 mol) of TBMA and 308 ml (2.90 mol) of MMA were added to the reaction solution. At a TBMA conversion rate of 68% and an MMA conversion rate of 62%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant block copolymer 40T2A′6.5 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 102,500 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.36. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 12 Synthesis of (MMA-co-TBMA)-b-(BA-co-2EHA)-b-(MMA-co-TBMA) (MMA/TBMA=50/50 Mol %, BA/2EHA=70/30% by Weight, (BA-co-2EHA)/(MMA-co-TBMA)=80/20% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “50TEBA8” Hereinafter) The target block copolymer 50TEBA8 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 5.55 g (15.4 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 696 ml (4.85 mol) of BA, and 304 ml (1.46 mol) of 2EHA were charged and subjected to polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 95% and a 2EHA conversion rate of 95%, 126 ml (1.39 mol) of TBMA and 124 ml (1.39 mol) of MMA were added to the reaction solution. At a TBMA conversion rate of 83% and an MMA conversion rate of 80%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer 50TEBA8 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 95,830 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.34. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 13 Synthesis of MMA-BA-MMA (BA/MMA =70/30% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “BA7” Hereinafter) The procedures below were performed for producing BA7. The air in a 5-L separable flask used as a polymerization vessel was replaced by nitrogen, and 11.3 g (78.5 mmol) of copper bromide and 180 mL of acetonitrile (dried over molecular sieve 3A and then bubbled with nitrogen) were added to the flask. After stirring under heating at 70° C. for 5 minutes, the temperature was returned to room temperature, and then 5.7 g (15.7 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate serving as an initiator and 804.6 g (900.0 ml) of n-butyl acrylate were added to the flask. The resultant mixture was stirred under heating at 80° C., and 1.6 ml (7.9 mmol) of diethylenetriamine was added as a ligand to initiate polymerization. After the initiation of polymerization, about 0.2 mL of a solution was sampled from the polymerization solution with predetermined time intervals, and the conversion rate of butyl acrylate was determined by gas chromatographic analysis of each sampled solution. The polymerization rate was controlled by adding triamine at any desired time. At a conversion rate of n-butyl acrylate of 95%, 345.7 g (369.3 ml) of methyl methacrylate, 7.8 g (78.5 mmol) of copper chloride, 1.6 ml (7.9 mmol) of diethylenetriamine, and 1107.9 ml of toluene (dried over molecular sieve 3A and then bubbled with nitrogen) were added to the reaction solution. Similarly, the conversion rate of methyl methacrylate was determined. At a conversion rate of methyl methacrylate of 85% and a conversion rate of n-butyl acrylate of 98%, 1500 ml of toluene was added to the reaction solution, and the reactor was cooled in a water bath to terminate the reaction. The polymerization solution was constantly green during the reaction. The reaction solution was diluted with 4000 mL of toluene, and then 22.1 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate was added to the reaction solution, followed by stirring at 23° C. for 3 hours. The insoluble precipitate was filtered off with a Kiriyama funnel, and then 9.7 g of Kyowaad 500SH was added as an adsorbent to the resultant polymer solution, followed by further stirring at 23° C. for 3 hours. Then, the adsorbent was filtered off with a Kiriyama funnel to produce a colorless transparent polymer solution. The resultant solution was dried to remove the solvent and the residual monomers, and thereby the target acrylic block copolymer BA7 was obtained. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer BA7 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 119,200 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.51. Also, NMR analysis of the composition showed that BA/MMA=72/28 (% by weight). PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 14 Synthesis of MMA-b-(BA-co-EA-co-MEA)-b-MMA ((BA-co-EA-co-MEA)/MMA=70/30% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “3A7” Hereinafter) The procedures below were performed for producing 3A7. The air in a 500-mL separable flask used as a polymerization vessel was replaced by nitrogen, and 1.37 g (9.5 mmol) of copper bromide, 20 mL of acetonitrile (bubbled with nitrogen), 0.69 g (1.9 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate serving as an initiator, 40.2 ml (280 mmol) of BA, 38.2 ml (352 mmol) of EA, and 21.6 ml (168 mmol) of MEA were added to the flask by the same procedures as in Example 1. Then, 0.20 ml (1.0 mmol) of diethylenetriamine was added as a ligand to initiate polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 95%, an EA conversion rate of 95%, and an MEA conversion rate of 96%, 42.8 ml (400 mmol) of MMA, 1.82 g (18.5 mmol) of copper chloride, 0.20 ml (1.0 mmol) of diethylenetriamine, and 128.5 ml of toluene (bubbled with nitrogen) were added to the reaction solution. At a BA conversion rate of 97%, an EA conversion rate of 97%, and an MEA conversion rate of 98%, and an MMA conversion rate of 82%, 150 ml of toluene was added to the reaction solution, and the reactor was cooled in a water bath to terminate the reaction. The reaction solution was diluted with 400 mL of toluene, and then 2.21 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate was added to the reaction solution, followed by stirring at 23° C. for 3 hours. The insoluble precipitate was filtered off with a Kiriyama funnel, and then 0.97 g of Kyowaad 500SH was added as an adsorbent to the resultant polymer solution, followed by further stirring at 23° C. for 3 hours. Then, the adsorbent was filtered off with a Kiriyama funnel to produce a colorless transparent polymer solution. The resultant solution was dried to remove the solvent and the residual monomers, and thereby the target acrylic block copolymer 3A7 was obtained. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 113,000 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.49. Also, NMR analysis of the composition showed that EA/BA/MEA/MMA=24/33/15/28 (% by weight). PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 15 Synthesis of MMA-b-(BA-co-MEA)-b-MMA (BA/MEA=67/33 Mol %, (BA-co-MEA)/MMA =65/35% by Weight) Block Copolymer (Referred to as “2A′6.5” Hereinafter) The air in a 5-L separable flask was replaced by nitrogen, and 10.4 g (72.2 mmol) of copper bromide, 10.4 g (28.9 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 691 ml (4.82 mol) of BA, 309 ml (2.41 mol) of MEA, and 100 ml (1.91 mol) of acetonitrile were added to the flask, followed by stirring under heating at 85° C. for 30 minutes. Then, 1.64 ml (7.85 mmol) of diethylenetriamine was added as a ligand to initiate polymerization. The polymerization rate was controlled by adding triamine at any desired time. At a BA conversion rate of 97% and an MEA conversion rate of 98%, 1050 ml (9.86 mol) of toluene, 7.15 g (72.2 mmol) of copper chloride, and 535 ml (5.00 mol) of MMA were added to the reaction solution. The polymerization rate was controlled by adding triamine at any desired time. At an MMA conversion rate of 89%, 1500 ml of toluene was added, and the reactor was cooled to terminate the reaction. The reaction solution was diluted with 4.0 L of toluene, and then 20.6 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate was added to the reaction solution, followed by stirring at room temperature for 3 hours. The solid was filtered off with a Kiriyama funnel, and then 14.4 g of Kyowaad 500SH (produced by Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was added as an adsorbent to the resultant polymer solution, followed by further stirring at room temperature for 1 hour. Then, the adsorbent was filtered off with a Kiriyama funnel to produce a colorless transparent polymer solution. The resultant solution was dried to remove the solvent and the residual monomers, and thereby the target acrylic block copolymer 2A′6.5 was obtained. GPC analysis of the resultant block copolymer 2A′6.5 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 71,416 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.40. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 16 Synthesis of MMA-b-(BA-co-2EHA)-b-MMA (BA/2EHA=70/30% by Weight, (BA-co-2EHA)/MMA=80/20% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “EBA8” Hereinafter) The target acrylic block copolymer EBA8 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 5.55 g (15.4 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 695 ml (4.85 mol) of BA, and 305 ml (1.46 mol) of 2EHA were charged and subjected to polymerization. At a BA conversion rate of 95% and a 2EHA conversion rate of 95%, 299 ml (3.35 mol) of MMA was added to the reaction solution. At a MMA conversion rate of 70%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer EBA8 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 109,184 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.33. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 17 Synthesis of 50TBA7-B1 In a 500-L reactor purged with nitrogen and then evacuated, a solution previously prepared by mixing 6,272 g of acetonitrile and 8,940 g of BA was charged under reduced pressure. Next, 813.7 g of cuprous bromide was charged to the reactor, and the resultant mixture was heated to 68° C. and stirred for 30 minutes. Then, a mixed solution containing 57,216.0 g of BA and 1,305.4 g of butyl acetate, and a solution of 408.4 g of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate in 3,528.0 g of acetonitrile were added to the mixture, followed by stirring for 30 minutes under heating to 75° C. Then, 98.2 g of pentamethyldiethylenetriamine was added to the resultant mixture to initiate polymerization of butyl acrylate for a first block. The polymerization rate was controlled by adding triamine at any desired time. When the BA conversion rate reached 95%, 100,249.6 g of toluene, 561.5 g of cuprous chloride, 17,459.8 g of MMA, and 24,797.4 g of TBMA were added to the reaction solution, and then 98.2 g of pentamethyldiethylenetriamine was added to the mixture to initiate copolymerization of MMA/TBMA for a second block. When the MMA conversion rate reached 58%, the reaction solution was diluted with 77,940 g of toluene, and the reactor was cooled to terminate polymerization. GPC analysis of the resultant block copolymer showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 104,800 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.25. Then, toluene was added to the resultant block copolymer solution to control the polymer concentration to 25 wt %, and 728 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid was added to the solution, followed by stirring at room temperature for 3 hours in the reactor purged with nitrogen. A solution was sampled from the reaction solution and subjected to neutralization. After the solution was confirmed to be colorless and transparent, the reaction was terminated. Then, the solution was taken out from the reactor, and the solid was removed by solid-liquid separation. Then, 1,200 g of Kyowaad 500SH (produced by Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was added to the resultant block copolymer solution, followed by stirring at room temperature for 1 hour in the reactor purged with nitrogen. A solution was sampled from the reaction solution. After the solution was confirmed to be neutral, the reaction was terminated. Then, the solution was taken out from the reactor, and the adsorbent was removed by solid-liquid separation. The polymer solution was supplied to a vented horizontal evaporator (produced by Kurimoto, Ltd., horizontal evaporator SCP-100) for evaporating the solvent and the unreacted monomers to isolate a polymer. The temperature of the body jacket and screw of the evaporator was adjusted to 180° C. using a heating medium, and the inside of the evaporator was kept at a reduced pressure of about 0.01 MPa or less using a vacuum pump. As a result, pellets of the title block copolymer were produced. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 18 Synthesis of 20T3A6.8-B1 In a 500-L reactor purged with nitrogen and then evacuated, a solution previously prepared by mixing 7,056 g of acetonitrile and 8,046 g of BA was charged under reduced pressure. Next, 851.5 g of cuprous bromide was charged to the reactor, and the resultant mixture was heated to 68° C. and stirred for 30 minutes. Then, a mixed solution containing 14,588.8 g of BA, 22,226.9 g of EA, 13,789.9 g of MEA, and 1,111.3 g of butyl acetate, and a solution of 427.4 g of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate in 2,822.4 g of acetonitrile were added to the mixture, followed by further stirring for 30 minutes under heating to 75° C. Then, 102.9 g of pentamethyldiethylenetriamine was added to the resultant mixture to initiate copolymerization of BA/EA/MEA for a first block. The polymerization rate was controlled by adding triamine at any desired time. When the BA conversion rate reached 95%, 96,202.9 g of toluene, 587.7 g of cuprous chloride, 30,513.5 g of MMA, and 10,834.2 g of TBMA were added to the reaction solution, and then 102.9 g of pentamethyldiethylenetriamine was added to the mixture to initiate copolymerization of MMA/TBMA for a second block. When the MMA conversion rate reached 59%, the reaction solution was diluted with 69,280 g of toluene, and the reactor was cooled to terminate polymerization. GPC analysis of the resultant block copolymer showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 95,900 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.36. Then, toluene was added to the resultant block copolymer solution to control the polymer concentration to 24 wt %, and 847 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid was added to the solution, followed by stirring at room temperature for 3 hours in the reactor purged with nitrogen. A solution was sampled from the reaction solution and subjected to neutralization. After the solution was confirmed to be colorless and transparent, the reaction was terminated. Then, the solution was taken out from the reactor, and the solid was removed by solid-liquid separation. Then, 940 g of Kyowaad 500SH (produced by Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was added to the resultant block copolymer solution, followed by stirring at room temperature for 2 hours in the reactor purged with nitrogen. A solution was sampled from the reaction solution. After the solution was confirmed to be neutral, the reaction was terminated. Pellets of the title block copolymer were produced by the same method as in Production Example 17. Production Example 19 Synthesis of 20T3A6.8-B2 In a 500-L reactor purged with nitrogen and then evacuated, a solution previously prepared by mixing 32,694.7 g of BA, 32,105.6 g of EA, 19,918.7 g of MEA, 2,430.4 g of acetonitrile, and 1,605.2.g of butyl acetate was charged under reduced pressure. Next, 615.0 g of cuprous bromide was charged to the reactor, and the resultant mixture was stirred for 15 minutes. Then, a solution of 617.4 g of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate in 4,704.0 g of acetonitrile was added to the mixture, followed by further stirring for 50 minutes under heating to 75° C. Then, 74.3 g of pentamethyldiethylenetriamine was added to the resultant mixture to initiate copolymerization of BA/EA/MEA for a first block. The polymerization rate was controlled by adding triamine at any desired time. When the BA conversion rate reached 96%, 73,751.1 g of toluene, 424.4 g of cuprous chloride, 29,530.3 g of MMA, and 10,485.1 g of TBMA were added to the reaction solution, and then 74.3 g of pentamethyldiethylenetriamine was added to the mixture to initiate copolymerization of MMA/TBMA for a second block. The polymerization rate was controlled by adding triamine at any desired time. When the MMA conversion rate reached 91%, the reaction solution was diluted with 220,000 g of toluene, and the reactor was cooled to terminate polymerization. GPC analysis of the resultant block copolymer showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 110,200 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.27. Then, toluene was added to the resultant block copolymer solution to control the polymer concentration to 25 wt %, and 1,468 g of p-toluenesulfonic acid was added to the solution, followed by stirring at room temperature for 3 hours in the reactor purged with nitrogen. A solution was sampled from the reaction solution and subjected to neutralization. After the solution was confirmed to be colorless and transparent, the reaction was terminated. Then, the solution was taken out from the reactor, and the solid was removed by solid-liquid separation. Then, 1,680 g of Kyowaad 500SH (produced by Kyowa Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) was added to the resultant block copolymer solution, followed by stirring at room temperature for 1 hour in the reactor purged with nitrogen. A solution was sampled from the reaction solution. After the solution was confirmed to be neutral, the reaction was terminated. Pellets of the title block copolymer were produced by the same method as in Production Example 17. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 20 Synthesis 20T3A6-B1 First, 371.8 g of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 17,604.8 g of BA, 17,287.6 g of EA, and 10,725.4 g of MEA were charged and subjected to polymerization. When the BA conversion rate reached 95%, 33,333.3 g of MMA and 11,835.4 g of TBMA were added to the reaction mixture. When the MMA conversion rate reached 58%, the reaction was terminated. Then, pellets of the title block copolymer were produced by the same method as in Production Example 18. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 103,400 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.36. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 21 Synthesis of 50T3A6.5-B1 First, 483.0 g of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 24,431.2 g of BA, 23,991.0 g of EA, and 14,884.3 g of MEA were charged and subjected to polymerization. When the BA conversion rate reached 95%, 21,046.7 g of MMA and 29,891.6 g of TBMA were added to the reaction mixture. When the MMA conversion rate reached 58%, the reaction was terminated. Then, pellets of the title block copolymer were produced by the same method as in Production Example 18. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 98,900 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.28. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 22 Synthesis of 50T3A6-B1 First, 424.9 g of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 20,119.8 g of BA, 19,757.3 g of EA, and 12,257.7 g of MEA were charged and subjected to polymerization. When the BA conversion rate reached 94%, 21,516.7 g of MMA and 30,559.2 g of TBMA were added to the reaction mixture. When the MMA conversion rate reached 56%, the reaction was terminated. Then, pellets of the title block copolymer were produced by the same method as in Production Example 18. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 101,200 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.28. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 23 Synthesis of 40T2A′6.5-B1 First, 421.7 g of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 37,031.5 g of BA, and 18,800.7 g of MEA were charged for polymerization. When a BA conversion rate reached 95%, 23,103.6 g of MMA and 21,875.3 g of TBMA were added to the reaction mixture. When an MMA conversion rate reached 61%, the reaction was terminated. Then, pellets of the title block copolymer were produced by the same method as in Production Example 19. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 93,700 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.36. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 24 Synthesis 50TEBA8-B1 First, 377.1 g of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 42,289.3 g of BA, and 18,337.1 g of 2EHA were charged and subjected to polymerization. When the BA conversion rate reached 95%, 7,865.0 g of MMA and 11,170.3 g of TBMA were added to the reaction mixture. When the MMA conversion rate reached 71%, the reaction was terminated. Then, pellets of the title block copolymer were produced by the same method as in PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 18 GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 91,800 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.29. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 25 Synthesis of BA7-B1 In a 500-L synthetic reactor, 339.0 g of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate and 48,276.0 g of BA were charged and subjected to polymerization. When the BA conversion rate reached 96%, 31,094.8 g of MMA was added to the reaction mixture. When the MMA conversion rate reached 60%, the reaction was terminated. Then, pellets of the title block copolymer were produced by the same method as in Production Example 17. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 105,300 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.38. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 26 Synthesis of 3A6-B1 First, 360.4 g of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 16,167.7 g of BA, 15,876.4 g of EA, and 9,849.9 g of MEA were charged and subjected to polymerization. When the BA conversion rate reached 96%, 41,887.0 g of MMA was added to the reaction mixture. When the MMA conversion rate reached 61%, the reaction was terminated. Then, pellets of the title block copolymer were produced by the same method as in Production Example 18. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 104,200 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.36. Production Example 27 Synthesis of 2A′6.5-B1 First, 611.5 g of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 53,720.6 g of BA, and 27,232.8 g of MEA were charged for polymerization. When the BA conversion rate reached 96%, 43,528.4 g of MMA was added to the reaction mixture. When the MMA conversion rate reached 92%, the reaction was terminated. Then, pellets of the title block copolymer were produced by the same method as in Production Example 19. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 108,300 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.33. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 28 Synthesis of MMA-b-(BA-co-TBA)-b-MMA (BA/TBA=97.5/2.5 Mol %, (BA-co-TBA)/MMA=70/30% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (referred to as “2.5STBA7” hereinafter) The target acrylic block copolymer 2.5STBA7 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 5.65 g (15.7 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 877 ml (6.12 mol) of BA, and 22.9 ml (0.16 mol) of TBA were charged and subjected to polymerization. When the BA conversion rate reached 95% and the TBA conversion rate reached 95%, 369 ml (3.45 mol) of MMA was added to the reaction mixture. When the MMA conversion rate reached 65%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer 2.5STBA7 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 116,000 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.52. PRODUCTION EXAMPLE 29 Synthesis of MMA-b-(BA-co-TBA)-b-MMA (BA/TBA=90/10 Mol %, (BA-co-TBA)/MMA=70/30% by Weight) Acrylic Block Copolymer (Referred to as “10STBA7” Hereinafter) The target acrylic block copolymer 10STBA7 was produced by the same method as in Production Example 1 except the following procedures: In a 5-L separable flask, 5.64 g (15.7 mmol) of diethyl 2,5-dibromoadipate, 808 ml (5.64 mol) of BA, and 91.6 ml (0.63 mol) of TBA were charged and subjected to polymerization. When the BA conversion rate reached 95% and the TBA conversion rate reached 96%, 461 ml (4.31 mol) of MMA was added to the reaction mixture. When the MMA conversion rate reached 79%, the reaction was terminated. GPC analysis of the resultant acrylic block copolymer 10STBA7 showed a number-average molecular weight Mn of 113,408 and a molecular weight distribution Mw/Mn of 1.35. EXAMPLE 1 Reaction of Conversion to Acid Anhydride Group in Acrylic Block Copolymer 50TBA7 and Characteristic Evaluation First, 45 g of the acrylic block copolymer 50TBA7 produced in Production Example 1 and 0.09 g of Irganox 1010 (produced by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.) were melt-kneaded at 100 rpm for 20 minutes with Labo Plastomill 50C150 (blade shape: roller shape R60, produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set to 240° C. to produce the target acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer (referred to as “50ANBA7” hereinafter). Conversion to an acid anhydride group and a carboxyl group of a tert-butyl ester site could be confirmed by IR (infrared absorption spectrum) and 13C(1H)-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum). Namely, in IR, an absorption spectrum derived from the acid anhydride group was observed at about 1800 cm−1 after conversion. In 13C(1H)-NMR, signals at 82 ppm and 28 ppm derived from the quaternary carbon of a tert-butyl group and carbon of a methyl group, respectively, disappeared after conversion, and signals at 172 to 173 ppm(m) and 176 to 179 ppm(m) derived from carbonyl carbon of the acid anhydride group and carbonyl carbon of the carboxyl group, respectively, newly appeared. The contents of a monomer containing the acid anhydride group and a monomer containing the carboxyl group were 24% by weight and 21% by weight, respectively, in the methacrylic polymer block of the resultant acrylic block copolymer. The contents were calculated from the integrated values of the above-described signals in 13C( 1H)-NMR. The resultant bulk sample was molded by heat pressing at 240° C. to produce a cylindrical molded product of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness for evaluating compression set. The molded product was used for measuring hardness and compression set. Similarly, a molded sheet product having a thickness of 2 mm was produced by heat pressing. The molded sheet product was used for measuring oil resistance, mechanical strength, and heat resistance. Furthermore, the sheet molded product was again milled and kneaded by Labo Plastomill for evaluating the recycling property. Thermogravimetric analysis of the acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer 50ANBA7 showed a 5% weight loss temperature of 357° C. EXAMPLES 2 TO 12 Reaction of Conversion to Acid Anhydride Group and Characteristic Evaluation The acrylic block copolymers (5TBA7, 20TBA7, 100TBA7, 5T3A7, 20T3A7, 20T3A6, 50T3A6, 100T3A6, 100T2A6, 40T2A′6.5, and 50TEBA8) produced in Production Examples 2 to 11 and 12 were used for producing acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymers (the resultant acrylic block copolymers are referred to as “5ANBA7”, “20ANBA7 ”, “100ANBA7”, “5AN3A7”, “20AN3A7”, “20AN3A6”, “50AN3A6”, “100AN3A6”, “100AN2A6”, “40AN2A′6.5”, and “50ANEBA8”, respectively, hereinafter) according to the same procedures as in Example 1. As in Example 1, the contents of a monomer containing the acid anhydride group and a monomer containing the carboxyl group were calculated by 13C(1H)-NMR analysis. The contents of the monomer containing the acid anhydride group and the monomer containing the carboxyl group in the methacrylic polymer block of the resultant acrylic block copolymers are described below in that order. The contents in the methacrylic polymer block of 5ANBA7 were respectively 2% by weight and 4% by weight. The contents in the methacrylic polymer block of 20ANBA7 were respectively 11% by weight and 19% by weight. The contents in the methacrylic polymer block of 100ANBA7 were respectively 69% by weight and 31% by weight. The contents in the methacrylic polymer block of 5AN3A7 were respectively 2% by weight and 7% by weight. The contents in the methacrylic polymer block of 20AN3A6 were respectively 3% by weight and 17% by weight. The contents in the methacrylic polymer block of 50AN3A6 were respectively 22% by weight and 18% by weight. The contents in the methacrylic polymer block of 100AN3A6 were respectively 45% by weight and 55% by weight. The contents in the methacrylic polymer block of 40AN2A′6.5 were respectively 20% by weight and 20% by weight. The contents in the methacrylic polymer block of 50ANEBA8 were respectively 26% by weight and 27% by weight. Also, cylindrical molded products of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness for evaluating compression set were formed by the same procedures as in Example 1. These molded products were used for measuring hardness and compression set. Similarly, molded sheet products of 2 mm in thickness were formed by heat pressing. These sheet products were used for measuring oil resistance, mechanical strength, and heat resistance. The molded sheet products were again milled and kneaded by Plastomill for evaluating the recycling property. EXAMPLE 13 Hydrolytic Carboxylation of Acid Anhydride Group-Containing Acrylic Block Copolymer and Characteristic Evaluation First, 20 g of 20AN3A6 and 40 g of water were placed in a pressure-resistant vessel, and the resultant mixture was heated at 200° C. for 2 hours to produce the target carboxyl-containing acrylic block copolymer (referred to as “20C3A6” hereinafter). Conversion of the acid anhydride group to the carboxyl group could be confirmed by IR (infrared absorption spectrum) and 13C(1H)-NMR analysis (nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum). Namely, in IR analysis, an absorption spectrum at about 1800 cm−1 derived from the acid anhydride group disappeared after conversion. In 13C(1H)-NMR analysis, a signal at 172 to 173 ppm(m) derived from carbonyl carbon of the acid anhydride group was quantitatively converted to a signal at 176 to 179 ppm(m) derived from carbonyl carbon of the carboxyl group. The heat resistance of the resultant carboxyl-containing acrylic block copolymer was measured by a Kokashiki flow meter. Also, 100 parts by weight of the resultant carboxyl-containing acrylic block copolymer was mixed with 0.2 parts by weight of Irganox 1010 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), and the resultant mixture was melt-kneaded at 50 rpm for 20 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 240° C. to produce a bulk sample. The resulting sample was heat-pressed at 240° C. to obtain a molded product of 2 mm in thickness for evaluating physical properties. EXAMPLE 14 A target carboxyl-containing acrylic block copolymer (referred to as “50C3A6” hereinafter) was produced by the same method as in Example 13 except that 50AN3A6 was used. Also, samples for evaluating properties were formed by the same method as in Example 13. EXAMPLE 15 A target carboxyl-containing acrylic block copolymer (referred to as “100C3A6” hereinafter) was produced by the same method as in Example 13 except that 100AN3A6 was used. Also, samples for evaluating properties were formed by the same method as in Example 13. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 1 TO 4 First, 100 parts by weight of the copolymer produced in each of Production Examples 13 to 16 was mixed with 0.2 parts by weight of Irganox 1010 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), and the resultant mixture was melt-kneaded at 50 rpm for 20 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 190° C. to produce a bulk sample. The resulting samples were heat-pressed at 190° C. to obtain cylindrical molded products of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness for evaluating compression set. These molded products were used for measuring hardness and compression set. Similarly, molded sheet products of 2 mm in thickness were formed by heat pressing. These sheet products were used for measuring oil resistance, mechanical strength, and heat resistance. The molded sheet products were again milled and kneaded by Plastomill for evaluating the recycling property. As a result of thermogravimetric analysis of the acrylic block copolymer BA7 not containing an acid anhydride group and produced in Comparative Example 1, the 5% weight loss temperature was 280° C. This indicates that thermal decomposition resistance is significantly improved by introducing an acid anhydride group. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 5 Santoprene 211-55 (AES Japan Co., Ltd.), which was an olefinic elastomer, was melt-kneaded with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 170° C. at a screw rotational speed of 100 rpm to obtain a sample. The resulting sample was heat-pressed at 170° C. to obtain a cylindrical molded product of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness. The molded product was used for measuring hardness and compression set. Similarly, a molded sheet product of 2 mm in thickness was formed by heat pressing at 170° C. The sheet product was used for measuring oil resistance, mechanical strength, and heat resistance. As a result, it was found that with the olefinic elastomer, the compression set was good, but the oil resistance was at an insufficient level. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 6 Pelprene P-30B (Toyobo Co., Ltd.), which was an ester elastomer, was melt-kneaded with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 190° C. at a screw rotational speed of 50 rpm to obtain a sample. The resulting sample was heat-pressed at 190° C. to obtain a cylindrical molded product of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness. The molded product was used for measuring hardness and compression set. Similarly, a molded sheet product of 2 mm in thickness was formed by heat pressing at 190° C. The sheet product was used for measuring oil resistance, mechanical strength, and heat resistance. As a result, it was found that with the polyester elastomer, the mechanical properties were good, but flexibility was insufficient even with a low-hardness grade, and the oil resistance and compression set were also insufficient. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 7 Disks of 30 mm in diameter were cut out of a cross-linked chloroprene (CR) molded sheet product of 2 mm in thickness, and six disks were stacked to obtain a molded product for evaluating compression set. The molded product was used for measuring hardness and compression set. Also, a dumbbell was cut out of a molded sheet product and used for evaluating oil resistance and tensile properties. Furthermore, the molded sheet product was again milled and kneaded by Plastomill for evaluating the recycling property. As a result, it was found that with cross-linked chloroprene, the mechanical properties, oil resistance, and compression set were good, but the sample could not be recycled. TABLE 1 Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Polymer 50ANB 5ANB 20ANB 100ANB 5AN3 20AN3 20AN3 50AN3 100AN3 100AN2 40AN2 50ANEB A7 A7 A7 A7 A7 A7 A6 A6 A6 A6 A′6.5 A8 Hardness JIS-A 20 12 14 21 37 36 45 57 23 29 34 4 Strength at break (MPa) 6.5 4.6 6.4 1.7 4.8 6.9 11.2 8.7 5.5 5 7 3.1 Elongation at break (%) 369 328 354 260 507 531 295 320 372 255 280 412 Heat resistance (° C.) 126 121.8 130 137 113 125 152 157.4 148 154 155 124 Oil Rate of 57.3 111.3 142.8 46.8 22.5 19.9 17.6 18.4 20.6 18.8 33 175.9 resistance weight change (wt %) Shape ◯˜Δ Δ Δ ◯˜Δ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ X after immersion Compression 70° C., 42 40.8 32 26 68.6 51 — — — — — 35 set 22 H (%) 100° C., 58 — 49 52 — — 57 53 39.5 — 35 53 22 H 120° C., — — — — — — — — — 44.3 — — 22 H 5% weight loss temp. 357 321 — — 331 — — 354 355 356 — — (° C.) Recycling property ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ — ◯ TABLE 2 Example 13 14 15 Polymer 20C3A6 50C3A6 100C3A6 Hardness JIS-A 47 51 21 Strength at break (MPa) 11.7 10.1 4.8 Elongation at break (%) 332 248 342 Heat resistance (° C.) 173.1 192.1 190.1 Oil resistance (wt %) 13.6 18.5 21.7 Compression set (%) 49.5 55.6 42.5 100° C., 22 H Recycling property ◯ ◯ ◯ TABLE 3 Comparative Example 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Polymer BA7 3A7 2A′6.5 EBA8 211-55 P-30B CR Hardness JIS-A 22 38 55 2 53 79 63 Strength at break (MPa) 8.6 6.6 8.4 3.4 4.5 25 17 Elongation at break (%) 339 621 338 542 438 1426 350 Heat resistance (° C.) 119 111 — 95 154.3 144.5 — Oil Rate of weight 54.9 21 36.1 — 189.5 64 30 resistance change (wt %) Shape after X ◯ ◯˜Δ — X Δ ◯ immersion Compression set (%) 70° C., 22 H 49 76 — 83 28.7 65 — 100° C., 22 H 70 100 98 100 — — — 120° C., 22 H — — — — — — 33 5% weight loss temp. (° C.) 280 287 — — — — — Recycling property ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ X Table 1 shows the test results of Examples 1 to 12, Table 2 shows the test results of Examples 13 to 15, and Table 3 shows the test results of Comparative Examples 1 to 7. These results indicate that the acid anhydride group-containing block copolymer is excellent in compression set at a high temperature, and has improved heat resistance and thermal decomposition resistance, as compared with the block copolymer not containing the acid anhydride group (Examples 1 to 12). It is also found that strength required for molding or the like is maintained. It is further found that materials having various degrees of hardness from low hardness to high hardness while maintaining flexibility can be produced by controlling the composition of the acrylic polymer block in the acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer, the composition ratio between the acrylic polymer block and the methacrylic polymer block, and the content of the acid anhydride group. It is further found that the acid anhydride group-containing block copolymer comprising the acrylic polymer block composed of BA is a material excellent in flexibility and balance between heat resistance, mechanical properties, and low-temperature properties. It is further found that the acid anhydride group-containing block copolymer comprising the acrylic polymer block composed of BA, EA, and MEA is a material very excellent in oil resistance and excellent in balance between heat resistance and mechanical properties. It is further found that the acid anhydride group-containing block copolymer comprising the acrylic polymer block composed of BA and MEA is a material excellent balance between oil resistance, heat resistance, and mechanical properties. It is further found that the acid anhydride group-containing block copolymer comprising the acrylic polymer block composed of BA and 2EHA is a material having flexibility and very low hardness, and excellent balance between heat resistance, mechanical properties, and low-temperature properties. It is further found that the block copolymer containing a carboxyl group produced by hydrolytic ring opening of the acid anhydride group has excellent compression set at high temperatures and improved heat resistance (Examples 13 to 15). It is further found that strength required for molding is maintained. In addition, it is found that the cohesive force is improved by introducing the carboxyl group, but such a block copolymer is a material exhibiting low hardness and excellent compression set and mechanical strength while maintaining hardness. On the other hand, it is found that the samples of Comparative Examples 1 to 4 have the recycling property, but the compression set, heat resistance, and thermal decomposition resistance are insufficient. It is also found that the sample of Comparative Example 5 has the recycling property and excellent compression set, but the oil resistance is insufficient. It is further found that the sample of Comparative Example 6 has the recycling property and excellent tensile properties, but the oil resistance and compression set are insufficient, and flexibility is also insufficient. It is further found that the sample of Comparative Example 7 has excellent tensile properties and compression set, but recycling is impossible because it comprises cross-linked rubber. Tables 1 to 3 indicate that the thermoplastic elastomer compositions of the present invention have the recycling property and excellent compression set, oil resistance, and heat resistance, and maintains strength required for molding or the like. It is also found that the cohesive force is improved by introducing a functional group, but the compositions are materials exhibiting low hardness, flexibility, and excellent compression set and mechanical strength. EXAMPLE 16 Reaction of Conversion to Acid Anhydride Group in 20T3A6 First, 100 parts by weight of the polymer 20T3A6 produced in Production Example 7 was mixed with 0.2 parts by weight of Irganox 1010 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), and the resultant mixture was kneaded and extruded with a vented twin screw extruder (44 mm, L/D =42.25) (produced by Japan Steel Works, Ltd.) at a rotational speed of 50 rpm and at 240° C. to produce a target acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer 20AN3A6. As in Example 1, conversion to an acid anhydride group of a tert-butyl ester site could be confirmed by IR (infrared absorption spectrum) and 13C(1H)-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum). It was thus confirmed that an acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer can be produced by any of various processing machines, and that such a block copolymer can be produced by an extruder to simplify the production process. EXAMPLE 17 Reaction of Conversion to Acid Anhydride Group and Characteristic Evaluation First, 100 parts by weight of the polymer 50TBA7-B1 produced in Production Example 17 was mixed with 0.3 parts by weight of Irganox 1010 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), and the resultant mixture was kneaded and extruded with a vented twin screw extruder (44 mm, L/D =42.25) (produced by Japan Steel Works, Ltd.) at a rotational speed of 300 rpm and at 240° C. to produce a target acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer 50ANBA7-B1. In this example, an underwater cut pelletizer (produced by GALA INDUSTRIES INC. CLS-6-8.1 COMPACT LAB SYSTEM) was connected to the front end of the twin screw extruder, and Alflow H-50ES (produced by NOF Corporation) was added as an anti-sticking agent to circulating water in the underwater cut pelletizer, for producing anti-sticking spherical pellets. As in Example 1, conversion to an acid anhydride group of a tert-butyl ester site could be confirmed by IR (infrared absorption spectrum) and 13C(1H)-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum). Also, the resulting pellets were melt-kneaded at 100 rpm for 10 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 220° C., and then heat-pressed at 220° C. to obtain a cylindrical molded product of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness for evaluating compression set. The molded product was used for measuring hardness and compression set. Similarly, a molded sheet product of 2 mm in thickness was formed by heat pressing. The sheet product was used for measuring oil resistance, mechanical strength, and heat resistance. Also, the molded sheet product was again milled and kneaded by Plastomill to evaluate the recycling property. EXAMPLES 18 TO 24 Reaction of Conversion to Acid Anhydride Group and Characteristic Evaluation The acrylic block copolymers (20T3A6.8-B1, 20T3A6.8-B2, 20T3A6-B1, 50T3A6.5-B1, 50T3A6-B1, 40T2A′6.5-B1, and 50TEBA8-B1) produced in Production Examples 18 to 24 were used for producing acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymers (referred to as “20AN3A6.8-B1”, “20AN3A6.8-B2”, “20AN3A6-B1”, “50AN3A6.5-B1”, “50AN3A6-B1”, “40AN′2A6.5-B1”, and “50ANEBA8-B1” respectively, hereinafter) by the same procedures as in Example 17. Cylindrical molded products of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness for evaluating compression set were formed by the same procedures as in Example 17. These molded products were used for measuring hardness and compression set. Similarly, molded sheet products of 2 mm in thickness were formed by heat pressing. These sheet products were used for measuring oil resistance, mechanical strength, and heat resistance. Also, the molded sheet products were again milled and kneaded by Plastomill to evaluate the recycling property. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 8 TO 10 First, 100 parts by weight of each of the polymers BA7-B1, 3A6-B1, and 2A′6.5-B1 produced in Production Examples 25 to 27, respectively, was mixed with 0.3 parts by weight of Irganox 1010 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), and the resultant mixture was kneaded and extruded with a vented twin screw extruder (44 mm, L/D =42.25) (produced by Japan Steel Works, Ltd.) at a rotational speed of 300 rpm and at 190° C. In this example, an underwater cut pelletizer (produced by GALA INDUSTRIES INC. CLS-6-8.1 COMPACT LAB SYSTEM) was connected to the front end of the twin screw extruder, and Alflow H-50ES (produced by NOF Corporation) was added as an anti-sticking agent to circulating water in the underwater cut pelletizer, for producing anti-sticking spherical pellets. The resulting pellets were melt-kneaded at 50 rpm for 10 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 190° C. to obtain bulk samples. Each of the samples was heat-pressed at 190° C. to obtain a cylindrical molded product of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness for evaluating compression set. The molded products were used for measuring hardness and compression set. Similarly, molded sheet products of 2 mm in thickness were formed by heat pressing. The sheet products were used for measuring oil resistance, mechanical strength, and heat resistance. Also, the molded sheet products were again milled and kneaded by Plastomill to evaluate the recycling property. TABLE 4 Example Comparative Example 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 8 9 10 Polymer 50ANB 20AN3 20AN3 20AN3 50AN3 50AN3 40AN2 50ANEB BA7-B1 3A6-B1 2A′6.5- A7-B1 A6.8-B1 A6.8-B2 A6-B1 A6.5-B1 A6-B1 A′6.5-B1 A8-B1 B1 Hardness JIS-A 15 46 45 67 44 53 34 7 21 84 52 Strength at 4.6 10.6 11.4 14 13.7 14.4 8.2 3.3 6.9 12.3 9.4 break (MPa) Elongation at 293 373 437 257 323 265 287 396 312 297 358 break (%) Heat resistance — 149 154 165 173 176 163 — 132 132 120 (° C.) Oil resistance 133 17 16.4 17 16 14.5 26.1 173 83 18.7 34.7 (wt %) Compression set 32 68 84 88.7 50.1 54.1 50 75 85 100 94 (%) 100° C., 22 H Recycling ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ property Table 4 shows the test results of Examples 17 to 24 and Comparative Examples 8 to 10. These results indicate that pelletization and reaction of conversion to an acid anhydride group can be performed with an extruder, and the acid anhydride group-containing block copolymer produced by the extruder exhibits excellent compression set at high temperatures and improved heat resistance and compression set characteristics, as compared with the block copolymer not containing the acid anhydride group. It is also found that strength required for molding or the like is maintained. It is further found that materials having various degrees of hardness from low hardness to high hardness while maintaining flexibility can be produced by controlling the composition of the acrylic polymer block in the acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer, the composition ratio between the acrylic polymer block and the methacrylic polymer block, and the content of the acid anhydride group. Table 4 indicates that the thermoplastic elastomer compositions of the present invention have the recycling property and excellent compression set characteristics, oil resistance and heat resistance, and maintains strength required for molding. It is also found that cohesive force is improved by introducing a functional group, but the compositions are materials exhibiting low hardness, flexibility, and excellent compression set and mechanical strength. Example 25 Hydrolytic Carboxylation of Acid Anhydride Group-Containing Block Copolymer First, 100 parts by weight of 20AN3A6 was mixed with 0.2 parts by weight of Irganox 1010 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), and the resultant mixture was extruded and kneaded by a visible extruder (30 mm, L/D=36) (produced by Research Laboratory of Plastics Technology Co., Ltd.) including two thermomixers (30 mm, L/D=12) (produced by Noritake Co., Limited) provided at the front end at a rotational speed of 25 rpm and 200° C. under the condition in which water was supplied at 0.14 kg/hr under pressure, to obtain a target carboxyl-containing block copolymer (20C3A6). Conversion of an acid anhydride group to a carboxyl group could be confirmed by IR (infrared absorption spectrum) and 13C(1H)-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum). Namely, in IR analysis, an absorption spectrum at about 1800 cm−1 derived from the acid anhydride disappeared after conversion. In 13C(1H)-NMR, a signal at 172 to 173 ppm(m) derived from carbonyl carbon of the acid anhydride group was quantitatively converted to a signal at 176 to 179 ppm(m) derived from carbonyl carbon of the carboxyl group. It was thus confirmed that a carboxyl-containing acrylic block copolymer can be produced by ring-opening reaction of an acid anhydride group using any of various processing machines. It is also found that such a copolymer can be produced by an extruder, thereby simplifying the production process. <Thermoplastic Resin Composition> EXAMPLE 26 Reaction of Conversion to Acid Anhydride Group in Acrylic Block Copolymer 2.5STBA7 First, 45 g of the acrylic block copolymer 2.5STBA7 produced in Production Example 28 was mixed with 0.09 g of Irganox 1010 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), and the resultant mixture was melt-kneaded for 20 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 240° C. at 100 rpm to obtain a target acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer (referred to as “2.5SANBA7” hereinafter). Conversion to an acid anhydride group and a carboxyl group of a tert-butyl ester site could be confirmed by IR (infrared absorption spectrum) and 13C(1H)-NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum). Namely, in IR analysis, an absorption spectrum derived from the acid anhydride group could be observed at about 1800cm−1 after conversion. The contents of a monomer containing the acid anhydride and a monomer containing the carboxyl group were 0.6% by weight and 1.9% by weight, respectively, in the acrylic polymer block of the resultant acrylic block copolymer. The contents of the monomers containing the acid anhydride group and the carboxyl group, respectively, were calculated by a method in which the carboxyl group in the acrylic block copolymer was methylated with diazomethane, and then subjected to pyrolysis GC (using GC-9A produced by Shimadzu Corporation). Then, 30 parts by weight of UBESTA 3012U (Ube Industries, Ltd.) was added to 100 parts by weight of the resultant 2.5SANBA7, and the resultant mixture was kneaded for 20 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 190° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm to obtain a bulk sample. The resultant bulk sample was heat-pressed at 190° C. to obtain a cylindrical molded product of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness for evaluating compression set. The molded product was used for measuring hardness and compression set. Similarly, a molded sheet product of 2 mm in thickness was formed by heat pressing. The sheet product was used for measuring oil resistance and mechanical strength. EXAMPLE 27 Reaction of Conversion to Acid Anhydride Group in Acrylic Block Copolymer 10STBA7 A target acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer (referred to as “10SANBA7” hereinafter) was produced by reaction of conversion to an acid anhydride group in the same manner as in Example 26 except that the acrylic block copolymer 10STBA7 produced in Production Example 29 was used. The copolymer was kneaded with UBESTA 3012U by the same method as in Example 26 to produce a sample for evaluation. The contents of a monomer containing the acid anhydride and a monomer containing the carboxyl group were 2% by weight and 7% by weight, respectively, in the acrylic polymer block of the resultant acrylic block copolymer. The contents were calculated from the integral value of the above-described signal in 13C(1H)-NMR analysis. Furthermore, the copolymer was kneaded with UBESTA 3012U by the same method as in Example 26 to produce a sample for evaluation. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 11 First, 0.2 parts by weight of Irganox 1010 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.) and 30 parts by weight of UBESTA 3012U (Ube Industries, Ltd.) were added to 100 parts by weight of BA7 produced in Production Example 13, and the resultant mixture was kneaded for 20 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 190° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm to obtain a bulk sample. The resultant bulk sample was heat-pressed at 190° C. to obtain a cylindrical molded product of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness for evaluating compression set. The molded product was used for measuring hardness and compression set. Similarly, a molded sheet product of 2 mm in thickness was formed by heat pressing. The sheet product was used for measuring oil resistance and mechanical strength. TABLE 5 Comp. Example No. Example 26 27 11 Composition Block 2.5SANBA7 100 copolymer 10SANBA7 100 BA-7 100 Thermoplastic resin 3012U 30 30 30 Evaluation Hardness (JIS-A) 55 65 66 results Tensile Strength at 9.0 9.0 3.8 properties break (MPa) Elongation at 180 217 185 break (%) Compression set 70° C., 56 58 63 22 Hr (%) Oil Rate of weight 64.3 63.0 112.8 resistance change (wt %) Shape after Δ ◯ X immersion Insoluble content (wt %) 28.3 38.5 23.3 Composition: parts Table 5 shows the results of Examples 26 and 27 and Comparative Example 11. Table 5 indicates that the compositions containing the acrylic block copolymer comprising the acrylic polymer block having the acid anhydride group have flexibility and excellent mechanical strength, oil resistance, and compression set, as compared with the composition containing the acrylic block copolymer not having the acid anhydride group. An increase in the acetone-insoluble content (%) shows reaction between polyamide resin and the acid anhydride group-containing block copolymer. Therefore, the acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer and a composition containing the acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer and a thermoplastic resin can be preferably used as compatibilizers. EXAMPLE 28 First, 100 parts by weight of polybutylene terephthalate resin (DURANEX 2002 produced by Polyplastics Co., Ltd.) was added to 100 parts by weight of 20ANBA7, and the resultant mixture was kneaded for 20 minutes by Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 240° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm to obtain a bulk sample. The resultant bulk sample was heat-pressed at 240° C. to obtain a molded product of 2 mm in thickness for evaluating physical properties. Test samples with predetermined shapes were punched from the molded product and used for evaluating the physical properties. EXAMPLE 29 A molded product for evaluation was formed by the same method as in Example 28 except that 100 parts by weight of DAIAMID E47-S1 (Daicel Huls Ltd.) was added to 100 parts by weight of the acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer 20ANBA7, and the resultant mixture was kneaded for 20 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 190° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm, and then heat-pressed at 190° C. EXAMPLE 30 A molded product for evaluation was formed by the same method as in Example 28 except that 100 parts by weight of UBESTA 3012U (Ube Industries, Ltd.) was added to 100 parts by weight of 20ANBA7. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 12 First, polybutylene terephthalate resin (DURANEX 2002 produced by Polyplastics Co., Ltd.) was kneaded for 20 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 240° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm to obtain a bulk sample. The resultant bulk sample was heat-pressed at 240° C. to obtain a molded product of 2 mm in thickness for evaluating physical properties. Test samples with predetermined shapes were punched from the molded product and used for evaluating the physical properties. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 13 A molded product for evaluation was formed by the same method as in Comparative Example 12 except that Daiamid E47-S1 (Daicel Huls Ltd.) was used. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 14 A molded product for evaluation was formed by the same method as in Comparative Example 12 except that UBESTA 3012U (Ube Industries, Ltd.) was used. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 15 A molded product for evaluation was formed by the same method as in Comparative Example 12 except that 20ANBA7 was used. TABLE 6 Example Comparative Example 28 29 30 12 13 14 15 Polymer 20ANBA7 20ANBA7 20ANBA7 — — — 20ANBA7 Thermoplastic 2002 — 3012U 2002 — 3012U — resin Thermoplastic — E47-S1 — — E47-S1 — — elastomer Hardness JIS-A 74 61 79 — — — 14 Hardness JIS-D — — — 83 52 84 — Insoluble content — 79.8 83.4 100 100 100 0 (wt %) Table 6 shows the test results of Examples 28 to 30 and Comparative Examples 12 to 15. Table 6 indicates that according to the present invention, a molded product having desired flexibility can be obtained. In Examples 29 and 30, an increase in the acetone-insoluble content (wt %) shows reaction between the resin and the acid anhydride group-containing block copolymer. Therefore, the acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer and a composition containing the acid anhydride group-containing acrylic block copolymer and a thermoplastic resin can be preferably used as compatibilizers. <Rubber Composition and Thermoplastic Elastomer Composition> EXAMPLE 31 First, 10 parts by weight of cross-linked rubber 1 (silicone-acryl composite rubber, produced by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., S-2001) was added to 100 parts by weight of the acid anhydride group-containing block copolymer 20AN3A6, and the resultant mixture was kneaded for 10 minutes by Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 180° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm to obtain a bulk sample. The resultant composition was molded into a cylindrical product of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness, and the molded product was used for evaluating hardness and compression set. Also, the composition was heat-pressed at 180° C. to obtain a molded product of 2 mm in thickness for evaluating physical properties. The molded product was used for measuring oil resistance, tensile properties, and low-temperature brittleness. EXAMPLES 32 AND 33 In Example 32, 10 parts by weight of cross-linked rubber 2 (powdery NBR, produced by JSR Co., Ltd., PN20HA) was added to 100 parts by weight of the carboxyl-containing block copolymer (20C3A6). In Example 33, 10 parts by weight of cross-linked rubber 1 (silicone-acryl composite rubber, produced by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., S-2001) was added to 100 parts by weight of the block copolymer (20C3A6). Each of the resultant mixtures was kneaded for 10 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 180° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm to obtain a bulk sample. Evaluation was performed by the same method as in Example 32. EXAMPLE 34 A molded product for evaluation was formed by the same method as in Example 31 except that 57 parts by weight of cross-linked rubber 1 (silicone-acryl composite rubber, produced by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., S-2001) was added to 100 parts by weight of the carboxyl-containing block copolymer 100C3A6, and the resultant mixture was kneaded for 10 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 230° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm, and heat-pressed at 230° C. EXAMPLE 35 A molded product for evaluation was formed by the same method as in Example 31 except that 64.5 parts by weight of cross-linked rubber 1 (silicone-acryl composite rubber, produced by Mitsubishi Rayon° Co., Ltd., S-2001), 0.6 parts by weight of lubricant 1 (stearic acid, produced by Nacalai Tesque), and 1.6 parts by weight of an inorganic filler 1 (carbon black, produced by Asahi Carbon Co., Ltd., Asahi #15) were added to 100 parts by weight of the carboxyl-containing block copolymer 100C3A6. Then, the resultant mixture was kneaded for 10 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 230° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm, and heat-pressed at 230° C. EXAMPLE 7B The molded sheet product of 2 mm in thickness formed by heat-pressing in Example 7 was used for measuring low-temperature brittleness. EXAMPLE 13B First, 100 parts by weight of the carboxyl-containing block copolymer 20C3A6 was mixed with 0.2 parts by weight of Irganox 1010 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), and the resultant mixture was melt-kneaded at 100 rpm for 20 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 180° C. to produce a bulk sample. The resulting sample was heat-pressed at 180° C. to obtain a cylindrical molded product of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness for evaluating compression set. The molded product was used for measuring hardness and compression set. Similarly, the resultant composition was heat-pressed at 180° C. to obtain a molded sheet product of 2 mm in thickness for evaluating physical properties. The sheet product was used for measuring oil resistance, tensile properties, and low-temperature brittleness. EXAMPLE 15B First, 100 parts by weight of the carboxyl-containing block copolymer 100C3A6 was mixed with 0.2 parts by weight of Irganox 1010 (Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.), and the resultant mixture was melt-kneaded at 100 rpm for 20 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 230° C. to produce a bulk sample. Evaluation was made by the same method as in Example 13B except that the resulting sample was heat-pressed at 230° C. TABLE 7 Example No. 31 32 33 34 35 7B 13B 15B Composition(*) Block copolymer 20AN3A6 100 100 20C3A6 100 100 100 100C3A6 100 100 100 Cross-linked Cross-linked 10 10 57 64.5 rubber rubber 1 Cross-linked 10 rubber 2 Lubricant Lubricant 1 0.6 Filler Inorganic filer 1 1.6 Evaluation results Hardness (JIS- 28 57 59 42 46 45 62 30 A) Tensile Strength at 9.8 8.3 8.7 5.3 4.6 11.2 10 5 properties break (MPa) Elongation at 276 238 200 230 220 295 255 325 break (%) Oil resistance Rate or weight 20.3 15.2 22.1 40 47 17.6 16.9 19.4 change wt %) Shape after ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ immersion Low-temperature Brittle −29.4 −25.5 −26.5 −35.5 — −25.7 −20.5 −21.4 brittleness temperature (° C.) Compression set 100° C., 22 Hr (%) 60 50.7 49.2 38.1 34.1 57 49.3 44 (*)parts Table 7 shows the test results of Examples 31 to 35 and Examples 7B, 13B, and 15B. The results shown in Table 7 indicate that in Examples 31 to 35, a molded product having desired flexibility, compression set, oil resistance, and tensile properties can be obtained even when cross-linked rubber is added. It is also found that by adding cross-linked rubber having low Tg, the low-temperature brittleness can be improved without deterioration in oil resistance. <Filler-Containing Composition> EXAMPLE 36 First, 5 parts by weight of a lubricant 1 (stearic acid, produced by Nacalai Tesque) and 0.25 parts by weight of an inorganic filler 1 (carbon black, produced by Asahi Carbon Co., Ltd., Asahi #15) were added to 100 parts by weight of the carboxyl-containing block copolymer 20C3A6, and the resultant mixture was kneaded for 10 minutes with Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 180° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm to obtain a bulk sample. The resultant composition was heat-pressed at 180° C. to obtain a cylindrical molded product of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness. The molded product was used for evaluating hardness and compression set. Similarly, the composition was heat-pressed to obtain a molded sheet product of 2 mm in thickness. The molded sheet product was used for measuring oil resistance, tensile properties, and frictionality, and further measuring processability. EXAMPLE 37 Molded products were formed by the same method as in Example 36 except that 20 parts by weight of a lubricant 1 (stearic acid, produced by Nacalai Tesque) and 1.25 parts by weight of an inorganic filler 1 (carbon black, produced by Asahi Carbon Co., Ltd., Asahi #15) were added to 100 parts by weight of the acid anhydride group-containing block copolymer 20AN3A6. EXAMPLE 38 Molded products were formed by the same method as in Example 36 except that 2 parts by weight of a lubricant 2 (zinc stearate, produced by NOF Corporation) and 10 parts by weight of an inorganic filler 2 (carbon black, produced by Asahi Carbon Co., Ltd., Asahi #60HN) were added to 100 parts by weight of the carboxyl-containing block copolymer 20C3A6. EXAMPLE 39 Molded products were formed by the same method as in Example 36 except that 5 parts by weight of a lubricant 3 (calcium stearate, produced by Sakai Chemical Co., Ltd., SC-100) and 0.25 parts by weight of an inorganic filler 2 (carbon black, produced by Asahi Carbon Co., Ltd., Asahi #60HN) were added to 100 parts by weight of the carboxyl-containing block copolymer 20C3A6. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 1B AND 2B The molded sheet products of 2 mm in thickness formed by heat pressing in Comparative Examples 1 and 2 were used for evaluating frictionality. The levels of frictionality of these products could not be measured because of high tackiness. EXAMPLE 13C The molded sheet product of 2 mm in thickness formed by heat pressing in Example 13B was used for evaluating frictionality. The molded sheet product was finely cut into pellets for measuring the processing temperature. EXAMPLE 40 First, 25 parts by weight of a plasticizer (polybutyl acrylate, produced by Toa Gosei Co., Ltd., UP-1000), 3 parts by weight of a lubricant 2 (zinc stearate, produced by Sakai Chemical Co., Ltd., SZ-2000), and 15 parts by weight of an inorganic filler 2 (carbon black, produced by Asahi Carbon Co., Ltd., Asahi #60HN) were added to 100 parts by weight of the carboxyl-containing block copolymer 20C3A6, and the resultant mixture was kneaded for 10 minutes by Labo Plastomill (produced by Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd.) set at 180° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm to obtain a bulk sample. The resultant composition was heat-pressed at 180° C. to obtain a cylindrical molded product of 30 mm in diameter and 12 mm in thickness. The molded product was used for evaluating hardness and compression set. Similarly, the composition was heat-pressed to obtain a molded sheet product of 2 mm in thickness. The molded sheet product was used for measuring oil resistance and tensile properties. As a result, it was found that a molded product having desired flexibility, compression set, oil resistance, and tensile properties could be obtained even by adding a plasticizer. TABLE 8 Comp. Example No. Example 36 37 38 39 1B 2B 13C 40 Compositon(*) Block copolymer 20C3A6 100 100 100 100 100 20AN3A6 100 BA-7 100 3A-7 100 Filler Lubricant 1 5 20 Lubricant 2 2 3 Lubricant 3 5 Inorganic filler 1 0.25 1.25 Inorganic filler 2 10 0.25 15 Plasticizer 25 Evaluation Hardness (JIS-A) 71 72 88 69 22 38 62 40 results Tensile Strength at break 8 8 9 7 8.6 6.6 10 4 properties (MPa) Elongation at break 220 277 157 215 339 621 255 155 (%) Oil resistance Rate of weight change 11.2 3.7 14.9 12.7 54.9 21 16.9 5 (wt %) Shape after immersion ◯ ◯ ◯ ◯ X ◯ ◯ ◯ Frictionality Dynamic coefficient 7.2 1.5 26 6.2 X X X — of friction Compression set 70° C., 22 Hr (%) 49 76 100° C. 22 Hr (%) 53 56 62.5 49 49.3 62.1 120° C., 22 Hr (%) Processability Processing temp. (° C.) 175 — — — 200 — (melt viscosity 1500 poise) (*)parts Table 8 shows the test result of Examples 36 to 40, Comparative Examples 1B and 2B, and Example 13C. The results shown in Table 8 indicate that the compositions containing the acrylic block copolymer of the present invention, the lubricant, and the inorganic filler exhibit desired flexibility, oil resistance, compression set, and tensile properties, and low dynamic frictionality at resin surfaces. Comparison between Examples 36 and 13C shows that the processing temperature can be decreased by adding the lubricant and the inorganic filler to the acrylic block copolymer of the present invention, and thus satisfactory molding can be performed in injection molding or the like. <Compatibilizer> EXAMPLE 41 First, 25 parts by weight of UBESTA 3012U (Ube Industries, Ltd.) and 4 parts by weight of 20ANBA7 were added to 100 parts by weight of BA7, and the resultant mixture was kneaded for 20 minutes with Labo Plastomill set at 240° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm to obtain a bulk sample. The resultant sample was heat-pressed at 240° C. to obtain a molded product of 2 mm in thickness for evaluating physical properties. A test piece with a predetermined shape was punched from the molded product and used for evaluating each of the physical properties. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 16 First, 25 parts by weight of UBESTA 3012U (Ube Industries, Ltd.) was added to 100 parts by weight of BA7, and the resultant mixture was kneaded for 20 minutes by Labo Plastomill set at 240° C. at a rotational speed of 100 rpm to obtain a bulk sample. The resultant sample was heat-pressed at 240° C. to obtain a molded product of 2 mm in thickness for evaluating physical properties. A test piece with a predetermined shape was punched from the molded product and used for evaluating each of the physical properties. TABLE 9 Example Comparative Example 41 16 Polymer MBAM MBAM Thermoplastic 3012U 3012U resin Compatibilizer 20ANBA7 — Strength at 5.29 6.27 break (MPa) Elongation at 295.2 226 break (%) Table 9 shows the test results of Example 41 and Comparative Example 16. Table 9 indicates that according to the present invention, the composition containing the acid anhydride group-containing block copolymer has an improved elongation at break, and thus desirably acts as the compatibilizer between UBESTA 3012U and MBAM. These results indicate that the acrylic block copolymer of the present invention is rich in flexibility and excellent in mechanical strength, moldability, oil resistance, heat resistance, and thermal decomposition resistance, and is further rich in reactivity. It is also found that a novel composition rich in flexibility, oil resistance, and heat resistance can be obtained by combining the acrylic block copolymer of the present invention with the rubber or the thermoplastic resin and/or the thermoplastic elastomer. It is further found that the acrylic block copolymer of the present invention can be preferably widely used for automobile, electric, and electronic parts because of excellent oil resistance, heat resistance, and compression set. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The acrylic block copolymer of the present invention is rich in flexibility and excellent in mechanical strength, moldability, oil resistance, heat resistance, thermal decomposition resistance, and weather resistance, and is further rich in reactivity. Therefore, the acrylic block copolymer of the present invention can be preferably used as a novel thermoplastic elastomer, a compatibilizer, and the like. By utilizing these characteristics, the novel acrylic block copolymer of the present invention and a composition containing the block copolymer can be preferably widely used for automobile, electric, and electronic parts (for example, seal products for automobiles, seal products for home electric appliances, and seal products for office electric appliances).

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Although vulcanized rubber has excellent flexibility and excellent rubber elasticity, rubber must be mixed with an additive and vulcanized in molding to increase the molding cycle time and complicate the molding process, thereby causing a problem of moldability. Also, vulcanized rubber is disadvantageous in that it is not melted even by reheating after molding and vulcanization, and thus it cannot be post-processed by bonding or the like and is difficult to recycle after use. From this viewpoint, in recent years, thermoplastic elastomers have been increasingly used in place of vulcanized rubber. For example, in automobile vehicles, various seal parts such as glass run channels, weatherstrips, various boots, draining moldings, and the like are used. These parts are mostly made of vulcanized rubber, but lightweight and recyclable olefinic thermoplastic elastomers have been recently brought into use for some of the seal parts from the viewpoint of improvement in fuel consumption and environmental problems. A thermoplastic elastomer generally has an alloy structure comprising a rubber component (soft segment) exhibiting entropy elasticity, and a restrictive component (hard segment) which flows at high temperatures but inhibits plastic deformation at room temperature to give a reinforcing effect to the rubber component. For example, in a styrenic elastomer, a styrene block aggregates and functions as a hard segment, and a butadiene block or an isoprene block forms a matrix and functions as a soft segment. An olefinic elastomer has an alloy structure in which rubber such as ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer rubber (EPDM) or the like is dispersed in a polypropylene (PP) resin or the like. Any type of thermoplastic elastomer can be thermoplastically processed by injection molding or the like because the hard segment flows at high temperatures. However, conventional styrenic or olefinic thermoplastic elastomers are disadvantageous in that they have insufficient rubber elasticity and heat resistance (corresponding to compression set characteristics at high temperatures) in comparison to vulcanized rubber, and also have low oil resistance. On the other hand, as thermoplastic elastomers having excellent oil resistance, acrylic block copolymers having methacrylic blocks and acrylic blocks have been recently disclosed, as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 2,553,134. Like the styrenic elastomers, these elastomers have excellent moldability, but have the disadvantage that they have low heat resistance. Also, the hard segments of thermoplastic elastomers flow at high temperatures, and thus the thermoplastic elastomers can be thermoplastically processed. However, when the thermal decomposition temperatures of the thermoplastic elastomers are lower than injection molding temperatures, the thermoplastic elastomers thermally deteriorate in some cases. Particularly, methacrylic polymers are often decomposed to monomers at 170° C. to 250° C. by depolymerization (Polymer Handbook Third Edition: Wiley-Interscience 1989). When high-temperature heat stability is required, therefore, these polymers cannot be used disadvantageously. On the other hand, it has been known that thermoplastic elastomers are added for modifying resins, for example, improving the impact resistance of thermoplastic resins, or compounded as soft materials with thermoplastic resins (refer to, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-279738). The styrenic elastomers and olefinic elastomers are nonpolar resins and thus can be used for modifying other nonpolar resins. However, the elastomers are poor in compatibility with polar resins, and thus compatibilizers must be added for modifying polar resins, or compounds such as maleic anhydride or the like must be added as grafts to thermoplastic elastomers, for modifying the elastomers (refer to, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 7-173390 and 2000-265033). In this case, modification can be made, but oil resistance deteriorates due to the characteristics of the styrenic or olefinic thermoplastic elastomers. Although the above-described acrylic block copolymers have higher oil resistance and compatibility than those of the styrenic or olefinic thermoplastic elastomers, the oil resistance and compatibility are still at insufficient levels. There is thus demand for development of thermoplastic elastomers excellent in oil resistance, heat resistance, and thermal decomposition resistance, and also excellent for modification of thermoplastic resins and excellent in compounding characteristics. Examples of conventional materials having oil resistance, heat resistance, and rubber elasticity include nitrile rubber (NBR), acrylic rubber (ACM), silicone rubber (VMQ), and chloroprene rubber (CR). These materials are used for seal products for automobiles, seal products for home electric appliances, seal products for office electric appliances, and automobile, electric, and electronic parts, etc. However, as described above, kneaded products prepared by kneading mixtures with additives must be supplied into molds and then vulcanized, thereby necessitating a special molding machine, increasing the molding cycle time, and complicating the molding process. Therefore, promising thermoplastic elastomers are desired.

20050128

20071218

20051020

73977.0

MULLIS, JEFFREY C

ACRYLIC BLOCK COPOLYMER AND THERMOPLASTIC RESIN COMPOSITION

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Medical material made of titianium fiber

It is intended to provide a scaffold whereby a bone and a metallic material can three dimensionally form together a stereoscopic binding layer. Thus, a geometric space sufficient for cell actions is provided. As a result, the time required for the formation of a stereoscopic bond can be shortened and, moreover, a bond can be self-repaired owning to cell actions even in the case where a pair of the bond is injured by a wound, etc. As a material for designing a scaffold, titanium fibers of less than 100 μm in size and having an aspect ratio of 20 or more are selected. Then these fibers are entangled together to form a layer which is integrally fixed by vacuum sintering to a periphery surface of the various implant bodies, and coated with apatite. The fact that the layer contains spaces of an excellent ability to induce a biological hard tissue and fix the same is proved by the material, in which the layer is fixed to the periphery of an implant.

1. A biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material to be used with various implants comprising, titanium or titanium group alloy fiber, wherein said biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material is materially designed to excel in biological hard tissue inductivity and fixing ability, said titanium or titanium group alloy fiber is selecting a fiber whose average diameter is smaller than 100 μm and aspect ratio is 20 or more, that is, short axis:long axis ratio=1:20 or more, and said fibers are accumulated to form a layer so as to form a growth space for biological hard tissue from the surface to inside. 2. The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material of claim 1, wherein a layer shaped scaffold material comprising said fibers or various implants to be used with said scaffold material are sintered in vacuum so as crossing points or contacting points of the fibers each other or the fibers and the implant to be fused and fixed. 3. The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a surface of said fibers is treated with apatite forming liquid and coated with calcium phosphate compound containing hydroxyapatite or carbonateapatite. 4. The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material in accordance with claim 3, wherein the surface of said fibers is treated with treating liquid containing a physiological active material or a physiological activation promoter which activates cells. 5. The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material of claim 4, wherein the physiological active material or a physiological activation promoter which activates cells is at least one selected from the group consisting of cell growth factor, cytokine, antibiotic, cell growth controlling factor, enzyme, protein, polysaccharides, phospholipids, lipoprotein or mucopolysaccharides. 6. The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material in accordance with claim 5, wherein the implant is an artificial root of the tooth having an embedding part and the layer which is integrally fixed to a periphery surface of the embedding part. 7. The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material in accordance with claim 5, wherein the implant is an artificial joint having an embedding part and the layer which is integrally fixed to a periphery surface of the embedding part. 8. The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material in accordance with claim 5, wherein the implant is an implant for bone repairing having an embedding part and the layer which is integrally fixed to a periphery surface of the embedding part. 9. The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material in accordance with claim 8, wherein the integral formation of embedding part and the layer is carried out by sintering in vacuum. 10. A method for proliferation of the biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material comprising, forming a layer by entangling titanium or titanium group alloy fibers whose average diameter is smaller than 100 μm and aspect ratio is 20 or more, winding up the layer to the artificial root of the tooth or an artificial joint, and sintering it in vacuum so as to fuse the crossing points or contacting points of the fibers each other or the fibers and the implant. 11. A cell culture proliferation reactor in regenerative medical engineering comprising, a reactor using titanium fibers whose average diameter is 100 μm or less and aspect ratio is 20 or more, that is, short axis:long axis ratio=1:20 or more, further the titanium fibers are treated with apatite forming liquid and coated with calcium phosphate compound containing hydroxyapatite or carbonateapatite, characterized by providing cells of growing space, and said fibers are accumulated to form a layer so as to form an implantation space for biological hard tissue from the surface to inside and to materially design excelling in biological hard tissue inductivity and fixing ability. 12. The cell culture proliferation reactor in regenerative medical engineering of claim 11, wherein the layer of fibers is treated with solution containing a physiological active material or a physiological activation promoter which activates a biocell or containing said solution. 13. The cell culture proliferation reactor in regenerative medical engineering of claim 11, wherein the physiological active material or a physiological activation promoter which activates cells are at least one selected from the group consisting of cell growth factor, cytokine, antibiotic, cell growth controlling factor, enzyme, protein, polysaccharides, phospholipids, lipoprotein or mucopolysaccharides.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material composed of titanium or titanium group alloy fiber which is used together with an implant such as an artificial root of the tooth or an artificial joint implant, a method for preparation thereof and a cell culture proliferation reactor in regenerative medicine engineering. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In general, in the field of oral surgery or orthopaedic surgery, as a material for implant to be implanted in an organism, a product made of metallic material such as an artificial root of the tooth or an artificial joint are conventionally used. Recently, among these metallic materials, the uses of titanium and titanium alloy are remarkably becoming frequent. The reason is that, in comparison with other metals, titanium has an excellent properties including rare antigenic function in an organism, relatively small specific gravity and strong mechanical strength. Further, at the MRI examination of a patient to whom a metallic material is implanted, if the metallic material has magnetic property, various problems cause. On the contrary, titanium which does not have magnetic property, is superior at this subsidiary effect, and this is one of the reason why titanium is admirably used. In particular, the uses of a medical material composed of titanium or titanium group alloy are broadly increasing in the field of orthopaedic surgery or dentistry. Accordingly, metallic material which does not have antigenic function acts good function in an organism, and contributes to the improvement of QOL of a postoperative patient. However, the medical material composed of titanium or titanium group alloy is not sufficiently satisfied. For example, even if there is no antigenic function, at a contact surface of a titanium metallic material with an organism, in some occasions, sheath tissue is formed by gathering fibroblasts of connective tissues with collagenous fiber on the surface of material even if it is implanted in a bone tissue. Therefore, when a titanium metal material can not contact directly with a bone tissue, there is a problem that it is difficult for the bone tissue and the metallic material to become an one body. To dissolve this problem, recently, improvement by coating hydroxy apatite on the surface of titanium is carried out, while improvement to have complicated structure on the surface by forming a structure considering an inductivity and stickiness of bone tissue, that is, forming convex and concave structure on the surface of the material or to stick many fine beads on the surface are carried out. However, by these means, the biological and mechanical bonding of the metal material with bone tissue is not sufficient. Even if the metal material and bone tissue can be observed to be bonded, when a breaking starts from a marginal part, the breaking can not be restored and extends to whole part, causes loosening and falls down in early stage. These instances are becoming clear by repeating many cases. Therefore, in cases of aged patients, very dangerous phenomena that the dissociation between the material and bone tissue progresses gradually are frequently observed. Further, since it is necessary to progress 3 to 6 months to complete the bonding of the metallic material with bone tissue, a problem that the next step treatment can not be started is actually pointed out. For dissolution of above problem, recently, together use of BMP (Bone Morphogenetic Protein) which accelerate the induction of osteoblasts or BMP relating to the induction of other cells with medical materials e.g. implant made of titanium is carried out. Together use with these physiological functional activators is effective, and migration of osteoblasts can be observed closely to the titanium metallic material, however, the formation of cells of tissue status called as osteointegration characterizing that material and bone are becoming one body can not easily be observed. In the meanwhile, as the aforementioned improved technique for trial to make the surface of material complicated shape, the following method is proposed. That is, the technique to wind up at random and accumulate fine fibers made of titanium or titanium alloy surround the core part of implant to be implanted into vivo bone, to form a compressed body of desired shape and dimension by compressing to the core direction and to prepare a dentistry implant made of titanium having buffering function by combining the body with the core are proposed (Japanese Application Publication H8-140996). As the specific example of fine fibers, fine fibers having 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm diameter, desirably fine fibers having 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm diameter are indicated. The meaning of “body” formed by the titanium fibers is to perform a buffering function by accepting outer strength, namely occusal strength, elastically to the all direction, further to accept the migration and proliferation of vivo bone tissue from many pore gaps so as to improve the stickiness to the bone of the implanted part and to assume better stability of the implanted part. Furthermore, a process to produce “pore structure” by pouring a mixture of metal and an foaming agent in a mold, heating to the temperature higher than melting point under pressing condition and by releasing the pressure air at adequate period (U.S. Pat. No. 2,553,016), and as developing embodiment of this process, a process to generate the mercury vapor or to generate a specific gas by decomposition of hydroxide or carbide of titanium or zircon (U.S. Pat. No. 2,434,775 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,553,016) are proposed. And an orthopaedic implant which attempts to combine bone tissue and an implant by obtaining thin layer of metal “pore structure” by specific foaming methods characterizing to generate pores at the melting state of metal which are mentioned above, adhering said thin layer to the surface of the implant and inducing bone tissue into pore cells after implanted into organism is proposed (Japanese Application Publication H11-341). As an example of metal used in above processes, various metals such as pure titanium, titanium alloy, stainless steel, cobalt-chrome alloy or aluminium are disclosed. And, also disclosed that the size of opening formed by pore is in the limitation of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, further that the “pore structure” is to be formed by thin layer of 1.5 mm to 3 mm thickness. The former proposal is basically to prepare one titanium filament of 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm diameter, to wind it up around the implant core, and to compress so as to form porous gaps which permit migration and proliferation of neogenesis bone tissue between accumulated filaments. However, it is obvious that there is a limit for the formation of the porous gaps. That is, this method is to wind up the fiber material and to compress the fiber material in the core direction so as to equip the fiber material to the core, and the possibility to adjust porous gaps is small. If the fiber material is wound not so tightly aiming to secure certain gaps, the problem that the equipping of the fiber material to the core becomes difficult occurs. Namely, since there is a limitation to attempt migration and proliferation of bone tissue by above mentioned method, sufficient osteointegration tissue is not formed. Further, regarding the latter proposal, since the “pore structure” is controlled by “amount of gas and shape” to be supplied to melted metal, it can not be said that the controlling of the size of cell, distribution of pores and thickness of wall which have influence directly to migration, adhesion and proliferation of osteoblasts is not so easy. The size of opening formed by pore disclosed in the proposal is in the limitation of 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, and the thickness of wall of cell can be presumed from the scale of attached drawing as same as to the size of opening formed by pore or more. This thickness of wall of cell is not so remarkably different from that of the fine beads method based on the diameter of fine beads which is a prerequisite art of this proposal, therefore, it is difficult to expect good affinity with bone cells so as to bring formation of one body with tissue. As mentioned above, in the previous methods that use titanium or titanium group alloy, which are recognized to have good affinity with organism tissue, there are several problems in aforementioned points, in particular, the formation of sufficient tissue in which bone tissue and titanium material become one body, namely so called osteointegration is not accomplished. After operation, loosening of bond between bone and titanium occurs from a marginal part, and in many cases the loosening is led to falling down of a tooth in early stage. A patient is feeling discomfort during the process before the falling becomes inevitable. That is, many problems are pointed out. In the cases of conventional artificial root of the tooth or artificial joint which are actually used in medical field, the bond of bone with metal is plane as shown in FIG. 1 (A) and it needs from 3 months to 6 months to accomplish enough bonding strength, therefore it is necessary to keep rest during this period and is impossible to progress to the next step. This point will be illustrated in the drawing mentioned later. The reason responding to said problem can be explained as follows, that is, the field in which cells act to accomplish the bond with metal is only two dimetional plane formed between planes of each subject to be bonded and can be said as a simple and minimized plane. As mentioned above, the conventional methods of using such as titanium metal material are aiming to bond bone tissue with an implant made of metal by two dimensional plane, and said conventional arts called it as osteointegration. However, from the biological viewpoint, there is a problem of preservation for long term. The object of the present invention is to provide a biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material which can induce the tissue layer of hybrid state by three dimensionally cooperating an implant material with bone tissue of organism side by using an implant to be replaced to various hard tissues which do not have above problems. Further the object of the present invention is to provide a method to accomplish the bonding of a metal material with bone within one month, in contrast to the conventional method which takes 3 to 6 months to accomplish the bonding of a metal material with bone. This is proved in Example 3 mentioned later. Furthermore, in the regenerative medicine engineering of today, it is actually required to carry out the trial to prompt the rapid proliferation of active cells including bone cells by introducing osteoblasts or stem cells with a physiological active material to the replacing material for hard tissues. That is, a material which can be used as a bioreactor for cell cultivation, which is characterized that the physiological active material or stem cells can be surely kept for a certain period, timed-releasability can be displayed and having good affinity to cells is required. Said bioreactor with the cells can be implanted in tissue of a human body as a whole, the proliferated cells are separated and can be supplied to a researching facility where the proliferated tissue is needed or to a medical facility immediately. To said requirement, the conventional material is not the material which can satisfy the requirement sufficiently. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is to develop and to provide a material which can respond to the above mentioned requirement, that is, can be used as the scaffold material effective to a biological hard tissue, further, can be used as a bioreactor effective to cells besides the hard tissue. The inventors of the present invention have carried out intensive study as illustrated below, and have made it clear that osteoblasts can be easily migrated to fine fibrous material of titanium metal and proliferates, that is, has good affinity with it, and there is high correlation between diameter of fiber to be used and proliferation action of cells, and have obtained a series of important knowledge based on the knowledge, and have developed and proposed the material which can respond to said requirement. That is, the inventors of the present invention have investigated intently about the cultivation condition which osteoblast like, and have made it clear that osteoblast grows in geometric space composed by very fine fibers. By continuing further basic investigation, the inventors of the present invention have obtain the following knowledge, that is, osteoblast indicates very high affinity to titanium fiber, and specifically, in the geometric space composed by a mass of titanium fiber having smaller diameter than 100 μm and extend of it is from 100 to 400 μm indicates higher affinity and have a specific property to stick more actively than that of titanium fiber having larger diameter than 100 μm. A part of medical results of these series of knowledge were already reported in “Densitry in Japan” vol. 37, page 42-50, 2001, “J. Bone and joint surgery” 93A, S1-105 to 115, 2001, “J. Biochemistry”, Vol. 121, page 317 to 324, 1997 (not all results as disclosed in the present invention, and the method for dissolving of the problem is not reported). The inventors of the present invention have expanded the property of fiber actively obtained from above mentioned knowledge and from the view point that the one body tissue of hybrid state composed of bone tissue, metal fiber and an implant can be induced by arranging the fibers surrounding the metal implant, have repeated various experiments and have made it clear that the aimed result can be obtained. As aforementioned, in the cases of an artificial root of the tooth or an artificial joint, since the bonding of bone with metal is plane, it takes from 3 to 6 months to accomplish a bonding tissue with sufficient strength and it is necessary to keep rest during this period and is impossible to progress to the next step. However, by the present invention, the three dimensional complicated space formed by titanium fibers is provided, namely in the case of a layer of 2 mm thickness, the surface area is more than 20 times larger than that of plane, consequently the space where cells can act is provided, and it become clear that osteointegration of bone tissue can be accomplished in short period together with the acceleration effect of action of cells. Further, by the continuation of investigation, it becomes clear that the induction and proliferation of cells can be possible on other cells besides osteoblasts. That is, when the titanium fiber having smaller diameter than 100 μm, it is understood that various kind of cells are induced into fiber layer and stick actively and grow. That is, the inventors of the present invention have succeeded to provide a medical material composed of metal implant material having high affinity to whole tissue of organism by use of the fine titanium fiber. Even if the hybrid with an implant is formed by inducing cells into fiber layer utilizing high affinity of cells to titanium fiber layer composed of titanium fiber having said specific diameter, the morphological stability is required when it is used by implanting into human body. The inventors of the present invention have investigated this point and have accomplished the following process. That is, the titanium fibers are accumulated at random and form a layer, then is sintered by alone or by winding up to an implant in vacuum condition. The cross points of fibers each other and contacting points of the fibers with the implant are fused at the spots and forms a rigid structure. The outer strength loaded to the layer is dispersed to many fused points, and forms the subject of rigid structure with good morphological stability having sufficient strength. Further, after fused, it is found that the affinity of bone cells to the tissue of organism is not affected by fusing process at all. As the method to stick or fix metal fibers, soldering method or silver soldering method can be mentioned, however, in these methods paste is generally used. And, since the paste has a possibility to contain harmful component to cells, this method can not be said as an adequate method. Aforementioned sintering method in vacuum condition is selected from various fusing and sticking methods considering this point and the effectivity of it is found out. The sintering in vacuum condition does not use harmful subject to cells and does not generate harmful subject to cells. But, if there is another method which is effective to stick fiber each other, that is, there is a fusing method which does not affect the growth of cells, tissue or human body, there is no problem to adopt the method and is contained in the scope of the present invention. The inventors of the present invention have carried out more intensive study and found out that bone cells can be more effectively induced by accelerating the implantation of osteoblasts by depositing crystal of hydroxyl apatite or hydroxyl apatite containing apatite carbonate on the surface of fiber of titanium metal layer, or by previously sticking physiological functional activator such as various cytokine e.g. BMP (Bone Morphogenetic Protein) or cell growth factor component which accelerate the growth of osteoblasts. Such function and effect are not provided simply by the function of the treated component, but is provided by together use with fine titanium fibers. Further, it becomes clear that function and effect with remarkable preserving ability and times-releasing ability is provided and generated. When said function and effect are compared with that of a plane subject, there is remarkable difference. This difference is considered to be caused by remarkable difference of surface area compared with that of plane subject. That is, even if the loading amount is same, the loading state does not biase and loaded homogeneously to the broad area, further, the loading area is improved and consequently the total loading amount is improved. Further, the function of the physiological active material acts more broadly, because very fine fibers of less than 100 μm diameter is used instead of a plane subject with small surface area, and accordingly induces osteoblasts effectively and can form strong one body tissue of organism. As the method for loading of this case, above mentioned BMP component, cytokine, various cell growth factor component or factor having an activity of organism can be stuck directly to the metal fiber. However, it is effective to contain a subject which can be absorbed in organism such as polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, copolymer of polylactic acid-polyglycolic acid, biodegradable (3-hydroxylbutyl-4-hydroxylbutylate) polyester polymer, polydioxane, polyethyleneglycol, collagen, gelatin, albumin, fibrin, chitosan, chitin, fibroin, cellulose, mucopolysaccharide, vitronectin, fibronectin, laminin, alginic acid, hyaluronic acid, heparin, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, polyamino acid, dextran, agarose, pectin, mannan and derivatives thereof between fibers of titanium or titanium compound, then to adsorb above mentioned factors to the absorption subjects in organism. The inventors of the present invention have clarified that if it is possible to control the behavior of cells, namely, the behavior that the cells can easily adhere to fine fibers, by controlling said bioactive materials, the time and the position to induce and to activate cells can be voluntarily controlled and can be used as one of effective embodiments. Of cause, said behavior of cells can be concluded as the essential property which cells have themselves not by use of said bioactive materials. By using the embodiment that fibers are entangled at random, cells migrate positively into gaps between fibers arranged at random, and a strong three dimensional hybrid structure characterizing that cells and metallic fibers are complicatedly entangled is formed. And in the case, when the structure is needed to be reinforced to a specific direction, it is possible to use a woven cloth and it is not to limit the scope of the present invention. The case to apply above mentioned metallic fiber layer to a human body or other animal body, for example, if an implant metal material is implanted in bone tissue, cells to generate a blood vessel and a bone into three dimensional gap composed of metallic fiber layer equipped to the implant, generate a hybrid structure and metal material and bone tissue becomes one body, as illustrated above. Accordingly, anchor effect of an implant metal material becomes stronger and the metal material becomes to be fixed strongly in the bone tissue. It becomes clear that for the rapid formation of said anchor effect by invading and fixing of cells and blood vessel, the use having titanium fibers of specific diameter and of specific aspect ratio is necessary and is the unexpected action and effect. This knowledge is the result obtained by many actual experiments (several hundred cases), and the investments considering the relationship between diameter of fine fiber of specific metal (titanium or titanium group alloy) and cells is carried out by the inventors of the present invention as the first time and is very creative and novel. And by using the fine fibers, remarkably excellent action and effect are provided, consequently, the present invention contributes largely to the growth of medicine and the welfare of the human beings. The metal material as an implant to which the scaffold material of the present invention is equipped is used in these experiments, is referring to a medical implant made of titanium metal used in medical field because of necessarily to refer the affinity with bone, however, of cause, it can be used for a medical implant made of other metal or non-metallic material. Further, the inventors of the present invention have clarified from various experiments that, to the titanium fiber of less than 100 μm diameter, various kinds of cells besides osteoblasts actively acts physiologically same as to osteoblast and possesses a property to adheres positively. Of cause, in which a stem cell which is called as an universal cell is contained. That is, from this fact, the inventors of the present invention have clarified that the titanium metal fiber layer of less than 100 μm diameter has a function for a cell cultivate and proliferation material in regenerative medical engineering, and can be used as a cell culture proliferation reactor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view and the partial enlarged view of a conventional implant (A) and an implant of the present invention composed of a titanium rod and non-woven cloth of titanium fibers, which was fused to the surface of the rod by vacuum sintering (B). FIG. 2 is a comparative microscopic picture of the BMP induced heterotopic bone formation in rat subcutaneously using two materials as the carrier of BMP as the result of active bone formation when a metal rod alone was implanted. FIG. 3 is the drawing showing the different in amount of bone formation when the two materials were implanted into rat subcutaneously. “TWTR” indicates that the amount of bone formation when a scaffold of the present invention which composed of metal root and a non-woven cloth of titanium fibers, which was fused on the surface of the rod, was implanted with BMP. “TR” indicates amount of bone formation when a metal rod alone was implanted with BMP. Bone amounts are examined 4 weeks after implantation and expressed by calcium contents. FIG. 4 is a comparative microscopic picture of the BMP induced bone formation in rat skin when the two materials as follow were used as BMP carriers. A: s titanium rod simply attached with a non-woven cloth of titanium fibers with apatite coating. B: the same material as A, but without apatite coating. The former shows very active bone formation (bone is clearly distinguished by red color or as thicker and fused contour by gray or black color), but the latter poor. Both materials were examined 4 weeks after implantation. FIG. 5 is comparative microscopic picture of the amount of bone formation when the two materials as follow were implanted into the bone defect in the cranium of rabbits. A: a scaffold of the present invention, which composed of titanium rod and a non-woven cloth of titanium fibers, which was fused by vacuum sintering on the rod and then hydroxyapatite coated. B: the same material as A, but without apatite coating on the surface. The former shows active bone formation within the non-woven cloth, but the latter very poor. Both materials were examined 4 weeks after implantation. FIG. 6 is a microscopic observation showing state of bone formation when a specimen of a titanium implant, which equipped with titanium beads, was implanted into the defect of rabbit cranium (A), and a state of bone tissue formed by self-healing of the defect (B). Both microscopic pictures were observed after 4 weeks after operation. FIG. 7 is a drawing of the results by SEM observation of the surface of titanium fibers sintered with the titanium rod and with apatite coating (A), and the same materials as A, but without sintering on with titanium rod (B). There was no detectable difference between them. FIG. 8 is a drawing of the results by SEM observation of the surface of titanium fibers before (A) and after (B) sintering in vacuum. There was no detectable difference between them. FIG. 9 is a drawing showing comparative experimental results of osteoblasts proliferation (A) and cytodifferentiation (B) by a bioreactor of present invention (right column), conventional porous apatite (middle column) and on a conventional plastic dishes (left column). Cell numbers were expressed by DNA contents. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Considering abovementioned series of knowledge, the inventors of the present invention have dissolved the problems mentioned above by carrying out subjects recited in (1)-(13). (1) A biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material to be used with various implants comprising, titanium or titanium group alloy fiber, wherein said biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material is materially designed to excel in biological hard tissue inductivity and fixing ability, said titanium or titanium group alloy fiber is selecting a fiber whose average diameter is 100 μm or less and aspect ratio is 20 or more, (short axis:long axis ratio=1:20 or more), and said fibers are accumulated to form a layer so as to form an implantation space for biological hard tissue from the surface to inside. (2) The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material of (1), wherein a layer shaped scaffold material comprising said fibers or various implants to be used with said scaffold material are sintered in vacuum so as crossing points or contacting points of the fibers each other or the fibers and the implant to be fused and fixed. (3) The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material of (1) or (2), wherein the surface of said fibers is treated with apatite forming liquid and coated with calcium phosphate compound containing hydroxyapatite or carbonate apatite. (4) The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material in accordance with anyone of (1) to (3), wherein the surface of said fibers is treated with treating liquid containing a physiological active material or a physiological activation promoter which activates cells. (5) The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material of (4), wherein the physiological active material or a physiological activation promoter which activates cells is at least one selected from the group consisting of cell growth factor, cytokine, antibiotic, cell growth controlling factor, enzyme, protein, polysaccharides, phospholipids, lipoprotein or mucopolysaccharides. (6) The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material in accordance with anyone of (1) to (5), wherein the implant is an artificial root of the tooth having an embedding part and the layer which is winded and compressed around the embedding part to integrally fixed to the embedding part. (7) The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material in accordance with anyone of (1) to (5), wherein the implant is an artificial joint having an embedding part and the layer which is winded and compressed around the embedding part to integrally fixed to the embedding part. (8) The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material in accordance with anyone of (1) to (5), wherein the implant is an implant for bone repairing having an embedding part and the layer which is winded and compressed around the embedding part to integrally fixed to the embedding part. (9) The biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material in accordance with anyone of (6) to (8), wherein the integral formation of embedding part with the layer is carried out by sintering in vacuum. (10) A method for preparation of the biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material comprising, forming a layer by entangling titanium or titanium group alloy fibers whose average diameter is smaller than 100 μm and aspect ratio is 20 or more, winding up the layer to the artificial root of the tooth or an artificial joint, and sintering it in vacuum so as to fuse the crossing points or contacting points of the fibers each other or the fibers and the implant. (11) A cell culture proliferation reactor in regenerative medical engineering comprising, using titanium fibers whose average diameter is 100 μm or less and aspect ratio is 20 or more, (short axis:long axis ratio=1:20 or more), or further treated with apatite forming liquid and coated with calcium phosphate compound containing hydroxyapatite or carbonate apatite. And said fibers are accumulated to form a layer so as to create a space for growing of biological hard tissue from the surface to inside, excelling in biological hard tissue inductivity and fixing ability. (12) The cell culture proliferation reactor in regenerative medical engineering of (11), wherein the layer of fibers is treated with solution containing a physiological active material or a physiological activation promoter which activates cells. (13) The cell culture proliferation reactor in regenerative medical engineering of (11), wherein the physiological active material or a physiological activation promoter which activates cells is at least one selected from the group consisting of cell growth factor, cytokine, antibiotic, cell growth controlling factor, enzyme, protein, polysaccharides, phospholipids, lipoprotein or mucopolysaccharides. In the present invention, the wording of “fibers are accumulated to form a layer” means to accumulate woven cloths having network space to form a layer or to accumulate non-woven cloths prepared by entangling fibers to form a layer. And the purpose to create a space for growing of biological hard tissue from the surface to inside and to materially design excelling in biological hard tissue inductivity and fixing ability can be accomplished by the formation of non-woven cloth layer by entangling titanium fibers whose average diameter is 100 μm or less and aspect ratio is 20 or more at random, and space formed by said non-woven cloth has an opening which permits the migrating of cells and the space sufficient for proliferation of the migrated cells. In the Examples mentioned below, said fiber layer is referred using void fraction and density, and biological hard tissue inductivity and fixing ability are effective in very broad range. The present invention can set up excellent space to biological hard tissue by restricting the thickness of fibers to 100 μm or less and excels in processability, therefore is advantageous compared to the case which uses thicker fibers. Additionally, the present invention has a significant meaning at the cell size level technique, besides the difference of apparent thickness. EXAMPLE The embodiments of the present invention are illustrated based on the Examples and drawings disclosed in following heterotopic bone forming experiments, homotopitic bone forming experiments, apatite coating experiments or cell proliferating experiments. These Examples are disclosing specific examples for the easy understanding of the present invention and not intending to limit the scope of the claims of the present invention. The scaffold material used in following experiments is the material prepared by the process mentioned below. That is, preparing a layer represented by non-woven cloth formed by entangling titanium metal fibers or titanium group alloy fibers and whose average diameter is 100 μm or less and aspect ratio is 20 or more at random, winding said layer around the outer periphery of a titanium implant material and sintering them in vacuum so as crossing points or contacting points of the fibers each other or the contact points of fibers and the implant to be fused and fixed, then carrying out a treatment of apatite coating. Relationship between a conventional titanium implant and a bone tissue grown around said implant and relationship between a titanium implant around which the scaffold of the present invention composed of titanium fibers layer (non-woven cloth) and a bone tissue grown around said implant are shown respectively in FIG. 1. (A) shows an titanium implant prepared by a conventional method and a bone tissue grown around said titanium implant and bone tissue grown around the implant can be observed (left side drawing), however, from the enlarged drawing (right side drawing) it is understood that bone tissue is only bonded plane to the implant. On the contrary, (B) is the drawing showing the relationship between an implant to which scaffold of the present invention is set up and bone tissue grown around said implant (left side drawing), the bone tissue is induced into a fiber layer in which fibers are entangled three dimensionaliry, bonded with the three dimensional and complicated structure and continued to the outer bone tissue through this bonding layer. That is, compared with (A) by conventional implant, it is clearly understood that the rigid bone tissue structure based on the anchor effect by the complicatedly entangled fibers and the space formed by said complicatedly entangled fibers, that is osteointegration is three dimentionaliry accomplished. Example 1 Heterotopic Bone Forming Experiment Under the Skin of Rat I. Preparation of a Specimen for Experiment: Following Examples {circle around (1)} and {circle around (2)} are Prepared. {circle around (1)} Preparing a non-woven cloth of 85% void fraction and 0.9 g/mL density composed of titanium metal fiber having 8 μm-80 μm diameter and 20 or more aspect ratio (product of Bekinit Co., Ltd.). This non-woven cloth is wounded firmly to a titanium rod by a voluntarily thickness, and a composite consisting of titanium non-woven cloth and a titanium rod of 1.5 mm diameter is prepared. Said composite is filled in a sintering syringe made of ceramics and sintered at 1000° C. for 5 hours in high vacuum condition. Consequently, at many contacting points of fibers themselves and contacting points with titanium rod surface, fibers are fused. And thus the rigid composite which does not sink or does not cause the transformation of shape by adding forth on the surface is prepared. {circle around (1)} A titanium metal rod having 1.5 mm diameter. II. Method for Implanting Experiment: 1. A composite corresponding to the scaffold material of above mentioned specimen {circle around (1)} of the present invention and a metal rod corresponding to the implant in conventional technique of above mentioned specimen {circle around (2)} are respectively implanted with S-300BMP, which is bone forming protein extracted from cow bone and purified, under the skin of a rat and the bone forming experiments for 4 weeks are carried out. After 4 weeks the difference between said two specimens are observed by a microscope histologically and quantitative analysis of Ca stuck to metal rod is carried out. III. Experimental Results: Results by microscopic observation are shown in FIG. 2. In the case of a composite specimen {circle around (1)} prepared by sintering a non-woven cloth made of metal titanium in vacuum, which is the scaffold material of the present invention, the state of formation of bone after 4 weeks is shown in FIG. 2 (A). In FIG. 2 (A), osteoblasts are infiltrated and induced into said non-woven cloth and the formation of vigorous bone structure which is complexly complicated is observed. On the contrary, results by titanium metal rod alone, namely, to which non-woven cloth is not wound, is shown in FIG. 2 (B). From FIG. 2 (B), the formation of bone tissue characterizing that said two are becoming three dimensionalily one body is not observed and at the interface of rod (black part) and bone (white part) there is no bonding to connect these two, and the rod and bone are only existing independently holding said interface between. Further the results by Ca quantitative analysis are shown in FIG. 3. That is, in the case specimen {circle around (1)} when titanium non-woven cloth is wound around the titanium rod having 1.5 mm diameter, it becomes clear that 2.3 mg of Ca in average is stuck to one implant. While in the case of specimen {circle around (2)} which does not wound titanium non-woven cloth, the sticking amount is only 0.13 mg, and there is obvious difference between these two, and the difference is almost 18 times. Example 2 Experiment to Confirm the Effect of Hydroxyl Apatite Coating Treatment to the Formation of a Heterotopic Bone Experimental Method: After titanium non-woven cloth is put on a titanium rod having 1.5 mm diameter without sintering in vacuum following two composites are prepared. That is, apatite coated composite {circle around (3)} prepared by a liquid dipping method which is an apatite coating treatment disclosed in Example 4 mentioned later, and non apatite coated composite {circle around (4)} are prepared. These composites are implanted under the skin of rat for 4 weeks and the difference of bone tissue formation between these two composites is compared. Experimental Results: Results are shown in FIG. 4. In the apatite coated composite {circle around (3)}, vigorous bone formation is observed at the titanium non-woven cloth part. Bone is clearly distinguished as the red colored areas or as thicker and fused contour in gray or black FIG. 4 (A) . However, since the titanium non-woven cloth is not treated by sintering in vacuum at the surface of the titanium rod, these two are not united in one body and the growth of bone is not observed on the surface of rod, while bone is formed in the fiber space slightly apart from the surface of rod FIG. 4 (A). On the contrary, in non apatite coated composite (4 bone is not formed at all FIG. 4 (B). That is, from this heterotopic bone forming experiment, it becomes clear that the apatite coating treatment is acting very important role in the formation of bone. Further, the experimental results of the specimen {circle around (1)} characterized that a titanium metal rod and titanium non-woven cloth is fused by sintering in vacuum of Example 1 and of the composite {circle around (3)} characterized that a titanium metal rod and titanium non-woven cloth is not fused by sintering in vacuum of Example 2 clearly indicate that it is important that titanium non-woven cloth is previously fused to a titanium metal rod to form one body by sintering in vacuum. That is, this sintering treatment in vacuum contributes not only to mechanical strength of the composite, but also to the improvement of the effect for bone formation, and acts very important role. All experiments described in Examples 1 and 2 are heterotopic bone forming experiment under the skin of rat, and the object of these experiments are to confirm and investigate the significance of equipping with titanium non-woven cloth by bone forming experiments at the tissue except bone, and summarized in Table 1. TABLE 1 Summary of experiments described in Examples 1 and 2 Composite indication by marks formation of bone Titanim rod (TR) alone TR − TR and titanium TR + TM + or some times − non-woven cloth (TM) TR + TM and apatite TR + TM + HAP + + + Coating (HAP) TR + TM + HAP and TR + TM + HAP + SIN + + + + sintering in vacuum (SIN) Example 3 Orthotopic Bone Forming Experiment in Head Bone of Rabbit I. Experimental Method Experiments are carried out according to the procedures 1, 2 and 3 mentioned below. 1. A rabbit of 2.5 kg weight is anesthetized by nenbutal intravenous anesthesia, and perioste of head bone is partially incised and a hole of 3 mm diameter and 3 mm thickness which passes through the calvarial bone is dug at the parietal area by a diamond round disk for dental use. 2. A titanium rod equipped with titanium non-woven cloth (cut off to cylindrical shape of 3 mm diameter and 3 mm thickness) is inserted into the hole and perioste and dermis is closured. 3. The rabbit is killed after 4 weeks and the bone at the parietal area is removed and embeded by resin, then a ground specimen of 20 μm thickness is prepared. The specimen is dyed by hematoxylin-eosin dying method. II. Experimental Results: A tissue section specimen for microscope observation obtained in above item 3 is inspected by an optical microscope. Accordingly, following facts became clear as shown in FIG. 5 (A) and (B) and in FIG. 6 (A) and (B). (i) In the case of a specimen which is prepared by equipping titanium non-woven cloth by 1 mm thickness around a titanium rod of 1.5 mm diameter and by carrying out hydroxyapatite coating with a liquid method and implanted in rabbit for 4 weeks, it is clearly observed that bone reaches to the deep part of titanium non-woven cloth layer and cover the surface of a titanium rod FIG. 5 (A). (ii) In the composite prepared by equipping titanium non-woven cloth by 1 mm thickness around a titanium rod of 1.5 mm diameter and sintering in vacuum, and implanted without carrying out hydroxyapatite coating, it is clearly observed that bone formation does not grow sufficiently in titanium non-woven cloth part and is stopping at halfway FIG. 5 (B). (iii) For the comparison, the experiment by a beads method, which is conventionally used, is carried out. That is, in the experiment implanting a titanium implant to which titanium beads are put on to a titanium rod (4 weeks passed), bone can not grow into the inside of titanium beads and remains at the outside FIG. 6 (A). According to this result, the growth of bone into the inter bead spaces can not be expected at least in 4 weeks. (iv) Further, for the comparison, a self-healing experiment is carried out. That is, a hole of 3 mm diameter and 2.5 mm depth is dug in a calvarial bone of a rabbit and left for natural healing FIG. 6 (B). According to this drawing, it is obvious that the missing part of 3 mm diameter and 2.5 mm depth, which is indicated in majority part of upper right part of the drawing, is already filled by spongy bone and regenerated naturally after four weeks. Bone grows from the inner periphery to the center part of the circle. From experimental results, it is confirmed that in the case of an apatite coated titanium rod equipped with titanium non-woven cloth, bone migrates into whole layer of non-woven cloth and reaches to the surface of the rod, while, in the cases of other materials or treating methods, it is difficult to reach to the deep part. Example 4 Example for Apatite Coating Treatment Apatite treating liquid and a method for apatite coating: Referring to the concentration of mineral in blood plasma of human, the treating liquid is prepared. Salts are added into distilled water so as the concentration of the treating liquid to become 5 times to blood plasma of human, then carbon dioxide gas is blown in through a ceramic filter, the salts are dissolved and pH of the liquid is adjusted to 6.01. The process is stopped at the point where all salts are dissolved and preserved in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide gas. This liquid is stable at the temperature of 37° C. for 1-2 weeks and does not generate precipitation. A titanium product to be coated is dipped in this liquid for 1 week, then observed by SEM. The composition of the prepared liquid is shown below. Sodium ion: 710 mM (millimoles per liter) Potassium ion: 25 mM Magnesium ion: 7.5 mM Calcium ion: 12.5 mM Chlorine ion: 720 mM Bicarbonate ion: 21 mM Phosphate ion: 5 mM Sulfate ion: 2.5 mM Carbonate ion is the saturated concentration at weak acidity (pH 6.01) at 37° C. by blowing in carbonate dioxide. The above mentioned liquid composition is one example and not intending to be limited to this example. Various liquids which generate apatite are reported in many documents, and anyone of these liquids can be used in the present invention. As a specimen of the titanium metal fibers layer which is dipped, (a) sintered in vacuum type and (b) not sintered in vacuum type are used and compared. Results are shown in FIG. 7 (SEM pictures) (A) and (B). Deposition of fine crystal of apatite can be observed on the surface of both specimens, and there is no difference between two types, namely, sintered in vacuum and not sintered in vacuum. For the reference of this apatite coated titanium metal fiber non-woven cloth, the picture showing the state before coating is shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 (A) shows the titanium non-woven cloth before heat treatment and FIG. 8 (B) shows the titanium non-woven cloth after heat treatment. Example 5 Comparison experiments for cell cultivation comparing a conventional cell cultivation substrate with a bioreactor using fiber layer consisting of non-woven cloth made of titanium fibers whose average diameter is smaller than 100 μm or less and aspect ratio is 20 or more regulated in the present invention; Experimental method: Necessary numbers of cultivation wells of 16 mm diameter are prepared, (1) titanium non-woven cloth or (2) porous apatite block is laid at the bottom of wells and (3) for blank test, a well with plastic board to which no sheet is laid. Same numbers of osteoblast MC3T3EI, which is established in worldwide, are sown in each well. The numbers of proliferated cells after 1 week and 3 weeks are measured by DNA measurement and compared. Experimental results: Results are summarized in FIG. 9. After 1 week the cells number increased to 1.4 times to that of plastic board and after 3 weeks increase to 1.3 times. On the contrary, a porous apatite block which is used as the conventional cell cultivation substrate has inferior cell cultivation ability than the plastic board. From said results, it can be said that the titanium non-woven cloth of the present invention is a very suitable substrate material for the mass cultivation of osteoblasts. In above mentioned Examples, a scaffold material which indicates high affinity to osteoblasts is mainly disclosed, however, the present invention is also disclosing and providing a scaffold material which can be applied to cells besides bone cells and to living tissues, further a reactor material for cell cultivation and proliferation concerning all cells in regenerative medical engineering. This is clearly understood from these experiments and community of cells, and aforementioned 10th to 12th subjects, namely from item (10) to item (12) are carried out concerning those points. A bioreactor has a very important position as a basic reaction device in life science in the circumstances where the development of artificial tissues and various organs are becoming to be realized and utilized. Considering these circumstances, the significance of the present invention is very big. The development of various regenerative medical engineering utilizing proliferation technique for stem cell, which is a current topic, and accompanying development of various tissues and organs which do not have after-effect contributes to the growth of medical science and welfare of human beings, and the present invention is taking part in said development and is greatly expected. That is, the object of the present invention is not limited to a biological hard tissue inductive or replacing scaffold material. While, besides the aforementioned prior arts, techniques to fabricate a fiber layer using fibers or to form non-woven cloth of fibers and to induce living tissues into fiber gaps are proposed as an artificial blood vessel made from cloth and are presented in various papers, further published in many patent documents. However, contents disclosed in these documents is not aiming at affinity of cells such as osteoblasts to materials, but aiming to reinforce the strength of blood vessel using fiber material and aiming natural filling of bonding tissue not to cause the leak of liquid from the inside of blood vessel. On the contrary, the present invention is requiring positive affinity with cells such as osteoblasts, therefore, titanium metal material is selected, especially, the specific fiber having very fine diameter of 100 μm or less is selected. Regarding the trial to induce osteoblasts using metal fiber including titanium fiber, only there is a disclosure in Japanese Application Publication 8-140996 introduced in DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART. However, fine fiber disclosed in the document is a single filament whose diameter is from 0.1 mm to 0.7 mm diameter and is winded around a core. While, actually in the present invention, the titanium fiber is restricted to have 100 μm or less average diameter and to have lower limit of aspect ratio to 20 or more, and said fiber is used by entangling at random, therefore, space formed among these fibers is quite different from that of simple two dimensional space formed by conventional implanting method. That is, in the present invention, since cells are induced into the space formed by fibers and indicates high affinity, accordingly, proliferation speed is higher than that of the conventional method (3 to 6 months), and the formation of one body tissue can be observed after 4 weeks. Regarding this remarkably excellent action and effect of the present invention, however, in the said patent document, the reason why to provide metal filament is to expect buffering effect. There is no description teaching of various actions and effects such as generation of high affinity which is the unexpected effect of the present invention. The technique to implant an artificial material into bone tissue and to fix it stable is very important to maintain mechanical function to the artificial organs, and without this technique, an artificial bone head (joint) or an artificial root of the tooth is unstable and releases soon. For the purpose to fix it stable, it is necessary that the interface between an implanted artificial material and bone is adhered without leaving gap and without interposing a tissue except bone or other subject, and required that the implanted subject and the bone to be chemically bonded strongly and not to be removed easily. Said connecting status between an implanted artificial material and bone is conventionally called as “osteoconduction” or “osteointegration”, and the technique to obtain this status as soon as possible after implanting artificial subject in bone is strongly required by many clinicians, researchers and patients. However, as recited in clause of DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART of the present invention, from 3 months in earlier case and 6 months in later case are needed to accomplish stable osteointegration, and it is necessary to keep rest during this period, further during this period it is difficult to recover the function and is impossible to progress to the next medical treatment. Scaffold, namely an implant of the present invention is to increase surface area and is to attempt to make bone and an artificial subject one body by prompting the migration of bone into inside and the formation of a hybrid layer consisting of bone and the implant as shown in FIG. 1(b). That is, as shown and illustrated in FIG. 1 (a), the present invention is quite different from the conventional two dimensional concept which adhere the surface of bone and the surface of an artificial implant. Three dimensional complicated space is formed by three dimensionally random entangled fibers and very rigid hybrid layer is formed in very short term of one month or less. Further, in said hybrid layer, since bone carries out metabolism in living state, it is stable from physiological view point, is durable to the outer force and combining natural reparation ability and can maintain the function of artificial viscera stable and semi-permanentally. Specifically, although the essential point of the present invention is already mentioned in SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION and in Examples, the essential point of the present invention will be summarized and illustrated again. Said titanium layer is prepared by winding titanium whose average diameter is 100 μm or less around a bar or a rod (as the typical cross sectional view of the bar or the rod, circular or oval shape can be mentioned, however, any shape including square or rectangular shape is possible and can be selected properly according to a diseased part and is not restricted) made of the same kind of titanium metal or titanium group alloy to said titanium fibers by proper thickness and sintered in vacuum so as the contacting points of fibers each other and contacting points of the fiber with the implant to be fused and to be fixed without the fibers to be moved. By said process, the bar or the rod becomes one body with the fiber layer and a rigid product is formed. As mentioned in Examples, said rigid product provides a scaffold material or a bio reactor which is effective not only to an osteoblast but also to other cells. That is, by the present invention, besides the growth of osteoblast to have complex three-dimensional structure, the proliferation of cells themselves is accelerated and the excellent action and effect that the osteointegration tissue can be accomplished in short term. In the present invention, since a medical material made of metal which needs affinity with bone, especially, fusing by sintering in vacuum is recited as one of main embodiment, the present invention is disclosed as a medical material composed of the same kind of titanium metal, however, the present invention can be used as the other medical materials and not intending to eliminate them. For example, when the medical material of the present invention is used with a hydrophilic material having biodegradable property, it is expected to form a host tissue by replacing a host tissue with said medical material after implanted in an organism, and is suited to form a hybrid type tissue composed of hydrophilic resin and cells. Since the present invention is possible to involve various cell growing factors to a hydrophobic material, it is possible to display its virtue for the induction of cells, which is impossible for a normal hydrophilic resin. Therefore, it is possible to form a specific functional tissue in an organism by collecting many artificially intended cells. Since the present invention is possible to involve various cell growth preventing factors to a hydrophilic material, it is possible to form an environment where cells can not stuck in an organism. By applying this specific property, the tissue which can not be covered by cells for a long time can be formed in an organism, and can provide a space to carry out the sensing of various sensors in an organism. That is, quite different embodiments of use can be provided. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 1. The present invention is selecting very fine titanium fiber having a specific aspect ratio as a biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material used with various implants, forming random entangled fibers layer and inducing bone tissue into the inside of said titanium fibers layer, consequently makes it possible to form hybrid state possessing remarkably higher affinity of titanium with bone tissue compared with the conventional method applying a beads method or others. Namely, the present invention is to provide a medical material possessing very high affinity with bone tissue and the significance of the present invention is very large. 2. Further, by carrying out subsidiary means such as sintering treatment in vacuum for shape maintenance, conducting the apatite coating treatment to accelerate the induction of osteoblasts or loading various bioactive substance, the remarkable action and effect that the induction of bone tissue characterized that bone tissue and implant are becoming one body and not leave imcompatibility can be provided with good reappearance. Thus, the present invention is expected to effect broadly to the field of orthopaedic surgery or to the field of odontology, and the significance of it is very large. 3. The scaffold material of the present invention is not only superior to the conventional implanting method which is only a simple two dimensional growth and combination from the view point that the scaffold material of the present invention can progress the growth and development of cells three dimensionally, but also is proved that the growing and proliferating speed is superior to the conventional implanting method, therefore, can be evaluated greatly from this point. As repeatedly recited above, from the view point that the formation of osteointegration tissue is accomplished within one month, which is an unexpectedly short term from the conventional technique, by the present invention, that is, the present invention brings excellent effect and gospel both to a medical doctor and a patient at the actual medical spot and the significance of the present invention is very large. 4. Further, since the present invention provides a material having high affinity not only to an osteoblast but also to various cells in an organism, the present invention can be said to provide not only a medical material but also a subject which acts as a reactor for cultivation and proliferation of cells in regenerative medical engineering, and the present invention is expected to contribute to the development of new medical industry.

<SOH> FIELD OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to a biological hard tissue inductive scaffold material composed of titanium or titanium group alloy fiber which is used together with an implant such as an artificial root of the tooth or an artificial joint implant, a method for preparation thereof and a cell culture proliferation reactor in regenerative medicine engineering.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention is to develop and to provide a material which can respond to the above mentioned requirement, that is, can be used as the scaffold material effective to a biological hard tissue, further, can be used as a bioreactor effective to cells besides the hard tissue. The inventors of the present invention have carried out intensive study as illustrated below, and have made it clear that osteoblasts can be easily migrated to fine fibrous material of titanium metal and proliferates, that is, has good affinity with it, and there is high correlation between diameter of fiber to be used and proliferation action of cells, and have obtained a series of important knowledge based on the knowledge, and have developed and proposed the material which can respond to said requirement. That is, the inventors of the present invention have investigated intently about the cultivation condition which osteoblast like, and have made it clear that osteoblast grows in geometric space composed by very fine fibers. By continuing further basic investigation, the inventors of the present invention have obtain the following knowledge, that is, osteoblast indicates very high affinity to titanium fiber, and specifically, in the geometric space composed by a mass of titanium fiber having smaller diameter than 100 μm and extend of it is from 100 to 400 μm indicates higher affinity and have a specific property to stick more actively than that of titanium fiber having larger diameter than 100 μm. A part of medical results of these series of knowledge were already reported in “Densitry in Japan” vol. 37, page 42-50, 2001, “J. Bone and joint surgery” 93A, S1-105 to 115, 2001, “J. Biochemistry”, Vol. 121, page 317 to 324, 1997 (not all results as disclosed in the present invention, and the method for dissolving of the problem is not reported). The inventors of the present invention have expanded the property of fiber actively obtained from above mentioned knowledge and from the view point that the one body tissue of hybrid state composed of bone tissue, metal fiber and an implant can be induced by arranging the fibers surrounding the metal implant, have repeated various experiments and have made it clear that the aimed result can be obtained. As aforementioned, in the cases of an artificial root of the tooth or an artificial joint, since the bonding of bone with metal is plane, it takes from 3 to 6 months to accomplish a bonding tissue with sufficient strength and it is necessary to keep rest during this period and is impossible to progress to the next step. However, by the present invention, the three dimensional complicated space formed by titanium fibers is provided, namely in the case of a layer of 2 mm thickness, the surface area is more than 20 times larger than that of plane, consequently the space where cells can act is provided, and it become clear that osteointegration of bone tissue can be accomplished in short period together with the acceleration effect of action of cells. Further, by the continuation of investigation, it becomes clear that the induction and proliferation of cells can be possible on other cells besides osteoblasts. That is, when the titanium fiber having smaller diameter than 100 μm, it is understood that various kind of cells are induced into fiber layer and stick actively and grow. That is, the inventors of the present invention have succeeded to provide a medical material composed of metal implant material having high affinity to whole tissue of organism by use of the fine titanium fiber. Even if the hybrid with an implant is formed by inducing cells into fiber layer utilizing high affinity of cells to titanium fiber layer composed of titanium fiber having said specific diameter, the morphological stability is required when it is used by implanting into human body. The inventors of the present invention have investigated this point and have accomplished the following process. That is, the titanium fibers are accumulated at random and form a layer, then is sintered by alone or by winding up to an implant in vacuum condition. The cross points of fibers each other and contacting points of the fibers with the implant are fused at the spots and forms a rigid structure. The outer strength loaded to the layer is dispersed to many fused points, and forms the subject of rigid structure with good morphological stability having sufficient strength. Further, after fused, it is found that the affinity of bone cells to the tissue of organism is not affected by fusing process at all. As the method to stick or fix metal fibers, soldering method or silver soldering method can be mentioned, however, in these methods paste is generally used. And, since the paste has a possibility to contain harmful component to cells, this method can not be said as an adequate method. Aforementioned sintering method in vacuum condition is selected from various fusing and sticking methods considering this point and the effectivity of it is found out. The sintering in vacuum condition does not use harmful subject to cells and does not generate harmful subject to cells. But, if there is another method which is effective to stick fiber each other, that is, there is a fusing method which does not affect the growth of cells, tissue or human body, there is no problem to adopt the method and is contained in the scope of the present invention. The inventors of the present invention have carried out more intensive study and found out that bone cells can be more effectively induced by accelerating the implantation of osteoblasts by depositing crystal of hydroxyl apatite or hydroxyl apatite containing apatite carbonate on the surface of fiber of titanium metal layer, or by previously sticking physiological functional activator such as various cytokine e.g. BMP (Bone Morphogenetic Protein) or cell growth factor component which accelerate the growth of osteoblasts. Such function and effect are not provided simply by the function of the treated component, but is provided by together use with fine titanium fibers. Further, it becomes clear that function and effect with remarkable preserving ability and times-releasing ability is provided and generated. When said function and effect are compared with that of a plane subject, there is remarkable difference. This difference is considered to be caused by remarkable difference of surface area compared with that of plane subject. That is, even if the loading amount is same, the loading state does not biase and loaded homogeneously to the broad area, further, the loading area is improved and consequently the total loading amount is improved. Further, the function of the physiological active material acts more broadly, because very fine fibers of less than 100 μm diameter is used instead of a plane subject with small surface area, and accordingly induces osteoblasts effectively and can form strong one body tissue of organism. As the method for loading of this case, above mentioned BMP component, cytokine, various cell growth factor component or factor having an activity of organism can be stuck directly to the metal fiber. However, it is effective to contain a subject which can be absorbed in organism such as polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, copolymer of polylactic acid-polyglycolic acid, biodegradable (3-hydroxylbutyl-4-hydroxylbutylate) polyester polymer, polydioxane, polyethyleneglycol, collagen, gelatin, albumin, fibrin, chitosan, chitin, fibroin, cellulose, mucopolysaccharide, vitronectin, fibronectin, laminin, alginic acid, hyaluronic acid, heparin, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, polyamino acid, dextran, agarose, pectin, mannan and derivatives thereof between fibers of titanium or titanium compound, then to adsorb above mentioned factors to the absorption subjects in organism. The inventors of the present invention have clarified that if it is possible to control the behavior of cells, namely, the behavior that the cells can easily adhere to fine fibers, by controlling said bioactive materials, the time and the position to induce and to activate cells can be voluntarily controlled and can be used as one of effective embodiments. Of cause, said behavior of cells can be concluded as the essential property which cells have themselves not by use of said bioactive materials. By using the embodiment that fibers are entangled at random, cells migrate positively into gaps between fibers arranged at random, and a strong three dimensional hybrid structure characterizing that cells and metallic fibers are complicatedly entangled is formed. And in the case, when the structure is needed to be reinforced to a specific direction, it is possible to use a woven cloth and it is not to limit the scope of the present invention. The case to apply above mentioned metallic fiber layer to a human body or other animal body, for example, if an implant metal material is implanted in bone tissue, cells to generate a blood vessel and a bone into three dimensional gap composed of metallic fiber layer equipped to the implant, generate a hybrid structure and metal material and bone tissue becomes one body, as illustrated above. Accordingly, anchor effect of an implant metal material becomes stronger and the metal material becomes to be fixed strongly in the bone tissue. It becomes clear that for the rapid formation of said anchor effect by invading and fixing of cells and blood vessel, the use having titanium fibers of specific diameter and of specific aspect ratio is necessary and is the unexpected action and effect. This knowledge is the result obtained by many actual experiments (several hundred cases), and the investments considering the relationship between diameter of fine fiber of specific metal (titanium or titanium group alloy) and cells is carried out by the inventors of the present invention as the first time and is very creative and novel. And by using the fine fibers, remarkably excellent action and effect are provided, consequently, the present invention contributes largely to the growth of medicine and the welfare of the human beings. The metal material as an implant to which the scaffold material of the present invention is equipped is used in these experiments, is referring to a medical implant made of titanium metal used in medical field because of necessarily to refer the affinity with bone, however, of cause, it can be used for a medical implant made of other metal or non-metallic material. Further, the inventors of the present invention have clarified from various experiments that, to the titanium fiber of less than 100 μm diameter, various kinds of cells besides osteoblasts actively acts physiologically same as to osteoblast and possesses a property to adheres positively. Of cause, in which a stem cell which is called as an universal cell is contained. That is, from this fact, the inventors of the present invention have clarified that the titanium metal fiber layer of less than 100 μm diameter has a function for a cell cultivate and proliferation material in regenerative medical engineering, and can be used as a cell culture proliferation reactor.

20050201

20080902

20060406

91813.0

A61F228

NAFF, DAVID M

MEDICAL MATERIAL MADE OF TITANIUM FIBER

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61F

ACCEPTED

Method for the production of isophorondiamine (ipda, 3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethyl- cyclohexylamine) having a high cis/tran-isomer ratio

The invention relates to processes for preparing 3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclo-hexylamine (isophoronediamine, IPDA) having a high cis/trans isomer ratio. IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 63/37 to 66/34 can be obtained in any desired cis/trans isomer ratio, irrespective of temperature, by reacting IPDA with H2 and NH3 in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 73/27 which is an important starting material for the synthesis of polyurethanes and polyamides can be obtained by combining this isomerization process with distillative processes.

1. A process for preparing substantially pure 3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylamine (isophoronediamine, IPDA) having a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 73/27, comprising the following steps: a) providing crude IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of <73/27; b) purifying and separating the crude IPDA into a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 73/27 and a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37; c) isomerizing the fraction of substantially pure IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37 obtained in step b) to IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 63/37 to 66/34 in the presence of H2, NH3 and a hydrogenation catalyst and recycling it into step a) of the process. 2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crude IPDA is purified and separated in step b) of the process by distillation. 3. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein step b) of the process is carried out in two spatially separated distillation columns. 4. A process as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one of the distillation columns is a diving wall column. 5. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IPDA is separated in step b) of the process into a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 73/27 to 76/24 and a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37. 6. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein crude IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of <70/30 is provided in step a) of the process. 7. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst used in step c) of the process is a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal selected from the group of copper, silver, gold, iron, cobalt, nickel, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten. 8-10. (canceled) 11. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst used in step c) of the process is a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal selected from the group of copper, silver, iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum. 12. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst used in step c) of the process is a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal selected from the group of copper, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, iridium, rhodium, palladium and platinum. 13. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the IPDA is separated in step b) of the process into a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 73/27 to 76/24 and a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37. 14. A process as claimed in claim 3, wherein the IPDA is separated in step b) of the process into a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 73/27 to 76/24 and a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37. 15. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the IPDA is separated in step b) of the process into a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 73/27 to 76/24 and a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37. 16. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein crude IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of ≦70/30 is provided in step a) of the process. 17. A process as claimed in claim 3, wherein crude IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of ≦70/30 is provided in step a) of the process. 18. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein crude IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of ≦70/30 is provided in step a) of the process. 19. A process as claimed in claim 5, wherein crude IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of ≦70/30 is provided in step a) of the process. 20. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst used in step c) of the process is a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal selected from the group of copper, silver, gold, iron, cobalt, nickel, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten. 21. A process as claimed in claim 3, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst used in step c) of the process is a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal selected from the group of copper, silver, gold, iron, cobalt, nickel, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten. 22. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst used in step c) of the process is a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal selected from the group of copper, silver, gold, iron, cobalt, nickel, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten. 23. A process as claimed in claim 5, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst used in step c) of the process is a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal selected from the group of copper, silver, gold, iron, cobalt, nickel, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten.

The invention relates to processes for preparing 3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclo-hexylamine (isophoronediamine, IPDA) having a high cis/trans isomer ratio. IPDA is used as a starting product for preparing isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), an isocyanate component for polyurethane systems, as an amine component for polyamides and as a hardener for epoxy resins. IPDA is customarily prepared from 3-cyano-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexanone (isophoronenitrile, IPN) by converting the carbonyl group to an amino group and the nitrile group to an aminomethyl group in the presence of ammonia, hydrogen and customary hydrogenation catalysts. Mixtures of cis-IPDA and trans-IPDA are obtained. The two isomers have differing reactivities, which is of significance for the intended technical application. According to DE-A 42 11 454, the use of an IPDA isomer mixture consisting of above 40% of the trans-isomer and below 60% of the cis-isomer as a reaction component in polyaddition resins, in particular epoxy resins, both lengthens the pot life and reduces the maximum curing temperature. Conversely, to achieve a very high reaction rate, preference is given to IPDA isomer mixtures which have a very high cis-isomer content (≧70%). Commercially obtainable IPDA therefore has a cis/trans isomer ratio of 75/25. Various processes for achieving a high cis/trans or a high trans/cis ratio are already known from the prior art. According to DE-A 43 43 890, the aminating hydrogenation of IPN to IPDA is effected by allowing a mixture of IPN, ammonia and a C1-C3-alcohol to trickle through a trickle bed reactor equipped with a cobalt and/or ruthenium fixed bed catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at from 3 to 8 MPa and a temperature of from 40 to 150° C., preferably from 90 to 130° C., and distillatively working up the reaction mixture to remove NH3, H2O and by-products. When an Ru supported catalyst is used, high cis/trans isomer ratios of 84/16 (total yield of IPDA: 81%) are achieved. DE-A 43 43 891 describes a process for preparing IPDA by reacting IPN with hydrogen in the presence of ammonia and a suspension or fixed bed hydrogenation catalyst from the group of cobalt, nickel and noble metal catalysts at a pressure of from 3 to 20 MPa and a temperature of up to 150° C., and distillatively working up the reaction mixture. The reaction is carried out in two stages, and precisely defined temperature ranges have to be observed for the individual stages. A cis/trans isomer ratio of 80/20 can be achieved at an overall IPDA yield of 91.9%. In the process of EP-A 0 926 130, the hydrogenation is carried out in the presence of an acid over catalysts which comprise copper and/or a metal of the eighth transition group of the periodic table. Both Lewis and Brönstedt acids are used; preference is given to using 2-ethylhexanoic acid. The addition of acid increases the cis/trans isomer ratio. The cis/trans isomer ratios are generally ≧70/30 at an overall IPDA yield of ≧90%. The process of EP-B 0 729 937 is notable in that the process is carried out in three spatially separated reaction chambers using cobalt, nickel, ruthenium and/or other noble metal catalysts. Upstream of the second reactor, aqueous NaOH solution is metered in, which reduces the formation of cyclic by-products such as 1.3.3-trimethyl-6-azabicyclo [3.2. 1]octane. In the process of DE-A 101 42 635.6, which has an earlier priority date but was unpublished at the priority date of the present invention, IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 70/30 is obtained, starting from IPN, by using a hydrogenation catalyst in the hydrogenation step which has an alkali metal content of ≦0.03% by weight, calculated as the alkali metal oxide. A disadvantage of the existing processes for preparing IPDA having a high cis content is the costly and inconvenient preparation of the catalysts used. In addition, these catalysts generally suffer from aging, which reduces their catalytic activity in the course of time. In order to compensate for this, the reaction temperature is usually increased, which leads, however, to a deterioration in the cis/trans isomer ratio and the selectivity and therefore to an increase in the formation of by-products. In addition, most of the processes known from the prior art are notable for a complicated reaction procedure. A process for preparing isophoronediamine having a high trans/cis isomer ratio can be taken from DE-A 42 11 454. In this process, trans-isophoronediamine is prepared from isophoronenitrile via isophoronenitrile azine. It is also described that trans-isophoronediamine would be obtained by distilling the commercially obtainable cis/trans isomer mixture. However, since the cis-isomer occurs as the main product, this process is uneconomic. It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for preparing isophoronediamine (IPDA) having a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 73/27 which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art. We have found that this object is achieved by a process for preparing substantially pure 3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylamine (isophoronediamine, IPDA) having a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 73/27, comprising the following steps: a) providing crude IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of <73/27; b) purifying and separating the crude IPDA into a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 73/27 and a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37; c) isomerizing the fraction of substantially pure IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37 obtained in step b) to IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 63/37 to 66/34 in the presence of H2, NH3 and a hydrogenation catalyst and recycling it into step a) of the process. Starting from IPDA having any desired cis/trans isomer ratio <73/27, the process according to the invention allows IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of ≧73/27 to be obtained. The process therefore remains economical even when aging of the catalyst and an associated increase in the reaction temperature reduce the cis content in the crude IPDA in the course of time. Since the process according to the invention is independent of such influences, it is superior to those processes which prepare IPDA having a high cis/trans isomer ratio by using special catalysts which are usually expensive to prepare and complex. However, irrespective of this, the process according to the invention can also be combined with such more complicated synthetic processes. It is more economical to prepare the IPDA using inexpensive catalysts and accept a worse cis/trans isomer ratio of the crude IPDA. “Substantially pure” IPDA is IPDA in which the fraction of impurities is less than 2% by weight, preferably less than 1% by weight, more preferably less than 0.3% by weight. The process according to the invention is preferably used to obtain IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 73/27 to 76/24, more preferably having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 73/27 to 75/25. (See also discussion, step b).) The individual steps of the process are now illustrated. Step a) In general, any product mixture, known as crude IPDA, which results from a process for preparing IPDA may be used. “Crude IPDA” means that the product mixture contains at least 88% by weight of IPDA, preferably at least 92% by weight of IPDA, more preferably at least 95% by weight of IPDA. Since IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 73/27 is to be obtained, it is economically only viable to use product mixtures which contain IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 73/27. Since it is possible to prepare IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 70/30 using aging catalysts and without complicated process operation, the process according to the invention is particularly economical when IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 70/30 is used. It is also possible to use product mixtures which contain IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio greater than 73/27, in order to still further enrich the cis-isomer by distillation. Step b) The product mixture provided in step a) can be purified and separated either by distillation or by crystallization. cis-IPDA (having a purity of 98.9%) has a boiling point under atmospheric pressure of 253.4° C. and a melting point of 22° C., while trans-IPDA (having a purity of 98.4%) has a boiling point under atmospheric pressure of 250.7° C. and a melting point of −34.6° C. Although there is a greater difference in the melting point of the two isomers than between their boiling points, preference is given to purification and separation by distillation for reasons of cost. This purification and separation of the crude IPDA by distillation may be carried out in any desired distillation column. Preference is given to effecting distillation in at least 2 spatially separated columns. Particular preference is given to using at least one dividing wall column. The distillation of the product mixture (crude IPDA) usually removes NH3, and also low-and high-boiling components, for example the products by-produced in the preparation of IPDA from IPN, such as HCN elimination products, methylated by-products and/or incompletely hydrogenated secondary products via the top or bottom of the column. For the purposes of the invention, low-boiling components/impurities are components/impurities which have lower boiling points than cis- and trans-IPDA, and high-boiling components/impurities are those which have higher boiling points than cis- and trans-IPDA. A separation into a cis-isomer-enriched fraction and a cis-isomer-depleted (and therefore trans-isomer-enriched) fraction is also effected. The cis-enriched fraction of the IPDA has a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 73/27, preferably a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 73/27 to 76/24, more preferably a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 73/27 to 75/25. The cis-depleted fraction of the IPDA has a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37, preferably ≦60/40, more preferably ≦58/42. The cis-isomer-enriched fraction is commercially desirable. The cis-isomer-depleted fraction can likewise be commercially utilized (see DE-A 42 11 454). When one column is used for the distillation, it is generally operated at bottom temperatures of from 150 to 300° C., preferably from 170 to 250° C., more preferably from 170 to 185° C., and top temperatures of from 5 to 100° C., preferably from 10 to 90° C., more preferably from 15 to 65° C. The pressure in the column is generally from 10 to 2000 mbar, preferably from 20 to 200 mbar, more preferably from 35 to 50 mbar. When two columns are used for the distillation, the first column is generally operated at bottom temperatures of from 150 to 300° C., preferably from 170 to 250° C., more preferably from 170 to 195° C., and top temperatures of from 5 to 100° C., preferably from 10 to 90° C., more preferably from 15 to 65° C. The pressure in the first column is generally from 10 to 1000 mbar, preferably from 30 to 500 mbar, more preferably from 35 to 200 mbar. The second column is generally operated at bottom temperatures of from 140 to 300° C., preferably from 150 to 250° C., more preferably from 160 to 195° C., and top temperatures of from 100 to 250° C., preferably from 130 to 200° C., more preferably from 140 to 170° C. The pressure in the second column is generally from 10 to 1000 mbar, preferably from 30 to 300 mbar, more preferably from 35 to 120 mbar. The column(s) generally has/have a total separating performance of at least 20 theoretical plates, preferably of at least 30 theoretical plates, more preferably of at least 40 theoretical plates. The columns may each have different internals. Examples of such internals include random packings such as Pall rings and Raschig rings, structured sheet metal packings such as Mellapak 250Y® from Sulzer Ltd. (Winterthur/Switzerland), from Montz (Hilden/Germany) and from Koch-Glitsch (Wichita, Kans./USA) and structured woven metal packings such as Sulzer BX® from Sulzer Ltd. (Winterthur/Switzerland), from Montz (Hilden/Germany) and from Koch-Glitsch (Wichita, Kans./USA). Step c) According to the invention, the cis-isomer-depleted fraction is recycled into step a) of the process after isomerization. This isomerization step, i.e. passing of IPDA having any desired cis/trans isomer ratio over a hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of H2 and NH3 resulting, irrespective of temperature, in a thermodynamic equilibrium having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 63/37 to 66/34, preferably from 64/36 to 66/36, more preferably from 64/36 to 65/35, is not known from the prior art. The invention therefore likewise provides a process for preparing 3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylamine (isophoronediamine, IPDA) having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 63/37 to 66/34 by reacting IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37 with H2 and NH3 over a hydrogenation catalyst. Although the isomerization of IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of greater than 63/37 is possible, it would make no economic sense when the primary objective is to increase the cis-content in the cis/trans isomer mixture. The isomerization of IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37 to IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 63/37 to 66/34 is generally carried out at temperatures of from 70 to 200° C., preferably from 80 to 150° C., more preferably from 90 to 130° C., and pressures of from 10 to 300 bar, preferably from 50 to 250 bar, more preferably from 100 to 240 bar. The reaction duration is dependent upon the isomerization temperature and the catalyst used. In the process according to the invention for isomerizing IPDA, useful hydrogenation catalysts are in principle any common hydrogenation catalysts, preferably those which contain at least one transition metal selected from the group of copper, silver, gold, iron, cobalt, nickel, rhenium, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, chromium, molybdenum and tungsten, each in metallic form (oxidation state 0) or in the form of compounds, for example oxides, which are reduced to the corresponding metal under the process conditions. Among these hydrogenation catalysts, particular preference is given to those which comprise at least one transition metal selected from the group of copper, silver, iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium and platinum, each in metallic form (oxidation state 0) or in the form of compounds, for example oxides, which are reduced to the corresponding metal under the process conditions. Very particular preference is given to hydrogenation catalysts which comprise at least one transition metal selected from the group of copper, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, iridium, rhodium, palladium and platinum, each in metallic form (oxidation state 0) or in the form of compounds, for example oxides, which are reduced to the corresponding metal under the process conditions. Greatest preference is given to hydrogenation catalysts which comprise a transition metal selected from the group of cobalt and ruthenium, each in metallic form (oxidation state 0) or in the form of compounds, for example oxides, which are reduced to the corresponding metal under the process conditions. When the catalytically active transition metals are applied to supports (selected from the group of aluminum oxide (Al2O3), zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), carbon and/or oxygen-containing compounds of silicon, calculated as SiO2), these catalysts generally comprise a total, based on the total weight of the catalyst, of from 20 to 99.9% by weight, preferably from 30 to 99.9% by weight, more preferably from 40 to 99.9% by weight, of support, and from 0.1 to 80% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 70% by weight, more preferably from 0.1 to 60% by weight, of transition metal, calculated as the metal in the oxidation state 0. During the isomerization, a catalyst hourly space velocity of from 0.1 to 2 kg, preferably from 0.2 to 1.5 kg, more preferably from 0.4 to 1 kg, of IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37 per 1 of catalyst and hour is maintained. Preference is given to carrying out the isomerization in liquid ammonia. For every mole of IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37, it is advantageous to use an excess of NH3 in the isomerization of from 0.5 to 100 mol, preferably from 2 to 50 mol, more preferably from 5 to 40 mol. The isomerization of the IPDA may be carried out in the presence of a solvent, for example alkanols or ethers (tetrahydrofuran), although it is also possible to work without a solvent. The isomerization can be carried out either continuously or batchwise. Preference is given to the continuous reaction. It is possible to use any desired pressure-resistant stirred tanks or stirred tank batteries. In a particularly preferred embodiment, reactors are used in which the IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of less than 63/37 is continuously passed over a fixed catalyst bed by the liquid phase or trickle method. It is also possible to use shaft furnaces. In another implementation variant of the isomerization process according to the invention, the isomerization is not carried out in a separate stirred tank under the conditions specified above, but instead the IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of <63/37 to be isomerized is fed to any desired reaction known from the prior art for preparing IPDA from IPN, H2 and NH3 in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. Examples of IPDA preparation processes from the prior art are given in the introduction. FIGS. 1 and 2 of the appended drawing show schematic plants in which step b) of the process according to the invention for obtaining IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 73/27 is carried out in two columns, i.e. FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a plant in which the first column is a conventional distillation column and the second column is a dividing wall column. FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of a plant where the first column is a dividing wall column and the second column is a conventional distillation column. In a plant according to FIG. 1, a product mixture containing crude IPDA is introduced into a conventional distillation column 7 via an inlet 1 and is distilled there. Low-boiling components are removed via the top 14 of the column, transferred after condensation in a condenser 12 to a phase separator 9 and separated there into a lighter organic and a heavier aqueous phase. The lighter organic phase is partially discarded via the takeoff 4, partially recycled into the distillation column 7. The heavier aqueous phase is disposed of via the outlet 8. The temperatures at the top of the distillation column 7 are generally from 20 to 100° C., preferably from 30 to 80° C. and more preferably from 35 to 65° C., at an average pressure in the column of from 50 to 1000 mbar. The temperatures at the bottom of the distillation column 7 are generally from 150 to 250° C., preferably from 170 to 225° C., more preferably from 170 to 190° C. Preference is given to an average pressure in the column of from 100 to 500 mbar, particular preference to an average pressure of from 110 to 200 mbar. The bottoms 13 of the distillation column 7 are transferred continuously to a dividing wall column 6. In line 15, a branch 16 leads to an evaporator 11 where a portion of the bottom effluent is evaporated again and fed back into column 7. The cis-isomer-enriched fraction is withdrawn from column 6 via a sidestream takeoff 2, and the trans-isomer-enriched fraction is removed via the top of the distillation column, condensed in a condenser 12 and then partially recycled into column 6, partially withdrawn via line 3. After isomerization, and the associated increase in the cis content, the fraction isomerized in this way is fed into line 1. High-boiling impurities are removed via the bottom 13 of the dividing wall column 6 and partially discharged via line 5, partially fed back to column 6 after evaporation in an evaporator 11. The dividing wall column 6 is generally operated at temperatures of from 100 to 250° C. at the top and temperatures of from 150 to 300° C. at the bottom, and pressures from 10 to 1000 mbar, preferably at temperatures of from 130 to 190° C. at the top and/or temperatures of from 170 to 250° C. at the bottom and/or pressures of from 30 to 200 mbar, more preferably at temperatures of from 140 to 160° C. at the top and/or temperatures of from 170 to 195° C. at the bottom and/or pressures of from 35 to 50 mbar. When step b) of the process according to the invention is carried out in a plant according to FIG. 2, the crude IPDA is introduced into a dividing wall column 6 via the feed 1. High-boiling impurities obtained as the bottoms 13 of the column are partially discharged via the outlet 5, partially fed back to the column after evaporation in an evaporator 11. Low-boiling impurities are removed via the top 14 of the column and transferred after condensation in a condenser 12 to a phase separator 9. The lighter organic phase which collects is partially discharged via the outlet 4, partially recycled into the dividing wall column 6. The heavier phase is discharged via the outlet 8. The purified IPDA is withdrawn via a sidestream takeoff 10 of the dividing wall column 6 and transferred to a further column 7 which in this case is configured as a conventional distillation column. The lowest-boiling components are removed via the top 14 of the column 7 and, after condensation in a condenser 12, partially fed back to column 7, partially introduced into the inlet 1, in order to feed them to a renewed separation in column 6. The same happens to the highest-boiling components, which are removed via the bottom 13 of column 7 and partially fed back to column 7 after evaporation in an evaporator 11, partially added to the product mixture in inlet 1. The cis-isomer-enriched fraction is removed via a sidestream takeoff 2, and the trans-isomer-enriched fraction via a sidestream takeoff 3 and, after isomerization, fed into line 1. The sidestream takeoff for the cis-isomer-enriched fraction is below the sidestream takeoff for the trans-isomer-enriched fraction. It is particularly advantageous to carry out step b) of the process in a plant according to FIG. 2, since low- and high-boiling impurities are each removed at two points: low-boiling components are removed both via the top 14 of column 6 and via the top 14 of column 7, while high-boiling impurities are removed both via the bottom effluent 13 of column 6 and via the bottom effluent 13 of column 7. In a plant according to FIG. 2, the dividing wall column 6 is generally operated at temperatures of from 5 to 100° C., preferably from 10 to 90° C., more preferably from 15 to 50° C. The temperatures at the bottom are generally from 150 to 300° C., preferably from 170 to 250° C., more preferably from 170 to 195° C. The average pressure in dividing wall column 6 is from 10 to 1000 mbar, preferably from 30 to 200 mbar, more preferably from 35 to 50 mbar. The temperatures at the top of the distillation column 7 are generally from 130 to 250° C., preferably from 140 to 200° C., more preferably from 150 to 170° C. The temperatures at the bottom of the distillation column 7 are generally from 140 to 250° C., preferably from 150 to 220° C., more preferably from 160 to 190° C. The average pressure in the distillation column 7 in a plant according to FIG. 2 is from 30 to 1000 mbar, preferably from 50 to 300 mbar, more preferably from 80 to 120 mbar. The invention is now additionally illustrated in the implementation examples which follow. IMPLEMENTATION EXAMPLES Comparative Example 1 Preparation of IPDA from IPN and Subsequent Distillative Workup The aminating hydrogenation of isophoronenitrile to isophoronediamine is effected in a continuous process in three reactors connected in series at a pressure of 250 bar, as described in EP-B 0 729 937. The catalyst is heated up to 280° C. at a heating rate of 2K/min under a hydrogen atmosphere. After maintaining this temperature for 12 h, the temperature is returned to the particular reaction temperature. Isophoronenitrile (130 ml/h), ammonia (600 g/h) and hydrogen (300 l/h) are passed at a temperature of from 80 to 100° C. by the liquid phase method through the first reactor (200 ml imination reactor), filled with γ-Al2O3 (4 mm extrudates) as a support for the catalyst. The imination is effected there. The reaction mixture is conducted into the first reactor with the catalyst described in EP-A 0 742 045. The temperature there is 90° C. In the last reactor (130° C.), the post-hydrogenation is effected over the same catalyst. The sequence is liquid phase-trickle-liquid phase. The product mixture is decompressed in a separator (composition see Table 1) and is distilled batchwise in a distillation column. Details of the distillation column: column diameter: 30 mm, packing height: 1.5 m, packing: Sulzer DX from Sulzer Ltd. (Winterthur, Switzerland), 45 theoretical plates, pressure 30 mbar, reflux ratio 10/1. First, a fraction having a cis/trans isomer ratio of 60/40 is removed. The boiling point of this fraction is 137.5° C. Then, a fraction is isolated which contains 75% of cis-IPDA and 25% of trans-IPDA, and has a boiling point of 138.7° C. Samples taken are each analyzed by gas chromatography. Example 2 Preparation of IPDA from IPN, Subsequent Distillative Workup and Recycling of the Cis-Depleted Fraction into the Synthesis Reactor Example 1 was repeated, except that 50 ml/h each of the first fraction removed (IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of 60/40) are fed into the reaction in addition to the IPN stream (130 ml/h). Samples taken were analyzed by gas chromatography. The composition of the crude IPDA can be taken from Table 1. TABLE 1 Results of Examples 1 and 2 Comparative Example 1 Example 2 Overall yield of IPDA 92.8% 94.4% Cis/trans isomer ratio of 69.7% by weight 66.1% by weight the crude IPDA By-products due to HCN 4.4% by weight 2.7% by weight elimination (Ia, Ib) Methylated by-products (IIa, 0.8% by weight 0.4% by weight IIb) Cyclic by-product 0.3% by weight 0.5% by weight 1,3,3-trimethyl-6- azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane (IV) Aminonitrile (III) 0% by weight 0.1% by weight Overall proportion of by- 5.5% by weight 3.7% by weight products in the crude IPDA The removal according to the invention of the cis-isomer-depleted IPDA fraction and its recycling into the synthesis reactor for isomerization allow the overall yield of IPDA to be still further increased and the proportion of by-products to be reduced. A slight increase in the proportion of compound IV is not detrimental, since this can easily be removed from IPDA. Despite the fact that the cis/trans isomer ratio becomes slightly worse, this procedure is more economical overall than the use of expensive catalysts and the observance of a complicated reaction sequence for preparing IPDA which has a higher cis/trans isomer ratio in the first place, since the cis-isomer can be enriched by the subsequent distillative process. Example 3 Isomerization of Trans-IPDA In a 300 ml autoclave equipped with a magnetic stirrer and catalyst basket, 20 ml of a cobalt catalyst prepared according to EP-A 0742 045 and 40 ml of trans-isophoronediamine were initially charged. The autoclave was sealed, and 60 ml of ammonia were injected via an inspection window. Hydrogen was used to adjust the pressure to 50 bar. After heating to a reaction temperature of 130° C., renewed injection of hydrogen was used to adjust the pressure to 250 bar. The autoclave was maintained under these conditions for 24 hours. After the end of the experiments, the autoclave was decompressed for 6 hours with stirring and at room temperature, in order to allow ammonia which was still dissolved to escape. For the gas chromatography analysis, pressurized samples were taken. The results are presented graphically in FIG. 3. Example 4 Isomerization of Trans-IPDA Example 3 was repeated, except that a reaction temperature of 110° C. instead of 130° C. was set. The results are presented graphically in FIG. 3. Evaluation of FIG. 3 FIG. 3 shows the graphical evaluation of Implementation Examples 3 and 4. The y-axis shows the proportion of cis-IPDA in a cis-/trans-IPDA isomer mixture in % by weight. The reaction time in hours is plotted on the x-axis. cis-IPDA is represented by filled boxes, trans-IPDA by filled circles. Starting from 100% by weight trans-IPDA, it can be seen that the proportion of the trans-isomer falls continuously in the course of time to a value of approx. 35% by weight, while the proportion of the cis-isomer increases continuously to a value of approx. 65% by weight. At a reaction temperature of 130° C., equilibrium has already been attained after 7 hours, while the reaction time is increased to 23 hours when the reaction temperature is reduced to 110° C. At 110° C., an isomer mixture having approx. 45% by weight of cis and approx. 55% by weight of trans is therefore obtained after 7 hours. Example 5 Isomerization of Cis-IPDA In a 300 ml autoclave equipped with a magnetic stirrer and catalyst basket, 20 ml of cobalt catalyst prepared according to EP-A 0742 045 and 40 ml of cis-IPDA were initially charged. The autoclave was sealed, and 60 ml of ammonia were injected via an inspection window. Hydrogen was used to adjust the pressure to 50 bar. After stepwise heating to a reaction temperature of 130° C., hydrogen was used to adjust the pressure to 250 bar. The autoclave was maintained under these conditions for 24 hours. After the end of the experiments, the autoclave was decompressed for 6 hours with stirring and at room temperature, in order to allow ammonia which was still dissolved to escape. For the gas chromatography analysis, pressurized samples were taken. The results are presented graphically in FIG. 4. Example 6 Isomerization of Cis-IPDA Example 5 was repeated, except that a reaction temperature of 110° C. instead of 130° C. was set. The results are presented graphically in FIG. 4. Example 7 Isomerization of Cis-IPDA Example 5 was repeated, except that a reaction temperature of 90° C. instead of 130° C. was set. The results can be taken from FIG. 4. Evaluation of FIG. 4 FIG. 4 shows the graphical evaluation of Implementation Examples 5, 6 and 7. The reaction time in hours is plotted on the x-axis. The proportion of cis-IPDA in a cis-/trans-IPDA isomer mixture in % by weight is given on the y-axis. cis-IPDA is represented by filled boxes, trans-IPDA by filled circles. Starting from 100% by weight of cis-IPDA, it can be seen that the proportion of the cis-isomer falls continuously with time to a value of approx. 65% by weight, while the proportion of the trans-isomer rises continuously to a value of approx. 35% by weight. Depending on the reaction temperature, equilibrium is attained with varying rapidity. At a reaction temperature of 130° C., equilibrium has already been attained after 7 hours, while reduction of the reaction temperature to 110° C. results in an increase in the reaction time to 22 hours, and further reduction of the reaction temperature to 90° C. results in 3 days being required. Reference Numeral List 1 Feed of the crude IPDA 2 Takeoff for the cis-isomer-enriched fraction 3 Takeoff for the trans-isomer-enriched fraction 4 Takeoff for low-boiling impurities 5 Takeoff for high-boiling impurities 6 Dividing wall column 7 Conventional distillation column 8 Takeoff for the relatively heavy constituents of the low boiler fraction 9 Phase separator 10 Sidestream takeoff 11 Evaporator 12 Condenser 13 Bottom of the column 14 Top of the column 15 Line 16 Branch

20050202

20070814

20051103

59768.0

DAVIS, BRIAN J

METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ISOPHORONDIAMINE (IPDA, 3-AMINOMETHYL-3,5,5-TRIMETHYL- CYCLOHEXYLAMINE) HAVING A HIGH CIS/TRAN-ISOMER RATIO

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Autologous wound sealing apparatus

Apparatus (10) is provided for sealing a vascular puncture tract by forming the autologous plug within the puncture tract, and extruding that plug into the puncture tract. The apparatus of the present invention forms an autologous blood plug by drawing blood into the apparatus from a vessel, mixing a blood congealing agent with the drawn blood, and ejecting a plug formed from the clotted blood within the puncture tract. Also provided are various closure elements (22) to isolate the drawn blood from the vessel during mixture with the blood congealing agent, and to facilitate placement of the apparatus relative to the vessel.

1. A device for sealing a puncture tract by forming and extruding an autologous plug within the puncture tract, wherein the puncture tract is disposed within tissue proximal to a vessel, the device comprising: a housing having a lumen adapted to mix a volume of blood with a blood congealing agent; a closure element configured to be inserted into the puncture tract and to isolate the mixture of the volume of blood and the blood congealing agent from the vessel during formation of the autologous plug from the volume of blood by action of the blood congealing agent; and a plunger disposed for translation within the lumen to extrude the autologous plug formed within the lumen. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a second lumen to facilitate placement of a distal end of the device. 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second lumen is disposed within the plunger. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the autologous plug formed in the lumen has a length and a form factor that causes the autologous plug to engage tissue surrounding the puncture tract after ejection by the plunger into the puncture tract. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the closure element comprises a pledget and thread. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein at least one of the pledget and the thread is biodegradable. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the closure element comprises a selectively closable iris. 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the selectively closable iris comprises a plate having a plurality of tracks and an opening disposed therethrough, and a plurality of blades operably engaged to the plurality of tracks. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the closure element comprises first and second plates, each of the first and second plates having a plurality of through-wall slots, the first and second plates being relatively rotatable to selectively align the pluralities of through-wall slots. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the closure element comprises a membrane that is permeable to blood and impermeable to the blood congealing agent. 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the blood congealing agent is pre-disposed within the lumen. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the blood congealing agent is coated onto an interior surface of the lumen. 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the blood congealing agent is introduced into the lumen subsequent to actuation of the closure element. 14. The device of claim 11, wherein the blood congealing agent comprises a platinum wire. 15. The device of claim 11, wherein the blood congealing agent comprises a thermo-resistive wire. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the blood congealing agent is chosen from the group consisting of thrombin, fibrin, human factor VIII, and combinations thereof. 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the blood congealing agent comprises a matrix. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the matrix is chosen from the group consisting of gauze, biocompatible foam, and spun fiber. 19. The device of claim 17, wherein the matrix is biodegradable. 20. The device of claim 17, wherein the matrix comprises at least one channel disposed therethrough.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for sealing puncture tracts. More specifically, the invention relates to apparatus that seals a puncture tract by forming and extruding an autologous plug therein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A large number of medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involve the percutaneous introduction of instrumentation into the blood vessel. For example, coronary angioplasty, angiography, atherectomy, stenting, and numerous other procedures often involve accessing the vasculature through placement of a catheter or other device in a patient's femoral artery or other blood vessel. Once the procedure is completed and the catheter or other diagnostic or therapeutic device is removed, bleeding from the resultant vascular puncture must be stopped. Traditionally, a medical practitioner applies external pressure to the puncture site to stem bleeding until hemostasis occurs (i.e. when the clotting and tissue rebuilding have sealed the puncture). This method, however, presents numerous problems. In some instances, this pressure must be applied for up to an hour or more, during which time the patient is uncomfortably immobilized. In addition, there exists a risk of hematoma since bleeding from the puncture may continue until sufficient clotting occurs, particularly if the patient moves during the clotting process. Furthermore, application of external pressure to stop bleeding may be unsuitable for patients with substantial amounts of subcutaneous adipose tissue since the skin surface may be a considerable distance from the puncture site, thereby rendering external compression less effective. Another traditional approach to subcutaneous puncture closure comprises having a medical practitioner internally suture the vessel puncture. This method, however, often requires a complex procedure and requires considerable skill by the medical practitioner. Mechanical occlusion devices have been proposed for sealing, e.g., atrial septal defects, and typically comprise two expandable disks that sealingly compress tissue surrounding the hole. One such device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,744 to Fagan et al. A significant drawback to the Fagan device is that, when deployed into a vessel, the device may protrude into the blood stream, thereby disturbing blood flow and causing thrombosis in the vessel. Apparatus and methods also are known in which a plug is introduced into the vessel puncture, to cover the puncture and promote hemostasis. Various types of plugs have been proposed. One example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,274 to Kensey, comprising a plug made from animal-derived collagen. Such apparatus may be unsuitable for some patients due to an adverse immunological reaction to animal-derived collagen, which could lead to anaphylactic shock. U.S. Pat. No. 6,159,232 to Nowakowski describes an apparatus substantially disposed outside a patient's body that activates a clotting cascade within blood, and then introduces the treated blood to the wound site to complete clotting and promote hemostasis. Disadvantageously, the apparatus described in that patent comprises a multiplicity of primarily standard, off-the-shelf components that a medical practitioner would have to assemble prior to use. This greatly is complicates the procedure, and increases opportunities for human error and contamination. Furthermore, the apparatus resulting from the assembly of the numerous individual components may be unwieldy to use and expensive. In view of these drawbacks, it would be desirable to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract by forming and extruding an autologous plug within the puncture tract. It also would be desirable to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract that are easy to use, and decrease opportunities for error and contamination. It further would be desirable to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract that facilitate placement of the apparatus relative to a vessel. It still further would be desirable to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract that prevent leakage of blood congealing agents into a vessel during delivery thereof. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract by forming and extruding an autologous plug within the puncture tract. It also is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract that are easy to use, and decrease opportunities for error and contamination. It further is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract that facilitate placement of the apparatus relative to a vessel. It even further is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract that prevent leakage of blood congealing agents into a vessel during delivery thereof. These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing apparatus for sealing a puncture tract by forming and extruding an autologous plug within the puncture tract. More specifically, the apparatus of the present invention forms the autologous plug by drawing blood into the apparatus from a vessel in fluid communication with the puncture tract, and supplying a blood congealing agent to the drawn blood. Consequently, a plug of clotted blood forms within the apparatus, which then may be extruded out of the apparatus and disposed along at least a portion of the length of the puncture tract. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a housing dimensioned to be inserted at least partially into the puncture tract. The housing comprises inner and outer tubes that define an annular lumen. The inner tube comprises a central lumen in which an autologous plug is formed that is then extruded to occlude the puncture tract. The device also comprises a plunger slidably disposed within the central lumen to facilitate drawing blood from the vessel into the central lumen, and extruding the plug from the central lumen into the puncture tract. In alternative embodiments, the annular lumen and/or the outer tube may be omitted. To isolate a mixture of blood and blood congealing agent from the vessel during formation of the autologous plug, the device further comprises a closure element, such as a pledget, an iris closure, an alignment closure, or a membrane that is permeable to blood but impermeable to the blood congealing agent. To initiate clotting of the drawn blood within the central lumen, a blood congealing agent, such as, e.g., thrombin, fibrin or human factor VIII, may be introduced thereto by injection from an external source, or by pre-coating the central lumen. Alternatively, the central lumen may be lined or pre-loaded with a matrix that is preferably biodegradable, e.g., gauze, bio-compatible foam or spun fiber, or platinum or thermo-resistive wires may be disposed within the wall of the inner tube for contact with the blood therein. Disposition of the autologbus plug formed from the coagulated blood into the puncture tract seals the puncture tract and vessel from leakage. The tissue surrounding the puncture tract compressively engages the autologous plug along its length, generating frictional forces that prevent the plug from becoming dislodged into the vessel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further features of the present invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic side-sectional view of a vascular puncture tract; FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of is apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic side-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 2; FIGS. 4A-4E are schematic side-sectional views describing an exemplary method of using the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3; FIGS. 5A-5E are schematic side-sectional and end views of alternative embodiments of apparatus of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a schematic side-sectional view of another alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; FIGS. 7A and 7B are, respectively, a schematic exploded perspective view and a schematic side-sectional view of an iris closure of the apparatus of FIG. 6; FIG. 8 are schematic plane views of an inner tube and the iris closure, respectively, of the apparatus of FIGS. 6 and 7; FIGS. 9A-9D are schematic side-sectional views describing an exemplary method of using the apparatus of FIGS. 6-8; FIGS. 10A and 10B are schematic side-sectional views of alternative embodiments of the apparatus of FIGS. 6-9; FIG. 11 is a schematic side-sectional view of a still further embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic cross-sectional views of an alignment closure of the apparatus of FIG. 11; and FIGS. 13A and 13B are, respectively, a schematic side-sectional view and a schematic end view of yet another alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Upon completion of a medical diagnostic or therapeutic procedure involving percutaneous introduction of instrumentation into blood vessel V, removal of the instrumentation from the patient leaves puncture tract TR. As seen in FIG. 1, puncture tract TR extends through subcutaneous tissue T and terminates at puncture P. The apparatus of the present invention is directed to a device for sealing puncture tract TR by facilitating formation and disposition of an autologous plug within the puncture tract. More specifically, the apparatus facilitates formation of the plug by drawing blood into a lumen of the apparatus, and providing a blood congealing agent to the blood therein, which causes the blood to clot and form an autologous plug within the lumen. The autologous plug is extruded from the lumen to seal puncture tract TR, thereby sealing vessel V from blood leakage. An illustrative embodiment of device 10 of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Device 10 comprises housing 12 having manifold 14, injection port 16, and distal opening 18, plunger 20 having head 21 and shank 23 disposed for axial translation within housing 12, and pledget 22. Pledget 22 may be disposed within and is removably coupled to housing 12. As described in greater detail hereinbelow, fluid communication between distal opening 18 and injection port 16 permits a medical practitioner to easily determine when device 10 has been advanced is within puncture tract TR to a position just proximal to vessel V. Housing 12 further comprises inner tube 24 and outer tube 28, which may be distally tapered to provide an atraumatic bumper for advancement of device 10 through puncture tract TR, or may be distally angled for flush alignment with an angled puncture tract TR, such as the puncture tract of FIG. 1. Inner and outer tubes 24 and 28 form annular lumen 30, which is in fluid communication with manifold 14 and injection port 16. Annular lumen 30 extends along the length of inner tube 24 and is in fluid communication with central lumen 26, via plurality of apertures 32. Apertures 32 are disposed through and along the axial length of inner tube 24. Optional gap 34 is defined between the distal ends of inner and outer tubes 24 and 28. Fluid communication between injection port 16 and central lumen 26 permits a blood congealing agent to be injected through injection port 16, e.g., a luer valve, into blood drawn within central lumen 26. Mixture and chemical interaction between the blood congealing agent, e.g., thrombin, fibrin and/or human factor VIII, and the blood initiates a clotting reaction that congeals the blood into an autologous plug. The plug is extruded from central lumen 26 into puncture tract TR to seal the vessel puncture. In a preferred embodiment, central lumen 26 has a diameter equal to that of distal opening 18. Once an autologous plug is formed within central lumen 26, it is extruded into puncture tract TR, where the plug engages compliant tissue T surrounding the puncture tract along its length, thereby retaining the plug within the puncture tract. Engagement between the is plug and tissue may be increased by enlarging the diameter of central lumen 26 and distal opening 18, thereby permitting an increase in the diameter and surface area of the autologous plug that is formed and extruded. The diameter of shank 23 of plunger 20 is selected so that shank 23 may be translated within central lumen 26, yet prevents blood leakage around proximal opening 36 of central lumen 26. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the diameter of central lumen 26 also is dimensioned to permit thread 38 to be translatably disposed between plunger 20 and inner tube 24. Alternatively, plunger 20 may be provided with a thread lumen (not shown) through which thread 38 may be translatably disposed. Thread 38 exits housing 12 through proximal opening 36, and is distally attached to loop 40 of pledget 22. Pledget 22 includes disk 42, to which loop 40 is coupled, preferably rigidly. In a preferred embodiment, disk 42 is elliptically shaped, and has major and minor axes that permit disk 42 to completely cover puncture P when disposed therein. Accordingly, when pledget 22 is engaged to the inner wall of vessel V within puncture p, immediate hemostasis may be achieved. If the minor axis of disk 42 is greater than the diameter of central lumen 26, disk 42 may be made of a material that permits disk 42 to be elastically deformed to fit within central lumen 26 during delivery of the pledget to vessel V. Once ejected from central lumen 26, disk 42 elastically recovers its elliptical shape. Of course, in addition to elliptical shapes, it will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that disk 42 may comprise other shapes, e.g., circular or oblong, so long as disk 42 can completely occlude puncture P when disposed therein. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, pledget 22 and thread 38 are made of biodegradable materials, e.g., polyglycolic acid. This permits pledget 22 and thread 38 to be resorbed and excreted from the body along with resorption of the autologous plug, after puncture P and tract TR have healed. It will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that, by controlling parameters such as the degree of polymerization and crystallization, the biodegradable material may be engineered to comprise properties that permit disk 42 to elastically deform when inserted into central lumen 26 during delivery, and to degrade at a predetermined rate. Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary method of using device 10 of the present invention is described. Housing 12 of device 10 optionally may comprise a cross-sectional area greater than that of puncture tract TR, and an introducer sheath (not shown) optionally may be used to introduce device 10 into the puncture tract. If housing 12 is sized such that its cross-sectional area does not exceed that of the puncture tract, the autologous plug formed within central lumen 26 and extruded into the puncture tract, as described hereinbelow, is expected to engage puncture tract TR, e.g. frictionally, via tissue rebound that decreases the diameter of the puncture tract after removal of device 10. FIG. 4A illustrates device 10 disposed within puncture tract TR, for example, after the introducer sheath has been removed. Pledget 22 is disposed in the distal region of central lumen 26, and plunger 20 is disposed proximal to pledget 22 within central lumen 26. Device 10 is inserted into puncture tract TR and distally advanced therethrough until distal opening 18 is disposed just proximal of vessel V within puncture P. Positioning of device 10 may be confirmed by backbleed of blood B from injection port 16. Specifically, when distal opening 18 is advanced to a position just proximal of vessel V, blood B enters distal opening 18 and backbleeds through gap 34 and annular lumen 30, into manifold 14 and out of injection port 16. Once device 10 is properly positioned just proximal of vessel V, plunger 20 is distally advanced. Because plunger 20 is disposed proximal pledget 22 within central lumen 26 and the diameter of shank 23 is only slightly less than the diameter of central lumen 26, distal advancement of plunger 20 also urges pledget 22 into vessel V. Preferably, plunger 20 contacts manifold 14 when pledget 22 has been completely advanced into vessel V. Because disk 42 of pledget 22 is elliptical, disk 42 will tend to align itself with its major axis parallel to the flow of blood, as shown in FIG. 4B. Thereafter, plunger 20 is actuated in the proximal direction to draw blood B from vessel V into central lumen 26. Due to the presence of apertures 32 and gap 34, blood also may be drawn into annular lumen 30 and/or manifold 14. Any air within device 10 may escape therefrom through an air vent (not shown), and/or injection port 16. Once central lumen 26 is filled with blood, a proximal force is applied to the proximal ends of thread 38 disposed outside of puncture tract TR to engage pledget 22 against the inner wall of vessel V, thereby sealing the puncture tract from the vessel and providing immediate hemostasis. Thereafter, source S of a blood congealing agent, such as thrombin, fibrin and/or human factor VIII, is coupled to injection port 16, and blood congealing agent A is injected into manifold 14. From manifold 14, agent A is introduced into blood present in annular lumen 30, and into central lumen 26 via apertures 32 and gap 34, where it initiates clotting of the blood therein. Due to the engagement of pledget 22 against the inner wall of vessel V, the blood congealing agent will not leak into vessel V. After a period of time, the blood within central lumen 26 solidifies into autologous plug PL, with thread 38 embedded therein. In a preferred embodiment, autologous plug PL comprises a substantially cylindrical rod. Autologous plug PL then may be extruded from device 10 by actuation of plunger 20 and proximal retraction of device 10 from puncture tract TR. Once autologous plug PL is extruded from device 10, it engages compliant tissue T surrounding puncture tract TR, which is expected to retract or rebound after removal of device 10, thereby establishing a compressive normal pressure between autologous plug PL and tissue T that reduces a risk of the plug becoming dislodged into vessel V. Any extraneous portion of autologous plug PL and thread 38 that proximally protrudes from puncture tract TR may be excised. Referring now to FIG. 5A, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is described. Unlike the previous embodiment, device 44 omits manifold 14 and injection port 16, and retains plunger 20, pledget 22, and thread 38. Device 44 further comprises housing 52 having inner and outer tubes 46 and 48, which form annular lumen 50 that extends along the length of inner tube 46. Annular lumen 50 may be fluidically communicative with central lumen 52 via optional plurality of apertures 54, which may be disposed through and along the axial length of inner tube 46. Gap 56 is defined between the distal ends of inner and outer tubes 46 and 48. Preferably, outer tube 48 is made from a transparent polymer. In use, this permits a medical practitioner to visually confirm proper placement of device 44 just proximal to vessel V. Specifically, when device 44 is advanced within puncture tract TR to a position just proximal of the vessel, blood backbleeds through opening 58 and gap 56 into annular lumen 50. If outer tube 48 is transparent, visual confirmation may be made. Air within annular lumen 50 may be evacuated through an air vent (not shown) in fluid communication with annular lumen 50. The blood congealing agent of device 44 includes matrix 60 that is preferably biodegradable. Matrix 60 may comprise, for example, a gauze, a biologically compatible foam, and/or a spun fiber, such as a mass of a loosely spun fiber, e.g. polyglycolic acid. Matrix 60 promotes coagulation of blood upon contact and mixture therewith and optionally may be coated with, e.g., thrombin, fibrin and/or human factor VIII. Matrix 60 may comprise optional inner lumen 62 for disposition of thread 38 of pledget 22 through the matrix. During delivery of device 44 into puncture tract TR, matrix 60 is disposed within central lumen 52 between plunger 20 and pledget 22. Once backbleed of blood into annular lumen 50 confirms that device 44 is positioned just proximal of vessel V, plunger 20 may be distally translated to advance pledget 22 into vessel V. This position, which may be indicated by a marker (not shown) on shaft 23 of plunger 20, corresponds to placement of matrix 60 just proximal of gap 56. Thereafter, plunger 20 is proximally retracted to draw blood into device 44. Blood enters through opening 58 and saturates matrix 60 as it flows therethrough into the proximal portion of central lumen 52. Blood also may be drawn into annular lumen 50 via gap 56, and introduced into central lumen 52 via apertures 54, if present. Apertures 54 preferably are disposed along the length of inner tube 46, such that blood may evenly distribute along the length of central lumen 52, thereby evenly permeating matrix 60. Upon contact and mixture of the blood and the matrix, the blood congeals into an autologous plug that integrates matrix 60 therein. The resultant autologous plug is extruded from device 44 and disposed within puncture tract TR to compressively engage the surrounding tissue, thereby preventing leakage of blood therefrom. Referring now to FIG. 5B, an alternative embodiment of device 44 is described. Housing 65 of device 64 is similar to that of the previous embodiment, except that apertures 54 are omitted from inner tube 68 of the present embodiment. Device 64 also comprises plunger 66, pledget 22, and flange 70 that facilitates translation of housing 65 within puncture tract TR, and actuation of plunger 66 relative to housing 65. In the present embodiment, plunger 66 comprises injection port 72 disposed at the proximal end, shank 74 that is translatably disposed within central lumen 52, and injection lumen 76 disposed therethrough. Injection port 72 may comprise a coupling, such as a luer valve, that can be releasably joined to a source of blood congealing agent (not shown). Thus, instead of injecting blood congealing agent into a manifold as with device 10, device 64 permits injection directly into plunger 66, thereby eliminating apertures 32 from device 10 and reserving annular lumen 50 solely to provide visual confirmation of placement of device 64 relative to vessel V. It should be noted that injection lumen 76 also may be used as a thread lumen through which thread 38 attached to pledget 22 may be advanced (not shown). In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, inner wall 77 of inner tube 68 may be pre-coated with a blood congealing agent, e.g., thrombin, fibrin and/or human factor VIII, or lined with a matrix that is preferably biodegradable (e.g., gauze or biologically compatible foam). This eliminates the need to separately introduce a fluid blood congealing agent into the blood isolated within central lumen 52, thereby eliminating the need for injection lumen 76 in plunger 66. Coagulation of blood further may be enhanced by contact with platinum wires 78, or convection and conduction of heat from thermo-resistive wires 78 disposed within inner tube 68, as shown in the inset of FIG. 5B. If thermo-resistive wires are provided, they may be proximally connected to a power source (not shown). In a still further alternative embodiment of device 64, outer tube 48 may be omitted, thereby eliminating annular lumen 50, as well as gap 56. Shown in FIG. 5C, device 80 may be provided with only a single inner tube 68 having central lumen 52 in which shank 74 of plunger 66 may be translatably disposed. In this embodiment, central lumen 52 or injection lumen 76 of plunger 66 also may serve as a backbleed lumen through which blood may pass for visual confirmation of proper placement of device 80 proximate to vessel V. As discussed previously, injection lumen 76 further may be used as a thread lumen for disposition of thread 38 therethrough. As with device 64, blood congealing agent may be introduced to the blood drawn into central lumen 52 by injection of the blood congealing agent into injection lumen 76, pre-coating or lining the central lumen with the blood congealing agent, e.g., thrombin, fibrin and/or human factor VIII, or exposing the blood to platinum or thermo-resistive wires. Additional techniques will be apparent to those of skill in the art. As shown in FIGS. 5C-5E, the blood congealing agent also may include matrix 82 that is preferably biodegradable, and which is disposed within central lumen 52 between plunger 66 and pledget 22. Matrix 82 may comprise a gauze, a biologically compatible foam, and/or a spun fiber, e.g. a mass of loosely spun fiber, such as spun polyglycolic acid. Matrix 82 optionally may be coated with, e.g., thrombin, fibrin and/or human factor VIII. Upon contact and mixture with matrix 82, blood coagulates into an autologous plug, integrating the matrix and thread 38 therein. As shown in FIG. 5D, matrix 82 preferably has a cross-section that incorporates plurality of longitudinal channels 84 and optional inner lumen 83 for disposition of thread 38 of pledget 22 therethrough. Channels 84 provide fluid communication between opening 86, disposed at the distal end of inner tube 68, and the proximal portion of central lumen 52. This permits blood to backbleed through matrix 82 and either injection lumen 76 or central lumen 52 to provide visual confirmation that device 80 is properly positioned just proximal to vessel V prior to actuation of plunger 66 to introduce pledget 22 within vessel V. Channels 84 also facilitate introduction and distribution of blood along the length of matrix 82, and into the proximal portion of central lumen 52. Preferably, matrix 82 expands to a substantially circular cross-section after mixture with the blood, thereby eliminating channels 84. It will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that, while FIG. 5D illustrates a plurality of channels disposed along the circumference of matrix 82, channels 84 also may include other configurations, such as lumens 86 disposed through the longitudinal length of the matrix, as shown in FIG. 5E, or a combination thereof. Referring now to FIG. 6, a still further alternative embodiment of the present invention is described. Like the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, device 90 comprises housing 92 having manifold 94 and injection port 96, and plunger 98 having head 100 and shank 102 disposed for axial translation within housing 92. Housing 92 includes inner tube 104 and outer tube 106, wherein inner tube 104 is rotatable but not axially translatable relative to outer tube 106. Rotation of inner tube 104 may be facilitated by actuator 107 coupled thereto. Annular lumen 108 is formed between inner and outer tubes 104 and 106, and is in fluid communication with manifold 94 and injection port 96. Annular lumen 108 is in fluid communication with central lumen 110 via plurality of apertures 112, which is disposed through and along the axial length of inner tube 104. Gap 114 is defined between the distal ends of inner and outer tubes 104 and 106. As in device 10, the diameter of central lumen 110 is designed to form an autologous plug therein, that engages tissue T when extruded into puncture tract TR. Shank 102 is slightly smaller than that of central lumen 110 and may be translated therein. Instead of having a pledget to isolate blood from, and prevent leakage of blood congealing agent into, vessel V, device 90 includes iris closure 118 disposed at the distal end thereof. As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 7 and 8, iris closure 118 comprises iris plate 120 rigidly fixed to the distal end of outer tube 106, having tracks 122 and opening 124 therethrough. Iris closure 118 further comprises overlapping iris blades 126 that may be selectively actuated, as described hereinbelow, to expose or seal opening 124. Each iris blade 126 comprises distal bearing 128 and proximal bearing 130. Distal bearing 128 has a non-circular cross-sectional area, e.g., square, that is keyed to iris track 122. Distal bearing 128 also has end 131, e.g., a solder ball, having a diameter greater than the width of iris track 122 to prevent disengagement of distal bearing 128 from the iris track during actuation of iris closure 118. Proximal bearing 130 is configured to extend through gap 114 and into blind slots 132 disposed in the distal end of inner tube 104. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A, slots 132 radially extend through the thickness of inner tube 104 without penetrating into central lumen 110 or annular lumen 108. As shown in FIGS. 7A, 8B and 8C, iris tracks 132 extend from opening 124 of iris plate 120 and curve along their respective lengths. The cross-sectional shapes of distal bearings 128 are keyed to iris tracks 122 so that actuation of distal bearings 128 along the iris tracks rotates distal bearings 128 along the curve of the iris tracks (see FIG. 8C). Since iris blades 126 are rigidly affixed to distal bearings 128, rotation of the distal bearings rotates iris blades 126 therewith, thereby exposing or sealing opening 124 depending on the direction of rotation of iris plate 120 relative to slots 132, or vice versa. In operation, to expose opening 124 from its sealed configuration shown in FIGS. 7B and 8B, inner tube 104 is rotated, e.g., in the counter-clockwise direction relative to outer tube 106. This causes slots 132 engaged to proximal bearings 130 to impart a tangential force to each bearing 130. Since proximal bearings 130 are rigidly affixed to iris blades 126, the tangential forces imparted to bearings 130 force movement of iris blades 126 and distal bearings 128 along the curve of iris tracks 122. As illustrated in FIG. 8C, as distal bearings 128 travel therealong, iris blades 126 rotate with the curve of iris tracks 132, retracting the blades and exposing opening 124. Contemporaneously, proximal bearings 130 move along slots 132 in the outwardly radial direction. Rotation of inner tube 104 relative to outer tube 106 terminates when distal bearings 128 contact outer ends 134 of iris tracks 122. At this point, iris blades 126 have been completely retracted to expose opening 124. To seal opening 124, inner tube 104 is rotated, e.g., in the clockwise direction relative to outer tube 106. This forces distal bearings 128 to move along the curve of iris tracks 122 in the inwardly radial direction towards opening 124, rotating iris blades 126 therewith to seal opening 124. When distal bearings 128 contact inner ends 136 of iris tracks 122, iris blades 126 have fully sealed opening 124. While iris blades 126 are shown disposed proximal to iris plate 120 in FIGS. 6 and 7, it will be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art that iris blades 126 also may be disposed distal to iris plate 120, with minor design modifications to proximal bearings 130. Furthermore, it also will be evident that iris blades 126 may comprise numerous shapes other than the teardrop shape illustrated in FIGS. 7B, 8B and 8C. Referring now to FIG. 9, an exemplary method of using device 90 is described. As discussed with reference to device 10, housing 92 of device 90 optionally may comprise a cross-sectional area greater than that of puncture tract TR. Accordingly, an introducer sheath (not shown) may be used to introduce device 90 into puncture tract TR. FIG. 9A illustrates device 90 in its delivery configuration after, for example, the introducer sheath has been removed, with iris blades 126 retracted to expose opening 124 within iris plate 120, and shank 102 of plunger 98 disposed within central lumen 110 just proximal to gap 114. This position may be indicated by a marker (not shown) disposed on shank 102, and permits blood to backbleed through gap 114 into annular lumen 108 to facilitate placement of device 90 relative to vessel V. In this delivery configuration, device 90 is inserted into puncture tract TR and distally advanced therethrough until opening 124 is disposed just proximal to vessel V, as may be determined by observation of blood B exiting from injection port 96. In particular, when opening 124 is advanced to a position just proximal to vessel V, blood B enters opening 124 and backbleeds through gap 114 and annular lumen 108, into manifold 94 and out of injection port 96. Once device 90 is properly positioned just proximal to vessel V, plunger 98 is actuated in the proximal direction to draw blood B from vessel V into central lumen 110, as seen in FIG. 9C. Due to the presence of apertures 112 and gap 114, blood also may be drawn into annular lumen 108 and/or manifold 94. Any air within device 90 may be expelled therefrom through an air vent (not shown) and/or injection port 96. Once central lumen 110 is filled with blood B, actuator 107 may be used to rotate inner tube 104 relative to outer tube 106, actuating iris blades 126 to seal opening 124 in the manner discussed above. Source S of blood congealing agent is coupled to injection port 96, and blood congealing agent A is injected into manifold 94. From manifold 94, blood congealing agent A mixes with blood present in annular lumen 108 and into central lumen 110, via apertures 112 and gap 114, initiating clotting of the blood. Since opening 124 is sealed, thereby isolating the blood within device 90, blood congealing agent A will not leak into vessel V. After a period of time, the blood within lumen 110 solidifies into autologous plug PL. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, autologous plug PL comprises a cylindrical rod. Inner tube 104 then is rotated relative to outer tube 106 to expose opening 124 in the manner discussed above. Autologous plug PL is extruded from central lumen 110 by holding plunger 98 stationary as housing 92 is proximally retracted so that plunger 98 urges autologous plug PL out of lumen 110, as seen in FIG. 9D. Any blood contiguously coagulated with autologous plug PL, such as that potentially disposed within annular lumen 108, apertures 112, and gap 114, is expected to shear off when plug PL is extruded out of device 90. Once autologous plug PL is extruded from device 90, it engages compliant tissue T surrounding puncture tract TR, which is expected to retract or rebound after removal of device 90, thereby establishing a compressive normal pressure between autologous plug PL and tissue T that reduces a risk of the plug becoming dislodged into vessel V. Any extraneous portion of autologous plug PL that proximally protrudes from puncture tract TR may be excised. Referring now to FIG. 10A, a further is alternative embodiment of the present invention is described. Device 140 is similar to the preceding embodiment, except manifold 94 and apertures 112 have been omitted. Device 140 includes iris closure 142 having iris blades 146 operably engaged to iris plate 148, which includes opening 150 and a plurality of iris tracks similar to those described in FIGS. 7 and 8. Iris closure 142 is disposed on the distal end of housing 152 having inner tube 154, outer tube 156 which is rotatable but not axially translatable relative to inner tube 154, and annular lumen 158 disposed therebetween. Operated in the same manner as described previously with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, rotation of inner tube 154, which may be facilitated by actuator 159 coupled thereto, actuates iris closure 142 to expose or seal opening 150, depending on the direction of rotation of inner tube 154 relative to outer tube 156. The distal ends of inner and outer tubes 154 and 156 define gap 160, which provides fluid communication among opening 150, annular lumen 158 and central lumen 162 of inner tube 154. Preferably, outer tube 156 is made from a transparent polymer to facilitate visual confirmation of the advancement of device 140 to a position just proximal to vessel V in puncture tract TR. In use, when opening 150 is disposed just proximal to vessel V, blood backbleeds through opening 150 and gap 160 into annular lumen 158. Air within annular lumen 158 may be evacuated through an air vent (not shown) in fluid communication therewith. Device 140 also comprises plunger 164 and flange 166 that facilitates insertion of housing 152 within puncture tract TR. In the present embodiment, plunger 164 comprises injection port 168 disposed at the proximal end, shank 170 that is configured to be translatably disposed within central lumen 162, and injection lumen 172 disposed therethrough. Injection port 168 may comprise a coupling, such as a luer valve, that can be releasably joined to a source of blood congealing agent (not shown). Accordingly, instead of injecting blood congealing agent into a manifold as in the preceding embodiment, device 140 permits injection directly into plunger 164, thereby eliminating apertures 112 from device 90 and reserving annular lumen 158 solely to provide visual confirmation of the disposition of device 140 just proximal to vessel V. In an alternative embodiment of device 140, inner wall 174 may be pre-coated with a blood congealing agent, e.g., thrombin, fibrin and/or human factor VIII, or lined with a matrix (e.g., gauze, spun fiber or biologically compatible foam). This eliminates the need to introduce a blood congealing agent into the blood isolated within central lumen 162, thereby eliminating the need for injection lumen 172 in plunger 164. Coagulation of blood further may be enhanced by contact with platinum wires 176, or convection and conduction of heat from thermo-resistive wires 176 disposed within inner tube 154, as shown in the inset of FIG. 10A. Alternatively, central lumen 162 may be pre-filled with a matrix to promote coagulation of blood upon contact and mixture therewith, as described hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 5A and 5C-5E. In an alternative embodiment of device 140, annular lumen 158 and gap 160 may be omitted. Shown in FIG. 10B, device 178 includes inner and outer tubes 154 and 156 adjacently disposed, and iris closure 142 operably coupled to the distal ends thereof. Central lumen 162 or injection lumen 172 of plunger 164 may serve as a backbleed lumen through which blood may pass for visual confirmation of proper placement of device 178 proximate vessel V. As in device 140, blood congealing agent may be introduced to the blood drawn into central lumen 162 by injection of the blood congealing agent into injection lumen 172, pre-coating or lining the central lumen with the blood congealing agent, e.g., thrombin, fibrin, human factor VIII, and/or a matrix (e.g., gauze, spun fiber or biologically compatible foam), or exposing the blood to platinum or thermo-resistive wires. Alternatively, central lumen 162 may be pre-filled with a matrix to promote coagulation of blood upon contact and mixture therewith, as described hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 5A and 5C-5E. Referring now to FIG. 11, another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is described. Device 180 is similar to devices 90 and 140 respectively of FIGS. 6-8 and 10, except that the iris closures of those embodiments are replaced by alignment closure 182. Affixed to the distal end of inner tube 184 is proximal plate 186 having through-wall slots 188. Affixed to the distal end of outer tube 190 is distal plate 192 having through-wall slots 194 that have a shape identical to that of slots 188. When slots 188 and 194 are aligned, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12A, blood may be drawn into central lumen 196 disposed through the length of inner tube 184, or an autologous plug may be extruded therethrough. When inner tube 184 is rotated relative to outer tube 190, distal and proximal plates 192 and 186 respectively obscure slots 188 and 194, as shown in FIG. 12B. In this configuration, blood is isolated within central lumen 196, and blood congealing agent may be supplied to the isolated blood to initiate clotting thereof. Optional annular lumen 198 is defined by inner and outer tubes 184 and 190, and is in fluid communication with central lumen 196 via optional apertures 200 circumferentially disposed through inner tube 184 just proximal to proximal plate 186. To determine if device 180 has been properly positioned just proximal to vessel V, blood may backbleed through aligned slots 188 and 194 and apertures 200 into annular lumen 198. Accordingly, during delivery of device 180 into a puncture tract, the maximum distal position to which plunger 202 may be advanced within central lumen 196 is a position just proximal to apertures 200. This position may be indicated by a marker (not shown) disposed on plunger 202. As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, rather than having annular lumen 198 for backbleed indication, central lumen 196 of device 180 may serve as a backbleed lumen. Alternatively, a lumen may be provided through plunger 202 for backbleed indication and/or injection of a blood congealing agent, as described with respect to FIGS. 5B-5C and 10A-10B. In operation, device 180 is inserted into puncture tract TR with slots 188 and 194 aligned, and plunger 202 disposed just proximal to apertures 200. Device 180 then is advanced to a position just proximal to vessel V. This position may be visually confirmed by observation of blood that backbleeds through slots 188 and 194 and, for example, apertures 200 into annular lumen 198 and/or out of a proximal injection port (not shown) in fluid communication with annular lumen 198. Plunger 202 then may be proximally retracted within central lumen 196 to draw blood therein from vessel V. Once central lumen 196 is filled, inner tube 184 is rotated relative to outer tube 190 to obscure slots 188 and 194, thereby isolating the drawn blood within device 180. Clotting of the blood may be initiated by introducing blood congealing agent into central lumen 196. Alternatively, the inner wall of inner tube 184 may be pre-coated with a blood congealing agent, e.g., thrombin, fibrin and/or human factor VIII, lined with a matrix (e.g., gauze, spun fiber or biologically compatible foam), or comprise platinum or thermo-resistive wires that are exposed to the blood therein. When the blood has solidified to form autologous plug PL, inner tube 184 is rotated relative to outer tube 190 to align slots 188 and 194. Plunger 202 is held stationary as device 180 is proximally retracted from puncture tract TR, thereby urging autologous plug PL from central lumen 196 through slots 188 and 194. Once disposed within puncture tract TR, the segments of the autologous plug that had been extruded through slots 188 and 194 are urged together due to the compressive pressure of tissue T surrounding the puncture tract. In this manner, puncture tract TR is sealed from leakage of blood. Referring now to FIG. 13, yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention is described. Device 210 includes housing 212 having inner and outer tubes 214 and 216, which form annular lumen 218 therebetween. Device 210 also includes plunger 220 translatably disposed within central lumen 222, and membrane 224, which is preferably biodegradable. Membrane 224 is disposed over distal opening 226 of central lumen 222 and is releasably attached to inner wall 228 of inner tube 214 so that membrane 224 forms a sock within which is disposed blood congealing agent 230. Membrane 224 is preferably attached to inner wall 228 with a biodegradable adhesive or suture that permits the membrane to be sheared from inner wall 228 when an axial force is applied to blood congealing agent 230. Membrane 224 is permeable to blood but impermeable to blood congealing agent 230, thereby permitting blood to be introduced into central lumen 222 and yet isolating the mixture of blood and blood congealing agent from vessel V. Selective permeability may be achieved, for example, by incorporating pores of a predetermined size within membrane 224. Thus, for example, the pores preferably have a cross-sectional dimension larger than the diameter of blood cells, but smaller than the diameter or cross-sectional dimension of the blood congealing agent, which also preferably may be provided with a predetermined size. Blood cells typically have a diameter of about 60 μm. A pore size greater than about 60 μm is therefore preferred. Preferably, blood congealing agent 230 comprises a biodegradable matrix to promote coagulation of blood upon contact and mixture therewith, as described hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 5A and 5C-5E. Alternatively, blood congealing agent 230 also may comprise powder of a blood congealing substance, such as polyglycolic acid, fibrin, thrombin and/or human factor VIII. Outer tube 216 preferably is made from a transparent polymer to permit observation of blood that backbleeds into annular lumen 218 when device 210 is disposed just proximal to vessel V. This provides a medical practitioner with visual confirmation of proper placement of device 210 within puncture tract TR. Optionally, inner tube 214 also may comprise apertures 232 disposed along the length thereof. Apertures 232 provide fluid communication between annular lumen 218 and central lumen 222. During proximal retraction of plunger 220, blood may be drawn through apertures 232 and blood permeable membrane 224 into central lumen 222 to more evenly distribute the blood along the length of central lumen 222 and to evenly permeate blood congealing agent 230. In operation, device 210 is introduced into puncture tract TR with plunger 220 disposed within central lumen 222 just proximal to blood congealing agent 230. Device 210 is distally translated along the puncture tract until backbleeding, e.g. through annular lumen 218, indicates that the device is properly positioned just proximal to vessel V. Plunger 220 then is actuated in the proximal direction to draw blood into central lumen 222 through membrane 224, covering distal opening 226, as well as apertures 232, if present. Contact and mixture with blood congealing agent 230 coagulates the blood into an autologous plug, integrating blood congealing agent 230 and membrane 224 therein. When plunger 220 is translated in the distal direction to extrude the formed autologous plug from central lumen 222, the distal force transmitted to the adhesive or suture binding membrane 224 to inner wall 228 shears membrane 224 therefrom. Disposed within puncture tract TR, the autologous plug engages tissue T surrounding the puncture tract to prevent blood leakage from vessel V. In an alternative embodiment of device 210, outer tube 216 and apertures 232 may be omitted, thereby eliminating annular lumen 218. For backbleed indication to facilitate visual confirmation of the placement of the present device just proximal to vessel V, plunger 220 may be provided with an injection lumen like that described with respect to FIGS. 5B-5C and 10A-10B. While preferred illustrative embodiments of the invention are described above, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention. For example, shorter autologous plugs may be formed that only cover a portion of the length of the puncture tract. Furthermore, various blood congealing agents described hereinabove and known to those in the art may be used in combination in a single embodiment. The appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>A large number of medical diagnostic and therapeutic procedures involve the percutaneous introduction of instrumentation into the blood vessel. For example, coronary angioplasty, angiography, atherectomy, stenting, and numerous other procedures often involve accessing the vasculature through placement of a catheter or other device in a patient's femoral artery or other blood vessel. Once the procedure is completed and the catheter or other diagnostic or therapeutic device is removed, bleeding from the resultant vascular puncture must be stopped. Traditionally, a medical practitioner applies external pressure to the puncture site to stem bleeding until hemostasis occurs (i.e. when the clotting and tissue rebuilding have sealed the puncture). This method, however, presents numerous problems. In some instances, this pressure must be applied for up to an hour or more, during which time the patient is uncomfortably immobilized. In addition, there exists a risk of hematoma since bleeding from the puncture may continue until sufficient clotting occurs, particularly if the patient moves during the clotting process. Furthermore, application of external pressure to stop bleeding may be unsuitable for patients with substantial amounts of subcutaneous adipose tissue since the skin surface may be a considerable distance from the puncture site, thereby rendering external compression less effective. Another traditional approach to subcutaneous puncture closure comprises having a medical practitioner internally suture the vessel puncture. This method, however, often requires a complex procedure and requires considerable skill by the medical practitioner. Mechanical occlusion devices have been proposed for sealing, e.g., atrial septal defects, and typically comprise two expandable disks that sealingly compress tissue surrounding the hole. One such device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,744 to Fagan et al. A significant drawback to the Fagan device is that, when deployed into a vessel, the device may protrude into the blood stream, thereby disturbing blood flow and causing thrombosis in the vessel. Apparatus and methods also are known in which a plug is introduced into the vessel puncture, to cover the puncture and promote hemostasis. Various types of plugs have been proposed. One example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,274 to Kensey, comprising a plug made from animal-derived collagen. Such apparatus may be unsuitable for some patients due to an adverse immunological reaction to animal-derived collagen, which could lead to anaphylactic shock. U.S. Pat. No. 6,159,232 to Nowakowski describes an apparatus substantially disposed outside a patient's body that activates a clotting cascade within blood, and then introduces the treated blood to the wound site to complete clotting and promote hemostasis. Disadvantageously, the apparatus described in that patent comprises a multiplicity of primarily standard, off-the-shelf components that a medical practitioner would have to assemble prior to use. This greatly is complicates the procedure, and increases opportunities for human error and contamination. Furthermore, the apparatus resulting from the assembly of the numerous individual components may be unwieldy to use and expensive. In view of these drawbacks, it would be desirable to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract by forming and extruding an autologous plug within the puncture tract. It also would be desirable to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract that are easy to use, and decrease opportunities for error and contamination. It further would be desirable to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract that facilitate placement of the apparatus relative to a vessel. It still further would be desirable to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract that prevent leakage of blood congealing agents into a vessel during delivery thereof.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract by forming and extruding an autologous plug within the puncture tract. It also is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract that are easy to use, and decrease opportunities for error and contamination. It further is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract that facilitate placement of the apparatus relative to a vessel. It even further is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus for sealing a puncture tract that prevent leakage of blood congealing agents into a vessel during delivery thereof. These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing apparatus for sealing a puncture tract by forming and extruding an autologous plug within the puncture tract. More specifically, the apparatus of the present invention forms the autologous plug by drawing blood into the apparatus from a vessel in fluid communication with the puncture tract, and supplying a blood congealing agent to the drawn blood. Consequently, a plug of clotted blood forms within the apparatus, which then may be extruded out of the apparatus and disposed along at least a portion of the length of the puncture tract. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a housing dimensioned to be inserted at least partially into the puncture tract. The housing comprises inner and outer tubes that define an annular lumen. The inner tube comprises a central lumen in which an autologous plug is formed that is then extruded to occlude the puncture tract. The device also comprises a plunger slidably disposed within the central lumen to facilitate drawing blood from the vessel into the central lumen, and extruding the plug from the central lumen into the puncture tract. In alternative embodiments, the annular lumen and/or the outer tube may be omitted. To isolate a mixture of blood and blood congealing agent from the vessel during formation of the autologous plug, the device further comprises a closure element, such as a pledget, an iris closure, an alignment closure, or a membrane that is permeable to blood but impermeable to the blood congealing agent. To initiate clotting of the drawn blood within the central lumen, a blood congealing agent, such as, e.g., thrombin, fibrin or human factor VIII, may be introduced thereto by injection from an external source, or by pre-coating the central lumen. Alternatively, the central lumen may be lined or pre-loaded with a matrix that is preferably biodegradable, e.g., gauze, bio-compatible foam or spun fiber, or platinum or thermo-resistive wires may be disposed within the wall of the inner tube for contact with the blood therein. Disposition of the autologbus plug formed from the coagulated blood into the puncture tract seals the puncture tract and vessel from leakage. The tissue surrounding the puncture tract compressively engages the autologous plug along its length, generating frictional forces that prevent the plug from becoming dislodged into the vessel.

20051019

20100810

20060713

94754.0

A61B1704

ANDERSON, GREGORY A

AUTOLOGOUS WOUND SEALING APPARATUS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61B

ACCEPTED

Surface treating appliance

A surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a handle, a surface treating head and a support assembly. The support assembly is rollably mounted to the main body for allowing the main body to be rolled along a surface. A linkage is provided between the main body and the surface treating head and arranged such that rotating the main body about its longitudinal axis causes the surface treating head to turn in a new direction. The support assembly may house a component of the appliance, such as a motor, and may accommodate a fluid inlet for receiving fluid flow and a fluid outlet for exhausting fluid. The handle may carry the main body of the appliance.

1. A surface treating appliance comprising a handle having a longitudinal axis, a surface treating head, a support assembly which is attached to the handle and arranged to roll with respect to the handle for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface, and a linkage between the handle and the surface treating head, the linkage being arranged such that rotating the support assembly and the handle about the longitudinal axis causes the surface treating head to turn in a new direction. 2. An appliance according to claim 1 wherein the linkage is arranged to allow the surface treating head to remain substantially in contact with the surface as the handle is rotated about its longitudinal axis. 3. An appliance according to claim 1 or 2 wherein an end portion of the linkage nearer to the surface treating head comprises a pivotable connection between the linkage and the surface treating head. 4. An appliance according to claim 3 wherein the end portion of the linkage nearest the handle comprises a pivotable connection between the linkage and the handle. 5. An appliance according to claim 4 wherein the pivotable connection to the handle is substantially aligned with the rotational axis of the support assembly. 6. An appliance according to claim 5 wherein the linkage comprises a yoke, at least one end portion of which has a pivotable connection to the handle that is substantially aligned with the rotational axis of the support assembly. 7. An appliance according to claim 3 wherein the linkage comprises a locking arm arranged to locate in a notch on the pivotable connection to the surface treating head so as to prevent rotation of the pivotable connection. 8. An appliance according to claim 7 wherein the locking arm has at least one deformable portion arranged to release from the notch when a predetermined force is applied to the pivotable connection. 9. An appliance according to claim 7 wherein the locking arm is arranged to release from the notch when the handle is tilted from an upright position. 10. An appliance according to claim 7, wherein the locking arm is biased towards the notch when the handle is in an upright position. 11. An appliance according to claim 3 wherein the linkage connects to a central part of the surface treating head. 12. An appliance according to claim 3 wherein the linkage connects to the surface treating head by means of a jointed arm, the plane of the joint lying at a non-normal angle to the longitudinal axis of the arm. 13. An appliance according to claim 3 wherein the linkage connects to the surface treating head by means of an arm which has an elbow shape and a rotatable joint. 14. An appliance according to claim 3 wherein the linkage between the handle and the surface treating head comprises at least one flexible tube. 15. An appliance according to claim claim 3 wherein the support assembly houses at least one component of the appliance. 16. An appliance according to claim 15 wherein the support assembly further comprises a fluid inlet for receiving fluid flow, a fluid outlet for exhausting fluid and the component comprises a device for acting on the fluid flow received through the inlet. 17. An appliance according to claim 15 wherein the component comprises a motor for driving a further component of the appliance. 18. (canceled) 19. An appliance according to claim 3 further comprising a main body located on the handle. 20. An appliance according to any preceding claim claim 19 wherein the support assembly comprises one or more rotatable members having an outer surface which defines a rolling support surface in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the handle, the support surface being symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the handle. 21. An appliance according to claim 20 when dependent on claim 19 wherein the support surface extends for a distance which is at least 50% of the width of the main body. 22. An appliance according to claim 20 when dependent on claim 19 wherein the support surface extends for a distance which is at least 75% of the width of the main body. 23. An appliance according to claim 20 wherein the support surface extends for a distance which is substantially equal to the width of the main body. 24. An appliance according to claim 20 wherein the central region of the support assembly does not have a support surface. 25. An appliance according to claim 20 wherein the support assembly includes two rotatable members which are spaced from each other. 26. An appliance according to claim 25 wherein a component of the appliance is located between the spaced members. 27. An appliance according to claim 25 wherein a fluid inlet or outlet is located between the spaced members. 28. An appliance according to claim 3 wherein the diameter of the support assembly is less at each end portion than at the central portion. 29. An appliance according to claim 3 wherein the support assembly has at least one rotational axis which is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the handle. 30. An appliance according to claim 3 wherein the distance between the geometric centre of the assembly and the outer surface is greater at each end portion than at the central portion. 31. An appliance according to claim 3 wherein the central portion of the support assembly has a substantially constant diameter. 32. An appliance according to any claim 3 wherein the support assembly is substantially spherical in shape. 33. An appliance according to claim 3 further comprising a support arm for the surface treating head which extends outwardly from the central region of the support assembly. 34. An appliance according to claim 33 wherein the support arm is a fluid flow duct for carrying fluid to/from the surface treating head. 35-36. (canceled)

This invention relates to a surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner. Surface treating appliances such as vacuum cleaners and floor polishers are well known. The majority of vacuum cleaners are either of the ‘upright’ type or of the ‘cylinder’ type, called canister or barrel cleaners in some countries. An example of an upright vacuum cleaner manufactured by Dyson Limited under the name DC04 (“DC04” is a trade mark of Dyson Limited) is shown in FIG. 1. The vacuum cleaner comprises a main body 102 which houses the main components of the vacuum cleaner. A lower part 106 of the main body houses a motor and fan for drawing dirty air into the machine and the main body also houses some form of separating apparatus 104 for separating dirt, dust and other debris from a dirty airflow drawn in by the fan. The main body 102 also houses filters for trapping fine particles in the cleaned airflow. A cleaner head 108 is rotatably mounted, about points A, to the lower end of the main body 102. The axis about which the cleaner head rotates is horizontally directed. A supporting wheel 107 is mounted on each side of the lower part 106 of the main body, in a fixed relationship to the main body 102. In use, a user reclines the main body 102 of the vacuum cleaner and then pushes and pulls a handle 116 which is fixed to the main body of the cleaner. The vacuum cleaner rolls along the floor surface on the supporting wheels 107. A dirty-air inlet 112 is located on the underside of the cleaner head 108. Dirty air is drawn into the dust separating apparatus 104 via the dirty-air inlet 112 by means of the motor-driven fan. It is conducted to the dust separating apparatus 104 by a first air flow duct. When the dirt and dust entrained within the air has been separated from the airflow in the separating apparatus 104, air is conducted to the clean air outlet by a second air flow duct, and via one or more filters, and expelled into the atmosphere. Conventional upright vacuum cleaners have a disadvantage in that they can be difficult to manoeuvre about an area in which they are used. They can be pushed and pulled easily enough, but pointing the cleaner in a new direction is more difficult. The cleaner can be pointed in a new direction by applying a sideways directed force to the handle, either from standstill or while moving the cleaner forwards or backwards. This causes the cleaner head to be dragged across the floor surface so that it points in a new direction. The only articulation between the main body 102 and the cleaner head 108 is about horizontally directed axis A, which remains parallel with the floor surface. In some upright vacuum cleaners the supporting wheels 107 are mounted on the cleaner head rather than the main body. However, the main body is rotatably mounted to the cleaner head about a horizontally directed axis, as just described. Attempts have been made to increase the manoeuvrability of upright vacuum cleaners. Some examples of upright vacuum cleaners with improved manoeuvrability are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,510 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,095. In both of these documents, the vacuum cleaners have a base which includes a motor housing and a pair of wheels, and the connection between the base and the main body incorporates a universal joint which permits rotational movement of the main body with respect to the base about an axis which is oriented perpendicular to the rotational axis of the wheels and inclined with respect to the horizontal. A further, less common, type of vacuum cleaner is a ‘stick vac’, which is so-called because it has a very slender stick-like main body. An example is shown in EP 1,136,029. Often, there is only a cleaner head at the base of the machine, with all other components of the machine being incorporated in the main body. While stick vacs are lighter weight and can be easier to manoeuvre than traditional upright cleaners, they generally have a small dust separator, a lower power motor and smaller filters, if any filters at all, and thus their improved manoeuvrability comes with the drawback of a lower specification. The present invention seeks to provide a surface treating appliance with improved manoeuvrability. The invention provides a surface treating appliance comprising a handle having a longitudinal axis, a surface treating head, a support assembly which is attached to the handle and arranged to roll with respect to the handle for allowing the appliance to be rolled along a surface, and a linkage between the handle and the surface treating head, the linkage being arranged such that rotating the support assembly and the handle about the longitudinal axis causes the surface treating head to turn in a new direction. The provision of a rolling support surface and a linkage which allows the handle to be rotated or twisted about its longitudinal axis, in the manner of a corkscrew, improves manoeuvrability and ensures a smooth transition between the forward running and turning positions. Thus, the usability of the appliance is improved. Preferably a joint is provided between the handle and the cleaner head, which joint may be lockable in order to prevent the cleaner head from turning when the appliance is in an upright position. This feature provides stability to the appliance when it is stationary. The main body of the appliance may be carried on the handle, as in an upright vacuum cleaner or stick vac. Alternatively, the main body may be located elsewhere and the invention may be used in the manner of a floor tool. Advantageously, the support assembly is arranged so that the diameter of the central portion is greater than that of the end portions, so that the outer surface has a spherical or barrel shape. This greater facilitates the user in turning the appliance in a new direction. The support assembly may house one or more components of the appliance. The term “surface treating appliance” is intended to have a broad meaning, and includes a wide range of machines having a head for travelling over a surface to clean or treat the surface in some manner. It includes, inter alia, machines which apply suction to the surface so as to draw material from it, such as vacuum cleaners (dry, wet and wet/dry), as well as machines which apply material to the surface, such as polishing/waxing machines, pressure washing machines, ground marking machines and shampooing machines. It also includes lawn mowers and other cutting machines. Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, in which: FIGS. 1 and 2 show a known type of vacuum cleaner; FIG. 3 shows a vacuum cleaner in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 4 and 5 show the vacuum cleaner of FIG. 3 in use; FIGS. 6 and 7 show the connection between the cleaner head and main body of the vacuum cleaner of FIGS. 3 to 5; FIGS. 8-10 show the roller assembly of the vacuum cleaner; FIGS. 11 and 12 show the roller assembly in use; FIG. 13 shows a cross-sectional view through the roller assembly of the vacuum cleaner; FIGS. 14-16 show ways of housing a filter within the roller assembly; FIG. 17 shows an alternative way of housing a motor and filter within the roller assembly; FIGS. 18-21 show alternative shapes of roller assembly; FIGS. 22-24 show a roller assembly with two rotating members; FIG. 25 shows an alternative roller assembly with two rotating members; FIG. 26 shows an alternative roller assembly with a larger number of rotating members; FIGS. 27 and 28 show alternative ways of connecting the main body to the cleaner head; FIG. 29a is a front perspective view of part of a mechanism for connecting the main body to the cleaner head in a first (locked) position; FIG. 29b is a side view of the mechanism of FIG. 29a in a second (unlocked) position; and FIG. 29c is a front sectional view of part of the mechanism of FIG. 29a along the line I-I′. FIGS. 3-13 show a first embodiment of a vacuum cleaner 200 with a main body 210, a roller assembly 220 and a cleaner head 230. The cleaner head 230, as in a conventional upright vacuum cleaner, serves to treat the floor surface. In this embodiment, it comprises a housing with a chamber for supporting a brush bar 232 (FIG. 6). The lower, floor-facing side of chamber has an air inlet slot 233 and the brush bar 232 is rotatably mounted in the chamber such that bristles on the brush bar 232 can protrude through the inlet slot 233 and can agitate the floor surface over which the cleaner head 230 passes. The brush bar 232 is rotatably driven by a dedicated motor 242 positioned on the cleaner head 230. A drive belt connects the motor 242 to the brush bar 232. This avoids the need to provide a driving connection between the suction fan and the brush bar. However, it will be appreciated that the brush bar can be driven in other ways, such as by a turbine which is driven by incoming or exhaust airflow, or by a coupling to the motor which is also used to drive the suction fan. The coupling between the motor and brush bar can alternatively be via a geared coupling. In alternative embodiments the brush bar can be removed entirely so that the machine relies entirely on suction or by some other form of agitation of the surface. For other types of surface treating machines, the cleaner head 230 can include appropriate means for treating the floor surface, such as a polishing pad, a liquid or wax dispensing nozzle etc. The lower face of the cleaner head 230 can include small rollers to ease movement across a surface. The cleaner head 230 is connected to the main body 210 of the vacuum cleaner in such a manner that the cleaner head 230 remains in contact with a floor surface as the main body is manoeuvred through a wide range of operating positions, e.g. when moved from side-to-side or when the main body 210 is twisted about its longitudinal axis 211. A yoke 235 connects the main body 210 to the cleaner head 230 in a manner which will be described in more detail below. The main body 210 is rotatably connected to a roller assembly 220, which lies at the base of the main body 210. The roller assembly 220 allows the apparatus to be easily pushed or pulled along a surface. The shape of the roller assembly 220 and the connections between the main body 210 and the roller assembly 220, and the roller assembly 220 and the cleaner head 230, allow the apparatus to be more easily manoeuvred than traditional vacuum cleaners. On the left hand side the mechanical connection between the main body 210 and the roller assembly 220 is by an arm 540 which extends downwardly from the base of the main body 210. As shown in more detail in FIG. 13, arm 540 includes a sleeve 541 for receiving a shaft 519 on which the roller shell 510 is rotatably mounted. On the right hand side of the machine, the connection between the main body 210 and the roller assembly 220 is by the flow ducts 531, 535, as best seen in FIG. 13. The main body 210 has a handle 212 which extends upwardly from the top of the main body 210. The handle has a gripping section 213 by which a user can comfortably grip the handle and manoeuvre the apparatus. The gripping section can simply be a part of the handle which is specially shaped or treated (e.g. rubberised) to make it easy to grasp, or it can be an additional part which is joined to the handle at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the handle, as shown in FIGS. 3-6. The outer shell 510 of the roller assembly 220 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 8-10. Conveniently, the outer shell 510 comprises two halves, one of which is shown in FIG. 9, which can be secured together by fixings which locate in bores 586. In this embodiment, the overall shape of the roller 220 resembles a barrel. Looking at the shape of the outer surface in the direction along the longitudinal axis, there is a generally flat central region 580 and an arcuate region 585 at each end where the diameter, or width, of the shell 510 decreases. The central, flat region 580 has a constant diameter and extends for around 25% of the total length of the roller assembly. We have found that a flat central region aids a user in steering the machine along a straight line, since the machine will naturally run straight and is less likely to wobble during backwards movements. The width of the central region can be increased or decreased as desired while still obtaining the benefit of the invention. The arcuate outer regions 585 allow the main body to roll towards one side when a user wishes to steer the machine in a different direction. Ridges 511 are provided on the outer surface of the roller shell 510 to improve grip over surfaces. It is also beneficial to provide a non-slip texture or coating on the outermost surface of the roller shell 510 to aid grip on slippery surfaces such as hard, shiny or wet floors. The length of the roller assembly is substantially equal to the width of the main body 210 of the vacuum cleaner. The provision of a continuous support surface across the width of the machine provides a reassuringly supportive feel to a user as the machine is manoeuvred through a wide range of operating positions. Alternatives to this shape of roller assembly are discussed later. Referring to FIG. 11, the shape of the roller surface is chosen such that the centre of mass 590 of the roller assembly always remains in a position in which it serves to right the machine. To demonstrate this, FIG. 12 shows that even when the roller is turned onto its outermost edge, the centre of mass 590 will still lie to the right of a line 592 drawn perpendicular to the surface, and thus the roller assembly will have a tendency to return to a stable position. The shape of the arcuate region 585 of the roller surface is also selected such that the distance between the centre of mass 590 of the roller assembly and a point on the surface of the roller shell increases as one moves along the arcuate surface away from the central region 580. The effect of this shape is that it requires an increasingly greater force to turn the roller, as the roller is turned further from the normal straight running position. The diameter of the roller shell 510 at each end of its longitudinal axis determines the extent to which the main body can roll to one side. This is chosen such that there will be sufficient clearance between the main body—and particularly the ducts 531, 535 at the point at which they enter the roller assembly—and the floor surface in this most extreme position. The mechanical connection between the main body 210 and the cleaner head 230 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In this embodiment, the connection between the main body 210 and the cleaner head 230 takes the form of a yoke 235 which is mounted to each end of the rotational axis 221 of the roller assembly 220. Further detail of the connection is shown in FIG. 13. The yoke 235 can rotate independently of the main body 210. At the forward, central part of the yoke 235 there is a joint 237 with an arm 243. Arm 243 joins the yoke 235 to the cleaner head 230. The other end of arm 243 is pivotably mounted to the cleaner head 230 about pivot 241. The joint 237 is of the type where the respective pipes can slide against one another. The plane of this jointed connection 237 is shown by line 238. The plane 238 of the joint is formed at a non-normal angle to the longitudinal axis of the arm 243. We have found that an angle which is substantially perpendicular to the floor surface (when the machine is in the forward running position), or further inclined from this position to what is shown in FIG. 6, works well. As arm 243 also carries airflow from the cleaner head 230, the joint 237 maintains an airtight seal as arm 243 moves with respect to yoke 235. This arrangement of the pivotal mounting 241 of the yoke 235 and joint 237, allows the main body 210 together with the roller assembly 220 to be rotated about its longitudinal axis 211, in the manner of a corkscrew, while the cleaner head 230 remains in contact with the floor surface. This arrangement also causes the cleaner head 230 to point in a new direction as the main body is rotated about its longitudinal axis 211. FIG. 3 shows the position for forward or backward movement in a straight line while FIGS. 4 and 5 show the vacuum cleaner in two different turning positions. In FIG. 3 the main body 210 is reclined into an operating position. The longitudinal axis 221 of the roller assembly 220 is parallel with the floor and with the longitudinal axis 231 of the cleaner head 230. Thus, the cleaner moves in a straight line. The main body can be moved anywhere between a fully upright position, in which the longitudinal axis 211 of the main body is perpendicular to the floor surface, and a fully reclined position in which the longitudinal axis 211 of the main body lies substantially parallel to the floor surface. FIG. 4 shows the vacuum cleaner turning towards the left. The main body 210 is rotated anti-clockwise about its longitudinal axis 211. This raises the longitudinal axis 221 of the roller 220 assembly into a position which is inclined with respect to the floor and which is facing towards the left compared to the starting, straight running, position. The inclined joint 237 between the main body 210 and cleaner head 230 causes the cleaner head 230 to point towards the left. The pivotable connections between the yoke 235 and the main body 210, and between the arm 243 and the cleaner head 230, allow the cleaner head to remain in contact with the floor, even though the height of the yoke 235 varies as the main body is rotated. The arcuate region 585 of the roller allows the body to roll into this position, while still providing support for the main body 210. The extent to which the main body 210 is turned in the anti-clockwise direction determines the extent to which the cleaner head 230 moves from its forward facing position towards the left. The smaller diameter part 585 of the roller assembly not only allows the main body to roll onto one side, but tightens the turning circle of the vacuum cleaner. FIG. 5 shows the vacuum cleaner turning towards the right. This is the opposite to what was just described for turning to the left. The main body 210 is rotated clockwise about its longitudinal axis 211. This raises the longitudinal axis 221 of the roller assembly 220 into a position which is inclined with respect to the floor and which is facing towards the right compared to the starting, straight running, position. The joint 237 between the main body 210 and cleaner head 230 causes the cleaner head 230 to point towards the right, while still remaining in contact with the floor. The arcuate region 585 of the roller allows the body to roll into this position, while still providing support for the main body 210. The extent to which the main body 210 is turned in the clockwise direction determines the extent to which the cleaner head 230 moves from its forward facing position towards the right. The main body 210 houses separating apparatus 240, 245 which serves to remove dirt, dust and/or other debris from a dirty airflow which is drawn in by the fan and motor on the machine. The separating apparatus can take many forms. We prefer to use cyclonic separating apparatus in which the dirt and dust is spun from the airflow of the type described more fully in, for example, EP 0 042 723. The cyclonic separating apparatus can comprise two stages of cyclone separation arranged in series with one another. The first stage 240 is a cylindrical-walled chamber and the second stage 245 is a tapering, substantially frusto-conically shaped, chamber or a set of these tapering chambers arranged in parallel with one another. In FIG. 3, airflow is directed tangentially into the upper part of a first cyclonic chamber 240 by duct 236. Larger debris and particles are removed and collected in the first cyclonic chamber. The airflow then passes through a shroud to a set of smaller frusto-conically shaped cyclonic chambers. Finer dust is separated by these chambers and the separated dust is collected in a common collecting region. The second set of separators can be upright, i.e. with their fluid inlets and outlets at the top and their dirt outlets at the bottom, or inverted, i.e. with their fluid inlets and outlets at the bottom and their dirt outlets at the top. However, the nature of the dust separating apparatus is not material to the present invention and the separation of dust from the airflow could equally be carried out using other means such as a conventional bag-type filter, a porous box filter, an electrostatic separator or some other form of separating apparatus. For embodiments of the apparatus which are not vacuum cleaners, the main body can house equipment which is appropriate to the task performed by the machine. For example, for a floor polishing machine the main body can house a tank for storing liquid wax. A fan and a motor for driving the fan, which together generate suction for drawing air into the apparatus, are housed in a chamber mounted inside the roller assembly 220. A number of airflow ducts carry airflow around the machine. Firstly, an airflow duct connects the cleaner head 230 to the main body of the vacuum cleaner. This airflow duct is located within the left hand arm (FIG. 3) of yoke 235. Another duct 236 carries the dirty airflow from the yoke 235 to separating apparatus 240 on the main body. A changeover mechanism is provided for selecting whether airflow from the yoke 235, or a separate hose on the machine, is carried to the separating apparatus 240. A suitable mechanism of this type is described more fully in our International Application WO 00/21425. Another airflow duct 531 connects the outlet of the separating apparatus 245 to the fan and motor, within the roller assembly 220, and a further airflow duct 535 connects the outlet of the fan and motor to a post motor filter on the main body 210. One or more filters are positioned in the airflow path downstream of the separating apparatus 240, 245. These filters remove any fine particles of dust which have not already been removed from the airflow by the separating apparatus 240, 245. We prefer to provide a first filter, called a pre-motor filter, before the motor and fan 520, and a second filter 550, called a post-motor filter, after the motor and fan 520. Where the motor for driving the suction fan has carbon brushes, the post-motor filter 520 also serves to trap any carbon particles emitted by the brushes. Filter assemblies generally comprise at least one filter located in a filter housing. Commonly, two or three filters are arranged in series in the filter assembly to maximise the amount of dust captured by the filter assembly. One known type of filter comprises a foam filter which is located directly in the air stream and has a large dust retaining capacity. An electrostatic or HEPA grade filter, which is capable of trapping very small dust particles, such as particles of less than one micron, is then provided downstream of the foam filter to retain any dust which escapes from the foam filter. In such a known arrangement, little or no dust is able to exit the filter assembly. Examples of suitable filters are shown in our International Patent Application numbers WO 99/30602 and WO 01/45545. In this embodiment, the filter or filters are both mounted in the main body 210. FIG. 13 shows a detailed cross-section through the roller assembly 220. The outer shell 510, which has previously been shown in FIGS. 8-10, is mounted such that it can rotate with respect to the main body 210. The main components within the roller shell 510 are a motor bucket 515 and a fan and motor unit 520. On the left hand side, a support arm 540 extends down from the main body 210 alongside the end face of the roller shell. A shaft 519 passes through a hole in the centre of the end face of the roller shell 510. Shaft 519 is supported by a sleeve in part 541 of arm 540. The roller shell 510 is rotatably supported on the shaft 519 by bearings 518. The shaft 519 extends along the longitudinal axis (and rotational axis) of the roller shell 510 to locate within a pocket 525 on the end face of the motor bucket 515. On the right hand side of the machine, the roller shell 510 has a much larger opening in its side face so as to accommodate inlet 531 and outlet 535 ducts. The inlet and outlet ducts 531, 535 serve a number of purposes. They provide support both for the roller shell 510 and the motor bucket 515 and they duct air into/out of the motor bucket 515. The roller shell 510 is rotatably supported on the motor bucket 515 by bearings 516. The motor bucket 515 is mounted in a fixed relationship to the main body 210 and support ducts, i.e. the motor bucket 515 moves with the main body and the support ducts while the roller shell 510 can rotate around the motor bucket 515 when the machine is moved along a surface. The motor bucket 515 fixes to the ducts 531, 535 by part 526. Ducts 531 and 535 communicate with the interior of the motor bucket 515. Duct 531 delivers airflow from the separating apparatus 240, 245 on the main body 210 directly to the inside of the motor bucket 515. Mounting the fan and motor unit within the motor bucket 515 helps to reduce noise since the motor bucket 515 and the roller shell 510 form a double-skinned housing for the fan and motor unit 520, with an air gap between the skins 510, 515. The fan and motor unit 520 is mounted within the motor bucket 515 at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the motor bucket 515 and the roller shell 510. This serves two purposes: firstly, it distributes the weight of the motor 520 evenly about the centre of the roller shell, i.e. the centre of gravity of the fan and motor unit is aligned with the centre of the gravity of the overall roller assembly, and secondly, it improves the airflow path from inlet duct 531 into the fan and motor unit 520. The fan and motor unit 520 is supported within the motor bucket 515 by fixings at each end of its longitudinal axis. At the left hand side, the cavity between outwardly extending ribs 521 receives part 522 of the motor. On the right hand side, an outwardly tapering funnel 532 joins inlet duct 531 to the inlet of the fan and motor unit 520. The downstream end of the funnel 532 has a flange 523 which fits around the fan and motor unit 520 to support the fan and motor unit 520. Further support is provided by a web 524 which surrounds the fan and motor unit 520 and fits between flange 523 and the inner face of the motor bucket 515. The funnel 532 also ensures that incoming and outgoing airflows from the motor bucket are separated from one another. Air is carried to the fan and motor unit 520 within the roller assembly by inlet duct 531 and funnel 532. Once airflow has passed through the fan and motor unit 520, it is collected and channelled by the motor bucket 515 towards the outlet duct 535. Outlet duct 535 carries the airflow to the main body 210. Outlet duct 535 connects to the lower part of the main body 210. Part 552 of the main body is a filter housing for the post motor filter 550. Air from duct 535 is carried to the lower face of the filter housing, passes through filter 550 itself, and can then exhaust to atmosphere through venting apertures on the filter housing 552. The venting apertures are distributed around the filter housing 552. A stand assembly 260, 262 is provided on the machine to provide support when the machine is left in an upright position. The stand assembly is arranged so that it is automatically deployed when the main body 210 is brought towards the fully upright position, and is retracted when the main body 210 is reclined from the fully upright position. There is a wide range of alternative configurations to what has just been described and a number of these will now be described. In the embodiment just described, airflow is ducted into and out of the roller shell 510, from one side of the roller shell, and the space within the roller shell 510 is used to house a motor bucket 515 and the fan and motor unit 520. Other uses can be made of the space inside the roller shell 510 and FIGS. 14-16 show some of these alternatives. In each of FIGS. 14-16 a filter is housed within the roller shell 600. In FIG. 14 a cylindrical filter assembly 605 is housed within the roller shell 600 with its longitudinal axis aligned with that of the roller shell. An inlet airflow duct 601 carries air from the outlet of the separating apparatus 240, 245 on the main body 210 of the vacuum cleaner to the interior of the roller shell 600. An outlet airflow duct 602 carries airflow from the interior of the roller shell 600. The roller shell is rotatably mounted about ducts 601, 602 on bearings 603. Filter 605 is supported by the ducts 601, 602. In use, air flows from inlet duct 601, around the outside of filter 605 and radially inwards, through the filter medium, to the central core of the filter 605. The air can then flow along the core and exit the roller shell 600 via outlet duct 602. In FIG. 15, a filter 610 is mounted transversely across the roller shell 600. The inner surface of the roller shell 610 can be provided with suitable fixings for securing the filter 610 in place. The air flow in FIG. 15 is much simpler. Air flows from inlet duct 611, through the interior of the roller shell 600, through filter medium 610 and then leaves the roller shell via outlet duct 612. The filter material can include foam and filter paper which is either flat or pleated to increase the surface area of filter medium presented to the airflow. FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 14 in that a filter 625 is mounted with its longitudinal axis aligned with that of the roller shell 600. The notable difference is that air can exhaust directly to atmosphere from via apertures 608 in the roller shell 600. Duct 622 provides mechanical support for the roller shell and does not carry airflow. To gain access to the filter a hatch can be provided in the roller shell 600. However, as many filters are now lifetime filters, which do not require changing during the normal lifetime of the machine, it can be acceptable to fit the filter within the roller shell in a less accessible manner. In each of these embodiments it is possible to provide an inner shell within the roller shell 600, in the same manner as motor bucket 515 was provided in FIG. 13. The inner shell will be sealed to the inlet and outlet ducts, thus alleviating the sealing requirements of the roller shell. In FIGS. 14 and 15 the exhaust duct can be mounted on the same side of the roller assembly as the inlet duct. The two ducts can be mounted in a side-by-side relationship, as previously shown in FIG. 13, or one duct can surround the other duct, as shown later in FIG. 18. FIG. 17 shows an alternative arrangement for mounting a fan and motor unit inside the roller assembly. As with the arrangement shown in FIG. 13, there is a roller shell 700 with a motor bucket 715 mounted inside, and the roller shell 700 can rotate around the motor bucket 715. An inlet airflow duct carries air to the fan and motor unit 520. However, in this embodiment, a filter 710 is positioned downstream of the fan and motor, inside motor bucket 715. Air is exhausted directly from the roller assembly via an outlet 705. The outlet 705 is positioned next to the support arm 702 on the hub of roller 700. This means that air outlet 705 remains stationary as the roller 700 rotates. As a further alternative, the filter 710 could be omitted altogether. Where the motor is a brushless motor, such as a switched reluctance motor, there will not be any carbon emissions from the motor and thus there is less need for a post-motor filter. When air is directly exhausted from the roller assembly in this manner there is an option of still providing the second support arm 702 (which does not carry airflow), or the second support arm 702 can simply be omitted and all of the support for the roller assembly is provided by the first support arm. Alternatively, or additionally, the roller assembly may house other active components of the appliance, such as a motor for driving a surface agitating device and/or a motor for driving wheels so that the appliance is self-propelling along the surface. In another alternative embodiment, separating apparatus can be housed inside the roller assembly, such as the cyclonic separating apparatus hereinbefore described. Shape of Roller The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3-13 has a barrel shaped roller with a flat central region and tapering end regions. FIGS. 18-21 show a range of alternative roller shapes. This list is not intended to be exhaustive and other shapes, not illustrated, are intended to fall within the scope of the invention. The roller, or set of rolling members, can have a substantially spherical shape, as shown in FIG. 18, or a spherical shape with truncated faces 811, 812 as shown in FIG. 19. A true sphere has the advantage that the force required to turn the roller remains constant as the main body is turned from a straight running position, since the distance between the centre of mass and surface remains constant. Also, because the distance between the geometric centre of the roller assembly and the outer surface remains constant, the height of joint 237 between yoke 235 and the cleaner head 230 remains constant as the main body is rotated about its longitudinal axis 211. This simplifies the jointing requirements between the main body and the cleaner head 230. Truncating the end faces of the sphere has the benefits of reducing the width of the roller and removing a part of the surface which is not likely to be used. Also, the ducts entering and leaving the roller are likely to make contact with the floor if the machine were allowed to roll onto the outer most part of the surface. FIG. 20 shows a sphere with a central flat region 813 and FIG. 21 shows a central ring 814 of constant diameter with a hemisphere 815, 816 at each end. The embodiments shown above provide a roller assembly with a single rolling member. A larger number of parts can be provided. FIGS. 22-24 show embodiments where the roller assembly comprises a pair of shell-like parts 731, 732. Each part is independently rotatable. Part 731 is rotatable about a combined support arm and duct 735, 736 and part 732 is rotatable about combined duct and support arm 740. A motor bucket 742 fits within the rotatable parts 731, 732 and supports fan and motor unit 743. An advantage in providing two shell-like parts 731, 732 is that the space between parts 731, 732, in the direction along the rotational axis of the parts 731, 732, can be used to accommodate a duct 745 which carries air from the cleaner head 230 to the interior of the roller assembly, a mechanical connection between the cleaner head and the roller assembly, or both of these features. In FIGS. 23 and 24 a combined mechanical connection and air duct 741 is connected to the front of the motor bucket 742, in the space between parts 731, 732, passes inside the motor bucket 742, and then extends in a direction which is aligned with the rotational axis of part 732. Outlet duct 740 provides mechanical support for part 732 as well as carrying air flow to the main body of the vacuum cleaner. There are two ways in which the required degree of articulation between the duct 745 and main body can be achieved. Firstly, duct 745 can be pivotably mounted to the motor bucket 742. Secondly, the duct 745 can be rigidly mounted to the motor bucket 742 and the motor bucket 742 is rotatably mounted to the support arms 735, 736 and 740. The space between the two rotatable parts 731, 732 can be used to accommodate a driving connection between a motor inside the motor bucket 742 to a brush bar on the cleaner head 230. The driving connection can be achieved by a belt and/or gears. As shown in FIG. 25, the rotational axis of each rolling member need not be aligned with one another. Here the rotational axes 821, 822 of rolling members 823, 824 are each inclined inwardly from the vertical. It is also possible to provide three or more rotatable parts. Indeed, there can be a much large number of adjacent parts which are each free to rotate about an axle as the apparatus is moved along a surface. The set of rotatable parts can all be mounted about a linear axis, with the diameter of each part decreasing with distance from the central region of the axis. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 26, the rotatable parts 825 can all have the same or similar size and are mounted about an axis 826 which has the shape which is required from the lower surface of the roller assembly. The rotatable parts 825 can be small, solid parts which are mounted about a shaft, or they can be larger, hollow, annular parts which are rotatably mounted about a housing whose longitudinal axis is non-linear. The housing can accommodate a motor or filter, as previously described. In each embodiment, the shape of the roller assembly, or set of rotatable parts, defines a support surface which decreases in diameter towards each end of the rotational axis so as to allow the main body to turn with ease. As in the embodiment described above, it is preferred that the central region of the rotatable part, or set of parts, is substantially flat as this has been found to increase stability of the apparatus when it is driven in a straight line. Connection Between Main Body and the Cleaner Head Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 7, the connection between the main body 210 and the cleaner head 230 is via a yoke 235 which has a joint 237 formed at a plane which is inclined to the longitudinal axis of arm 243. The angle of the plane 238 in which the joint lies can be varied from what is shown here. We have found that forming the joint 237 such that the plane 238 of the joint is normal with the longitudinal axis of the arm 243 is acceptable, but does not provide the full advantage of the invention since rotating the yoke does not cause arm 243 (and hence the cleaner head 230) to turn. Forming the joint 237 such that the plane 238 of the joint is inclined with the longitudinal axis of the arm 243, and substantially perpendicular to the floor surface (with the machine in a forward running position) provides good results. Inclining the plane 238 still further to what is shown in FIG. 6, or further still, increases the extent to which cleaner head 230 will move when the main body is rotated about its longitudinal axis. The connection between arm 243 and cleaner head 230 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 as a true pivot with a shaft. We have found that while some degree of pivotal movement is required at this position, this movement can be achieved by a more relaxed form of jointed connection. FIG. 27 shows an alternative form of the connection between the main body 210 and the cleaner head 230. As previously, there is a yoke 235, each end of the yoke connecting to the main body about the rotational axis 221 of the roller assembly. Also, there is a short arm 243 which is pivotably connected to the cleaner head 230. The difference is at the forward face of the yoke 235. Instead of a rotating joint which is inclined at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the arm 243, there is a rotating joint which is formed at an angle which is normal to the longitudinal axis of the arm 243 and the part of the yoke 235 which joins arm 243 at joint 852 has an elbow shape 851. The combination of an elbow shape and a joint at a normal angle has been found to be equivalent to providing a joint at an inclined angle. This alternative scheme can be more cumbersome to implement as it requires more space between the cleaner head 230 and the roller assembly 220. Part of a further alternative connection between the main body and the cleaner head is illustrated in FIGS. 29a, b and c. As before, the connection comprises a yoke 901, each end portion 902, 903 of the yoke being connectable to the main body about the rotational axis of the roller assembly. The central portion of the yoke comprises a joint 904 that is connectable to a cleaner head (not shown), either directly or via an intermediate arm, such as those illustrate in FIGS. 7 and 27. The connection further comprises a locking arm 905 that is pivotably attached to the yoke 901 at the end portions 902, 903, and extends along it. The locking arm 905 has a central extending portion 906, which may be rigid with respect to the arm or may be pivotably attached to it. The central portion 906 can be received by a complementary notch arrangement 907 in the joint 904, so as to “lock” the joint and prevent it from being rotated when, for example, the appliance is in the standing position. The linkage is shown in the locked position in FIG. 29a. Thus, the cleaner head itself provides extra stability to the appliance in the standing position. Resilient means (not shown) may be provided to bias the central portion 906 of the locking arm 905 towards the joint when the appliance is in the standing position, so as to provide automatic locking of the joint. When it is desired to use the appliance, the user reclines the main body of the appliance. The connection is arranged so that, when the main body is tilted backwards, the locking arm 905 rotates with respect to the yoke 901 and is raised to the extent that the central portion 906 of the locking arm is lifted out of the notch 907, thereby unlocking the joint 904 for rotation. The linkage is shown in the unlocked position in FIGS. 29a and 29c. Resilient means may be provided to assist the raising of the locking arm 905. Motion of the locking arm 905 may be influenced by motion of the stand assembly 260, 262 during reclining and righting of the appliance. The central portion 906 of the locking arm 905 may be provided with downwardly-extending tines 908a, b, c, that are received by respective notches 909a, b, c, in the joint 904. The tines 908 are arranged to be flexible so that, if the user attempts to apply rotational force to the locked joint beyond a predetermined limit, at least one of the tines deforms. The applied force then causes the tines 908 to pop out of the notches 909, thereby freeing the joint 904 for rotation. This feature prevents the connection from being damaged in the event that excessive force is applied to the joint while the appliance is in the standing position. If the appliance is returned to the standing position, the central portion 906 of the locking arm 905 is urged back into the locked position in the joint by the force of the resilient means. The supports between the main body and the cleaner head do not have to be rigid. FIG. 28 shows a pair of flexible support tubes 831, 832 which connect the roller assembly 830 to the cleaner head 833. Where flexible tubes are used, the cleaner head can freely remain in contact with the floor surface as the main body is rolled from side-to-side or twisted about its longitudinal axis. The use of flexible tubes in this manner avoids the need for a more complex arrangement of mechanical joints between the main body and the cleaner head. Of course, a combination of connection mechanisms can be employed. In each of the embodiments shown and described above airflow ducts have been used, wherever possible, to provide mechanical support between parts of the machine, e.g. between the main body 210 and roller assembly 220 and between the cleaner head 230 and main body 210 by yoke 235. This requires the ducts to be suitably sealed. It should be understood that in each embodiment where the features of a flow duct and mechanical support have been combined, separate supports and flow ducts can be substituted in their place. The flow duct can be a flexible or rigid pipe which lies alongside the mechanical support. Although there are advantages in housing the motor inside the roller assembly, in an alternate embodiment, the fan and motor can be housed in the main body. This simplifies the ducting requirements on the machine since there only needs to be a duct from the cleaner head to the main body. Support arms are still required between the main body and the roller assembly and between the main body and the cleaner head. While the illustrated embodiment shows a vacuum cleaner in which ducts carry airflow, it will be appreciated that the invention can be applied to vacuum cleaners which carry other fluids, such as water and detergents.

20050127

20091013

20051013

63405.0

WILSON, LEE D

SURFACE TREATING APPLIANCE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Laser processing device, processing method, and method of producing circuit substrate using the method

A laser processing apparatus for performing processing such as perforation on a ceramic green sheet etc. using a laser beam efficiently. The laser processing apparatus is provided with a plurality of optical path systems disposed between a laser oscillator and an irradiation position control optical system for irradiating a predetermined position on a work piece with a laser beam. The plurality of optical path systems includes an optical path system that guides the laser beam to the irradiation position control optical system without changing its cross sectional shape in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the laser beam and an optical path system that guides the laser beam while changing its cross sectional shape so that these optical path systems are selectively used in accordance with the processing condition.

1. A laser processing apparatus for irradiating a work piece with a laser beam to process the irradiated portion comprising: a laser oscillator for generating said laser beam with a predetermined pulse; an irradiation position control optical system for causing said laser beam to irradiate a predetermined position on said work piece; a plurality of optical path systems for guiding the laser beam emitted from said laser oscillator to said irradiation position controlling optical system; and a total reflection mirror as optical path switching means, which is capable of proceeding into and retracting from an optical path, for determining which optical path system is used, from said plurality of optical path systems, wherein said plurality of optical path systems includes at least a first optical path system that guides said laser beam emitted from said laser oscillator to said irradiation position control optical system without changing its energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the laser beam and a second optical path system that guides said laser beam emitted from said laser oscillator to said irradiation position control optical system while changing its energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the laser beam, and said total reflection mirror proceeds into and retracts from the optical path with a speed being synchronized with a off timing of the laser beam in the predetermined pulse of said laser oscillator. 2. A laser processing apparatus for irradiating a work piece with a laser beam to process the irradiated portion comprising: a laser oscillator for generating said laser beam; an irradiation position control optical system for causing said laser beam to irradiate a predetermined position on said work piece; and a plurality of optical path systems for guiding the laser beam emitted from said laser oscillator to said irradiation position controlling optical system; and a total reflection mirror as optical path switching means, which is capable of proceeding into and retracting from an optical path, for determining which optical path system is used, from said plurality of optical path systems, wherein said plurality of optical path systems includes at least a first optical path system that guides said laser beam emitted from said laser oscillator to said irradiation position control optical system without changing the energy intensity of the laser beam and a second optical path system that changes the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof by preventing a portion of the laser beam emitted from said laser oscillator from reaching said irradiation position control optical system, and said total reflection mirror proceeds into and retracts from the optical path with a speed being synchronized with a off timing of the laser beam in the predetermined pulse of said laser oscillator. 3. (canceled) 4. (canceled) 5. A laser processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second optical path system that changes the energy distribution of said laser beam includes a mask that makes the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the laser beam substantially uniform. 6. A laser processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second optical path system that changes the energy distribution of said laser beam includes a homogenizer that makes the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the laser beam substantially uniform. 7. A laser processing method for irradiating a work piece with a laser beam to process the irradiated portion, comprising: a first processing step of irradiating a predetermined position on said work piece with a laser beam emitted from a laser oscillator without changing its energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of said laser beam; a laser beam switching step of switching a laser beam to be used after completing said first processing step, from said laser beam that is not changed in its energy distribution to a laser beam that is formed by changing the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, of the laser beam emitted from said laser oscillator, by inserting a total reflection mirror into and retracting said total reflection mirror from an optical path of said laser beam; and a second processing step of performing irradiation with said laser beam that has been changed in the energy distribution onto said predetermined position on said work piece. 8. (canceled) 9. A method according to claim 7, wherein the energy intensity distribution of said laser beam that has been changed in the energy distribution guided onto said work piece is made uniform. 10. A method of manufacturing a circuit board comprising a step of performing a perforation processing on a ceramic green sheet and a step of filling the hole formed with an electrode material, said perforation processing comprising: a first processing step of irradiating a predetermined position on said ceramic green sheet with a laser beam emitted from a laser oscillator without changing its energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of said laser beam; a laser beam switching step of switching a laser beam to be used after completing said first processing step, from said laser beam that is not changed in its energy distribution to a laser beam that is formed by changing the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, of the laser beam emitted from said laser oscillator, by inserting a total reflection mirror into and retracting said total reflection mirror from an optical path of said laser beam; and a second processing step of performing irradiation with said laser beam that has been changed in the energy distribution onto said predetermined position on said work piece.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a processing apparatus and processing method for performing a processing such as perforation or cutting on a work piece using a laser beam. More particularly, the present invention relates to a perforation apparatus and perforation method for efficiently perforating a so-called ceramic green sheet made of a ceramic and a method for manufacturing a circuit board by processing the green sheet. BACKGROUND ART Circuit boards made of a ceramic have superior heat-resisting quality and durability as compared to general resin boards, and their use in, for example, personal digital assistants have been increasing. On the other hand, with a view to increase packing densities, cases in which functions as a circuit are added to ceramic boards and such boards are stacked to be used as a multilayer board have also been increasing. The green sheet is a common name for a ceramic etc. before sintering, and the board is generally subjected to processing such as perforation for forming multilayer wiring in the green sheet state. Use of a laser beam in perforation or other processing has been increasing in view of the processing rate achieved or the facility in changing the shape of the processed hole or in view of easiness in forming a hole with a high circularity. In the following, a conventional apparatus for perforating various work pieces, especially ceramic green sheets using a laser beam will be briefly described with reference to a drawing. This apparatus includes a laser oscillator 101 for generating a laser beam used for processing, a guide laser oscillation apparatus 102 for generating a guide laser beam, an optical system 120 for shaping the guide laser beam and the processing laser beam and guiding them to a predetermined position on a work piece 103, an XY stage 104 for moving the work piece 103 placed on it in the X and Y directions, a camera for capturing the shape of the guide laser incident on the work piece 103 or the shape of a processed hole etc. as an image and used for positioning of the work piece, and a control system 110 for driving these components. The guide laser (for example, red light) is projected onto the work piece previously, so that correction of the position at which the laser for actual processing is projected or correction of the shape of the laser is effected based on the projection position and shape of the guide laser. The optical system 120 is composed of total reflection mirrors 121, 123, 126, a dichroic mirror 122, a mask 124, a collimator lens 127, an XY galvano scanner mirror 128 and an fθ lens 129. The laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator 101 is deflected by the total reflection mirror 127 so as to be directed toward the dichroic mirror 122, and transmitted through the dichroic mirror 122 from its back side. Then, the laser beam is deflected again by the total reflection mirror 123 so as to be directed toward the mask 124. The guide laser beam emitted from the guide laser oscillator 102 is deflected by the dichroic mirror 122 so as to travel on the same optical path as the processing laser beam. The processing laser beam and the guide laser beam pass through the opening 124a of the mask 124, whereby they are shaped into a form corresponding to a hole to be formed such as a approximately circular form etc. The laser beam after transmitted (passing) through the mask is a little divergent, and it is necessary to reshape it into parallel light using a collimator lens or the like. For this purpose, the laser beam after shaping is deflected by the total reflection mirror 126 so as to enter the collimator lens 128. The irradiation position of the laser beam having been made into parallel light by the collimator lens 127 is moved by the XY galvano scanner mirror 128 and the fθ lens 129 in such a way that it is delivered to a desired processing position on the work piece 103. The XY galvano scanner mirror and the fθ lens function together as an irradiation position control optical system for the laser beam. The control system 110 is composed of a galvano scanner control portion 112, an image processing portion 113, a drive control portion 114 and a main control portion for controlling these portions and controlling the laser oscillator etc. in synchronization with the control by these portions. The galvano scanner control portion 112 is connected with the XY galvano scanner mirror 128 to control the irradiation position of the laser beam by controlling the XY galvano scanner mirror 128. The image processing portion 113 is connected with the camera 105. The image processing portion 113 monitors the condition, position and degree of accuracy of the processed hole based on an image obtained through the camera 105 and outputs information on the number of pulses and intensity of the laser beam to the main control portion. The drive control portion 114 drives the XY stage 104 to change the position of the work piece 103 in such a way that the position on the work piece at which a hole is to be made comes into the area that can be irradiated by the laser beam controlled by the galvano scanner mirror. This apparatus is constructed in such a way that the shape of the mask 124 is projected onto the surface of the work piece 103 at a desired reduction ratio, and a processed hole with a nearly circular shape and having little taper in its cross section is obtained. In the above-described conventional apparatus, a large part of the laser beam is blocked by the mask 124, and only the portion that have passed through the opening 124a of the mask is used for actual processing. Accordingly, the utilization efficiency of the laser beam is not so high, and it is required to use an oscillator having a relatively large output power as the laser oscillator 101 in view of the aforementioned blocking. It is considered that the utilization efficiency of the laser affects the processing efficiency greatly especially in the case that the surface layer is made of a material having a relatively low absorption efficiency for the laser beam. In this case, the number of pulses of the laser required for processing is very large, which results in a large decrease in the processing efficiency. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems. An object of the present invention is to improve the utilization efficiency of the laser beam and to enhance the processing efficiency even for work pieces with a surface made of a material that is hard to process, to provide a laser processing apparatus and a processing method with which a desired processed shape can be easily achieved. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a circuit board in which processing such as perforation is applied on a ceramic green sheet using the aforementioned method. To solve the above-described problems, according to the present invention, there is provided a laser processing apparatus for irradiating a work piece with a laser beam to process the irradiated portion comprising a laser oscillator for generating the laser beam, an irradiation position control optical system for causing the laser beam to irradiate a predetermined position on the work piece, and a plurality of optical path systems for guiding the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator to the irradiation position controlling optical system, wherein the plurality of optical path systems includes at least a first optical path system that guides the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator to the irradiation position control optical system without changing the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the laser beam and a second optical path system that guides the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator to the irradiation position control optical system while changing the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the laser beam. To solve the above-described problems, according to the present invention there is provided a laser processing apparatus for irradiating a work piece with a laser beam to process the irradiated portion comprising a laser oscillator for generating the laser beam, an irradiation position control optical system for causing the laser beam to irradiate a predetermined position on the work piece, and a plurality of optical path systems for guiding the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator to the irradiation position controlling optical system, wherein the plurality of optical path systems includes at least a first optical path system that guides the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator to the irradiation position control optical system without changing the energy intensity of the laser beam and a second optical path system that changes the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof by preventing a portion of the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator from reaching the irradiation position control optical system. The above-described apparatus may include optical path switching means for switching the optical path that is used in guiding the laser beam, and the switching of the optical path systems may be performed during an off-time of the pulse irradiation of the laser beam. Furthermore, in the above-described apparatus, the second optical path system that changes the energy distribution of the laser beam may include a mask or homogenizer or a combination of them that makes the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the laser beam substantially uniform. To solver the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, there is provided a laser processing method for irradiating a work piece with a laser beam to process the irradiated portion, comprising a first processing step of irradiating a predetermined position on the work piece with a laser beam emitted from a laser oscillator without changing its energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the laser beam, a laser beam switching step of stopping the irradiation with the laser beam that is not changed in its energy distribution and guiding a laser beam that is formed by changing the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, of the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator to the predetermined position on the work piece, and a second processing step of performing irradiation with the laser beam that has been changed in the energy distribution. In the above-described method, it is preferable that the laser beam switching step be performed during an off-time of the pulse irradiation of the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator. It is also preferable that the energy intensity distribution of the laser beam that has been changed in the energy distribution guided onto the work piece be made uniform. To solve the above-mentioned problems, according to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a circuit board comprising a step of performing a perforation processing on a ceramic green sheet and a step of filling the hole formed with an electrode material, the perforation processing comprising a first processing step of irradiating a predetermined position on the ceramic green sheet with a laser beam emitted from a laser oscillator without changing its energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the laser beam, a laser beam switching step of stopping the irradiation with the laser beam that is not changed in its energy distribution and guiding a laser beam that is formed by changing the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, of the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator to the predetermined position on the work piece and a second processing step of performing irradiation with the laser beam that has been changed in the energy distribution. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 schematically shows the basic structure of a laser processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 schematically shows the basic structure of the second optical path system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 illustrates the optical path switching mirror in FIG. 1. FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E show sequential statuses of processing in the case of a conventional apparatus. FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D and 5E show sequential statuses of processing in the case of an apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 schematically shows the basic structure of a conventional laser perforating apparatus. THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A laser processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this apparatus, the portions other than the optical system, namely the laser oscillator, the guide laser oscillator, the XY stage and the control portions etc. are not particularly different from those in the conventional apparatus, and the following description will be mainly directed to the optical system. FIG. 1 shows the outline of the optical system in the processing apparatus according to the present invention. This optical system includes total reflection mirrors 21 and 26, a dichroic mirror 22, optical path switching mirrors 8 and 9, a first optical path system 30 and a second optical path system 40. A processing laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator 1 is deflected by the total reflection mirror 21 toward the dichroic mirror 22, transmitted through the dichroic mirror 22, and then arrives at the position of the optical path switching mirror 8. A guide laser beam emitted from the guide laser oscillator 2 is deflected by the dichroic mirror 22 so that its optical path will coincide with that of the processing laser beam. Which optical path system, among the first optical path system 30 and the second optical path system 40, the processing laser beam and the guide laser beam is made to pass is selected by the optical path switching mirror 8. The laser beam having passed through the first or second optical path 30, 40 is reflected by the optical path switching mirror 9 toward the total reflection mirror 26, and directed by this mirror to a collimator lens that is not show in the drawings. In the downstream of the collimator lens, an XY galvano scanner mirror and other parts similar to those in the conventional apparatus are provided, and the laser beam is guided to a desired position on the work piece by those optical elements. In other words, the laser processing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with an irradiation position control optical system including the XY galvano scanner mirror etc., though they are not shown in FIG. 1. The first optical path system 30 includes total reflection mirrors 31 and 32 and an beam expander 35. In this optical system, the laser beam arrives at the expander 35 without being blocked by any means. The irradiation diameter of the laser beam is enlarged by the expander so that a predetermined area can be irradiated with the laser beam, and then the laser beam is guided to the optical path switching mirror 9. No structure that may partially block the laser beam is disposed in the optical path of the laser beam passing through the first optical path system 30. Therefore, it is possible to make the most part of the processing laser emitted from the laser oscillator 1 to be incident on the work piece directly. In other words, the energy intensity of the laser beam directed to the work piece through the first optical path system 30 is not reduced from the state as it was when emitted from the laser oscillator, and the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to its optical axis (the cross sectional shape) does not vary. Accordingly, processing with high utilization efficiency can be realized. In connection with this, if the energy density of the laser beam delivered to the surface of the work piece is to be enhanced further, a condenser lens or the like may be used in place of the aforementioned beam expander. In this case also, the total energy of the laser beam in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis does not vary, and similarity of the energy distribution is also maintained basically. The second optical path system 40 includes a homogenizer 45, a slit 44 and total reflection mirrors 41 and 42. In this optical path system, the output waveform of the laser beam is shaped by the homogenizer 45 in such a way that the energy distribution of the laser beam becomes a top-hat shape. FIG. 2 schematically shows the beam shaping effected by the homogenizer. The beam waveform (i.e. the energy distribution) shown with respect to the direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the laser beam is of the shape indicated by Ein in FIG. 2. When the laser beam passes through two aspherical lenses 45a and 45b having certain curved surfaces included in the homogenizer 45, the laser light corresponding to the central portion of Ein is dispersed to the peripheral portions and the laser light corresponding to the peripheral portions is concentrated to the central portion. As a result, the laser beam emerging from the homogenizer 45 will have a beam shape called top-hat indicated by Eout in which an energy intensity distribution is substantially uniform all over the irradiation area. Thus, the energy distribution in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis of the laser beam having passed through the second optical path system 40 has been deformed to a large extent as compared to the distribution just after the laser beam is emitted from the oscillator. The laser beam that has been shaped into the top-hat by the homogenizer 45 passes through a mask 44 disposed in the downstream of the homogenizer, whereby the laser beam is shaped to have a beam shape corresponding to the opening 44a. The laser beam thus shaped is guided by the total reflection mirrors 41 and 42 to the optical path switching mirror 9, and then it is guided by the total reflection mirror 26 to the collimator lens not shown in the drawings in the same manner as the laser beam having passed through the first optical path system 30. As per the above, for example in the case that a nearly circular hole is to be formed on a work piece, it is possible to produce a laser beam having a circular shape and having a uniform beam intensity in the circular area by passing the laser beam through the homogenizer 45 and the mask 44. Next, the optical path switching mirrors 8 and 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows the optical path switching mirror 8, and the following description will be directed only to the mirror 8, since the basic structure thereof is the same as the mirror 9. The mirror 8 is connected, at its back side end, with a drive apparatus such as a single axis drive motor and a cylinder etc. not shown in the drawings. The mirror 8 is adapted to be driven in a specific axial direction A, and it can be stopped at two positions, one of which is in the optical path of the laser beam and the other is out of the optical path. When the laser beam reflection surface 8a is out of the optical path, the laser beam is guided to the first optical path system without a change in its traveling direction. On the other hand, when the reflection surface 8a is in the optical path, the traveling direction of the laser beam is changed by the reflection surface by 90 degrees and guided to the second optical path system. By using the laser processing apparatus having the above-described structure, it is possible to improve the utilization efficiency of the laser beam and to enhance the processing efficiency even for work pieces with a surface made of a material that is hard to process, and therefore a desired processed shape can be easily obtained. In the following, advantages of the present invention will be described in connection with a specific case in which perforation processing is performed on a work piece having the first layer that is hard to process and the second layer that is easy to process, with reference to sequential statuses in the case of the processing by the conventional apparatus shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E and sequential statuses in the case of the processing by the apparatus according to the present invention shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D and 5D. FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E and FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D and 5D show cases in which a hole is made on a work piece in which the second layer 62 that is easy to process and the first layer 61 that is hard to process are laminated on a base film 60 made of a PET or the like, while the base film 60 is left unprocessed. In the case that the laser beam that has been shaped by a mask or the like is used, a hole is formed in the laser beam irradiation area on the first layer 61 from its outermost surface at a substantially constant processing rate as shown in FIGS. 4B, 4C and 4D. In this case, since the energy density of the laser beam per unit irradiation area is low, the hole formation speed is low. Accordingly, the required number of pulses of the irradiation laser beam is very large. After the first layer 61 that is hard to process has been removed, the perforation processing is applied on the second layer 62 that is easy to process, as shown in FIGS. 4D and 4E, and the number of irradiation pulses can be made small. In the case that the laser processing apparatus according to the present invention is used, the surface of the first layer 61 is firstly irradiated with the laser beam having passed through the first optical path system. In this case, the laser beam is delivered to the surface of the work piece while having, for example, a Gaussian distribution in which the energy density is high at its center without a loss in its energy. Accordingly, a hole is formed rapidly at the substantially central portion of the laser beam irradiation area as shown in FIG. 5B. However, the laser beam used has not been subjected to any shaping process as to its shape and energy distribution etc. Therefore, if the processing is further performed with this laser beam, it is difficult to produce a hole with a desired shape. In view of this, at the time when a part of the first layer 61 is thoroughly removed and a portion of the second layer 62 is exposed in the laser beam irradiation area, the laser beam used is switched to the laser beam having passed through the second optical path system that has been shaped and rendered uniform (FIG. 5C). The switching operation is effected by the optical path switching mirrors 8 and 9. At the time when the laser beam is switched, the first layer 61 that is hard to process still remains in the laser irradiation area to some extent. Accordingly, after the laser beam has been switched, the processing rate differs between in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the irradiation area and in the vicinity of the center, and the cross sectional shape of the hole made is tapered as shown in FIG. 5C or 5D. However, the taper can be eliminated by optimizing the number of pulses of the irradiation laser beam etc. to terminate the perforation processing at the base film 60 and removing the vicinity of the periphery of the irradiation area by subsequent laser beam irradiation. With the above-described process shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, it is possible to make a hole without a taper in its cross section similar to the hole shown in FIG. 4D produced by the conventional apparatus. In addition, by carrying out the present invention, it is possible to reduce the time taken from the surface of the first layer 61 is irradiated with the laser beam until the laser beam reaches the second layer. Thus, the productivity of the laser processing apparatus can be enhanced. Furthermore, even if the processing rate with the laser beam having passed through the second optical path is decreased for example with adaptation of this laser beam to more precise shapes etc., it is possible to make a hole such as one having a nearly circular opening with an improved precision at a rate equal to or more than in the case of the conventional apparatus, since the processing rate is increased by the laser beam having passed through the first optical path system. The multilayer structure described heretofore includes, for example, a structure in which a metal electrode layer is formed on the outermost processed surface and a ferrite-based or alumina-base ceramic layer is formed under it. It is considered that the present invention is effectively applied to the case where perforation processing is applied to a sheet made of a single layer of an alumina-based ceramic that is considered to be hard to process with a laser beam. In this case also, it is preferable to form a hole on the sheet using the laser beam having passed through the first optical path system and to subsequently shape the hole using the laser beam having passed through the second optical path system by following the process similar to the process of switching the optical path described in the foregoing. In the above description of the embodiment, parameters related to the processing conditions such as the energy density, the irradiation time and the number of pulses of the laser beam have not been described for the sake of simplicity of the description. However, by controlling these parameters in addition to the switching of the optical path system, it is possible to form a hole having a desired depth or a tapered shape. The present invention is considered to be effective especially in the case that the energy or the pulse energy of the laser emitted from the oscillator is low, and the invention is especially effective in the case that a high-order harmonics laser of the UV range is used as well as in the case of a CO2 laser or a YAG laser is used. Although in this embodiment a homogenizer 25 serving as a beam shaping element is provided between the optical path switching mirror 8 and the mask 44, it may be eliminated if the range of the variation of the energy distribution in the irradiation area meets a desired level. In this embodiment, with the provision of this element, processing using a laser beam having an improved top-hat energy distribution is made possible, and it is possible to form a hole with little taper in its shape. Holes having such a shape are suitable for the case where perforation processing is applied to a sheet with the ceramic portion having a thickness of 30μ or less, or in the case where a hole formed is to be filled with an electrode material or the like and the viscosity of the filler paste is as small as 50 Pa·s or less. Furthermore, it is possible to form a desired beam by changing the curvature, refractive index or other factors of the aspherical lenses that constitutes the homogenizer. Therefore, it is also possible to control the taper in cross section of the processed hole by preparing multiple types of homogenizers in advance and setting them on the optical axis as needed. Such holes the taper of which is controlled are suitable for the case where the diameter of the hole relative to the thickness of the green sheet (or the aspect ratio) is large or in the case where a hole formed is to be filled with an electrode material or the like and the viscosity of the filler paste is as large as 200 Pa·s or more. In the above-described embodiment, a total reflection mirror are used for switching of the optical path. In this switching method, it is preferable that the mirror be moved at a speed synchronized with the laser irradiation pulse. Specifically, it is preferable that the mirror be driven in response to the off-state of the laser beam in the pulse irradiation at such a speed that the movement of the mirror into or out of the optical path is completed during the off-state or off-time. In this case, it is more preferable that the apparatus be constructed in such a way that the mirror or the like is driven in some correlation with the pulse, for example, in such a way that the mirror is driven in synchronization with the moment at which the laser irradiation changes to the off-state or that the driving of the mirror is completed a predetermined time before the laser irradiation changes to the on-state. This enables continuous switching of the optical path and realizes an improvement in the processing efficiency. Although in the above-described embodiment, a mirror that moves along one axis is used for switching the optical path, this feature is not essential to the invention. The switching of the optical path may be carried out, for example, by providing a so-called chopper having a disk-like shape in which surfaces with a mirror and surfaces without a mirror are alternately disposed and rotating it. Alternatively, the switching of the optical path may be done by providing a half mirror that transmits 50% of the light quantity in place of the total reflection mirror and providing shutters or the like in the respective optical paths in the downstream of the half mirror, and opening/closing the shutters. The speed of opening/closing of the shutters can be made higher than the speed of the direct driving of the mirror, and therefore more speedy switching of the optical path can be made possible. In addition, in this case, by changing the ratio of the reflection and transmission of the half mirror in a desired manner, it is possible to perform processing such as perforation in a condition more suitable for the characteristics of the work piece. Although there are two optical path systems in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is not limited to this feature, but an additional optical path system may be introduced. In connection with this, for example, an optical path system similar to the first optical path system but having no expander may be added. With this optical path system, a laser beam having a higher energy intensity in the central portion of the laser beam irradiation area can be produced. Alternatively, an optical path system similar to the second optical path system that is modified to be able to produce a laser beam in which the energy intensity in the vicinity of the periphery of the laser beam irradiation area is enhanced by means of a homogenizer may be added. Alternatively, a plurality of optical path system corresponding to different beam shapes may be provided so that a desired optical path is selected from them in accordance with the characteristics of the work piece or the required processed shape etc. In the above-described embodiment, the processing using the second optical path system is effected after completion of the perforation processing using the first optical path system. However, this feature is not essential to the present invention. For example, the perforating operations using the first optical path system and the second optical path system respectively may be performed repeatedly for several number of pulses. Furthermore, the ratio of the periods over which the respective optical path systems are used may be changed as needed in accordance with the status of the processing or the precision of the hole shape etc. Although the above description of the embodiment has been directed mainly to perforation processing applied to a ceramic green sheet or the like and a process of manufacturing a circuit board using the processing, the application of the processing according to the present invention is not limited to them. Objects to be processed may be articles made of various materials such as metals or resins or articles including multiple layers of these materials. Application of the present invention is not limited to a perforation process, but it may also be applied to various process, such as a cutting process or a pattern modification process, in which an improvement in processing speed or processing precision can be expected by selectively using a laser beam having a relatively high intensity and a laser beam that has been shaped. By carrying out the present invention, it is possible to perform processing such as perforation on a ceramic green sheet or the like while using a laser beam efficiently. In addition, by using laser beams having different beam shapes as desired, it is possible to improve the processing efficiency in processing a work piece having a surface made of a material that is hard to process, and a desired processed shape can be easily obtained.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Circuit boards made of a ceramic have superior heat-resisting quality and durability as compared to general resin boards, and their use in, for example, personal digital assistants have been increasing. On the other hand, with a view to increase packing densities, cases in which functions as a circuit are added to ceramic boards and such boards are stacked to be used as a multilayer board have also been increasing. The green sheet is a common name for a ceramic etc. before sintering, and the board is generally subjected to processing such as perforation for forming multilayer wiring in the green sheet state. Use of a laser beam in perforation or other processing has been increasing in view of the processing rate achieved or the facility in changing the shape of the processed hole or in view of easiness in forming a hole with a high circularity. In the following, a conventional apparatus for perforating various work pieces, especially ceramic green sheets using a laser beam will be briefly described with reference to a drawing. This apparatus includes a laser oscillator 101 for generating a laser beam used for processing, a guide laser oscillation apparatus 102 for generating a guide laser beam, an optical system 120 for shaping the guide laser beam and the processing laser beam and guiding them to a predetermined position on a work piece 103 , an XY stage 104 for moving the work piece 103 placed on it in the X and Y directions, a camera for capturing the shape of the guide laser incident on the work piece 103 or the shape of a processed hole etc. as an image and used for positioning of the work piece, and a control system 110 for driving these components. The guide laser (for example, red light) is projected onto the work piece previously, so that correction of the position at which the laser for actual processing is projected or correction of the shape of the laser is effected based on the projection position and shape of the guide laser. The optical system 120 is composed of total reflection mirrors 121 , 123 , 126 , a dichroic mirror 122 , a mask 124 , a collimator lens 127 , an XY galvano scanner mirror 128 and an fθ lens 129 . The laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator 101 is deflected by the total reflection mirror 127 so as to be directed toward the dichroic mirror 122 , and transmitted through the dichroic mirror 122 from its back side. Then, the laser beam is deflected again by the total reflection mirror 123 so as to be directed toward the mask 124 . The guide laser beam emitted from the guide laser oscillator 102 is deflected by the dichroic mirror 122 so as to travel on the same optical path as the processing laser beam. The processing laser beam and the guide laser beam pass through the opening 124 a of the mask 124 , whereby they are shaped into a form corresponding to a hole to be formed such as a approximately circular form etc. The laser beam after transmitted (passing) through the mask is a little divergent, and it is necessary to reshape it into parallel light using a collimator lens or the like. For this purpose, the laser beam after shaping is deflected by the total reflection mirror 126 so as to enter the collimator lens 128 . The irradiation position of the laser beam having been made into parallel light by the collimator lens 127 is moved by the XY galvano scanner mirror 128 and the fθ lens 129 in such a way that it is delivered to a desired processing position on the work piece 103 . The XY galvano scanner mirror and the fθ lens function together as an irradiation position control optical system for the laser beam. The control system 110 is composed of a galvano scanner control portion 112 , an image processing portion 113 , a drive control portion 114 and a main control portion for controlling these portions and controlling the laser oscillator etc. in synchronization with the control by these portions. The galvano scanner control portion 112 is connected with the XY galvano scanner mirror 128 to control the irradiation position of the laser beam by controlling the XY galvano scanner mirror 128 . The image processing portion 113 is connected with the camera 105 . The image processing portion 113 monitors the condition, position and degree of accuracy of the processed hole based on an image obtained through the camera 105 and outputs information on the number of pulses and intensity of the laser beam to the main control portion. The drive control portion 114 drives the XY stage 104 to change the position of the work piece 103 in such a way that the position on the work piece at which a hole is to be made comes into the area that can be irradiated by the laser beam controlled by the galvano scanner mirror. This apparatus is constructed in such a way that the shape of the mask 124 is projected onto the surface of the work piece 103 at a desired reduction ratio, and a processed hole with a nearly circular shape and having little taper in its cross section is obtained. In the above-described conventional apparatus, a large part of the laser beam is blocked by the mask 124 , and only the portion that have passed through the opening 124 a of the mask is used for actual processing. Accordingly, the utilization efficiency of the laser beam is not so high, and it is required to use an oscillator having a relatively large output power as the laser oscillator 101 in view of the aforementioned blocking. It is considered that the utilization efficiency of the laser affects the processing efficiency greatly especially in the case that the surface layer is made of a material having a relatively low absorption efficiency for the laser beam. In this case, the number of pulses of the laser required for processing is very large, which results in a large decrease in the processing efficiency.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 schematically shows the basic structure of a laser processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 schematically shows the basic structure of the second optical path system shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 illustrates the optical path switching mirror in FIG. 1 . FIGS. 4A, 4B , 4 C, 4 D and 4 E show sequential statuses of processing in the case of a conventional apparatus. FIGS. 5A, 5B , 5 C, 5 D and 5 E show sequential statuses of processing in the case of an apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 schematically shows the basic structure of a conventional laser perforating apparatus. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050203

20101005

20051020

81146.0

ELVE, MARIA ALEXANDRA

LASER PROCESSING DEVICE, PROCESSING METHOD, AND METHOD OF PRODUCING CIRCUIT SUBSTRATE USING THE METHOD

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Mask blank manufacturing method, transfer mask manufacturing method, sputtering target for manufacturing mask blank

To provide a method for manufacturing a mask blank capable of manufacturing a high quality mask blank that suppresses generation of defects in a thin film for forming a mask pattern with high yields, a method for manufacturing a transfer mask that manufactures the thin film of the mask blank by patterning, and a sputtering target used for manufacturing the mask blank. By using the sputtering target containing silicon and having a hardness of 900 HV or more in Vickers' hardness, the thin film for forming the mask pattern on a substrate is formed by sputtering, and the high quality mask blank that suppresses generating of defects is manufactured, and further the transfer mask is manufactured by patterning the thin film.

1. A method for manufacturing a mask blank having a thin film for forming a mask pattern on a substrate, wherein the thin film is formed by a sputtering method using a sputtering target containing silicon, and the sputtering target has a hardness of 900 HV or more in Vickers' hardness. 2. The method for manufacturing the mask blank according to claim 1, wherein the sputtering target has the hardness of 980 HV or more in Vickers' hardness. 3. The method for manufacturing the mask blank according to claim 1, wherein the thin film is formed by a reactive sputtering method in an atmosphere containing oxygen and/or nitrogen. 4. The method for manufacturing the mask blank according to claim 1, wherein the sputtering target contains the silicon of 70 to 95 atm %. 5. The method for manufacturing the mask blank according to claim 1, wherein the thin film is a light semi-transmitting film and the mask blank is a phase shift mask blank. 6. The method for manufacturing the mask blank according to claim 1, wherein a metal film is formed on the thin film. 7. A method for manufacturing a transfer mask by patterning the thin film of the mask blank manufactured by the manufacturing method of claim 1. 8. A sputtering target for manufacturing a mask blank containing silicon, wherein a hardness of the target is 900 HV or more in Vickers' hardness. 9. The sputtering target for manufacturing the mask blank according to claim 8, wherein the sputtering target contains a metal silicide compound. 10. The sputtering target for manufacturing the mask blank according to claim 8, wherein the sputtering target contains the silicon of 70 to 95 atm %. 11. A method for manufacturing a phase shift mask blank by sputtering in an atmosphere containing oxygen and/or nitrogen using a target containing metal and silicon to deposit a light semi-transmitting film containing metal, silicon, and oxygen and/or nitrogen on a transparent substrate, wherein by using correlation that exists between the light semi-transmitting film and a rate of generating defects, the light semi-transmitting film is deposited, using the target having a predetermined hardness so that the rate of generating the defects is set to be a desired value or less.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a mask blank having a thin film for forming a mask pattern on a substrate, a method for manufacturing a transfer mask manufactured by patterning the thin film of the mask blank, and a sputtering target used for manufacturing the mask blank. BACKGROUND ART Photolithography, which is a key manufacturing means of a semiconductor device or the like, has two required vital characteristics such as an increase in resolution and a securement of depth of focus, which are in relation against to each other. For example, it becomes obvious that a mere increase in a numerical aperture of a lens of an aligner and a mere reduction of a wavelength of an exposure light alone cannot improve practical resolution (monthly journal SEMICONDUCTOR WORLD 1990.12, OYO BUTURI (APPLIED PHYSICS), Vol. 60, No. 11 (1991), or the like). Under these circumstances, phase shift lithography has been drawing attention as technology of the photolithography for a next generation. The phase shift lithography is a method for improving resolution of optical lithography by changing only a mask without changing an optical system, and a method for utilizing mutual interference of transmitting lights and significantly improving the resolution of the exposure lights by giving a phase difference between the exposure lights which transmit the mask (hereinafter, described as a phase shift mask) having a phase shift effect. The phase shift mask is a mask simultaneously having light intensity information and phase information, and various types of the mask such as Levenson, auxiliary pattern, self-alignment (edge-enhancement), and the like are known. These phase shift masks have a more complicated structure and require higher level of technology with regard to manufacture than conventional photomasks having the light intensity information alone. As one of the phase shift masks, a phase shift mask referred to as a so-called halftone phase shift mask has been recently developed. The halftone phase shift mask is provided with a semi-transmitting part simultaneously having two functions of shielding function to allow exposure light to be transmitted with intensity not substantially contributing to exposure, and a phase shift function to allow the phase of the light to be shifted (generally inverted). Therefore, a shielding film (referred to also as an opaque film in some cases) pattern and a phase shift pattern are not required to be separately formed, and a simple structure and easy manufacture are therefore achieved. Here, a cross-sectional view of the halftone phase shift mask is shown in FIG. 3. In a halftone phase shift mask 5, a mask pattern is formed by a light transmitting part 2 and a light semi-transmitting part 3 on a transparent substrate 1. The light transmitting part functions to transmit the light of intensity substantially contributing to exposure, with the transparent substrate 1 exposed, and meanwhile the light semi-transmitting part functions to transmit the light of intensity not substantially contributing to exposure, having a light semi-transmitting film formed thereon to allow the phase of the transmitting light to be shifted. Furthermore, by a phase shift of the light that transmits the light semi-transmitting part 3, the phase of the light that transmits the light semi-transmitting part 3 and the phase of the light that transmits the light transmitting part 2 have a substantially inverted relationship. Then, lights passing near a boundary between the light semi-transmitting part 3 and the light transmitting part 2 and mutually detoured in the other's region by a diffraction phenomenon are canceled each other to set the light intensity to be approximately zero. The halftone phase shift mask is formed by improving contrast of the boundary, that is, the resolution of the boundary, by using the effect of setting the light intensity to be approximately zero. Meanwhile, the light semi-transmitting part of the aforementioned halftone phase shift mask must have optimum values required for both of the light transmittance and phase shift amount. Furthermore, an inventor of the present invention previously filed an application relating to the phase shift mask capable of realizing the optimum values thus required by a single-layer light semi-transmitting part (U.S. Pat. No. 2,837,803, U.S. Pat. No. 2,966,369). In the phase shift mask, the light semi-transmitting part is composed of a thin film made of metals such as molybdenum, tungsten, and the like, and silicon, oxygen and/or nitrogen as main components, which is a thin film made of molybdenum silicide, specifically, oxidized molybdenum and silicon (abbreviated as MoSiO), oxynitrided molybdenum and silicon (abbreviated as MoSiON), or nitrided molybdenum and silicon (abbreviated as MoSiN). These thin films are capable of controlling the transmittance by selecting an oxygen content or an oxygen and nitrogen content, and capable of controlling the phase shift amount by thickness of the thin film. Not only in the phase shift mask but also in a general transfer mask, which means a transfer mask having a mask pattern on a substrate, the mask pattern is frequently made of a material containing silicon from a viewpoint of controllability of the shielding function of the mask pattern or workability of the mask pattern. In other words, in a mask blank as a member before patterning the transfer mask, a portion (a film) becoming the mask pattern is frequently formed by sputtering using a sputter target containing silicon. However, when the target containing silicon is used, there is a problem that many particles are generated during deposition. This is because that discharge is prone to be unstable during deposition using the target containing silicon. When the particles are generated during the deposition, mixture of the particles in the film occurs. When the particles come off from the film during cleaning or the like, a film thickness becomes thinner than an originally needed film thickness. For example, in the case of a shielding film, a shielding function cannot be exerted, depending on a degree of the film thickness becoming thin, resulting in a white defect, sometimes. Furthermore, in the aforementioned halftone phase shift mask blank, a target containing a large silicon content is often used in order to control the transmittance of the light semi-transmitting part, thereby more remarkably posing the problem of generating particles when using the target containing silicon. Furthermore, when the particles are mixed in the light semi-transmitting film and come off from the film during cleaning or the like, the problem is more remarkably posed than the case of the aforementioned light shielding film. Specifically, in the case of the light semi-transmitting film, the phase shift amount or the transmittance changes according to a film thickness becoming thinner than the originally needed film thickness, thereby directly influencing the transfer characteristic. Therefore, if the generation of the particles when using the target containing silicon is reduced, this effectively works to reduce the defect of the phase shift mask. When the phase shift mask blanks, which is a member before patterning, is provided having the light semi-transmitting part formed of the thin film as described above, the light semi-transmitting part formed of a single layer film of a single material can be obtained. According to the light semi-transmitting part thus formed, the deposition process can be more simplified and a single etching medium can be used, compared with a case of forming the light semi-transmitting part with a multi-layer film of different. materials. This contributes to simplifying a manufacturing process from the phase shift mask blank to the phase shift mask. The thin film of MoSiO, MoSiON, or MoSiN is deposited by reactive sputtering in a gas atmosphere containing oxygen and/or nitrogen, using a target containing molybdenum and silicon. However, in accordance with micronization of the mask pattern, tolerance of a defect existing in the light semi-transmitting film of the phase shift mask blank has become extremely strict. Furthermore, in the light semi-transmitting film, from a viewpoint of discharge stability during the deposition, from a viewpoint of advancement of the wavelength of the exposure light from KrF (248 nm) to ArF (193 nm), from a viewpoint of the transmittance of the light semi-transmitting film to be a high transmittance (9% to 20%), or the like, it has been difficult to control a phase difference and the transmittance by only controlling the oxygen and/or nitrogen content during the aforementioned reactive sputtering. Therefore, the phase difference and the transmittance are controlled by applying a target (hereinafter, described as silicon as a main component (silicon rich)) containing metals and silicon and containing a larger amount of silicon rather than stoichiometrically stable composition. Incidentally, the silicon as a main component in the present invention refers to silicon containing 70 atm % or more. However, when the light semi-transmitting film is subjected to reactive sputtering to be deposited by using the aforementioned target composed mainly of silicon, a problem becomes obvious that a rate of generating defects caused by the particles in the light semi-transmitting film is increased by the particles generated during the deposition. The particles refer to fine particles having a diameter of, for example, 0.3 to 2 μm or more. When the particles are mixed in the light semi-transmitting film thus deposited, during a cleaning process conducted after the deposition, the particles come off from the light semi-transmitting film, and consequently, they become a pinhole or a half pin hole, as will be described later, or are remained in the light semi-transmitting film without being removed, resulting in a defect. The defect causes a generation of a lack of a pattern called a white defect during a manufacturing process of the phase shift mask by patterning the light semi-transmitting film. Here, the pinhole is formed when the light semi-transmitting film is deposited, with the particles generated during deposition adhered on the substrate, and the particles thus adhered on the substrate come off from the light semi-transmitting film during the cleaning process, a recessed part is thereby generated on the surface of the light semi-transmitting film and the bottom of the recessed part reaches the substrate. Also, the half pin hole is formed when the particles are adhered on the substrate, with the deposition of the light semi-transmitting film on the substrate advanced to a certain extent, and the particles thus adhered on the substrate come off from the light semi-transmitting film during the cleaning process, the recessed part is generated on the surface of the light semi-transmitting film and the bottom of the recessed part does not reach the substrate. As explained above, when the light semi-transmitting film is subjected to the reactive sputtering by using the target mainly composed of silicon, the problem specific to the target and the reactive sputtering is seemed to be the reason for causing the particles during deposition. Specifically, the target mainly composed of silicon to be used is not formed of a single compound, but is made in a mixed target formed of a simple substance (frequently including a silicon simple substance) and/or two or more of mixtures of a compound. The problem of uniformity in the composition or characteristics is involved in the mixed target, and therefore when the composition and characteristics are not uniform, discharge stability during the deposition cannot be obtained, causing the generation of the particles. Furthermore, during the reactive sputtering, oxygen and/or nitrogen is/are used in order to control the phase difference and the transmittance of the light semi-transmitting film. However, when using oxygen, the problem is that the discharge stability is reduced. Furthermore, in the halftone phase shift mask, the phase shift mask and the phase shift mask blank described in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 7-128840 are known as an object of preventing leakage of the exposure light. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the phase shift mask described in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 7-128840. As shown in FIG. 4, the halftone phase shift mask described in this patent is formed by forming a semi-transmitting layer patterned by forming a transmitting part by removing a part of the film formed on the whole surface of the transparent substrate, and forming a light-shielding layer (referred to also as an opaque layer in some cases) on a main part excluding the vicinity of a boundary part between the semi-transmitting layer and the transmitting part. FIG. 5 is a halftone phase shift mask blank for manufacturing the halftone phase shift mask in FIG. 4. When a shielding film (a shielding layer) is formed with the particles being mixed in the light semi-transmitting film (a translucent layer) during the formation of the halftone phase shift mask blank in FIG. 5, the white defect is generated in the light semi-transmitting film as described above when the particles come off during cleaning process after deposition, the particles come off involving the light shielding layer of an upper layer when coming off, and in some instances, the particles come off involving the light shielding layer in the peripheries of the particles, thereby involving the problem that the light shielding layer is excessively pealed. When the shielding layer is thus excessively peeled, the leakage of the exposure light cannot be prevented, causing transfer failure when transferred to a base to be transferred. Furthermore, with the advancement of transfer accuracy, an attempt is made to set the transmittance of the light semi-transmitting part of the half tone phase shift mask to be high (9% to 20%). When the particles are mixed in the light semi-transmitting film of the mask, the problem is that even a minute defect of such extent that causes no problem in a normal mask becomes a defect. When the particles mixed in the light semi-transmitting part come off during the cleaning process, the problem is that the transmittance of a defect part is diminished only to contribute to exposure. Furthermore, in such a mask, the light semi-transmitting part exhibits a high transmittance, thereby necessitating the light shielding layer provided thereon as shown in FIG. 4, and as described above, the problem caused by the excessive peeling of the light shielding layer is thereby generated. The present invention is provided in consideration of the aforementioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing the high quality phase shift mask blank capable of manufacturing with a high yield with a rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film set to be less than or equal to a desired value, a method for manufacturing the phase shift mask manufactured by patterning the light semi-transmitting film of the phase shift mask blank, and the sputtering target for manufacturing the phase shift mask blank. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is provided in order to achieve the aforementioned objects, and can take several aspects as follows. In a first aspect, a manufacturing method of a mask blank having a thin film for forming a mask pattern on a substrate is provided, wherein the thin film is formed by a sputtering method using a sputtering target containing silicon, and the sputtering target has a hardness of 900 HV or more in Vickers' hardness. The target containing silicon includes a target composed of silicon and a small amount of multicomponents. Since the target containing silicon has low discharge stability, a problem is involved therein such that particles are generated during deposition and the particles are mixed in the thin film, resulting in a defect. However, a defect generation can be significantly reduced by setting the hardness of the target to be 900 HV or more in Vickers' hardness. Furthermore, in order to further effectively suppressing the defect generation, it is preferable that the hardness of the target is set to be 980 HV or more, more preferably set to be 1100 HV or more in Vickers' hardness. Thus, even in a reactive sputtering using a gas with low discharge stability, the generation of defects can be suppressed. Furthermore, by setting the hardness of the target to be 1100 HV or more in Vickers' hardness, the rate of generation of the defects present on the light semi-transmitting film can be further effectively suppressed. It should be noted that the Vickers' hardness of the present invention is measured by a hardness test method regulated by JIS Z 2244 and ISO 6507, which is an international standard corresponding thereto, and measured by setting a test load to be 9.807N. In a second aspect, the manufacturing method of the mask blank according to the first aspect is provided, wherein the sputtering target has a hardness of 980 HV or more in Vickers' hardness. As described above, by setting the hardness of the target to be 900 HV or more in Vickers' hardness, the defect generation can be significantly reduced. In addition, in order to further effectively suppress the defect generation, the hardness of the target is preferably set to be 980 HV or more, more preferably set to be 1100 HV or more in Vickers' hardness. In a third aspect, the manufacturing method of the mask blank according to the first or second aspect is provided, wherein the thin film is formed by the reactive sputtering in an atmosphere containing oxygen and/or nitrogen. It becomes possible to easily control the characteristics of the thin film such as a transmittance and a phase difference, or the like by the reactive sputtering in the atmosphere containing the oxygen and/or the nitrogen. Furthermore, conventionally, a problem is involved in the reactive sputtering containing oxygen, such that the particles are mixed in the thin film caused by low discharge stability. However, by the third aspect, it becomes possible to suppress the defect generation. In a fourth aspect, the manufacturing method of the mask blank according to any one of the first to third aspects is provided, wherein the sputtering target contains silicon of 70 to 95 atm %. There are often cases that the thin film is hard to have desired characteristics (a transmittance or the like) when a silicon content is less than 70 atm %, and that the thin film is hard to have discharge stability when the silicon content is 95 atm % or more. In a fifth aspect, the manufacturing method of the mask blank according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is provided, the thin film is a light semi-transmitting film and the mask blank is a phase shift mask blank. Even a defect (defect caused by a half pin hole of such extent capable of maintaining the light-shielding function, and caused by a micro pin hole and so forth) that causes no problem in the light-shielding film may cause fluctuation of the phase difference or the transmittance due to the defect generated in the light semi-transmitting film of the phase shift mask blank, and the problem involved therein is that the phase shift mask blank becomes imperfect. Furthermore, in an attempt to raise the transmittance of the light semi-transmitting part to high transmittance (9% to 20%) in the tendency of high transfer accuracy, problems involved therein are that, as described above, defect detecting accuracy in the light semi-transmitting film is further strictly requested and the defects are generated in the light-shielding film, which is an essential element of the mask blank, formed on the light semi-transmitting film. By setting the hardness of the target to be 980 HV or more in Vickers' hardness, the rate of the generation of the defect with a size of 1 μm or more existing in the light semi-transmitting film is controlled to a desired value or less. Furthermore, by setting the hardness of the target to be 1100 HV or more in Vickers' hardness, the rate of the generation of the defect with a size of 1 μm or more existing in the light semi-transmitting film is controlled to a desired value or less. By the fifth aspect, mixing of the particles in the light semi-transmitting film can be effectively suppressed, and generation of the defect can be effectively suppressed. In a sixth aspect, the manufacturing method of the mask blank according to any one of the first to fifth aspects is provided, wherein a metal film is formed on the thin film. In the sixth aspect, when the particles are mixed in the thin film, the problem involved therein is that the metal film formed thereon is excessively pealed when the particles come off from the light semi-transmitting film. However, the present invention is capable of reducing the particles, and the above problem can therefore be diminished. Furthermore, by selecting the metal film formed of the materials different in etching characteristic in an etching condition for forming the mask pattern from the thin film, the thin film can be patterned with high accuracy. Further, preferably the metal film is selected from the material and thickness having the light shielding function so as to prevent leakage of an exposure light, to make the metal film serve as both as a mask material and a light-shielding material. In a seventh aspect, the manufacturing method of the transfer mask is provided, wherein the transfer mask is manufactured by patterning the thin film of the mask blank manufactured by the manufacturing method of the mask blank according to any one of the first to sixth aspects. When the transfer mask is manufactured by the mask blank, the transfer mask with fewer defects can be manufactured. Therefore, a process of correcting the defects and so forth can be significantly shortened to realize a shortened manufacturing process for manufacturing the transfer mask. There are examples of the transfer mask such as a mask having a shielding pattern on a transparent substrate, a halftone phase shift mask having a halftone phase shift pattern on the transparent substrate, a substrate engraving phase shift mask provided with a shielding film or a halftone film, and a mask for electron beams, and so forth. Further, a photomask for a KrF, an ArF, and an F2 excimer lasers, for EUV, for an X-ray, and so forth are given as examples, and the method of the present invention can be applied to each kind of the above masks. In the tendency of a shorter wavelength of the exposure light from a KrF excimer laser (248 nm) to an ArF excimer laser (193 nm) and an F2 excimer laser (157 nm), a sputtering target having a large silicon content has been used to meet the characteristics (transmittance and phase shift amount, etc) required for a film. When the silicon content is large, as described above, the problem is conspicuously posed such that the particles are generated during deposition. It is therefore preferable to select the hardness of the target according to the wavelength of the exposure light. Preferably, the target of 980 HV or more in Vickers' hardness is used for manufacturing the mask blank for KrF excimer laser, and the target of 1100 HV or more in Vickers' hardness is used for manufacturing the mask blank for ArF eximer laser. It should be noted that the hardness of the target of the present invention is selected according to an exposure wavelength, various characteristics of the film, and a material of the target, or the like. However, it is preferable that the hardness of the target is 1400 HV or less in Vickers' hardness, and more preferably 1300 HV or less in order to obtain an effect of the present invention. In an eighth aspect, a sputtering target mainly composed of silicon, for manufacturing a mask blank is provided, wherein the hardness of the target is 900 HV or more in Vickers' hardness. The target mainly composed of silicon has a problem that particles are generated during deposition due to low discharge stability, and that the particles are mixed in the thin film, resulting in defects. However, the generation of the defects can be significantly reduced by setting the hardness of the target to be 900 HV or more in Vickers' hardness. Furthermore, it is preferable to set the hardness of the target to be 980 HV or more, and more preferably set to be 1100 HV or more in Vickers' hardness, for further effectively suppressing the generation of the defect. The generation of the defect can be thus suppressed even in the reactive sputtering using a gas with low discharge stability. This contributes to realizing the manufacture of the mask blank with significantly reduced defects. In a ninth aspect, the sputtering target according to the eighth aspect is provided, wherein the sputtering target contains a metal silicide compound. In the ninth aspect, as another manufacturing method of the target, the silicon powders and metal powders are sintered to generate metal silicide compound powders, then followed by sintering the metal silicide powders and the silicon powders to manufacture the target. In this case, preferably the metal silicide compound powders and the silicon powders are uniformly mixed and dispersed as much as possible. This contributes to improving the discharge stability, thereby suppressing the generation of the defects, as a result. Methods of forming the target of the hardness of 980 HV or more in Vickers' hardness include: uniformly mixing and dispersing the aforementioned powders; controlling pressure and heating temperature during a pressure sintering process in a powder sintering method to which a hot press (HP) method or a hot isostatic press (HIP) method is applied, or the like. In the tendency of the shortening wavelength of the exposure light from a KrF excimer laser to an ArF excimer laser, it is preferable to sinter the sputtering target used for manufacturing the mask blank with low defects by the hot isostatic press method. There is a method of selecting the metal in the metal silicide compound, wherein the metal is selected for controlling the transmittance of the thin film. For example, Mo, Ta, W Ti, Cr, and the like are examples as the metal for controlling the transmittance of the thin film. A method for manufacturing the target by sintering a desired amount of silicon powders and the previously adjusted metal silicide powders is given as a method for allowing the above-described metal silicide compound to be contained in the target mainly composed of silicon. In a tenth aspect, the sputtering target for manufacturing the mask blank according to either of the eighth or ninth aspect is provided, wherein the sputtering target contains the silicon of 70 to 95 atm %. There are often such cases that desired characteristics (a transmittance or the like) cannot be obtained when a silicon content is less than 70 atm %, and that discharge stability cannot be obtained when the silicon content is more than 95 atm % or more. In an eleventh aspect, a manufacturing method of a phase shift mask blank is provided, wherein by using a target containing metal and silicon, a light semi-transmitting film containing metal, silicon, oxygen and/or nitrogen is formed on a transparent substrate by sputtering in an atmosphere containing oxygen and/or nitrogen, wherein by using a correlation between hardness of the target and a rate of generating defects, the light semi-transmitting film is formed by using the target having a predetermined hardness, so as to set the rate of generating defects to be a desired value or less. The target containing the metal and the silicon is manufactured by sintering metal powders and silicon powders. However, since there is the correlation between the hardness of the target and the rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film, the rate of generating defects existing in the light semi-transmitting film can be suppressed to the desired value or less by the aforementioned sputtering, using the target having the sufficient hardness to suppress the rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film to the desired value or less. Furthermore, the hardness of the target containing larger amount of silicon than the target having stoichiometricallyt stable composition of the metal and the silicon is set to be a predetermined value or more. This realizes the phase shift mask blank, having a desired transmittance and phase difference in a predetermined light exposure wavelength, while suppressing the rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film to be the desired value or less. By setting the hardness of the target to be 980 HV or more in Vickers' hardness, the rate of generating defects of 1 μm or more existing in the light semi-transmitting film can be suppressed to the desired value or less. Furthermore, by setting the hardness of the target to be 1100 HV or more in Vickers' hardness, the rate of generating defects of 1 μm or more existing in the light semi-transmitting film can be suppressed to be the desired value or less. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a list of a hardness of a target and the number of defects of phase shift mask blanks relating to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a DC magnetron sputtering device; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a halftone phase shift mask; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a halftone phase shift mask with a light shielding film; and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the halftone phase shift mask blank with the light shielding film. EXPLANATIONS OF NUMERALS AND SYMBOLS 1 transparent substrate 2 light transmitting part 3 light semi-transmitting part 7 translucent layer 8 light shielding layer 10 sputtering device 11 vacuum tank 12 magnetron cathode 14 target 19 DC power supply BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained for each process of a target manufacturing process, a depositing process, a cleaning process, an evaluation of defects in a light semi-transmitting film, and a patterning process. (Target Manufacturing Process) One or more of metals selected from molybdenum, titanium, tantalum, tungsten, and chrome is/are preferably used for a metal contained in a target for sputtering relating to the present invention. Besides, preferably purity of the metal and silicon becoming raw materials of the target is set to be 5N or more, and impurities such as Fe, Ni, Cu, Al, or the like is suppressed to be several ppm or less, to raise reliability. The target is mainly composed of silicon (silicon rich) in an amount larger than a stoichiometrically stable ratio. For example, when molybdenum is selected as a metal, the stoichiochemically stable ratio is molybdenum:silicon=33:67 (mol %). However, the amount of silicon to be contained in the target is preferably set to be 70 to 95 mol %, and more preferably 78 to 92 mol %. The target having a predetermined hardness can be manufactured by, for example, a melting method to which electron beam (EB) melting or the like is applied, a powder sintering method to which a hot press (hereinafter, described as HP), a hot isostatic press (hereinafter, described as HIP), or the like is applied. The powder sintering method using the HP or the HIP is preferable among the aforementioned methods for manufacturing the target from a viewpoint of controlling density, a particle size of silicon, a silicon content, and the like with high degree of freedom. Then, the target having a desired hardness can be obtained by controlling pressure and heating temperature in a pressure sintering process of the HP or the HIP. The hardness of the manufactured target can be measured appropriately by, for example, a Vickers' hardness tester or the like. In this embodiment, first, molybdenum powders and silicon powders, which are raw materials of the target, are adjusted in a ratio of stoichiometrically stable composition, and a molybdenum silicide compound (Chemical Formula MoSi2) was adjusted. Next, the amount of the molybdenum silicide powders and silicon powders thus obtained was adjusted, and the powders were pressure sintered by the HP or the HIP to manufacture the target mainly composed of silicon and having the hardness of 1100 HV. The hardness of the target can be controlled by controlling the pressure and the heating temperature of the pressure sintering. However, the heating temperature needs to be lower than the melting point of silicon (approximately 1414° C.), and preferably set to be 1300° C. or less, and more preferably set to be 1250° C. or less in order to reduce the generation of particles. The target is mainly composed of silicon, and mainly contains molybdenum silicide particles and silicon particles. (Depositing Process) The transparent substrate is not particularly limited, provided that it is a transparent material to the exposure wavelength to be used. However, synthetic quartz glass, fluorite, or other various glasses (for example, soda lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, aluminoborosilicate glass, or the like) are preferably used. A process for depositing the light semi-transmitting film on the transparent substrate by sputtering by using the target having the aforementioned predetermined hardness will be explained with reference to the drawing. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a DC magnetron sputtering device (hereinafter, described as a sputtering device). A sputtering device 10 includes a vacuum tank 11 and a DC power supply 19, and the vacuum tank 11 is provided with a gas outlet 17 and a gas inlet 18, and furthermore, a magnetron cathode 12 and a substrate holder 15 are disposed opposite to each other in an interior of the vacuum tank 11. A target 14 for sputtering is mounted on the magnetron cathode 12 via a backing plate 13, and a transparent substrate 1 is fixed on the substrate holder 15. The vacuum tank 11 is evacuated by a vacuum pump not shown via the gas outlet 17. After an atmosphere in the vacuum tank 11 reaches a vacuum degree to an extent as not to influence the characteristics of the film to be formed, an atmosphere gas is introduced from the gas inlet 18, and negative voltage is applied to the magnetron cathode 12 using the DC power supply 19, followed by sputtering. The DC power supply 19 has an arc detecting function and capable of monitoring a discharge condition during sputtering. A pressure in the vacuum tank 11 is measured by a pressure gauge. In this embodiment, oxygen free steel is used for the backing plate 13, and indium is used for adhesion of the aforementioned target 14 and the backing plate 13. The backing plate 13 is directly or indirectly cooled by a water cooling function not shown. The backing plate 13 and the target 14 are electrically coupled to the magnetron cathode 12. An inert gas such as Ar, He and a mixed gas of the inert gas such as Ar, He and an oxygen gas and/or a nitrogen gas are used for the atmosphere gas during sputtering. NO gas, N2O gas or CO gas, CO2 gas in addition to O2 gas and N2 gas can be used for the oxygen gas and/or the nitrogen gas. It should be noted, when 0 to 40% (preferably 0 to 20%) of oxygen and 0 to 90% (preferably 50 to 80%) of nitrogen are contained in the atmosphere gas during sputtering, that operation and effect of the present invention can be remarkably obtained. Furthermore, the sputtering with larger amount of nitrogen than the amount of oxygen is preferable, from the viewpoint of the discharge stability of the oxygen. Contents of the metal, silicon, and oxygen and/or nitrogen in the light semi-transmitting film deposited on the transparent substrate 1 can be appropriately adjusted to obtain a desired light transmittance (1 to 20%) and a phase difference in an applicable exposure wavelength of the phase shift mask. to be manufactured. Furthermore, carbon, fluorine, helium, or the like in addition to oxygen and/or nitrogen may be preferably contained in the light semi-transmitting film from the viewpoint of reducing film stress of the light semi-transmitting film. In this case, CO gas, CO2 gas, CH4 gas, He gas, or the like may be added to the atmosphere gas during sputtering. The light semi-transmitting film deposited on the transparent substrate 1 can be thus obtained. (Cleaning Process) A method for cleaning the light semi-transmitting film deposited on the transparent substrate is not particularly limited. A cleaning method which is generally conducted under a cleaning process of the phase shift mask blank, for example, a cleaning method performed by dipping in a cleaning solution to which ultrasonic waves are impressed, a cleaning method using functional water such as hydrogenated water or the like, and a scrub cleaning method, and the like may be used. The phase shift mask blank is thus obtained. (Evaluation of Defects in Light Semi-transmitting Film) The light semi-transmitting film of the phase shift mask blank thus obtained is subjected to measurement of the number of defects (particles, pin holes including half pin holes) each having the size of less than 0.3 μm, 0.3 μm or more and less than 0.5 μm, 0.5 μm or more and less than 1 μm, and 1 μm or more, by an inspecting apparatus. As a result, it was found that a yield of the phase shift mask blank completely free of the defects of 1 μm or more (hereinafter, described as 1 μm defect free) was enhanced as the hardness of the target used for sputtering becomes higher. Also, it was found that the yield of the preferable phase shift mask blank completely free of the defects of 0.5 μm or more (hereinafter, described as 0.5 μm defect free) and also the yield of the more preferable phase shift mask blank completely free of the defects of 0.3 μm or more (hereinafter, described as 0.3 μm defect free) were enhanced as the hardness of the target becomes higher. From the results mentioned above, it turned out to be possible that the rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film could be suppressed to the desired value or less by setting the hardness of the target to be more than predetermined value. Although detailed mechanism to enable to suppress the rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film to the desired value or less is yet unclear, it can be estimated as follows. The defects (particles, pin holes including half pin holes) of the light semi-transmitting film seem to be mainly influenced by sintering property of the target. As described above, the target containing the metal and silicon is manufactured by sintering metal powders and silicon powders (Specifically, manufactured by sintering metal silicide powders previously adjusted from metal powders and silicon powders, and silicon powders). However, the sintering property is generally required to be good. Specifically, it is considered that if the sintering property of the target is bad, particles (mainly metal silicide particles and silicon particles) constituting the target become a large lump, spring out of the target and adhere to the substrate, or a foreign matter included in the target springs out of the target and adheres to the substrate during sputtering, with the result that the particles and the foreign matter thus spring out are remained on the light semi-transmitting film to become particles, or by being removed from the light semi-transmitting film, the particles and the foreign matter thus spring out become the half pin holes and the pin holes. As mentioned above, according to the present invention, by quantitatively grasping right and wrong of the sintering property of the target and managing the sintering property of the target, it was found that the rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film could be suppressed to the desired value or less. However, it was difficult to quantitatively grasp the right and wrong of the sintering property. For example, the density of the target was taken into consideration as means to quantitatively grasp the right and wrong of the sintering property of the target. However, it was found that there was not necessarily the correlation between the density of the target and the rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film. Accordingly, the correlation between the defects of the light semi-transmitting film and various physical properties of the target was studied. Then, the hardness of the target in Vickers' hardness was found out as an indirect means to grasp the right and wrong of the sintering property of the target. According to the present invention, the phase shift mask blank was manufactured by using a plurality of targets different in hardness, and the rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film caused by the particles generated during sputtering was checked. Then, it was found that there was a correlation between the hardness of the target and the rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film, such that the rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film was reduced as the hardness of the target became harder. Then, based on this correlation, it was found that the rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film could be suppressed to the desired value. or less by setting the hardness of the target to be the desired value or more. Particularly, the rate of generating relatively larger defects such as the defects of 1 μm or more was reduced, as the target became harder. Consequently, it was possible to manufacture the phase shift mask blank of high quality, with the rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film being suppressed to the desired value or less with a high yield. (Patterning Process) A resist film was formed on the light semi-transmitting film of the phase shift mask blank and a resist pattern was formed by carrying out pattern exposure and development. Next, the pattern (such as holes and dots) of the light semi-transmitting film was obtained by dry etching using CF4+O2 gas as a single etching medium. The resist was peeled after formation of the pattern and washed with 98% sulfuric acid at 100° C. for 15 minutes by dipping thereinto for 15 minutes, and thereafter rinsed with pure water. Then, the phase shift masks of high quality could be manufactured with high yield, with the rate of generating the defects of the light semi-transmitting film suppressed to be the desired value or less. Note that the present invention is not limited to the phase shift mask blank described in the embodiment. As a preferable example of the phase shift mask blank, as a first case, a metal film becoming a mask for patterning the light semi-transmitting film is formed on the light semi-transmitting film. As a second case, when manufacturing the phase shift mask, the metal film is formed on the light semi-transmitting film to serve as a light shielding film and an antireflection film. A material preferably used for the metal film thus formed includes the material having etching characteristic different from that of the light semi-transmitting film, for example, when the light semi-transmitting film is made of molybdenum-silicon based material, Cr-based material (such as Cr single element or Cr oxide, nitride and carbide) can be preferably used. EXAMPLE 1 Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing the phase shift mask blank and the phase shift mask of the present invention will be further explained in detail. First, molybdenum silicide powders (Chemical Formula MoSi2) were adjusted by using molybdenum powders and silicon powders as raw materials so that a composition ratio of the target became Mo:Si=8:92 (mol %). Next, the molybdenum silicide powders thus obtained were mixed with silicon powders, which was then subjected to press sintering under appropriate pressure and heating temperature by the HP method, thus manufacturing three kinds of molybdenum silicide targets different in hardness, such as a molybdenum silicide target of 870 HV in Vickers' hardness (Sample 1), a molybdenum silicide target of 980 HV in Vickers' hardness (Sample 2), and a molybdenum silicide target of 1100HV in Vickers' hardness (Sample 3). Note that the hardness of the target was measured by using a Vickers' hardness tester and by a Vickers' hardness test method regulated by JIS Z 2244 and ISO 6507, which is an international standard corresponding to JIS Z 2244, setting the test load to be 9.807N. Five points on the surface of the polished target was measured and the averaged value of the five points was obtained as a measured value. The aforementioned target and a quartz glass substrate as the transparent substrate was disposed in the aforementioned DC magnetron sputtering device. Then, an atmosphere in the device was set as a mixed gas atmosphere of argon (Ar) and nitrogen (N2) (Ar:N2=10%:90%, pressure:0.3 Pa), and by reactive sputtering, an MoSiN thin film having a film thickness of approximately 672 angstrom was formed on the transparent substrate as the light semi-transmitting film. Next, the transparent substrate on which the MoSiN thin film was formed was scrub cleaned so that the surface of the thin film was cleaned, and the phase shift mask blank was manufactured. When measuring optical characteristics of the thin film thus obtained, it was found that the thin film had a transmittance of 5.5% and a phase difference of 180° in a wavelength (193 nm) of an ArF excimer laser, which were optimum optical characteristics as the light semi-transmitting film for the phase shift mask blank. Note that 100 sheets of the phase shift mask blank from the target (Sample 1), from the target (Sample 2), and from the target (Sample 3) were respectively manufactured. All of the defects (particles, pinholes including half pin holes) of the MoSiN thin films of the phase shift mask blanks of Samples 1 to 3 thus manufactured were measured by a defect inspection apparatus (GM-1000 manufactured by Hitachi Electronics Engineering). Then, the defect inspection apparatus counted the number of sheets with 0.3 μm defect free, the number of sheets with 0.5 μm defect free, and the number of sheets with 1 μm defect free, in the phase shift mask blank of samples 1 to 3. Note that sizes of the particles were calculated based on generally known plural latex particles with different sizes as compared therewith, and the sizes of the pinholes were calculated based on the generally known masks having plural holes different in sizes as compared therewith. The result thus obtained is shown in a list of the hardness of the target and the number of defects of the phase shift mask blank in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a list in which the defects are classified by maximum sizes among defects detected from individual mask blank. For example, “less than 0.3 μm” means a mask blank with no defects of 0.3 μm or more (which means “0.3 μm defect free”). Also, “0.5 μm defect free” means a mask blank with no defects of 0.5 μm or more, and means a total number of “less than 0.3 μm” and “0.3 μm or more and less than 0.5 μm” in FIG. 1. Similarly, “1 μm defect free” means a mask blank with no defects of 1 μm or more and means a total number of “less than 0.3 μm”, “0.3 μm or more and less than 0.5 μm”, and “0.5 μm or more and less than 1 μm.” As obviously shown in FIG. 1, when the targets (Sample 1) were used, the number of the phase shift mask blanks of Sample 1 having a defect size of less than 0.3 μm is 0 (zero) sheet, the number thereof having the defect size of 0.3 μm or more and less than 0.5 μm was 11 sheets, and the number thereof having the defect size of 0.5 μm or more and less than 1 μm was 18 sheets; therefore, the number thereof having 1 μm defect free was 29 sheets out of 100 sheets (a yield of 1 μm defect free=29%) and a yield of 0.5 μm defect free=11%. When the targets (Sample 2) were used, the number of the phase shift mask blanks of Sample 2 having the defect size of less than 0.3 μm was 16 sheets, the number thereof having the defect size of 0.3 μm or more and less than 0.5 μm was 21 sheets, and the number thereof having the defect size of 0.5 μm or more and less than 1 μm was 43 sheets; therefore, the number thereof having 1 μm defect free was 80 sheets out of 100 sheets (a yield of 1 μm defect free=80%) and a yield of 0.5 μm defect free=40%, and that of 0.3 μm defect free=16%. When the targets (Sample 3) were used, the number of the phase shift mask blanks of Sample 3 having the defect size of less than 0.3 μm was 52 sheets, the number thereof having the defect size of 0.3 μm or more and less than 0.5 μm was 28 sheets, and the number thereof having the defect size of 0.5 μm or more and less than 1 μm was 12 sheets; therefore, the number thereof having 1 μm free was 92 sheets out of 100 sheets (a yield of 1 μm defect free=92%) and a yield of 0.5 μm defect free=80%, and that of 0.3 μm defect free=52%. From these results, it was found that as the hardness of the target became high, the total number of sheets having 0.3 μm defect free, 0.5 μm defect free, and 1 μm defect free was increased, thereby increasing the yields of each size with the defect free, and further increasing the percentage of occupancy of the number of sheets with small defect size of 0.5 μm defect free and 0.3 μm defect free. Specifically, when the light semi-transmitting film was deposited by using the target of 980 Hv or more in Vickers' hardness, the phase shift mask blank not having defects of 1 μm or more in the light semi-transmitting film could be manufactured with a yield of 80% or more, and the phase shift mask blank not having defects of 0.5 μm or more in the light semi-transmitting film could be manufactured with a yield of 40% or more. Furthermore, when the light semi-transmitting film was deposited by using the target of 1100 Hv or more in Vickers' hardness, the phase shift mask blank not having defects of 1 μm or more in the light semi-transmitting film could be manufactured with a yield of 90% or more, and the phase shift mask blank not having defects of 0.5 μm or more in the light semi-transmitting film could be manufactured with a yield of 80% or more. Here, in order to ensure the yield of the phase shift mask blank with 1 μm defect free, 1000 sheets of phase shift mask blanks were manufactured by using the target having the composition ratio of the target of this embodiment and having 1100 Hv in Vickers' hardness. Then, 934 sheets of 1 μm defect free phase shift mask blanks were obtained. The phase shift mask blanks with aforementioned 1 μm defect free, etc, could be easily processed to the phase shift mask by the patterning process explained in the description of the preferred embodiments. EXAMPLE 2 The light semi-transmitting film composed of MoSiN (having film thickness of approximately 672 angstrom) was formed on the transparent substrate in the same method as Example 1 by using the targets (Samples 1, 2, 3) used in Example 1, and thereafter, the film (having film thickness of approximately 600 angstrom) composed of Cr and CrO was continuously formed on the MoSiN film as a metal film. After thus forming the metal film, the surface of the metal film was scrub cleaned, and the phase shift mask blank was thereby manufactured. Note that the metal film thus obtained has a shielding function, and also the surface of the metal film has an anti-reflection function in the wavelength (193 nm) of the ArF excimer laser. Next, the resist film was formed on the metal film of the phase shift mask blank, and by developing it, resist patterns were formed by pattern drawing. Subsequently, metal film patterns were formed by wet etching with an etching solution composed of ceric ammonium nitrate, perchloric acid, and pure water, using the resist patterns as masks. Next, MoSiN patterns were formed by the patterning process explained in the embodiment, using the metal film patterns as masks. Subsequently, a part of the metal films was removed and the phase shift mask was obtained. Pattern defects were not found in the phase shift mask formed by using the targets of Samples 2 and 3. However, the particles were adhered on the phase shift mask formed by using the targets of Sample 1 during the deposition and pattern defects were checked, which were caused by excessive peeling of the metal film due to coming off of the particles during the cleaning process. Incidentally, explanation has been given to molybdenum silicide as a target, as an example in the aforementioned examples. However, the target is not limited thereto, but may include one kind or more metals selected from titanium, tantalum, tungsten, and silicon. INDUSTRIAL AVAILABILITY In a method for manufacturing a mask blank having a thin film for forming a mask pattern on a substrate, by forming a thin film by sputtering using a target containing silicon and having hardness of 900 Hv or more in Vickers' hardness, mixing of particles into the thin film is suppressed, and as a result, it becomes possible to obtain a high quality mask blank capable of suppressing generation of defects.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Photolithography, which is a key manufacturing means of a semiconductor device or the like, has two required vital characteristics such as an increase in resolution and a securement of depth of focus, which are in relation against to each other. For example, it becomes obvious that a mere increase in a numerical aperture of a lens of an aligner and a mere reduction of a wavelength of an exposure light alone cannot improve practical resolution (monthly journal SEMICONDUCTOR WORLD 1990.12 , OYO BUTURI (APPLIED PHYSICS), Vol. 60, No. 11 (1991), or the like). Under these circumstances, phase shift lithography has been drawing attention as technology of the photolithography for a next generation. The phase shift lithography is a method for improving resolution of optical lithography by changing only a mask without changing an optical system, and a method for utilizing mutual interference of transmitting lights and significantly improving the resolution of the exposure lights by giving a phase difference between the exposure lights which transmit the mask (hereinafter, described as a phase shift mask) having a phase shift effect. The phase shift mask is a mask simultaneously having light intensity information and phase information, and various types of the mask such as Levenson, auxiliary pattern, self-alignment (edge-enhancement), and the like are known. These phase shift masks have a more complicated structure and require higher level of technology with regard to manufacture than conventional photomasks having the light intensity information alone. As one of the phase shift masks, a phase shift mask referred to as a so-called halftone phase shift mask has been recently developed. The halftone phase shift mask is provided with a semi-transmitting part simultaneously having two functions of shielding function to allow exposure light to be transmitted with intensity not substantially contributing to exposure, and a phase shift function to allow the phase of the light to be shifted (generally inverted). Therefore, a shielding film (referred to also as an opaque film in some cases) pattern and a phase shift pattern are not required to be separately formed, and a simple structure and easy manufacture are therefore achieved. Here, a cross-sectional view of the halftone phase shift mask is shown in FIG. 3 . In a halftone phase shift mask 5 , a mask pattern is formed by a light transmitting part 2 and a light semi-transmitting part 3 on a transparent substrate 1 . The light transmitting part functions to transmit the light of intensity substantially contributing to exposure, with the transparent substrate 1 exposed, and meanwhile the light semi-transmitting part functions to transmit the light of intensity not substantially contributing to exposure, having a light semi-transmitting film formed thereon to allow the phase of the transmitting light to be shifted. Furthermore, by a phase shift of the light that transmits the light semi-transmitting part 3 , the phase of the light that transmits the light semi-transmitting part 3 and the phase of the light that transmits the light transmitting part 2 have a substantially inverted relationship. Then, lights passing near a boundary between the light semi-transmitting part 3 and the light transmitting part 2 and mutually detoured in the other's region by a diffraction phenomenon are canceled each other to set the light intensity to be approximately zero. The halftone phase shift mask is formed by improving contrast of the boundary, that is, the resolution of the boundary, by using the effect of setting the light intensity to be approximately zero. Meanwhile, the light semi-transmitting part of the aforementioned halftone phase shift mask must have optimum values required for both of the light transmittance and phase shift amount. Furthermore, an inventor of the present invention previously filed an application relating to the phase shift mask capable of realizing the optimum values thus required by a single-layer light semi-transmitting part (U.S. Pat. No. 2,837,803, U.S. Pat. No. 2,966,369). In the phase shift mask, the light semi-transmitting part is composed of a thin film made of metals such as molybdenum, tungsten, and the like, and silicon, oxygen and/or nitrogen as main components, which is a thin film made of molybdenum silicide, specifically, oxidized molybdenum and silicon (abbreviated as MoSiO), oxynitrided molybdenum and silicon (abbreviated as MoSiON), or nitrided molybdenum and silicon (abbreviated as MoSiN). These thin films are capable of controlling the transmittance by selecting an oxygen content or an oxygen and nitrogen content, and capable of controlling the phase shift amount by thickness of the thin film. Not only in the phase shift mask but also in a general transfer mask, which means a transfer mask having a mask pattern on a substrate, the mask pattern is frequently made of a material containing silicon from a viewpoint of controllability of the shielding function of the mask pattern or workability of the mask pattern. In other words, in a mask blank as a member before patterning the transfer mask, a portion (a film) becoming the mask pattern is frequently formed by sputtering using a sputter target containing silicon. However, when the target containing silicon is used, there is a problem that many particles are generated during deposition. This is because that discharge is prone to be unstable during deposition using the target containing silicon. When the particles are generated during the deposition, mixture of the particles in the film occurs. When the particles come off from the film during cleaning or the like, a film thickness becomes thinner than an originally needed film thickness. For example, in the case of a shielding film, a shielding function cannot be exerted, depending on a degree of the film thickness becoming thin, resulting in a white defect, sometimes. Furthermore, in the aforementioned halftone phase shift mask blank, a target containing a large silicon content is often used in order to control the transmittance of the light semi-transmitting part, thereby more remarkably posing the problem of generating particles when using the target containing silicon. Furthermore, when the particles are mixed in the light semi-transmitting film and come off from the film during cleaning or the like, the problem is more remarkably posed than the case of the aforementioned light shielding film. Specifically, in the case of the light semi-transmitting film, the phase shift amount or the transmittance changes according to a film thickness becoming thinner than the originally needed film thickness, thereby directly influencing the transfer characteristic. Therefore, if the generation of the particles when using the target containing silicon is reduced, this effectively works to reduce the defect of the phase shift mask. When the phase shift mask blanks, which is a member before patterning, is provided having the light semi-transmitting part formed of the thin film as described above, the light semi-transmitting part formed of a single layer film of a single material can be obtained. According to the light semi-transmitting part thus formed, the deposition process can be more simplified and a single etching medium can be used, compared with a case of forming the light semi-transmitting part with a multi-layer film of different. materials. This contributes to simplifying a manufacturing process from the phase shift mask blank to the phase shift mask. The thin film of MoSiO, MoSiON, or MoSiN is deposited by reactive sputtering in a gas atmosphere containing oxygen and/or nitrogen, using a target containing molybdenum and silicon. However, in accordance with micronization of the mask pattern, tolerance of a defect existing in the light semi-transmitting film of the phase shift mask blank has become extremely strict. Furthermore, in the light semi-transmitting film, from a viewpoint of discharge stability during the deposition, from a viewpoint of advancement of the wavelength of the exposure light from KrF (248 nm) to ArF (193 nm), from a viewpoint of the transmittance of the light semi-transmitting film to be a high transmittance (9% to 20%), or the like, it has been difficult to control a phase difference and the transmittance by only controlling the oxygen and/or nitrogen content during the aforementioned reactive sputtering. Therefore, the phase difference and the transmittance are controlled by applying a target (hereinafter, described as silicon as a main component (silicon rich)) containing metals and silicon and containing a larger amount of silicon rather than stoichiometrically stable composition. Incidentally, the silicon as a main component in the present invention refers to silicon containing 70 atm % or more. However, when the light semi-transmitting film is subjected to reactive sputtering to be deposited by using the aforementioned target composed mainly of silicon, a problem becomes obvious that a rate of generating defects caused by the particles in the light semi-transmitting film is increased by the particles generated during the deposition. The particles refer to fine particles having a diameter of, for example, 0.3 to 2 μm or more. When the particles are mixed in the light semi-transmitting film thus deposited, during a cleaning process conducted after the deposition, the particles come off from the light semi-transmitting film, and consequently, they become a pinhole or a half pin hole, as will be described later, or are remained in the light semi-transmitting film without being removed, resulting in a defect. The defect causes a generation of a lack of a pattern called a white defect during a manufacturing process of the phase shift mask by patterning the light semi-transmitting film. Here, the pinhole is formed when the light semi-transmitting film is deposited, with the particles generated during deposition adhered on the substrate, and the particles thus adhered on the substrate come off from the light semi-transmitting film during the cleaning process, a recessed part is thereby generated on the surface of the light semi-transmitting film and the bottom of the recessed part reaches the substrate. Also, the half pin hole is formed when the particles are adhered on the substrate, with the deposition of the light semi-transmitting film on the substrate advanced to a certain extent, and the particles thus adhered on the substrate come off from the light semi-transmitting film during the cleaning process, the recessed part is generated on the surface of the light semi-transmitting film and the bottom of the recessed part does not reach the substrate. As explained above, when the light semi-transmitting film is subjected to the reactive sputtering by using the target mainly composed of silicon, the problem specific to the target and the reactive sputtering is seemed to be the reason for causing the particles during deposition. Specifically, the target mainly composed of silicon to be used is not formed of a single compound, but is made in a mixed target formed of a simple substance (frequently including a silicon simple substance) and/or two or more of mixtures of a compound. The problem of uniformity in the composition or characteristics is involved in the mixed target, and therefore when the composition and characteristics are not uniform, discharge stability during the deposition cannot be obtained, causing the generation of the particles. Furthermore, during the reactive sputtering, oxygen and/or nitrogen is/are used in order to control the phase difference and the transmittance of the light semi-transmitting film. However, when using oxygen, the problem is that the discharge stability is reduced. Furthermore, in the halftone phase shift mask, the phase shift mask and the phase shift mask blank described in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 7-128840 are known as an object of preventing leakage of the exposure light. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the phase shift mask described in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 7-128840. As shown in FIG. 4 , the halftone phase shift mask described in this patent is formed by forming a semi-transmitting layer patterned by forming a transmitting part by removing a part of the film formed on the whole surface of the transparent substrate, and forming a light-shielding layer (referred to also as an opaque layer in some cases) on a main part excluding the vicinity of a boundary part between the semi-transmitting layer and the transmitting part. FIG. 5 is a halftone phase shift mask blank for manufacturing the halftone phase shift mask in FIG. 4 . When a shielding film (a shielding layer) is formed with the particles being mixed in the light semi-transmitting film (a translucent layer) during the formation of the halftone phase shift mask blank in FIG. 5 , the white defect is generated in the light semi-transmitting film as described above when the particles come off during cleaning process after deposition, the particles come off involving the light shielding layer of an upper layer when coming off, and in some instances, the particles come off involving the light shielding layer in the peripheries of the particles, thereby involving the problem that the light shielding layer is excessively pealed. When the shielding layer is thus excessively peeled, the leakage of the exposure light cannot be prevented, causing transfer failure when transferred to a base to be transferred. Furthermore, with the advancement of transfer accuracy, an attempt is made to set the transmittance of the light semi-transmitting part of the half tone phase shift mask to be high (9% to 20%). When the particles are mixed in the light semi-transmitting film of the mask, the problem is that even a minute defect of such extent that causes no problem in a normal mask becomes a defect. When the particles mixed in the light semi-transmitting part come off during the cleaning process, the problem is that the transmittance of a defect part is diminished only to contribute to exposure. Furthermore, in such a mask, the light semi-transmitting part exhibits a high transmittance, thereby necessitating the light shielding layer provided thereon as shown in FIG. 4 , and as described above, the problem caused by the excessive peeling of the light shielding layer is thereby generated. The present invention is provided in consideration of the aforementioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing the high quality phase shift mask blank capable of manufacturing with a high yield with a rate of generating defects in the light semi-transmitting film set to be less than or equal to a desired value, a method for manufacturing the phase shift mask manufactured by patterning the light semi-transmitting film of the phase shift mask blank, and the sputtering target for manufacturing the phase shift mask blank.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a list of a hardness of a target and the number of defects of phase shift mask blanks relating to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a DC magnetron sputtering device; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a halftone phase shift mask; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional schematic view of a halftone phase shift mask with a light shielding film; and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the halftone phase shift mask blank with the light shielding film. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050310

20140218

20051110

61555.0

MCDONALD, RODNEY GLENN

METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING MASK BLANK, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING TRANSFER MASK,SPUTTERING TARGET FOR MANUFACTURING MASK BLANK

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Electrical connector

An electrical connector to interpose between a first electrical device and a second electrical device each having a plurality of conductive pads to electrically, the electrical connector comprising a housing carrying a plurality of conductive elements, each conductive element including a first contact region for engagement with a conductive pad of the first electrical device and a second contact region for engagement with a conductive pad of the second electrical device. The conductive elements are carried by the housing to present at least the first contact region for compressive engagement with the surface of the first electrical device. The housing presents a latching means to engage with the first electrical device to retain the first electrical device with the housing in a direction which extends parallel to the direction of compressive engagement to thereby hold the plurality of conductive pads of the first electrical device in physical contact with respective the first regions of the conductive elements.

1. An electrical connector to interpose between opposing surfaces of a first electrical device having a plurality of conductive pads and a second electrical device having a plurality of conductive pads to electrically connect each pad on the surface of said first electrical device with a respective pad on the surface of said second electrical device, the electrical connector comprising; a housing carrying a plurality of conductive elements, each conductive element including a first contact region for engagement with a conductive pad of the surface of said first electrical device and a second contact region for engagement with a conductive pad of the surface of said second electrical device, said conductive elements carried by said housing to present at least said first contact region for compressive engagement with the surface of said first electrical device, said housing presenting a latching means to engage with said first electrical device to retain said first electrical device with said housing in a direction which extends parallel to the direction of compressive engagement to thereby hold said plurality of conductive pads of said first electrical device in physical contact with respective said first contact regions of said conductive elements. 2. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said latching means is a snap fit latching means. 3. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said latching means is an umbrella like expansion snap fit latching means. 4. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said latching means includes at least one pair of latching regions provided by at least one leg projecting from said housing, at least on latching region including an edge or surface the normal to which extends in a direction parallel to the direction of compressive engagement, the edge or surface engagable to a complementary edge or surface of said first electrical device the normal to which extends in a direction opposite to said first mentioned normal to thereby retain said first electrical device with said housing wherein each latching region is deflectable towards each other in a resilient manner and along a path which extends in a direction lateral to the direction of compressive engagement and thereby allows a snap-fit engagement with said first electrical device to occur. 5. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said latching means includes at least one pair of latching regions provided by at least one leg projecting from said housing, at least on latching region including an edge or surface the normal to which extends in a direction parallel to the direction of compressive engagement, the edge or surface engagable to a complementary edge or surface of said first electrical device the normal to which extends in a direction opposite to said first mentioned normal to thereby retain said fist electrical device with said housing wherein each latching region is deflectable away from each other in a resilient manner and along a path which extends in a direction lateral to the direction of compressive engagement and thereby allows a snap-fit engagement with said first electrical device to occur. 6. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 4 wherein said latching regions are provided in the form of a lip of said at least one leg. 7. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 4 wherein latching regions is provided by a respective said leg. 8. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least one pair of legs are provided each leg including one latching region. 9. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 8, wherein each leg of said pair is resiliently biased towards a condition wherein said pair of legs are mutually cooperative to encourage said edge or surface of each latching region to remain in contact with a respective complementary edge or surface of said first electrical device. 10. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 6 wherein said lip is defined by the profile of said leg. 11. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 3 wherein said first electrical device with which said electrical connector is to engage, is a printed circuit board. 12. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 11 wherein said latching means extends from said housing to pass trough an opening in said printed circuit board and wherein said latching means presents a lip to engage with the major surface of said printed circuit board opposite to said first mentioned surface. 13. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 12 wherein said lip is positioned relative to said housing so that when said printed circuit board is held to said housing by said latching means said printed circuit board is pressed against said first contact regions with a force which is within the specifications for desired characteristic of physical contact. 14. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said housing is of a generally elongate body which includes an upper surface and an opposite facing lower surface both substantially parallel to the elongate direction of said body and wherein said latching means extends from said housing at the upper surface. 15. An electrical assembly including and electrical connector interposing between opposing surfaces of a first electrical device having a plurality of conductive pads and a second electrical device having a plurality of conductive pads, electrically connecting each pad on the surface of said first electrical device with a respective pad oil the surface of said second electrical device, wherein the electrical connector comprises; a housing carrying a plurality of conductive elements, each conductive element including a first contact region engaged with a conductive pad of the surface of said first electrical device and a second contact region engaged with a conductive pad of the surface of said second electrical device, said conductive elements carried by said housing to present at least said first contact region in a compressive engagement with the surface of said first electrical device, said housing presenting a latching means engaged with said first electrical device to retain said first electrical device with said housing at least in a direction which extends parallel to the direction of compressive engagement to thereby hold said plurality of conductive pads of said first electrical device in physical contact with respective said first contact regions of said conductive elements. 16. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said latching means is a snap fit latching means. 17. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said latching means is an umbrella like expansion snap fit latching means. 18. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said latching means includes at least one pair of latching regions provided by at least one leg projecting from said housing, at least on latching region including an edge or surface the normal to which extends in a direction parallel to the direction of compressive engagement, the edge or surface engaged to a complementary edge or surface of said first electrical device the normal to which extends in a direction opposite to said first mentioned normal to thereby retain said first electrical device with said housing wherein each latching region is deflectable towards each other in a resilient mariner and along a path which extends in a direction lateral to the direction of compressive engagement and thereby allows a snap-fit engagement with said first electrical device to occur. 19. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said latching means includes at least one pair of latching regions provided by at least one leg projecting from said housing; at least on latching region including an edge or surface the normal to which extends in a direction parallel to the direction of compressive engagement, the edge or surface engaged to a complementary edge or surface of said first electrical device the normal to which extends in a direction opposite to said first mentioned normal to thereby retain said first electrical device with said housing wherein each latching region is deflectable away from each other in a resilient manner and along a path which extends in a direction lateral to the direction of compressive engagement and thereby allows a snap-fit engagement with said first electrical device to occur. 20. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein said latching regions are provided in the form of a lip of said at least one leg. 21. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein a latching region is provided by a respective said leg. 22. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein at least one pair of legs are provided each leg including one latching region. 23. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein each leg of said pair is resiliently biased towards a condition wherein said pair of legs are mutually cooperative to encourage said edge or surface of each latching region to remain in contact with a respective complementary edge or surface of said first electrical device. 24. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein said lip is defined by the profile of said leg. 25. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said first electrical device with which said electrical connector is engaged, is a printed circuit board. 26. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 25 wherein said latching means extends from said housing and passes through an opening in said printed circuit board and wherein said latching means presents a lip to engage with the major surface of said printed circuit board opposite to said first mentioned surface. 27. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 26 wherein, said lip is positioned relative to said housing so that when said printed circuit board is held to said housing by said latching means said printed circuit board is pressed against said first contact regions with a force which is within the specifications for desired characteristic of physical contact. 28. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein said housing is of a generally elongate body which includes an upper surface and an opposite facing lower surface both substantially parallel to the elongate direction of said body and wherein said latching means extends from said housing at the upper surface. 29. A connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein the latching means comprises of a leg upstanding form the housing in a direction parallel to the direction of said compressive engagement and having a section there along which is of an increased width in a direction lateral to said compressive engagement direction which is to engage with an aperture of said first electrical device in an interference fit engagement manner. 30. A connector as claimed in claim 29 wherein said section is deformable relative to said leg. 31. A connector as claimed in claim 29 wherein said section includes a barbed edge which is to pressed into a surface of said first electrical device at said aperture. 32. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein the latching means comprises of a leg upstanding form the housing in a direction parallel to the direction of said compressive engagement and having a section there along which is of an increased width in a direction lateral to said compressive engagement direction which is engaged at an aperture of said first electrical device in an interference fit engagement manner. 33. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein said section is deformable relative to said leg. 34. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein said section includes a barbed edge which is pressed into a surface of said first electrical device at said aperture. 35. An electrical assembly as claimed in claim 32 wherein said section is at a distance along said leg such that it securely engages said first electrical device and simultaneously holds said surface thereof in compressive engagement with the first contact regions of said conductive elements. 36. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 1 wherein said latching means is of a sheet metal material and includes a housing located region which is engaged to the housing within a cavity thereof. 37. An electrical connector as claimed in claim 36 wherein said housing holds two arrays of conductive elements each array extending in a longitudinal direction and disposed along respective sides of said housing, said cavity of said housing retaining said housing located region of latching means extending in a longitudinal direction and intermediate of said two arrays.

BACKGROUND Electrical connectors for connecting between two devices such as for example printed circuit boards are well known. In modern applications, electrical connection between two electrical devices may need to be made wherein a high density of individual electrical leads of a printed circuit board require connection with another electrical device. Connectors which make the connection between the two devices for such applications are often referred to as high density connectors. This is because the individual conductive elements of the connector need to correspond with closely spaced electrical leads of a printed circuit board. An electrical connector may be securely mounted to one electrical device and subsequently engaged to another electrical device such as a printed circuit board by the use of a fastening screw or screws. For example it can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,267 that an electrical connector which carries a plurality of conductive elements is able to make electrical contact with an electrical device which is screwed to the connector. During the assembly of such an arrangement, the printed circuit board is pressed against the contacts of the electrical connector by tightening a screw which extends through the printed circuit board and into the body of the connector. As the conductive elements of this type of connector are compression conductive elements which are able to be deflected upon contact with a printed circuit board, it is possible to over tighten the screw and damage the connector. A warping of the printed circuit board may be caused by high compression forces when the printed circuit board is tightened down. The printed circuit board is unable to take the load and therefore warps under it. The degree of warping of the printed circuit board at the area of contact with the electrical connector will also be influenced by such factors as the thickness of the printed circuit board, the number and position of fastening elements and any additional support that may be provided. One way that the problem may be overcome is by the provision of a threaded insert provided in the body of the connector with which a screw can engage for tightening. The insert may provide a limit to the degree of compression that can be provided by a screw. However the provision of a threaded insert may not always be feasible as for example the body of the compression connector may have size constraints. A further disadvantage with the provision of a threaded tightening screw is that the process of engagement of the printed circuit board with the electrical connector will require an assembly step which involves the use of a tightening device such as a screw driver. This is a manufacturing step which can add to the time of assembly and the complexity of assembly equipment. The rotational engagement of the screw can also induce a torque on the connector and/or the circuit broad which may lead to undesirable effects. Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector which will improve the ease of assembly and avoid the above mentioned problems or at least provide the public with a useful choice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect the present invention consists in an electrical connector to interpose between opposing surfaces of a first electrical device having a plurality of conductive pads and a second electrical device having a plurality of conductive pads to electrically connect each pad on the surface of said first electrical device with a respective pad on the surface of said second electrical device, the electrical connector comprising; a housing carrying a plurality of conductive elements, each conductive element including a first contact region for engagement with a conductive pad of the surface of said first electrical device and a second contact region for engagement with a conductive pad of the surface of said second electrical device, said conductive elements carried by said housing to present at least said first contact region for compressive engagement with the surface of said first electrical device, said housing presenting a latching means to engage with said first electrical device to retain said first electrical device with said housing in a direction which extends parallel to the direction of compressive engagement to thereby hold said plurality of conductive pads of said first electrical device in physical contact with respective said first contact regions of said conductive elements. In a second aspect the present invention consists in an electrical assembly including and electrical connector interposing between opposing surfaces of a first electrical device having a plurality of conductive pads and a second electrical device having a plurality of conductive pads, electrically connecting each pad on the surface of said first electrical device with a respective pad on the surface of said second electrical device, wherein the electrical connector comprises; a housing carrying a plurality of conductive elements, each conductive element including a first contact region engaged with a conductive pad of the surface of said first electrical device and a second contact region engaged with a conductive pad of the surface of said second electrical device, said conductive elements carried by said housing to present at least said first contact region in a compressive engagement with the surface of said first electrical device, said housing presenting a latching means engaged with said first electrical device to retain said first electrical device with said housing at least in a direction which extends parallel to the direction of compressive engagement to thereby hold said plurality of conductive pads of said first electrical device in physical contact with respective said first contact regions of said conductive elements. Preferably said latching means is a snap fit latching means. Preferably said latching means is an umbrella like expansion snap fit latching means. Preferably said latching means includes at least one pair of latching regions provided by at least one leg projecting from said housing, at least on latching region including an edge or surface the normal to which extends in a direction parallel to the direction of compressive engagement, the edge or surface engagable to a complementary edge or surface of said first electrical device the normal to which extends in a direction opposite to said first mentioned normal to thereby retain said first electrical device with said housing wherein each latching region is deflectable towards each other in a resilient manner and along a path which extends in a direction lateral to the direction of compressive engagement and thereby allows a snap-fit engagement with said first electrical device to occur. Preferably said latching means includes at least one pair of latching regions provided by at least one leg projecting from said housing, at least on latching region including an edge or surface the normal to which extends in a direction parallel to the direction of compressive engagement, the edge or surface engagable to a complementary edge or surface of said first electrical device the normal to which extends in a direction opposite to said first mentioned normal to thereby retain said first electrical device with said housing wherein each latching region is deflectable away from each other in a resilient manner and along a path winch extends in a direction lateral to the direction of compressive engagement and thereby allows a snap-fit engagement with said first electrical device to occur. Preferably said latching regions are provided in the form of a lip of said at least one leg. Preferably a latching regions is provided by a respective said leg. Preferably at least one pair of legs are provided each leg including one latching region. Preferably each leg of said pair is resiliently biased towards a condition wherein said pair of legs are mutually cooperative to encourage said edge or surface of each latching region to remain in contact with a respective complementary edge or surface of said first electrical device. Preferably said lip is defined by the profile of said leg. Preferably said first electrical device with which said electrical connector is to engage, is a printed circuit board. Preferably said latching means extends from said housing to pass through an opening in said printed circuit board and wherein said latching means presents a lip to engage with the major surface of said printed circuit board opposite to said first mentioned surface. Preferably said lip is positioned relative to said housing so that when said printed circuit board is held to said housing by said latching means said printed circuit board is pressed against said first contact regions with a force which is within the specifications for desired characteristic of physical contact. Preferably said housing is of a generally elongate body which includes an upper surface and an opposite facing lower surface both substantially parallel to the elongate direction of said body an wherein said latching means extends from said housing at the upper surface. Preferably the latching means comprises of a leg upstanding form the housing in a direction parallel to the direction of said compressive engagement and having a section there along which is of an increased width in a direction lateral to said compressive engagement direction which is to engage with an aperture of said first electrical device in an interference fit engagement manner. Preferably said section is deformable relative to said leg. Preferably said section includes a barbed edge which is to pressed into a surface of said first electrical device at said aperture Preferably the latching means comprises of a leg upstanding form the housing in a direction parallel to the direction of said compressive engagement and having a section there along which is of an increased width in a direction lateral to said compressive engagement direction which is engaged at an aperture of said first electrical device in an interference fit engagement manner. Preferably said section is deformable relative to said leg. Preferably said section includes a barbed edge which is pressed into a surface of said first electrical device at said aperture. Preferably said section is at a distance along said leg such that it securely engages said first electrical device and simultaneously holds said surface thereof in compressive engagement with the first contact regions of said conductive elements. Preferably said latching means is of a sheet metal material and includes a housing located region which is engaged to the housing within a cavity thereof. Preferably said housing holds two arrays of conductive elements each array extending in a longitudinal direction and disposed along respective sides of said housing, said cavity of said housing retaining said housing located region of latching means extending in a longitudinal direction and intermediate of said two arrays. This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the pats, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. A preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred form of an electrical connector of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is an end view of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 1, FIG. 5 is side view of the electrical connector of the present invention engaged with a second electrical device and showing a first electrical device ready to be engaged with the electrical connector, FIG. 6 illustrates the view of FIG. 5 and wherein the first electrical device is engaged with the connector, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative configuration of latching means, and FIGS. 8-12 are perspective views of retention means of a form which are press-fittable with a first electrical device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1 there is shown an electrical connector 1 which includes a housing 2 which holds a plurality of conductive elements 15. The housing 2 holds the conductive elements in a manner so that the contact regions 7 of the conductive elements are able to move relative to the housing. Such contact regions 7 are able to be moved to compress the respective conductive elements and as a result provide a biasing force of the contact regions 7 in the direction from which the compression force is directed. The housing holds a plurality of conductive elements in an appropriate array which corresponds with electrical leads, pads or traces (herein after referred to as “pads”) which are provided by two electrical devices. The electrical connector 1 presents each conductive element so that each first contact region 7 can engage with an electrical pad of a first electrical device and a second contact regions 6 of the conductive element can engage with an electrical pad of a second electrical device. An electrical connection between the pads of the first and second electrical devices is then established. The pads axe provided on a surface of the first electrical device. The surfaces of the two electrical devices are preferably facing each other and between which the electrical connector of the present invention can be interposed. With reference to FIG. 1, the housing of the electrical connector is preferably of an elongate (in the L direction) shape. The housing includes a lower surface 3 and an upper surface 4 and in a cross section transverse to the elongate direction L, the housing is substantially square or rectangular in shape. When viewed in plan, it can be seen with reference to FIG. 1 that the outline of the housing is also substantially rectangular in shape and the housing includes perimeter side walls and end walls extending between the lower and uppers surfaces. The conductive elements 15 are carried by the housing and may at some point be rigidly fixed to the housing but yet present the first contact regions 7 in a displaceable manner thereto. The second contact regions 6 may also be displaceable relative to the housing but this need not be necessarily so. The first contact regions 6 may be provided for a soldered connection to a second electrical device which may not be (or be solely) a compression connection. The second contact regions 7 are displaceable relative to the housing 2 when a first electrical device is advanced for engagement with the electrical connector in direction C. The first contact regions 7 will displace in the direction C on contact with the pads of the surface of the first electrical device. A movement transverse to the direction C may also occur but this need not be necessarily so. The movement in direction C will thereafter bias the first contact regions 7 towards the surface of the first electrical device thereby making electrical contact with the pads. A latching means 5 is provided to extend from the housing 2 of the electrical connector. As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the latching means preferably extend from the upper surface 4 of the housing. The direction of extension is such so as to provide a portion of the latching means 5 which engages onto a locking surface of the first electrical device and when the first electrical device is in an appropriate relationship for contact with the first contact regions 7. It will hold the electrical device relative to the housing and thereby prevent the electrical device from moving in a direction opposite to the direction C. The latching means is able to extend through an opening 14 of the first electrical device as for example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The opening is of a size such that when the first electrical device is engaged with the electrical connector, the latching portions of the latching means become engaged with the first electrical device to thereby hold the electrical device relative to the housing. The latching portion 8 of the latching means 5 is preferably a lip. Such a lip includes an edge or surface which protects back towards the housing. The lip can engage with an opposite facing surface of the first electrical device and when mutually cooperating with each other hold the electrical device relative to the housing and prevent the electrical device from moving in a direction opposite to direction C relative to the connector. With reference to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the latching means preferably includes two legs, each leg providing such a latching region 8. The legs at the latching region substantially define an “L” shaped profile as for example shown in FIG. 3. With the provision of two legs each providing a latching region 8, the latching means can for example extend through an opening 14 of the first electrical device ard be secured at two different locations on an upwardly facing surface of the first electrical device. The legs as in the form shown in FIG. 4, are preferably movable relative to each other in direction F. This direction F is shown in FIG. 4 to be transverse to direction L but may instead be parallel thereto. The legs can be moved towards each other sufficiently to allow for the outer extreme surfaces (when viewed in the end view as shown in FIG. 3) to extend through the aperture 14 of the first electrical device. The effective overall width of the latching means is hence able to be reduced as it is inserted through an appropriate shape opening. Once the latching regions 8 have passed through the opening or aperture 14, the biasing force will move the two legs of the latching means outwardly and away from each other thereby simultaneously engaging the latching regions 8 with the upwardly facing surface of the first electrical device. The latching means also provides restrain to movement of the first electrical device relative to the housing in the direction transverse to the compressive engagement direction as a result of the vertical portions of the “L” shaped legs engaging with the side walls of the aperture. The latching means in the most preferred form is a pair of legs however in other forms, the latching means may consist of more than one pair of legs. Indeed more than one latching means may be provided to extend from the housing of the connector. Several latching means may be provided one to have legs deflectable in direction L and another to have deflectable legs in direction F. In the most preferred form the latching means extends from the housing substantially centrally both in the longitudinal direction and in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. However two (or more) latching means may be provided each positioned towards ends of the housing. The most preferred form of the first electrical device for which the connector of the present invention is designed is a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board will present on one of the surfaces a series of electrical pads which have been generated on that surface of the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is normally of a thin material substrate and the latching means of the connector of the present invention is able to extend through the substrate and locate its latching regions 8 onto the surface of the substrate opposite to that surface where the electrical pads for connection with the connector are provided. The distance in direction C between the latching regions 8 and the first contact regions 7 of the conductive elements is of a distance which has been matched to the thickness of the substrate of the printed circuit board 13. The thickness of the circuit board is greater than distance D1 which is the distance in direction C between the latching regions 8 and the uppermost point of the contact regions 7 when the contact regions are in a non deflected state. The thickness of the substrate is no greater than the distance D2 which is the distance in direction C between the latching regions 8 and the point where the upper surface of the contact regions 7 will be positioned at a limit of its deflection. Such distance D2 may be to the upper surface 4 of the housing 2 when the upper contact regions 7 are provided to extend upwardly from the upper surface 4 of the housing. With reference to FIG. 5, it can be seen that the connector 2 is engaged with a casing 9. It is clamped against a casing by means of a backing plate 11 which provides support to a second electrical device 10 such as a flex. The backing plate 11 will hold the second electrical device to the casting 9. The first electrical device 13 such as the printed circuit board is also able to be mounted to the casing 9. Such mounting may be secured by the use of a machine screw 12. The fastening means provided by the form of machine screws 12 will hold the printed circuit board to the housing via its collection to the casing 9. The latching means 5 provides fastening of the printed circuit board with the connector and indeed provides such fastening much more proximate to the contact point between the conductive elements 15 and the pads of the printed circuit board. Such more proximate support will reduce the degree of deflection of the printed circuit board in the region of the electrical connector and hence ensure for a reliable connection being established. The latch itself may be unitary with the housing and may be molded of the same material as the housing (e.g. plastic). Alternatively and in the more preferred form, the latch is made from a metal and is for example stamped from a sheet material and subsequently installed with the housing. The housing may be molded to provide a cavity for receiving the latching means and present it to the extend from the housing for use. Whilst in the most preferred form the latch has been described as consisting of two legs, each having a lip or retaining region 8, it may be that only one leg includes such a lip the other merely being provided to bias the lip once installed with the printed circuit board in a direction to maintain engagement. It can be seen from FIG. 3 for example that the latching means include a sloping surface to the direction C which will aid in the insertion of the latching means through the opening 14 of the printed circuit board. In this manner a snap fit engagement can be achieved. At alternative configuration the pair of legs of the latching means may be biased in act opposite direction and presents an L shape lip configuration which face towards each other rather than away from each other as shown in FIG. 3. In such a configuration the printed circuit board may be provided with two openings and through which each of the legs can extend and pass through to then move towards each other for active engagement with the upper facing surface of the printed circuit board. The aperture or opening 14 of the printed circuit board may be of any suitable shape to allow for part of the legs to extend through and subsequently provide clamping engagement to the pointed circuit board with the housing. With reference to FIG. 7 there is shown an alternative configuration of latching means 5 wherein two legs extend from said housing. The legs are joined at a lower region (eg located within said housing) but are split from each other above said housing so that they can move relative to each other. The legs each have a latching region 8 with a downwardly facing surface which is to engage with an upwardly facing surface of the circuit board. The latching regions are formed by being displaced from the plane of the legs. The latching regions may be resiliently deflectable relative to the main upstand sections of the legs. The latching regions may themselves be the only portion of the legs which deflect relative to the housing upon insertion through the aperture of the circuit board. Indeed that split as mentioned above need not be provided if the latching regions are sufficiently deflectable on their own relative to the remainder of the legs. As can be seen from FIG. 7, the latching means may also include a tab or leg which extends to engage with the second electrical device. Such a tab 20 can locate onto a surface of the second electrical device and thereby provide extra hold down. The latching means may also serve subsidiary purpose which it to provide shielding. In high density applications it is often a problem that interference from one circuit of the electrical device will interfere with other. A shielding can be proved by the use of a grounded conductor. The latching means in the form where it is made from a sheet metal, can be positioned with said housing in a location where it is able to provide effective shielding where needed. For example in our Singapore patent application SG 200108115-7 there is shown the use of a sheet metal which extends longitudinally between two arrays of conductive element. The sheet metal is of a span which covers an area between the two arrays sufficient to shield an) interference that may occur. The connector (preferably of the compression connection kind) has an array of a plurality of conductive elements on each side of the housing. The housing may have a slot therein within which the sheet metal shield/latching means can be provided. The sheet metal is provided to extend intermediate of the two arrays in the longitudinal direction. The sheet metal may in an alternative form extend in a direction lateral to the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 7. The patent specification of SG 200108115-7 is herewith incorporated by way of reference. With reference to FIGS. 8 to 12 press fit latching means are shown which in use will hold the housing with the first electrical device in a different manner than the snap fit manner of the latching means of FIGS. 1 to 7. The press fit latching means consists of at least one leg which includes a section which is of an increased width. The increase in width (transverse to the direction of engagement) serves to provide retention of the housing with the first electrical device. The leg is able to be inserted into an aperture of the electrical device which will result in an interference fit with the section of increased diameter of the leg. The walls of the aperture will become deformed as the section of increased diameter is inserted therewith. The section of increased width may be pressed to extend all the way through the aperture to then in part locate with the upper facing surface of the device or may remain engaged inside the aperture with the side walls of the aperture. A barbed feature of the section of increased width will in this form of the invention assist in the retention strength. Deformation of the section of increase width may also occur upon insertion. Whilst this is an alternative form of latching, it is less desirable in situations where re-assembly is required since the latch will distort the material of the increased width section and/or the first electrical device. In general the latching means requires small space for installation in comparison to a threaded insert. The latching means may be made of a sheet metal material and may be stamped and subsequently folded to the appropriate configuration. The latching means may be inserted into a cavity of the housing and may become engaged thereto at least in a direction to prevent is from being pulled out of the cavity towards the printed circuit board. Barbed retaining features may be used for such purposes although other configurations will be obvious to a person skilled in the art. When inserted with the cavity the latching means will present the latching regions appropriately from the housing for engagement with the printed circuit board. With the absence of a threaded connector and designated insert, the connector size can be reduced and the space occupied on a printed circuit board and flex can accordingly be reduced. The connector with latch is not subject to any torque during and after assembly with the electrical devices. Also the cost of incorporating a latch with a housing of a connector will be cheaper than in comparison with a threaded insert even where the latch is made from stamping a sheet material. That portion of the latch which has extended through the printed circuit board may subsequent to initial assembly also be soldered onto the printed circuit board so as to provide additional hold dozen and to function as a stress relief for solder tails.

<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Electrical connectors for connecting between two devices such as for example printed circuit boards are well known. In modern applications, electrical connection between two electrical devices may need to be made wherein a high density of individual electrical leads of a printed circuit board require connection with another electrical device. Connectors which make the connection between the two devices for such applications are often referred to as high density connectors. This is because the individual conductive elements of the connector need to correspond with closely spaced electrical leads of a printed circuit board. An electrical connector may be securely mounted to one electrical device and subsequently engaged to another electrical device such as a printed circuit board by the use of a fastening screw or screws. For example it can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,267 that an electrical connector which carries a plurality of conductive elements is able to make electrical contact with an electrical device which is screwed to the connector. During the assembly of such an arrangement, the printed circuit board is pressed against the contacts of the electrical connector by tightening a screw which extends through the printed circuit board and into the body of the connector. As the conductive elements of this type of connector are compression conductive elements which are able to be deflected upon contact with a printed circuit board, it is possible to over tighten the screw and damage the connector. A warping of the printed circuit board may be caused by high compression forces when the printed circuit board is tightened down. The printed circuit board is unable to take the load and therefore warps under it. The degree of warping of the printed circuit board at the area of contact with the electrical connector will also be influenced by such factors as the thickness of the printed circuit board, the number and position of fastening elements and any additional support that may be provided. One way that the problem may be overcome is by the provision of a threaded insert provided in the body of the connector with which a screw can engage for tightening. The insert may provide a limit to the degree of compression that can be provided by a screw. However the provision of a threaded insert may not always be feasible as for example the body of the compression connector may have size constraints. A further disadvantage with the provision of a threaded tightening screw is that the process of engagement of the printed circuit board with the electrical connector will require an assembly step which involves the use of a tightening device such as a screw driver. This is a manufacturing step which can add to the time of assembly and the complexity of assembly equipment. The rotational engagement of the screw can also induce a torque on the connector and/or the circuit broad which may lead to undesirable effects. Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector which will improve the ease of assembly and avoid the above mentioned problems or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In a first aspect the present invention consists in an electrical connector to interpose between opposing surfaces of a first electrical device having a plurality of conductive pads and a second electrical device having a plurality of conductive pads to electrically connect each pad on the surface of said first electrical device with a respective pad on the surface of said second electrical device, the electrical connector comprising; a housing carrying a plurality of conductive elements, each conductive element including a first contact region for engagement with a conductive pad of the surface of said first electrical device and a second contact region for engagement with a conductive pad of the surface of said second electrical device, said conductive elements carried by said housing to present at least said first contact region for compressive engagement with the surface of said first electrical device, said housing presenting a latching means to engage with said first electrical device to retain said first electrical device with said housing in a direction which extends parallel to the direction of compressive engagement to thereby hold said plurality of conductive pads of said first electrical device in physical contact with respective said first contact regions of said conductive elements. In a second aspect the present invention consists in an electrical assembly including and electrical connector interposing between opposing surfaces of a first electrical device having a plurality of conductive pads and a second electrical device having a plurality of conductive pads, electrically connecting each pad on the surface of said first electrical device with a respective pad on the surface of said second electrical device, wherein the electrical connector comprises; a housing carrying a plurality of conductive elements, each conductive element including a first contact region engaged with a conductive pad of the surface of said first electrical device and a second contact region engaged with a conductive pad of the surface of said second electrical device, said conductive elements carried by said housing to present at least said first contact region in a compressive engagement with the surface of said first electrical device, said housing presenting a latching means engaged with said first electrical device to retain said first electrical device with said housing at least in a direction which extends parallel to the direction of compressive engagement to thereby hold said plurality of conductive pads of said first electrical device in physical contact with respective said first contact regions of said conductive elements. Preferably said latching means is a snap fit latching means. Preferably said latching means is an umbrella like expansion snap fit latching means. Preferably said latching means includes at least one pair of latching regions provided by at least one leg projecting from said housing, at least on latching region including an edge or surface the normal to which extends in a direction parallel to the direction of compressive engagement, the edge or surface engagable to a complementary edge or surface of said first electrical device the normal to which extends in a direction opposite to said first mentioned normal to thereby retain said first electrical device with said housing wherein each latching region is deflectable towards each other in a resilient manner and along a path which extends in a direction lateral to the direction of compressive engagement and thereby allows a snap-fit engagement with said first electrical device to occur. Preferably said latching means includes at least one pair of latching regions provided by at least one leg projecting from said housing, at least on latching region including an edge or surface the normal to which extends in a direction parallel to the direction of compressive engagement, the edge or surface engagable to a complementary edge or surface of said first electrical device the normal to which extends in a direction opposite to said first mentioned normal to thereby retain said first electrical device with said housing wherein each latching region is deflectable away from each other in a resilient manner and along a path winch extends in a direction lateral to the direction of compressive engagement and thereby allows a snap-fit engagement with said first electrical device to occur. Preferably said latching regions are provided in the form of a lip of said at least one leg. Preferably a latching regions is provided by a respective said leg. Preferably at least one pair of legs are provided each leg including one latching region. Preferably each leg of said pair is resiliently biased towards a condition wherein said pair of legs are mutually cooperative to encourage said edge or surface of each latching region to remain in contact with a respective complementary edge or surface of said first electrical device. Preferably said lip is defined by the profile of said leg. Preferably said first electrical device with which said electrical connector is to engage, is a printed circuit board. Preferably said latching means extends from said housing to pass through an opening in said printed circuit board and wherein said latching means presents a lip to engage with the major surface of said printed circuit board opposite to said first mentioned surface. Preferably said lip is positioned relative to said housing so that when said printed circuit board is held to said housing by said latching means said printed circuit board is pressed against said first contact regions with a force which is within the specifications for desired characteristic of physical contact. Preferably said housing is of a generally elongate body which includes an upper surface and an opposite facing lower surface both substantially parallel to the elongate direction of said body an wherein said latching means extends from said housing at the upper surface. Preferably the latching means comprises of a leg upstanding form the housing in a direction parallel to the direction of said compressive engagement and having a section there along which is of an increased width in a direction lateral to said compressive engagement direction which is to engage with an aperture of said first electrical device in an interference fit engagement manner. Preferably said section is deformable relative to said leg. Preferably said section includes a barbed edge which is to pressed into a surface of said first electrical device at said aperture Preferably the latching means comprises of a leg upstanding form the housing in a direction parallel to the direction of said compressive engagement and having a section there along which is of an increased width in a direction lateral to said compressive engagement direction which is engaged at an aperture of said first electrical device in an interference fit engagement manner. Preferably said section is deformable relative to said leg. Preferably said section includes a barbed edge which is pressed into a surface of said first electrical device at said aperture. Preferably said section is at a distance along said leg such that it securely engages said first electrical device and simultaneously holds said surface thereof in compressive engagement with the first contact regions of said conductive elements. Preferably said latching means is of a sheet metal material and includes a housing located region which is engaged to the housing within a cavity thereof. Preferably said housing holds two arrays of conductive elements each array extending in a longitudinal direction and disposed along respective sides of said housing, said cavity of said housing retaining said housing located region of latching means extending in a longitudinal direction and intermediate of said two arrays. This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the pats, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. A preferred form of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20051114

20071106

20060817

95414.0

H01R1200

HARVEY, JAMES R

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H01R

ACCEPTED

Circuit and method for controlling the threshold voltage of trransistors

A control unit controlling a threshold voltage of a circuit unit (2) having a plurality of transistor devices, comprising a reference circuit; a measuring unit (12) measuring a threshold voltage of at least one sensing transistor of the circuit unit (2) and measuring a threshold voltage of at least one reference transistor of the reference circuit; a differential voltage generator (18) generating a differential voltage from outputs of the measuring unit (12) and a bulk connection of the transistor devices in the circuit unit (2) to which the differential voltage is fed as a biasing voltage (VB).

1. A control unit controlling a threshold voltage of a circuit unit having a plurality of transistor devices, comprising a reference circuit; a measuring unit measuring a threshold voltage of at least one sensing transistor of the circuit unit and measuring a reference threshold voltage of at least one reference transistor of the reference circuit; a differential voltage generator generating a differential voltage from outputs of the measuring unit and a bulk connection of the transistor devices in the circuit unit to which the differential voltage is fed as a biasing voltage. 2. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the differential voltage generator comprises: an averaging unit forming at least one average threshold voltage value of at least one measured transistor threshold voltage of the circuit unit; a comparing unit comparing at least one average threshold voltage value of the circuit unit with at least one measured transistor threshold voltage of the reference circuit and creating at least one difference voltage value indicating the difference between at least one average threshold voltage value of the circuit unit and at least one transistor threshold voltage of the reference circuit; an amplifier unit amplifying at least one difference voltage value of the comparing unit and creating at least one amplified difference voltage value. 3. The control unit of claim 2, wherein the amplifier unit is a high gain amplifier. 4. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the reference circuit comprises at least one reference transistor in at least one comparator amplifier. 5. The control unit of claim 4, wherein the reference transistor is provided in a separate well of the chip comprising the circuit unit. 6. The control unit of claim 4, wherein the reference transistor is controlled separately from the transistor devices of the circuit unit by a reference voltage. 7. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the measuring unit comprises at least one sensing transistor sensing the threshold voltage. 8. The control unit of claim 8, wherein the sensing transistor is controlled separately from the reference transistor by a sensing voltage. 9. The control unit of claim 1, wherein the circuit unit comprises a plurality of transistor devices, and wherein a first sub-plurality of the transistor devices is employed as reference transistors and a second sub-plurality of the transistor devices is employed as sensing transistors, and wherein the differential output of the differential voltage generator is fed as a biasing voltage to the bulk of the plurality of transistor devices. 10. An integrated circuit (IC) device comprising a circuit unit and a control unit according to claim 1. 11. A method for controlling of at least one threshold voltage of transistors in a circuit unit comprising: measuring at least one transistor threshold voltage of the circuit unit; providing at least one reference transistor and measuring a threshold voltage of the at least one reference transistor; generating a differential voltage from outputs of the measuring unit and feeding the differential voltage as a biasing voltage to a bulk connection of the transistor devices in the circuit unit. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the generating step comprises: forming at least one average threshold voltage value of at least one measured transistor threshold voltage of the circuit unit; comparing at least one average threshold voltage value of the circuit unit with at least one measured transistor threshold voltage of the reference circuit and creating at least one difference voltage representing the difference between at least one average threshold voltage value of the circuit unit and at least one transistor threshold voltage of at least one reference transistor; and amplifying the at least one difference voltage of the comparing unit and creating at least one amplified difference voltage. 13. The method of claim 11, wherein a plurality of transistor devices is divided up into a first sub-plurality of reference transistors and a second sub-plurality of sensing transistors and wherein the transistor threshold voltage of the first sub-plurality is measured as reference voltage; the threshold voltage of the second sub-plurality is measured as sensing voltage; a differential voltage is generated from the reference voltage and the sensing voltage and wherein the differential voltage is input to the bulk of the plurality of transistor devices. 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the controlling of at least one threshold voltage of transistors in a circuit unit is done in a closed loop. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the controlling in the closed loop includes a controlling of a power supply. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the amplified average voltage is negatively fed back to the circuit unit for reducing the threshold voltage difference between the circuit unit and the reference circuit. 17. The method of claim 11, wherein the threshold voltage is directly measured.

The invention relates to a control unit controlling a threshold voltage of a circuit unit having a plurality of transistor devices. Threshold voltage variability can have a deleterious impact on circuit performance. Namely, it has an adverse impact on power consumption and cell delay. With technology scaling into the deep-submicron domain, statistical variations of threshold voltage within a chip are more obvious. Equally important are the variations that arise due to the scaling of the power supply and corresponding voltage bounce. Threshold voltage control and bulk biasing is, in principle, known from M. Miyazaki et. al., “A Delay Distribution Squeezing Scheme with Speed-Adaptive Threshold-Voltage CMOS (SA-Vt CMOS) for Low Voltage LSIs,” mt. Symp on Low Power Electronics and Design, pp. 48-53, 1998 and Kuroda et. al., “A O.9V 150 MHz 10 mW 4 mm 2-D Discrete Cosine Transform Core Processor with Variable Threshold-Voltage Scheme,” 1996 ISSCC Digest of Technical Papers, pp. 166-167. Threshold voltage control has been used for leakage current and delay improvement. Similarly, threshold voltage extraction has been reported, see J J Liou et. al., “Extraction of Threshold Voltage of Mosfets: An Overview,” IEEE Hong Kong Electron Devices Meeting, pp. 31-38, 1997. The purpose of these circuits is to extract an absolute threshold voltage value. U.S. 2002/0005750 A1 discloses an adaptive body bias circuit forward or reverse biases bodies of transistors within a compensated circuit as a result of measured parameters of an integrated circuit. The adaptive body bias circuit includes a matched circuit that includes a replica of a signal path within the compensated circuit. The phase of a clock signal at the input to the matched circuit is compared to a phase of a delayed clock signal at the output of the matched circuit. When the delay through the matched circuit varies about one period of the clock signal, a non-zero error value is produced. A bias voltage is generated as a function of the error value, and the bias voltage is applied to the compensated circuit as well as the matched circuit. Integrated circuits can include many adaptive body bias circuits. Bias values can be stored in memories for later use, and bias values within memories can be updated periodically to compensate the circuit over time. U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,094 B1 discloses a CMOS device fabricated in a silicon-on-insulator structure and including circuitry and methods in a first embodiment dynamically shifts the threshold voltage of the CMOS device in a receiver to provide improved noise margin and in a second embodiment dynamically matches the threshold voltages in a differential amplifier to correct for manufacturing offset. To dynamically shift the threshold voltage for noise immunity, the back gate or bulk nodes of the devices is shifted through two similar circuits comprised of npn inverters with clamping devices. The back gate of the n device is biased at 0 volts for the maximum Vth and is biased at +1 threshold for the minimum Vth of the device. Only the back gate of the p device is biased at Vdd for the maximum Vth of the device and is biased at 1 Vth below Vdd for the minimum Vth of the device. The Vth of the n device and the p device should be less than the forward bias of the respective source volt junctions to prevent unwanted bipolar currents. By driving the back gates in opposite direction and in phase with the input to the receiver circuit, the threshold voltage of the receiver is moved away from ground (GND) when the input is at a logical “0” and way from Vdd when the input is at a logical “1” which raises the noise immunity of the receiver and speeds the response of the receiver to a desired signal To dynamically match a differential pair for offset correction, a feedback circuit performs a fast Fourier transformer analysis of the output signal to determine the presence of even harmonics. A feedback voltage is generated representative of the even harmonics and applied to the back bias contacts of the CMOS devices to correct the effects of the threshold mismatch in the differential pair. U.S. 2002/0005750 A1 refers to a plurality of blocks, uses matched circuits that include a replica to compensate delays, and uses a feedback scheme for compensation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,094 B1 primarily enhances the noise immunity of a receiver digital circuit and the mismatch of the differential pair of an amplifier. For the amplifier the harmonic distortions are minimized through a micro in the feedback that computes a Fourier transform. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control unit controlling a threshold voltage of a circuit unit, an integrated circuit (IC) device comprising a circuit unit and a control unit controlling a threshold voltage of a circuit unit and a method for controlling a threshold voltage of a circuit unit which are able to cope with differences in the threshold voltages of a plurality of transistors of a circuit unit whose differences are caused for example by fabrication mismatch, temperature gradients, circuit noise, etc. To achieve the object of the present invention a control unit is provided controlling a threshold voltage of a circuit unit having a plurality of transistor devices, comprising a reference circuit, a measuring unit measuring a threshold voltage of at least one sensing transistor of the circuit unit and measuring a reference threshold voltage of at least one reference transistor of the reference circuit, a differential voltage generator generating a differential voltage from outputs of the measuring unit and a bulk connection of the transistor devices in the circuit unit to which the differential voltage is fed as a biasing voltage. The present invention enables to control the fabrication mismatch by e.g. noise, Vt mismatch. This is useful for every IC production particularly for deep sub-micron IC's which are sensitive to such fabrication mismatches. Therefore, the production costs are decreased and what is most important for semiconductor industry the number of IC's with malfunction is decreased. A further advantageous feature is the use of the differential voltage and not the absolute voltage for controlling a threshold voltage of a circuit unit, because the differential voltage can be directly used to eliminate the difference between the threshold voltage of the circuit unit and the at least one reference transistor. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the differential voltage generator comprises an averaging unit forming at least one average threshold voltage value of at least one measured transistor threshold voltage of the circuit unit, a comparing unit comparing at least one average threshold voltage value of the circuit unit with at least one measured transistor threshold voltage of the reference circuit and creating at least one difference voltage value indicating the difference between at least one average threshold voltage value of the circuit unit and at least one transistor threshold voltage of the reference circuit, an amplifier unit amplifying at least one difference voltage value of the comparing unit and creating at least one amplified difference voltage value. The advantage of this embodiment is that the differential voltage generator creates an average threshold voltage of the entire circuit unit, which gives a very reliable threshold of the true threshold voltage. This average threshold voltage is set in relation to the threshold voltage of the reference circuit. This enables to determine the difference between the average threshold voltage and the one of the reference circuit to create a voltage which turns the difference to zero. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the amplifier unit is a high gain amplifier. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference circuit comprises at least one reference transistor in at least one comparator amplifier. The advantage of at least one reference transistor is that different reference voltages are used or that a very reliable reference voltage is created by at least one reference transistor creating a reliable reference voltage. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference transistor is placed on a chip comprising the circuit unit. The reference transistor is on the same wafer or on the same chip, respectively, which leads to a small circuit area for the circuit unit and the reference transistor. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference transistor is provided in a separate well of the chip comprising the circuit unit. The reference transistor is completely independent from the circuit unit when it is manufactured in a separate well. This leads to a reliable reference voltage of the reference transistor. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference transistor is controlled separately from the transistor devices of the circuit unit by a reference voltage. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the measuring unit comprises at least one sensing transistor sensing the threshold voltage. The possibility to use several sensing transistors has the advantage that at least one threshold voltage is used for determining the average threshold voltage. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensing transistor is placed on a chip comprising the circuit unit so that the sensing transistor undergoes the same temperature and other physical influences as the transistors of the circuit unit which improves accuracy of the evaluated reference voltage. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensing transistor is controlled separately from the reference transistor by a sensing voltage which gives more flexibility in the evaluation of the reference voltage. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference voltage and/or the sensing voltage are DC or AC voltages. The possibility to use either a DC or a AC voltage has the advantage that there is no limitation in regard to the kind of the voltages. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circuit unit comprises a plurality of transistor devices, and wherein a first sub-plurality of the transistor devices is employed as reference transistors and a second sub-plurality of the transistor devices is employed as sensing transistors, and wherein the differential output of the differential voltage generator is fed, as a biasing voltage to the bulk of the plurality of transistor devices. This preferred embodiment has the advantage that no separate reference circuit has to be used. As a reference circuit is also at least one transistor of the circuit unit possible. To achieve the object of the present invention, an integrated circuit (IC) device comprises a circuit unit and a control unit according to any of the preceding claims. The advantage of this embodiment is that all essential parts of the present invention are included on one integrated circuit. To achieve the object of the present invention a method is provided for controlling of at least one threshold voltage of transistors in a circuit unit comprising measuring at least one transistor threshold voltage of the circuit unit, providing at least one reference transistor and measuring a threshold voltage of the at least one reference transistor, generating a differential voltage from outputs of the measuring unit and feeding the differential voltage as a biasing voltage to a bulk connection of the transistor devices in the circuit unit. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the generating step comprises forming at least one average threshold voltage value of at least one measured transistor threshold voltage of the circuit unit, comparing at least one average threshold voltage value of the circuit unit with at least one measured transistor threshold voltage of the reference circuit and creating at least one difference voltage representing the difference between at least one average threshold voltage value of the circuit unit and at least one transistor threshold voltage of at least one reference transistor; and amplifying the at least one difference voltage of the comparing unit and creating at least one amplified difference voltage. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the difference voltage value is amplified by a high gain amplifier. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one reference transistor in at least one comparator amplifier is used as reference circuit. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference transistor is placed on a chip comprising the circuit unit. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference transistor is provided in a separate well of the chip comprising the circuit unit. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference transistor is controlled separately from the transistor devices of the circuit unit by a reference voltage. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the threshold voltage is sensed by at least one sensing transistor. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensing transistor is placed on a chip comprising the circuit unit. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensing transistor is controlled separately from the reference transistor by a sensing voltage. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method employs DC or AC voltages for the reference voltage and/or the sensing voltage. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of transistor devices is divided up into a first sub-plurality of reference transistors and a second sub-plurality of sensing transistors and wherein the transistor threshold voltage of the first sub-plurality is measured as reference voltage, the threshold voltage of the second sub-plurality is measured as sensing voltage, a differential voltage is generated from the reference voltage and the sensing voltage and wherein the differential voltage is input to the bulk of the plurality of transistor devices. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controlling of at least one threshold voltage of transistors in a circuit unit is done in a closed loop. The advantage of this preferred embodiment is that the controlling in a closed loop adjusts the threshold voltage in a continuous way by continuous eliminating the difference between the threshold voltage of the circuit unit and the reference circuit. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the controlling in the closed loop includes a controlling of a power supply. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the amplified average voltage is negatively fed back to the circuit unit for reducing the threshold voltage difference between the circuit unit and the reference circuit. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the threshold voltage is directly measured. Unlike other approaches used to control the Vt through indirect monitoring, such as line delay and leakage current, our approach monitors directly the value of Vt. This has the advantage that possible problems in obtaining the measured value are eliminated by the direct measurement. These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the present invention, its advantages, and the object obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the structure of the control unit controlling a threshold voltage of a circuit unit according to the present invention; FIG. 2 shows the cross-sectional view of a twin tub technology of a PMOS transistor and a NMOS transistor; FIG. 3 shows the symbol of a PMOS transistor; FIG. 4 shows the symbol of a NMOS transistor; FIG. 5 shows the structure of a circuit extracting the threshold voltage; FIGS. 6, 7 show the principle circuit of the present invention; FIG. 8 shows an analogue structure to the structure of FIGS. 6 and 7; FIG. 9 shows a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 shows two graphs representing the relation between the threshold voltage and the bulk voltage of two different cases; FIG. 11 shows that the bulk of the circuit unit follows changes in the bulk of the reference circuit; FIG. 12 shows how the control loop restores the threshold voltage after a change in the bulk; FIG. 13 shows a layout of a threshold voltage sensing scheme; FIG. 14 shows a layout for power supply and bulk line routing. FIG. 1 shows the principle structure of the control unit controlling a threshold voltage of a circuit unit. The module comprises a circuit unit 2 providing different threshold voltages Vt1 through line 4, Vt2 through line 6, and Vtn through line 8 and a reference voltage Vtrf through line 10 to the ΔVt monitor 12. The monitor 12 creates the average threshold voltage value of the circuit unit 2. The monitor 12 outputs a dc reference VR and the the averaged threshold voltage difference ΔVt through line 14 and receives the reference voltage VR through line 16. The reference voltage VR is also supplied to the plus terminal of a amplifier 18. The amplifier 18 receives the average threshold voltage difference ΔVt+VR and the reference voltage VR on its minus terminal. The amplifier 18 outputs the biasing voltage VB through line 20 to the circuit unit 2. As FIG. 1 shows, the present invention comprises a closed loop scheme, and corresponding circuitry, to control the threshold voltages Vt1 to Vtn of the transistors in the circuit unit 2. The control is done via adaptive bulk biasing and differential measurement of the threshold voltages Vt1 to Vtn against the reference voltage Vtrf. Through the use of a simple Vt mismatch monitor 12, a multi-point threshold voltage sensing scheme is used to obtain an average value of the threshold voltage throughout the entire circuit unit 2. The loop controls the mismatch in the threshold voltages Vt1 to Vtn that arises due to the randomness of the fabrication process, due to online temperature gradients and also due to the mismatch that arises from excessive noise in the substrate. In general, the threshold voltage Vt is the minimum voltage necessary to turn on a transistor. One way of adjusting this voltage is by biasing the bulk terminal of the transistor. The monitor 12 spatially senses the threshold voltages Vt1 to Vtn in various regions of the circuit unit 2 and compares the average value of the threshold voltages against the threshold voltage Vtrf of a reference “quiet” transistor and creates a threshold voltage difference ΔVt. The comparator-amplifier 18 works as a transducer in the sense that it converts the threshold voltage difference ΔVt to a proportional biasing voltage VB on line 20 necessary to bias the bulk. This biasing voltage VB is fed back negatively into the circuit unit 2 to reduce in turn the threshold voltage difference ΔVt. The net result of this closed loop scheme is that the threshold voltage difference ΔVt is reduced to a very small value thanks to the high gain of the amplifier 18. In the following, the control loop of the present invention is described in more detail. The control loop has been adopted for using an amplifier to fix the bulk voltage. The monitor 12 has parallel connected transistors in each branch of the current mirror, which is described in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7. Thus, one set of inputs to the monitor 12 are the threshold voltages Vti of the sensing transistors placed in the circuit unit 2 and the other input is the threshold reference voltage Vtrf created in the circuit unit 2 as a result of using an internal reference voltage VR. The negative input of the amplifier 18 is connected to the output of the monitor 12, while the positive input is the same reference voltage VR used for the monitor 12. Using in both circuits 2 and 12 the same voltage reference makes the loop independent of eventual fluctuations of this voltage reference. Furthermore this scheme doesn't need an external threshold voltage reference, because it is internally provided, this way saving a pin. The loop operation is based on the concepts of virtual ground and negative feed-back. The output of the comparator amplifier is VB=A(VR+ΔVT−VR) (1) where A is the gain of the amplifier 18. If a high-gain amplifier is used A → ∞ ⇒ V B A = 0 ⇒ Δ ⁢ ⁢ V T = 0 ( 2 ) Of course this works only if the loop is stable and a negative feedback is present. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a twin-tub technology. FIG. 2 shows that a PMOS transistor comprising a N well 22, a source 24, a gate 26, and a drain 28. On the right side of the PMOS is a NMOS transistor shown, which comprises a P well 34, a source 30, a gate 32, and a drain 33. The PMOS transistor and the NMOS transistor are mounted on a common P substrate. For the independent biasing of the transistors in the present invention a twin-tub technology is used but the same principle can be used in any other technology differentiating a P from an N well as in the case of triple well technologies. The N well 22 of PMOS transistors is normally connected to the power supply Vdd. What is suggested here is to connect the N well 22 to a potential different from the power supply. The same is done for the P well 34 of NMOS transistors. The P well 34 is connected to a potential different from ground. The bulk terminal, connected to the N well 22 of PMOS transistors or the P well 34 of NMOS transistors, enables to control the threshold voltage of a MOS transistor. Suppose that all NMOS transistors are the ones under control. Then, the biasing takes place in the P-well. This implies that the reference transistor lies in its own well separated from the rest of the circuit in order to be independent of the biasing of the transistors of circuit unit 2. It is emphasized that a twin tub technology is shown by way of non-limiting example only. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the use of other technologies, e.g., triple well technologies, are equally valid without departing from the scope of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a circuit symbol of a PMOS transistor. The PMOS transistor comprises a drain terminal 38, a gate terminal 40, a source terminal 42, and a bulk terminal 44. FIG. 4 shows a circuit symbol of a NMOS transistor. The NMOS transistor comprises a drain terminal 46, a gate terminal 48, a source terminal 50 and a bulk terminal 52. The bulk terminals 44 and 52 respectively surf to implement the concept of the invention to be explained further below. FIG. 5 shows a typical circuit extracting the threshold voltage. The circuit comprises a current source 54 connected to the drain of the field effect transistor 58. The terminal 56 is connected to the gate terminal of the transistor 58. The source terminal of the transistor 58 is connected to ground. The simplest way to realize a threshold voltage extractor is to bias in sub-threshold a diode-connected transistor. The drain current ID is approximated by the following equation (3). I D ≈ I 0 ⁢ ⅇ [ ( V GS - V t ) nU T ] ( 3 ) The meaning of each variable is: ID: real drain current; I0: theoretical drain current; VGS: voltage between the gate terminal and the source terminal; Vt: threshold voltage; n: constant value; UT: thermal voltage. Neglecting the length modulation channel leads to a good approximation (3) of the drain current of a transistor working in sub-threshold. Solving the (3) in respect of the threshold voltage, one obtains v o = V t + nU T ⁢ ln ⁢ I D I 0 ( 4 ) where n=1.5 typically and V0=VGS. In order to have the best accuracy the drain current ID has to be chosen ID=I0, this value depends on the process and transistor geometries. FIG. 6 shows a possible implementation of the monitor 12. A current mirror 60 is connected to the drain terminal of the transistor 62. The gate terminal of the transistor 62 is connected to the terminal 66. The source terminal of the transistor 62 is connected to ground. The current mirror 66 is also connected to the drain terminal of the transistor 64. The gate terminal of the transistor 64 is connected to the terminal 68. The source terminal of the transistor 64 is connected to ground. The transistor 62 M1 represents the circuit unit 2. The transistor 64 M2 represents the reference circuit. The voltage between the gate terminal and the source terminal of the transistor 62 is measured at terminal 66. The voltage between the gate terminal and the source terminal of the transistor 64 is measured at terminal 68. Terminal 68 represents the reference voltage VR. Terminal 66 represents the measured threshold voltage V0. The monitor 12 of the present invention is completely different from the ones reported in the literature. Basically, this monitor does not extract the absolute threshold voltage as the others do, but it does extract the threshold voltage difference between any at least two transistors. The monitor 12 is simple and accurate. The best accuracy is obtained when the transistors are biased in the subthreshold regions. The advantages of the sensing at multiple points of the monitor 12 are that the sub-threshold operation is done with a better accuracy and a decreased power consumption and that it is possible to implement it, with a very simple circuitry. The operation of the monitor is as follows. Let M2 be the reference “quiet” transistor and M1 the sense transistor placed somewhere in the circuit. Let M1 be biased in the subthreshold region. Suppose that Vt2 is different from Vt1 and that the drain currents are almost the same. It can be shown that V 0 ≅ ⁢ V R + V t2 - V t1 + nUln ⁢ β 1 β 2 ≅ ⁢ V R + Δ ⁢ ⁢ V t + ɛ ( 5 ) where Vt1 and Vt2 are the threshold voltages of M1 and M2, respectively. The product nU is approximately 25 mV and β1 and β2 include the transconductances of M1 and M2 and any possible error due to the current mirror. For almost identical transistors and an almost perfect current mirror, ε is approximately zero because of the logarithm effect. An alternative description of the operation is that if the reference voltage has been chosen to bias the transistors in sub-threshold, assuming that IM1≅IM2 the deduced equation is (6) β 1 ⁢ ⅇ V GS1 - V T1 nU T ≈ β 2 ⁢ ⅇ V GS2 - V T2 nU T ( 6 ) where with β1 and β2 terms, it has been supposed some mismatching between the two under test transistors or some error due to the mirror. Solving (6) it is possible to get an expression of ΔVt=Vt1−Vt2 by equation (7), assuming VGS1=VO and VGS2=VR V O = V R + V t1 - V t2 + nU T ⁢ ln ⁢ β 2 β 1 . The eventual presence of an error is minimized by the presence of the logarithmic expression. Furthermore, it is possible to improve this sensing using a bigger number of transistors, getting, instead of the difference between two absolute values of Vt, the difference between the threshold voltage of one transistor used as reference and the mean threshold value measured using n transistors. FIG. 7 shows in principle an extension of the FIG. 6. In each branch of the current mirror 66 is the same number of transistors connected in parallel between the current mirror 66 and ground. The branch of the so-called circuit unit comprises three transistors 68, 70, and 72. The drain contacts are connected in parallel, the gate contacts are connected in parallel and the drain contacts are connected in parallel. The drain contacts are connected to ground. The drain contacts are connected in parallel to the current mirror. The gate contacts are connected to the terminal 80. In principle the same is done with the right branch of the current mirror 66. The right branch comprises three transistors 74, 76, 78. The drain contacts are connected in parallel to ground. The gate contacts are connected in parallel to the terminal 82. The drain contacts are connected in parallel to the current mirror 66. The same number of transistors has to be used in both branches of the circuit or an equivalently wide transistor in one of the branches in order to have I1≅I2 getting almost the same expression of (6) n ⁢ ⁢ β 1 ⁢ ⅇ V GS1 - V T1 nU T ≈ n ⁢ ⁢ β 2 ⁢ ⅇ V GS2 - V Tav nU T ( 8 ) FIG. 8 shows a simple analogy to explain the monitor working. Assume that all the transistors connected to the voltage reference are ideal current sources 94, 96, and 98, connected in parallel between the current mirror 84 and ground, and that the transistors diode connected are approximated with resistances 88, 90, and 92, connected in parallel between the current mirror 84 and ground. The output voltage at terminal 86, connected between the current mirror 84 and the parallel circuit of the resistances 88, 90, and 92, is related to the current in the parallel circuit of the resistances 88, 90, and 92 by the equation Vo≈RtotalItotal, whereby Rtotal represents the total resistance value of the parallel circuit of the resistances 88, 90, 92, i.e. 1 R total = 1 R 1 + 1 R 2 + … + 1 R n , and Itotal represents the total current in the parallel circuit of the resistances 88, 90, 92, i.e. Itotal=I1+I2+ . . . +In, whereby Ri=R for i from 1 to n. If all the currents are equal then Vo≈RI, if in one of the current source there is a fluctuation in the current the output voltage V0 at terminal 86 is given by the average current V O = R n ⁢ ( I 1 + I 2 + I 3 * + … + I n ) . FIG. 9 shows a circuit diagram of the present invention. The circuit is connected to power supply at the terminal 100. At the terminal 102, the circuit is connected to ground. The circuit comprises four different groups. The first group is the current mirror comprising the transistors 108, 110, 112, 114. The second group is the reference circuit comprising the transistors 120, 122, 124. The third group is the circuit unit comprising the transistors 126, 128, 130. The fourth group is a voltage divider comprising the transistors 116 and 118. The reference voltage is output at the terminal 104. The threshold voltage of the circuit unit is output at the terminal 106. The transistors 108 and 110 comprise a feedback loop at their source terminal. Furthermore, the source terminal of transistor 108 and transistor 110 are connected to the terminal 100. The gate contacts of the transistors 108 and 110 are connected together. The drain contacts of the transistors 108 and 112 are connected together. The drain contacts of the transistors 110 and 114 are also connected together. Furthermore, the gate contact of the transistor 110 is connected to the drain of the transistor 114. The gate contact of the transistor 112 is connected to the drain contact of transistor 112. The gate contacts of the transistors 112 and 114 are connected together. The source contact of the transistor 112 is connected to the reference circuit. The source contact of transistor 112 is connected in parallel to the drain contacts of the transistors 120, 122, and 124. The gate contact of the transistors 120, 122, 124 are connected together in parallel to the terminal 104. The source contact of the transistors 120, 122, 124 are connected in parallel together to the terminal 102. The source contact of transistor 114 is connected in parallel to the drain contacts of the transistors 126, 128, and 130 of the circuit unit. The gate contacts of the transistors 126, 128, and 130 are connected in parallel together to the terminal 106. The source contact of the transistors 126, 128, and 130 are connected in parallel to the terminal 102. The source terminal of transistor 116 has a feedback loop. The source terminal of transistor 116 is connected to terminal 100. The gate terminal of transistor 116 is connected to the drain contact of the same transistor and to the terminal 106. The drain contact of transistor 116 is connected to the drain contact of transistor 118. The gate contact of transistor 118 is connected to terminal 106. The source contact of transistor 118 is connected to terminal 102. To minimize the error due to the channel length modulation a double feedback mirror has been used, however it cannot be used if the monitor is biased in saturation region, unless doing very big transistors. FIG. 10 shows a diagram representing the relation between the threshold voltage and the differential voltage. The sizing of the mirror 60 is the most important step in the design of the monitor 12 because a wrong sizing leads to a lack of accuracy. It is well sized when the output of the monitor 12 is equal to the voltage reference if the threshold voltage difference ΔVt is zero. The DC simulation result shown in FIG. 10 illustrates the behavior of the monitor 12. The ideal Vt line indicates that the threshold voltage increases by applying a negative voltage to the transistor's bulk. Setting the reference voltage VR of the monitor 12 equal to zero, applying a voltage to the bulk of M1 (circuit unit), and ground connecting the bulk of M2 (reference transistor), we obtain at the output Vo the threshold voltage difference ΔVt between the reference transistor and the one whose Vt is changed by varying the bulk. Notice that in the range of interest the threshold voltage variation for this particular technology in this particular example, has almost linear behavior, and is comparable with a ramp having a slope with value −0.2. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that this slope may substantially vary, because the threshold voltage variations depend on a range of parameters, e.g., implementation dosages and diffusion spreads introduced by the fabrication process. FIG. 11 shows the direct change of the threshold voltage of the circuit unit. Another application is to directly change the threshold voltage of the circuit unit. Because of the feedback control if one changes the bulk of the reference transistor the bulk of the circuit unit will change accordingly. Now assume that there is one reference transistor placed in a well independent of the circuit's well and that there are many sensing transistors placed in the circuit unit and that the control is applied to the shared bulk of the various transistors of the circuit unit. Then by changing the bulk of the reference transistor and sensing the circuit unit the control will automatically change the threshold voltage Vt of all transistors that share the same bulk. The upper diagram of FIG. 11 shows how the control automatically changes the bulk voltage of the transistors of the circuit unit. The lower diagram of FIG. 11 shows the course of the automatic change of the threshold voltage of all transistors in the circuit unit. In the lower diagram of FIG. 11 the voltage jumps from 0 V to 50 mV. FIG. 12 shows the effect of the control on the threshold voltage when a step is applied to the bulk of the reference transistor. In this case a step of 50 mV is applied to the bulk of the reference transistor. In this case the monitors VR is 350 mV. Observe that the threshold voltage Vt decreases by 10 mV as a consequence of the 50 mV step in the bulk of the reference transistor and that the control loop restores the threshold voltage Vt again so that the difference threshold voltage ΔVt is zero. In the upper diagram of FIG. 12 the case of the controlled difference threshold voltage ΔVt is shown and in the lower diagram of FIG. 12 the case of the not controlled difference threshold voltage ΔVt is shown. FIG. 13 shows a layout of a threshold voltage Vt sensing scheme. This sensing scheme comprises a power supply line 132, a ground line 134, a threshold voltage control scheme 136, threshold voltage sensing transistors 138, 140, 142, 144, 146, connecting lines 148, 150, 152, 154, 156 connecting the sensing transistors 138, 140, 142, 144, 146 to the control scheme 136, and rows of standard cells 158, 160, 162, 164, 168, 170, 172. FIG. 13 shows a sensing scheme in a standard cell layout style; since the sense transistors are small they can be placed almost anywhere in the layout. FIG. 14 shows a layout for power supply and bulk line routing. The layout comprises a power supply line 174, a ground line 176, standard cells 178, 180, 182 and a bulk line 184. The standard cells 178, 180, 182 consist of an arrangement of P-MOSFETs and or N-MOSFETs. One has to exercise care for the layout as biasing the bulk independently from the source can give origin to latch-up problems, or to induced noise in the bulk line. We propose a closed-loop scheme for power supply and bulk biasing. FIG. 16 shows details for routing the power supply and bulk line for the particular case of NMOS Vt control. Note that there is a choice in making contacts to the well. This can be done for every cell or every N cells. New characteristics and advantages of the present invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood, however, that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, without exceeding the scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.

20050204

20080219

20060223

98712.0

H03K301

TRA, ANH QUAN

CIRCUIT AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE THRESHOLD VOLTAGE OF TRRANSISTORS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H03K

ACCEPTED

Method for providing subscriber-based ringback tone through a call-orginating exchanger

The present invention relates to method for providing an arbitrary sound, chosen by a called subscriber, instead of ringback tone to a calling subscriber through a call-originating exchanger. In this present invention, if a call is generated to an exchanger, the call-originating exchanger requests a trunk connection to a sound db server based on the first information on whether or not to replace an RBT (RingBack Tone) and the second information on a route to the sound db server that are received from a home location register (HLR), and provides a called subscriber identification for the sound db server. Then, the sound db server searches its db for a sound specified by the called, and provides the found sound for the caller instead of a conventional RBT via the originating exchanger connected through a trunk. Through this sequential procedure of network elements, a caller can hear a sound specified by a called instead of a dry RBT.

1. A method of providing an arbitrary sound as an RBT (RingBack Tone) in a communication network, comprising: a first step, conducted by an HLR (Home Location Register's), of furnishing a call-originating exchanger with first information on whether RBT is to be replaced or not and second information informing a route to sound providing means through a response to a location request message received from the call-originating exchanger that sends the location request message to the HLR when a call connection is requested; a second step, conducted by the call-originating exchanger, of requesting a trunk connection to both of a call-terminating exchanger and the sound providing means based on the response including the first and the second information while furnishing the sound providing means with information identifying a called; and a third step, conducted by the sound providing means, of selecting an RBT-replacing sound based on the called-identifying information, and providing the selected RBT-replacing sound for a caller through the call-originating exchanger the trunk connection is made to. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein, if the call-originating exchanger detects through the call-terminating exchanger that the call is answered while the selected RBT-replacing sound is being provided for the caller, the call-originating exchanger requests the sound providing means to release the established trunk connection to terminate transmission of the RBT-replacing sound. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the sound providing means searches for the selected RBT-replacing sound specified for the called through communication with a storager controller operating based on internet protocol. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the request of trunk connection from the originating exchanger to the sound providing means is selectively conducted based on the first information included in the response. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first information indicates whether an RBT is to be replaced or not and is set in the HLR based on specific key information received from a terminal of the called. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first information is written in a reserve field allocated in value-added service parameters of subscriber's profile. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the sound providing means determines the RBT-replacing sound based on who the caller is, which group the caller belongs to among several groups classified by the called, and/or call time. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein a signal requesting the call connection to the called includes terminal identifying information of the called and the caller. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the terminal identifying information of the called and the caller is subscriber telephone numbers of the called and the caller, respectively. 10. The method of claim 3, wherein the storager controller changes a sound code of an RBT-replacing sound specified for the called with another code through communication with a web server operating based on internet protocol. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein said another code is a code related with already stored RBT-replacing sound in the sound providing means or is a newly-assigned code for newly stored sound after received from the web server. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein, after being connected to the sound providing means and the storager controller, the web server changes the RBT-replacing sound based on subscriber identifying information entered through an input web page.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for providing an arbitrary sound chosen by a called subscriber for a calling subscriber instead of a conventional ringback tone. BACKGROUND ART When a subscriber calls another through a mobile communication network, a terminating exchanger on the network provides the caller with a uniform ringback tone. Since the ringback tone is same all the time, a caller can not identify a called before the called answers. Furthermore, the uniform ringback tone can not satisfy various subscribers' needs to reveal their individuality. By the way, various ad methods are being proposed in these days. One of these ad methods is to send an ad sound message to a caller instead of a conventional ringback tone. However, such an ad sound message is chosen unilaterally by a network operating enterprise. If a caller heard such a unilateral ad sound he or she could talk over a mobile telephone with a called for a limited time. However, the method that an ad sound is provided instead of a conventional ringback tone still has the aforementioned drawbacks. That is, a caller can not identify a called before the called answers and the uniform ringback tone can not satisfy various subscribers' needs to reveal their individuality. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide method for providing an arbitrary sound chosen or registered by a called subscriber for a caller instead of a conventional RBT (RingBack Tone). In the present method, an arbitrary RBT-replacing sound chosen or registered by a subscriber is stored in a server separated from mobile exchangers first, and if a certain subscriber is called, an originating exchanger for the call receives from the server an RBT-replacing sound that is assigned to the called, and then provides the received sound for a caller instead of a conventional RBT. A method of providing an arbitrary sound as an RBT in accordance with the present invention is characterized in that it comprises the steps of: an HLR's (Home Location Register's) furnishing a call-originating exchanger with first information on whether RBT is to be replaced or not and second information informing a route to sound providing means through a response to a location request message received from the call-originating exchanger that sends the location request message to the HLR when a call connection is requested; the call-originating exchanger's requesting a trunk connection to both of a call-terminating exchanger and the sound providing means based on the response including the first and the second information while furnishing the sound providing means with information identifying a called; and the sound providing means' selecting an RBT-replacing sound based on the called-identifying information, and providing the selected RBT-replacing sound for the caller through the call-originating exchanger the trunk connection is made to. If the call-originating exchanger detects through the call-terminating exchanger that the call is answered from a called while the selected RBT-replacing sound is being provided for the caller, it requests the sound providing means to release the established trunk connection to terminate transmission of the RBT-replacing sound. The above-characterized method provides a personal ad way by allowing a registered personal introducing or identifying sound to be used instead of an RBT. In addition, a caller is able to know by only hearing an RBT-replacing sound whether he or she called rightly, as a result, wrong connections can be reduced. An enterprise as well as individual persons can advertise efficiently through registering an RBT-replacing sound. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a mobile communication network which a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing method through a call-originating exchanger is embedded in; FIG. 2 is a procedure chart of an embodiment of the present invention to subscribe to a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing service through a call-originating exchanger; FIG. 3 is a procedure chart of another embodiment of the present invention to change/add subscription information related with an RBT-replacing sound providing service through a call-originating exchanger; FIG. 4 is a procedure chart of another embodiment of the present invention to terminate a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing service through a call-originating exchanger; FIG. 5 is a procedure chart of another embodiment of the present invention to conduct a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing service after completion of the procedure of FIGS. 2 and/or 3; and FIG. 6 shows format of the value-added service parameters including an RBT-replacing service field that are delivered from an HLR (Home Location Register) to a call-originating exchanger. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In order that the invention may be fully understood, a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a mobile communication network which a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing method through a call-originating exchanger is embedded in. The network of FIG. 1 includes an HLR (Home Location Register) 10; mobile exchangers 31 and 32 (also called ‘MSC’ (Mobile Switching Center)) being capable of communicating with the HLR 10 via a No. 7 signaling network 20 based on No. 7 signaling transfer protocol; a sound storager 50, connected to the No. 7 signaling network 20 via a gateway 40, storing RBT-replacing sounds and communicating with the exchangers 31 and 32; an SSMS (Sound Storager Managing Server) 70, connected to the sound storager 50 via Internet 60, controlling management of RBT-replacing sounds in the sound storager 50; a subscriber db 80 connected to the HLR 10 via Internet 60; and a web server 100, connected to Internet 60 via a gateway 90, communicating with the sound storager 50 and the SSMS 70. The HLR 10 functions as a conventional network element and it has in every subscriber profile the first information on whether RBT is to be replaced or not and the second information informing a route to the sound storager 50. The first and the second information are written in the value-added service parameters of each subscriber profile. Either of the mobile exchangers 31 and 32 functioning as conventional network elements receives the first and the second information of a subscriber that are included in a message from the HLR 10 responsive to a location request message sent to the HLR 10 when a call is generated, and then the exchanger 31 or 32 requests a call connection to another exchanger, namely, a call-terminating exchanger as well as requests the sound storager 50 to send an RBT-replacing sound based on the received first and second information. If an RBT-replacing sound is received, it provides a caller with the received RBT-replacing sound. The sound storager 50 stores a plurality of digital sounds to be used for replacing an RBT. The stored digital sounds are provided for the exchangers 31 and 32 via the gateway 40. The SSMS 70 communicates with the sound storager 50 via Internet 60 and it chooses a digital sound based on information written in an RBT service table. A unique code to identify the chosen digital sound is notified the sound storager 50 in order that a stored sound identified by the code is sent to the exchanger 31 or 32 from the sound storager 50. The RBT service table used for choice of a digital sound allocated for each subscriber includes several codes linked to caller's personal information, caller or caller-group identifying information, and/or call time zone. Therefore, a digital sound can be chosen by the SSMS 70 based on who calls, which group a caller belongs to, age, sex, or occupation of a caller, and/or when a subscriber is called. Information in the RBT service table is determined when a person subscribes to the value-added service and is then modified by his or her request. The web server 100, connected to the sound storager 50 and/or the SSMS 70 via Internet 60, adds digital sounds to the sound storager 50 and conducts operations to update or change contents of the RBT service table and codes, if necessary, related digital sounds for the SSMS 70. The updating or changing operation is initiated by subscriber's request through web pages of the web server 100. An embodiment of a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing method through a call-originating exchanger is explained below along with accompanying operations of the network of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a procedure chart of an embodiment of the present invention to subscribe to a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing service conducted through an originating exchanger. If subscription to the RBT-replacement service is asked (S201), subscription information including mobile telephone number of the subscriber is stored in the subscriber db 80 first and is then delivered to the HLR 10 (S202). The HLR 10 updates service information of the subscriber profile to indicate that the subscriber has subscribed to RBT replacement service (S203). In addition, the subscriber db 80 also sends the subscription information including a chosen digital sound and mobile telephone number to the SSMS 70 (S204). The SSMS 70 writes a code associated with the chosen digital sound in an RBT service table allocated for that mobile telephone number (S205). If the received subscription information includes particulars of sound assignments, namely if the received subscription information assigns different digital sounds for each caller, each caller group, and/or each time zone, the SSMS 70 writes different codes of the respective digital sounds in each condition field of the RBT service table, at the step S205. FIG. 3 is a procedure chart of another embodiment of the present invention to change/add subscription information related with RBT-replacing sound providing service conducted through an originating exchanger. A subscriber, who has subscribed to the RBT replacement service according to the above-explained procedure of FIG. 2, connects his or her personal computer to the web server 100, first. Then, the web server 100 provides web pages on the connected computer screen to enable the subscriber to change/add information about RBT replacement service. The subscriber enters mobile telephone number (or telephone number+password allocated in subscription) through an adequate web page and then selects a desired RBT-replacing sound from a list showing all or a part of sounds stored in the sound storager 50. If the subscriber requests change of RBT-replacing sound to the chosen one (S301), the web server 100 sends a change-requesting message to the SSMS 70 (S302). The SSMS 70 changes the current code with another code assigned to the chosen RBT-replacing sound in an RBT service table allocated for the entered mobile telephone number (S303). Afterwards, an RBT-replacing sound identified by the changed code will be provided instead of a conventional RBT. If the subscriber selects to add a new RBT-replacing sound on a web page, the SSMS 70 provides an input web page. Then, the subscriber enters his or her mobile telephone number in the input web page and uploads a sound file including voice, sound logo, or music through the input web page (S304). The web server 100 requests the sound storager 50 to add a new RBT-replacing sound by delivering the inputted data to the sound storager 50 (S305). The sound storager 50 registers the uploaded sound file as a new RBT-replacing sound (S306) and requests the SSMS 70 to assign a new code to the registered RBT-replacing sound (S307). The SSMS 70 informs the sound storager 50 of the newly-assigned code and changes the current code with the newly-assigned code in an RBT service table allocated for the subscriber. FIG. 4 is a procedure chart of another embodiment of the present invention to terminate a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing service conducted through an originating exchanger. If termination of RBT replacement service is asked from a subscriber (S401), the subscriber db 80 deletes subscription information for RBT replacement service associated with the subscriber, namely, the subscriber's telephone number, and sends service terminating information including a mobile telephone number to the HLR 10 (S402). The HLR 10 alters service information of the subscriber's profile to indicate that the subscriber has not subscribed to RBT replacement service (S403). The subscriber db 80 also sends the service terminating information to the SSMS 70 (S404), then the SSMS 70 deletes a current code in an RBT service table for the subscriber based on the received service terminating information (S405). FIG. 5 is a procedure chart of another embodiment of the present invention to conduct a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing service through an originating exchanger after completion of the procedure of FIG. 2 and/or FIG. 3. If an arbitrary subscriber within a service zone of the exchanger 31 calls another subscriber, who has subscribed to the RBT replacement service, within the exchanger 32, the originating exchanger 31 sends a location request message to the HLR 10 to inquire where the called is (S501) . Then, the HLR 10 sends a routing request message to the terminating exchanger 32 (S502), and the terminating exchanger 32 informs the HLR 10 of routing information, e.g., TLDN (Temporary Local Directory Number) in response to the routing request message (S503). The HLR 10 delivers the routing information to the originating exchanger 31 in response to the inquiry step S501. In addition, the HLR 10 checks profile of the subscriber to know whether the called subscriber has been subscribed to the RBT replacement service (S504). If not subscribed, the HLR 10 sends an ordinary response message to the location registration request to the originating exchanger 31 as in the conventional responding procedure (S505-1). The ordinary response message includes TLDN information of the terminating exchanger 32. However, if subscribed, the HLR 10 sends the originating exchanger 31 a response message further including RBT service-related information and routing information, e.g., routing digits to direct to the sound storager 50 (S505-2). The RBT service-related information can be carried by an SRBT (Specific RBT) field, which was defined as a ‘reserve’ field before, of the value-added service parameters ‘CallingFeaturesIndicator2’ shown in FIG. 6. The 2-bit SRBT field is set to ‘10’ in case that the RBT replacement service is not activated even though that service is valid by subscription, and it is set to ‘11’ in case that the RBT replacement service is in active state. A message including the parameters ‘CallingFeaturesIndicator2’ responsive to the location registration request is delivered from the HLR 10 to the originating exchanger 31. The service information parameters ‘CallingFeaturesIndicator2’ of FIG. 6 are composed of a VMSB field indicative of state of voice mail service busy; a VMSU field indicative of state of voice mail service busy unconditional; a VMSNA field indicative of state of voice mail service busy no answer; an FMSNA field indicative of state of fax mail service no answer; an FMSB field indicative of state of fax mail service busy; an FMSU field indicative of state of fax mail service unconditional; an MC field indicative of multi-call; a CC field indicative of conference call; an MUDN field indicative of multiple unit directory number; and others. The originating exchanger 31 requests a trunk connection (called ‘ISUP’) to only the terminating exchanger 32 (S506) or both of the exchanger 32 and the sound storager 50 (S506 and S507), based on the information included in the location request response message transmitted from the HLR 10 through conduction of the step S505-1 or S505-2. That is, the originating exchanger 31 makes a single trunk connection to only the terminating exchanger 32 in case of the step S505-1, and checks the SRBT field in case of the step S505-2. If the SRBT field is ‘10’ the originating exchanger 31 makes a single trunk connection to only the terminating exchanger and, if ‘11’, it makes dual trunk connections to both. During communication to setup trunk connection, mobile telephone numbers of the caller and the called are sent to the sound storager 50 (S506). While the above processes are conducted, a conventional RBT is blocked by the originating exchanger 31 not to be transmitted to the caller. Now, a single trunk connection is made between the originating 31 and the terminating exchanger 32 in the event that only the step S506 is conducted, or respective trunk connections are made between the originating 31 and the terminating exchanger 32 and between the originating exchanger 31 and the sound storager 50 in the event that both steps S506 and S507 are conducted together. The reason that the calling number is informed the sound storager 50 besides the called number is to make it possible to provide different RBT-replacing sound depending upon who the caller is or which group among groups classified by the called the caller belongs to. When a trunk connection is made to the originating exchanger 31 according to conduction of the step S507, the sound storager 50 asks an adequate code to the SSMS 70 while providing the received numbers for the SSMS 70 (S508). The SSMS 70 examines an RBT service table allocated for the called number to determine a code matched with the calling number (if received), and informs the sound storager 50 of the determined code (S509) in response to the code-requesting step S508. The sound storager 50 transmits an RBT-replacing sound corresponding to the determined code to the caller through the trunk connection made between the sound storager 50 and the originating exchanger 31 (S510). When the SSMS 70 determines an adequate code it may consider the present time. That is, the SSMS 70 may determine a code associated with a time zone the present time belongs to for the called and the caller (if received). Considering the present time, different RBT-replacing sound can be provided if calling time is different. If the called answers paging of the terminating exchanger 32 while the determined RBT-replacing sound is being transmitted instead of a conventional RBT, the originating exchanger 31 that is informed of such an answer by the terminating exchanger 32 requests the sound storager 50 to release the established trunk connection (S511). Then, voice or data are communicated between the caller and the called through the trunk connection between the originating 31 and the terminating exchanger 32 (S512). In the present RBT-replacing sound providing service through a call-originating exchanger, a subscriber can access the HLR 10 to change the SRBT field of the value-added service parameters. For instance, when a subscriber presses a special key on his or her mobile telephone the pressed key information is delivered to the HLR 10 which changes the 2-bit SRBT field based on the key information or alternately. However, more significant bit of the two can not be altered because it indicates whether or not subscribed to the RBT replacement service. Less significant bit can be altered by the above way because it indicates whether the RBT replacement service is activated or not. Thus, in case of a person having subscribed to RBT replacement service, The SRBT field of the value-added service parameters for that person has a value of ‘10’ or ‘11’ only where the value ‘10’ is indicative of ‘inactive’ of the service and ‘11’ indicative of ‘active’. The special key commands change the ‘SRBT’ field from ‘10’ to ‘11’ or from ‘11’ to ‘10’. Consequently, a subscriber can determine at will whether to use a conventional RBT or RBT-replacing sound he or she has chosen. If the ‘SRBT’ field included in a response message from the HLR 10 is ‘10’, the originating exchanger 31 transmits a conventional RBT to a caller although a called has subscribed to the RBT replacement service. While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations therefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover all such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>When a subscriber calls another through a mobile communication network, a terminating exchanger on the network provides the caller with a uniform ringback tone. Since the ringback tone is same all the time, a caller can not identify a called before the called answers. Furthermore, the uniform ringback tone can not satisfy various subscribers' needs to reveal their individuality. By the way, various ad methods are being proposed in these days. One of these ad methods is to send an ad sound message to a caller instead of a conventional ringback tone. However, such an ad sound message is chosen unilaterally by a network operating enterprise. If a caller heard such a unilateral ad sound he or she could talk over a mobile telephone with a called for a limited time. However, the method that an ad sound is provided instead of a conventional ringback tone still has the aforementioned drawbacks. That is, a caller can not identify a called before the called answers and the uniform ringback tone can not satisfy various subscribers' needs to reveal their individuality.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a mobile communication network which a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing method through a call-originating exchanger is embedded in; FIG. 2 is a procedure chart of an embodiment of the present invention to subscribe to a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing service through a call-originating exchanger; FIG. 3 is a procedure chart of another embodiment of the present invention to change/add subscription information related with an RBT-replacing sound providing service through a call-originating exchanger; FIG. 4 is a procedure chart of another embodiment of the present invention to terminate a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing service through a call-originating exchanger; FIG. 5 is a procedure chart of another embodiment of the present invention to conduct a subscriber-based RBT-replacing sound providing service after completion of the procedure of FIGS. 2 and/or 3 ; and FIG. 6 shows format of the value-added service parameters including an RBT-replacing service field that are delivered from an HLR (Home Location Register) to a call-originating exchanger. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20051005

20081104

20060615

90383.0

H04M300

TORRES, MARCOS L

METHOD FOR PROVIDING SUBSCRIBER-BASED RINGBACK TONE THROUGH A CALL-ORGINATING EXCHANGER

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04M

ACCEPTED

Internet-based submission of cable network content

A cable network content delivery system providing advertising information via a cable network and an advertising content interface are described. An advertiser submits advertising content over an internet which is then adapted for a cable network. A data gateway stores the advertising information. The system processes a user command received via the cable network, including an advertising information search command, and provides advertising information retrieved via the cable network.

1. A television network content delivery system configured to provide advertising information via a digital broadcast channel of a television network, said television network content delivery system comprising: a data gateway configured to store the advertising information, the advertising information being adapted by a cable content generator for transmission over the digital broadcast channel of the television network based on content information received from an advertiser over an internet; an advertising information retriever configured to process a user search received via the digital broadcast channel of the television network, and to retrieve the advertising information from said data gateway based on the user search; and an advertising information provider configured to transmit, based on the user search, advertising information retrieved by said advertising information retriever via the digital broadcast channel of the television network. 2. The television network content delivery system of claim 1, wherein the user search is transmitted by a user via a set-top box to the digital broadcast channel of the television network. 3. The television network content delivery system of claim 1, wherein the advertising information includes at least one of an advertiser listing, a text message, a survey questionnaire, a picture, an audio clip, and a video clip. 4. The television network content delivery system of claim 1, wherein the television network content delivery system is implemented as at least two data processors comprising a cable headend server and a master server. 5. The television network content delivery system of claim 1, wherein the user search is an advertiser search command. 6. The television network content delivery system of claim 5, wherein the advertiser search command includes at least one of an advertising information geographic selection and an advertising information temporal selection, selecting, respectively, advertising information designated by the advertiser for a designated geographical area and advertising information designated by the advertiser for a designated time period. 7. The television network content delivery system of claim 5, wherein the advertiser search command is for a category of advertising, the category of advertising being one of a field of business endeavor of the advertiser, type of organization of the advertiser, and type of product advertised by the advertiser. 8. The television network content delivery system of claim 1, further comprising a delivery status interface configured to generate a report provided to the advertiser about delivery of the advertising information over the digital broadcast channel of the television network, the report indicating the number of times the advertising information was viewed. 9. The television network content delivery system of claim 1, wherein the advertising information retriever is further configured to process another user search including one of a response to a survey questionnaire transmitted to the user as the advertising information and an order for a selected product. 10. An advertising content interface configured to provide advertising information adapted for transmission over a digital broadcast channel of a television network by a television network headend, said advertising content interface comprising: an interface unit configured to receive content information from an advertiser via an internet; a cable content generator configured to process the content information received by said advertiser interface and to generate advertising information adapted for transmission over the cable network; and a data gateway configured to store the advertising information generated by said cable content generator and to respond to an information demand from the cable network by providing the advertising information to the cable network headend for transmission over the cable network. 11. The advertising content interface of claim 10, wherein the data gateway provides the advertising information to the cable network headend for transmission over the cable network responsive to the information demand, the information demand being a transmission of a user command over the cable network by a user. 12. The advertising content interface of claim 10, wherein the content information includes at least one of a geographic parameter and a temporal parameter, such that the cable network transmits the advertising information corresponding to the content information only within, respectively, a geographical area and a time period. 13. The advertising content interface of claim 10, wherein the advertising information includes at least one of an advertiser listing, a text message, a survey questionnaire, a picture, an audio clip, and a video clip. 14. The advertising content interface of claim 10, further comprising a business mediator, configured to validate an order from the advertiser, the order requesting transmission of the content information to be transmitted. 15. The advertising content interface of claim 10, further comprising a delivery status interface configured to generate a report provided to the advertiser about delivery of the advertising information over the cable network, the report including the number of times the advertising information was viewed. 16. A method of receiving content information and to provide advertising information over a cable network, said method comprising: receiving content information from an advertiser via an internet; processing the content information received and generating advertising information adapted for transmission over the cable network; storing the generated advertising information; receiving via the digital broadcast channel of the television network an advertising search and retrieving the stored advertising information according to the advertising search; and providing the retrieved advertising information via the digital broadcast channel of the television network. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the advertising information includes at least one of an advertiser listing, a text message, a survey questionnaire, a picture, an audio clip, and a video clip. 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the advertising search includes at least one of an advertising information geographic selection and an advertising information temporal selection, selecting, respectively, advertising information designated by the advertiser for a designated geographical area and advertising information designated by the advertiser for a designated time period. 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising processing a user search including at least one of a response to a survey questionnaire transmitted as the advertising information and an order for a selected item based on the advertising information.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/402,052, filed Aug. 9, 2002, which is incorporated by reference, herein, in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is in the fields of television advertising delivery and selection, and content submission and processing over an internet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Television advertising is a multibillion-dollar business in the United States and growing. Telephone directory, including “Yellow Pages” advertising, and other physical business directory advertising, is also a billion dollar business in the United States and has shown significant growth in past years. Today, advertisers who wish to have their businesses listed in a telephone directory or need their advertisements played on television must find a way to submit the information to a cable company or to a cable television content provider. The submission process entails a delay in getting advertising content run or displayed. Also, once the listing or advertisement is submitted, that submission is run for a previously agreed upon period of time, such as for a 13 week television season or cycle or for some other period of time. In a telephone directory, the listing or advertisement remains unchanged until the next publication and release of the directory. Thus the advertiser is “stuck” with a particular listing or advertisement for the predetermined period of time, even if the needs of the advertiser have changed, or if, for example, new contact information of the advertiser should be listed or run. At the same time, the television viewer has no means of viewing listings for advertising interactively. For example, if the television viewer wishes to view advertising content information of advertisers in a particular geographic area, there is no advertising search option to learn about the products through television advertising in real time. There are systems that allow a user to surf the Internet via a cable television connection. Using such a system, the user can access product listings and advertiser listings. However, such systems do not allow advertisers to submit advertising content over the internet for storage in a format suitable for broadcasting to a cable network. That is, such systems allow a user to surf the Internet via cable television, but do not combine the power of cable broadcasting with Internet based advertising content submission to focus advertising content delivery. Pay-per-view and emerging services such as television on demand allow a user to have a degree of control over cable television content, but do not allow advertisers to submit content over the Internet, nor do they allow a user to search for or select advertising information. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention help overcome the above-described disadvantages and address other problems. Any given particular embodiment of the present invention may or may not overcome any one or more of the discussed disadvantages. What is proposed is a cable network content delivery system configured to provide advertising information via a cable network, the cable network content delivery system having: a data gateway configured to store the advertising information, the advertising information adapted by a cable content generator for transmission over the cable network based on content information received from an advertiser over an internet; an advertising information retriever configured to process a user command received via the cable network, and to retrieve the advertising information from the data gateway based on the user command; and an advertising information provider configured to transmit, based on the user command, advertising information retrieved by the advertising information retriever via the cable network. Further, the user command may be transmitted by a user via a set-top box or a digital cable-ready television to the cable network. Also, the advertising information may include at least an advertiser listing, a text message, a survey questionnaire, a picture, an audio clip, or a video clip. However, the cable network content delivery system may be implemented as at least two data processors: a cable headend server or a master server. Also, the user command can be an advertiser search command and the advertiser search command may include an advertising information geographic designation or an advertising information temporal designation. The advertising information retriever can be configured to process a user command including an order for a selected item based on the advertising information retrieved, and to process another user command including a response to a survey questionnaire transmitted to the user as the advertising information or an order for a selected product. According to another aspect of the invention, an advertising content interface is provided, which provides advertising information adapted for transmission over a cable network by a cable network headend, the advertising content interface having: an interface unit having to receive content information from an advertiser via an internet; a cable content generator configured to process the content information received by the advertiser interface and to generate advertising information adapted for transmission over the cable network; and a data gateway configured to store the advertising information generated by the cable content generator and to respond to an information demand from the cable network by providing the advertising information to the cable network headend for transmission over the cable network. The data gateway may provide the advertising information to the cable network headend for transmission over the cable network responsive to the information demand, the information demand being a transmission of a user command over the cable network by a user. A process to implement a system according to the invention is also provided. The invention is taught below by way of various specific exemplary embodiments explained in detail, and illustrated in the enclosed drawing figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawing figures depict, in highly simplified schematic form, embodiments reflecting the principles of the invention. Many items and details that will be readily understood by one familiar with this field have been omitted so as to avoid obscuring the invention. Aspects of the illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of cable network content delivery system and advertising content interface according to an aspect of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a concrete embodiment of a system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention will now be taught using various exemplary embodiments. Although the embodiments are described in detail, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to just these embodiments, but has a scope that is significantly broader. The appended claims should be consulted to determine the true scope of the invention. First, features of the cable network content delivery system will be described with reference to FIG. 1. A user 1 viewing programming over a cable television network 5 via a television set 4 controls cable network programming. According to a preferred embodiment, the user may control a set-top box 3 to control the cable network content. For example, the user may use a remote control device (not shown) using a wireless connection 2 to control the set-top box 3. The set-top box 3 is connected to a cable network 5 via a cable wire such as coaxial cable, optical cable, an antenna receiving a television broadcast frequency, satellite dish or other wireless connection, as is well known. The cable network connects the set-top box 3 with the cable head end 8 via the cable network 5. The cable headend 8 may include an application server for the cable network providing content information for the network. The cable headend 8 may be connected to a database or data gateway 31 from which it retrieves information, such as advertising information for display on the cable network. FIG. 1 shows that an advertiser 21 may submit content information over an internet connection 23, which is transmitted over the internet 24 to an advertising connection interface 20, which includes the interface unit 25. The advertiser can connect to the internet in any one of a number of conventional ways, such as by a modem or an ISDN or DSL connection unit 23. The advertising information is generated by the cable content generator 26 from content information submitted by the advertiser via the interface unit 25. The cable content generator 26 adapts the advertiser content information to a format suitable for transmission over the cable network 5 by generating advertising information suitable for the cable network 5, and stores the advertising information in data gateway 31 for retrieval by cable headend 8. The data gateway 31 may include one or more databases storing the advertising information. The user may access advertiser information for advertisers that have provided advertiser information. For example, using a remote control device to operate a set-top box 3 using a wireless connection 2, the user 1 may regulate interactively using any one of several means the content of the cable network received. Such means may include a computer or a data processor logically connected to the cable network terminal to interact therewith. Similarly, the user may view the cable network content over a television set 4, but is not limited to a conventional CRT television set. The television set may be a flat panel LED, plasma or micro-mirror display, a front projection or rear-projection device or any other displays suitable to convey audio/visual information. Also, the cable network may be accessed via an internet terminal or other type of digital connection. In a preferred embodiment, the user may make a menu selection via the set-top box 3 by, for example, choosing a hotel category from a “Yellow Pages” feature of the system. For example, a user 1 who wishes to learn about, say, hotels in San Francisco using advertising information transmitted over cable television can issue a user command via set-top box 3. There may also be other ways of providing user commands to the system, such as through pre-stored user commands for advertising searching. The user command is received and processed by the advertising information retriever 7, which may be a module of the cable headend 8. The advertising information retriever retrieves advertising information from the data gateway 31 in response to the user command. Referring to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of a system according to the present invention will be described. A set-top box application is a module associated with a set-top box. According to an embodiment, this module may be implemented as a software application residing in the set-top box. Alternatively, it may be a firmware or hardware module inside or associated with the set-top box. Via the cable network, the set-top box application is connected to an application server, which in a preferred embodiment resides on or is associated with the cable headend. According to an embodiment, the application server is configured specifically for each cable network and is connected to a master server (or to a group of master servers as shown in FIG. 2). It will be clear that more than one cable network may be connected to the data gateway, to provide advertising information to several cable networks. In one embodiment of the present invention, each cable network may have its own version of a data gateway, or a database derived from the data gateway, to provide advertising information suitable for the network and to do so more expeditiously. The master server retrieves advertising information from the data gateway, shown as part of the business subsystems in FIG. 2. In an alternative embodiment, the application server configured for a particular cable network is provided with its own data gateway to facilitate and speed delivery of cable content. Responsive to a user command, the data gateway provides advertising information over the cable network. On the advertiser side, FIG. 2 shows web servers through which advertisers can place orders and submit content information for transmission. The web servers are supported (or are made up of) the different modules shown in the interface subsystems section of FIG. 2. The interface subsystem include the customer interface, the customer service interface application, and the systems administration interface application. While the various components described in FIG. 2 and throughout the present disclosure are designated by such terms as “servers,” “interfaces,” “processors” or “applications,” a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that these components may be implemented as software residing on a host computer or on more than one host, or as firmware or hardware of one or more units without departing from the spirit of the invention. FIG. 2 also shows the business subsystems, including an order processor configured to receive an order submitted via the interface subsystems, a billing module for validating an order for advertising, checking the credit or debit card and validating the transaction, a reporting module for generating reports for internal systems maintenance and for business record keeping, and a the data gateway for storing advertising information. The system mediator controls the elements of the business subsystems and the flow of information therein. The delivery status interface application, shown as part of the interface subsystems is designed to collect and report to the advertiser about the delivery status of advertising information delivered over the cable network. It will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that one or more of the elements of FIG. 2 may be safely omitted and that two or more of the elements of FIG. 2 may be combined without departing from the spirit of the invention. Some aspects of the business subsystems are not essential for the present invention and are provided merely for the sake of rigorous description. As is well known in the art, various system interfaces and modules described herein can be modified and combined in various ways. For example the cable headend may be configured as a module in an applications server located in a host computer or may be housed on several computers or data processors. Similarly, the cable content generator may be an application run on a processor shared with other applications, or may be located on various host computers. Those familiar with this field will recognize that various units and modules herein described may be implemented as software, firmware or hardware, or some combination of the these without departing from the spirit of the invention. Throughout this discussion, the term “business” may be used to refer to an advertiser, whether a commercial enterprise, not-for-profit organization, association, individual, educational or research institution or state or government agency. Similarly, the term “advertiser” may include a business or any of the other aforementioned categories of advertisers. Advertising Information Advertising information may comprise an advertiser directory listing, that includes basic information, including contact information for the advertiser; a logo of the advertiser; a text message from an advertiser; a classified advertisement for a commercial or a non-commercial advertiser; a product promotion, such as rebate, discount, or coupon information; a questionnaire requesting user feedback; a picture of a product offered by an advertiser or the advertiser's place of business; audio and/or video clips featuring a commercial for the advertiser; and an infomercial of several minutes or longer promoting a product for an advertiser. A conventional television commercial is usually formatted in 15, 30 or 60 second segments of audio/visual information. However, other lengths are also contemplated. A conventional infomercial is between 1 and 20 minutes in length, but the term as used herein is not limited to that length. As is well known, an infomercial is a longer commercial format, commonly featuring celebrities or well-known sports figures or other personalities, that promotes a product, may have a “talk show” or “interview” format, and may show people using the product. The advertising information may further include government listings showing local, state, federal or foreign and government information. Those familiar with this field will recognize that combinations of the above listed types of advertising information are possible and often desirable, and that many other types of advertising information are suitable for display and playback on cable television and the examples listed above are merely examples. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, advertisers may select different types of information for display as part of their listing. An advertiser listing may contain the full advertiser or business name, address including city, state and postal code. Along with the telephone number, the fax number and an email address may be displayed for the selected record. In addition, advertisers may be able to purchase a purchase option that includes a logo display. If no logo plan (see below) is purchased, then the category logo may be replaced with the local time and temperature or other information as deemed by the local broadcast station, cable network, or the advertising system provider. Similarly, other advertiser information, instead of the advertiser's logo, may be displayed instead of or in addition to the logo. For purposes of illustrative example, if the advertiser purchases or otherwise requests a text-based advertisement as part of its listing contract, the text will be displayed on screen. The text based advertisement may be free formatted, using various text/word processors and accessed by the advertiser through the Internet with a previously assigned account. This provides a “quick and dirty” method for an advertiser to submit or update information to reach the users. User Access The user may have several ways to access the information needed. In a “yellow pages” section, a user can select advertisers by either by business name, telephone number, other identifying entry information (cross-directory information). According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the user can find a business by entering the first letters of a business name via the set-top box, or by entering a telephone number or the contact information. For example, if the user selects by advertiser name, the system will request, for purpose of illustrative example, the first five letters of the business name. Needless to say, other advertiser identifying information could also be requested by the system or chosen to be provided by the user. Once entered, the selection may be displayed on screen or displayed for further viewing and selecting, and it may be announced over an associated speaker, such as the television set's speaker. Also, instead of a text display of the business, a picture or other video/audio display or clip may be shown to the user, as discussed below. The Television Yellow Pages Feature According to a preferred embodiment, a “yellow pages” section will allow accessing the directory by category of advertiser or type of business. According to a preferred embodiment, after a user selects “category” from the menu, the user will be asked to enter the letters, for example the first five letters, of the category of interest. The category may also be selected in other ways. In one embodiment, as the user enters the letters of a category of advertiser, selections appear beneath the entry area, and arrow keys, such as arrow keys of a set-top box, television set, or remote control, may be used to select the category. Once a category is entered, a category sponsoring advertiser will have its logo displayed on the screen. For example, there may be a logo/category sponsor tile displayed on screen from this point on as the user continues to make selections. Once the business has been selected, the information for that listing will appear. The screen may advantageously be divided into several tiles, including a text advertising tile, the commercial or infomercial video advertisement tile, a menu selections and data display tile, and a logo, category sponsor or local information tile. Thus, advertisers may purchase the privilege of having their logo displayed while advertisers for a category of product are shown on screen. A “white pages” section will list names, addresses, telephone numbers and other contact information, and other personal information if desired, of residents of particular geographic areas or of combined geographical areas. This information would be searchable and viewable in ways similar to the other information submitted to the system herein described. The classifieds section is designed for individual advertisers or businesses, organizations, or others. The classified section is organized by category of product and comprises advertising information about products, including good or services for sale, new or old, for lease, or trade. The classified section may also have singles' categories of people looking for partners. Advertisers can be advantageously charged for advertising according to the format and length of advertising information and according to the geographic or temporal boundaries within which an advertiser wishes to lists or run the advertising information. In particular, according to an aspect of the invention, an advertiser may elect to have the advertising information made available for display or for playback only in a particular geographic area in order to focus the promotional power of the advertising information to a particular set of users. Similarly, the advertiser can opt to limit the times during which the advertising information is made available for display or play back, in order to maximize the promotional power of the advertising information received for the advertising dollar spent. For example, an advertiser who wants to promote a pizza parlor in San Francisco may wish to limit display of its advertising information to the Bay Area, or a subsection thereof. Or, it may opt for some portion of the Bay Area and some other adjacent areas. This advertiser can reduce its advertising cost by placing an order such that the system makes its listing available only to users located in the designated areas. Also, the system may be designed such that the user may designate a geographic area of interest, irrespective of the actual present location of the user, and view advertising listings for the geographic area of interest. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the “yellow pages” section, the user could first select a business in the local broadcast area, in another state, outside the area in the United States, in some designated area of the world outside the United States, some combination of the above areas, or anywhere in the world, is desired. Thus, a user in Washington, D.C. planning a trip to San Francisco may designate San Francisco as the area of interest and view listings limited to the San Francisco area. In this way, the Washington, D.C. user choosing San Francisco as an area of interest would still find the San Francisco pizza parlor which has limited its advertising information delivery to the San Francisco area. According to a preferred embodiment, the user's present location would be a default location, receiving advertising information designated for the user's region, and the user would be able to select a geographic area of interest to view advertiser information from other regions. Similarly, an advertiser may wish to limit display of its advertising information by time of day or by season, or both. For example, the pizza parlor may wish to have its advertising information run only between the hours of 3 PM and 3 AM. Combinations of geographic and temporal designations would also be made available to advertisers. It is to be understood that the advertiser may wish to display its basic listing unlimited by geographic or temporal designation, but limit its commercial comprising to a logo display, an audio/video clip or infomercial to a designated geographic area and/or within a temporal restriction. All text advertisements and other advertising information submitted by an advertiser may be subject to being reviewed for obscene or offensive language, or other offending, unpublishable or unfit or illegal content, and may be rejected. If an advertisement has been rejected, the purchaser may be notified and the advertisement will not be displayed until corrected. In one embodiment, the advertising information, such as the commercial may be played immediately upon the user's accessing the particular advertiser's listing. The commercial may be played on the whole screen or in a tile thereof. More than one commercial may be stored and switched periodically or as the advertiser deems necessary. Also, the commercial displayed may be rotated such that the user views different commercials in successive viewings of the listing (that is, the user does not see the same commercial two times in a row when viewing the advertiser's listing twice or once during a longer viewing period). Alternatively, the advertising information, such as the commercial, may be played upon the user's request, after the advertiser listing is displayed to the user. According to this embodiment, after the display of the advertiser's listing, the user may click on an icon to have additional advertiser information, such a commercial or an infomercial, played. Interactivity After the user selects to play the infomercial, other information may be dropped off of the screen and the infomercial will play in full screen view. Alternatively, the infomercial is played in a tile of the screen. Also, the user may be able to stop playback of the commercial or infomercial. Further, the user may be able to have the commercial or infomercial re-appear at the point where it was stopped or at another point. A help feature may also be provided to assist the user with the navigation or search of the advertiser information or with other features of the advertising channel. Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user can issue a purchase order for a product displayed or act on a promotional information, such as a rebate or coupon. According to this aspect of the invention, the user would be able to click on an icon associated with a promotion of an advertiser's product, or otherwise select the product. At this point, the system would provide order information, such as an on-screen order form to the user. The user would provide information requested by the order screen, possibly including credit card information, and the system would transmit a signal to the advertiser for a purchase or order of the product. This preferred embodiment of the invention leverages the interactive nature of the present system, allowing a user to purchase a good or service promoted in advertising information in real-time. Alternatively, the user's order would send the user to a webpage of the advertiser configured to process the order for the product. At this point the system could keep track of the order for record keeping and display the webpage. Providing internet information over a cable television network terminal is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, according to a preferred embodiment, the user would be able to respond to a survey or questionnaire information displayed as the advertising information. In this way, the user could register a view or vote using the system. Such surveys or questionnaires may be used by commercial advertisers to learn about consumers or to promote products, and they may be used by educational, academic, research, or government organizations to collect data about a variety of topics from users in efficient and convenient ways. Delivery Status Information Referring to FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the advertiser may be provided reporting information about the delivery of advertising information via the delivery status interface 32. FIG. 2 shows a Delivery Status Interface Application. Thus, reporting information about the number of times an advertiser's listing is accessed, its commercial or infomercial played, or other advertising information viewed may is provided to the advertiser. Such information may also be broken down boat geographic region, political region, or time of day and date. Trends and patterns of advertising information retrieval over the cable network can also be generated and reported in order to provide the advertiser with specific feedback about the effectiveness of various aspect of its marketing campaign. The delivery information could also be linked to other known factors about user demographic information and reported to make the feedback more specific. According to an aspect of the present invention, delivery status interface 32 could provide real-time feedback to the advertiser about the advertising information displayed or played back to users. Accordingly, the advertiser, armed with this information, would be in a position to fine-tune the advertising content, time and place of run and/or format, making adjustments almost immediately. It is anticipated that advertising content could be displayed or run over the cable network within a very short time, subject to a possible reviewing for suitability of content and validation of payment by the advertiser. The previous description of various embodiments and features of the present invention are provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention. Moreover, various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles and specific examples defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of inventive faculty. For example, some or all of the features of the different embodiments discussed above may be combined into a single embodiment. Conversely, some of the features of a single embodiment discussed above may be deleted from the embodiment. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope as defined by the limitations of the claims and equivalents thereof.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Television advertising is a multibillion-dollar business in the United States and growing. Telephone directory, including “Yellow Pages” advertising, and other physical business directory advertising, is also a billion dollar business in the United States and has shown significant growth in past years. Today, advertisers who wish to have their businesses listed in a telephone directory or need their advertisements played on television must find a way to submit the information to a cable company or to a cable television content provider. The submission process entails a delay in getting advertising content run or displayed. Also, once the listing or advertisement is submitted, that submission is run for a previously agreed upon period of time, such as for a 13 week television season or cycle or for some other period of time. In a telephone directory, the listing or advertisement remains unchanged until the next publication and release of the directory. Thus the advertiser is “stuck” with a particular listing or advertisement for the predetermined period of time, even if the needs of the advertiser have changed, or if, for example, new contact information of the advertiser should be listed or run. At the same time, the television viewer has no means of viewing listings for advertising interactively. For example, if the television viewer wishes to view advertising content information of advertisers in a particular geographic area, there is no advertising search option to learn about the products through television advertising in real time. There are systems that allow a user to surf the Internet via a cable television connection. Using such a system, the user can access product listings and advertiser listings. However, such systems do not allow advertisers to submit advertising content over the internet for storage in a format suitable for broadcasting to a cable network. That is, such systems allow a user to surf the Internet via cable television, but do not combine the power of cable broadcasting with Internet based advertising content submission to focus advertising content delivery. Pay-per-view and emerging services such as television on demand allow a user to have a degree of control over cable television content, but do not allow advertisers to submit content over the Internet, nor do they allow a user to search for or select advertising information.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Embodiments of the present invention help overcome the above-described disadvantages and address other problems. Any given particular embodiment of the present invention may or may not overcome any one or more of the discussed disadvantages. What is proposed is a cable network content delivery system configured to provide advertising information via a cable network, the cable network content delivery system having: a data gateway configured to store the advertising information, the advertising information adapted by a cable content generator for transmission over the cable network based on content information received from an advertiser over an internet; an advertising information retriever configured to process a user command received via the cable network, and to retrieve the advertising information from the data gateway based on the user command; and an advertising information provider configured to transmit, based on the user command, advertising information retrieved by the advertising information retriever via the cable network. Further, the user command may be transmitted by a user via a set-top box or a digital cable-ready television to the cable network. Also, the advertising information may include at least an advertiser listing, a text message, a survey questionnaire, a picture, an audio clip, or a video clip. However, the cable network content delivery system may be implemented as at least two data processors: a cable headend server or a master server. Also, the user command can be an advertiser search command and the advertiser search command may include an advertising information geographic designation or an advertising information temporal designation. The advertising information retriever can be configured to process a user command including an order for a selected item based on the advertising information retrieved, and to process another user command including a response to a survey questionnaire transmitted to the user as the advertising information or an order for a selected product. According to another aspect of the invention, an advertising content interface is provided, which provides advertising information adapted for transmission over a cable network by a cable network headend, the advertising content interface having: an interface unit having to receive content information from an advertiser via an internet; a cable content generator configured to process the content information received by the advertiser interface and to generate advertising information adapted for transmission over the cable network; and a data gateway configured to store the advertising information generated by the cable content generator and to respond to an information demand from the cable network by providing the advertising information to the cable network headend for transmission over the cable network. The data gateway may provide the advertising information to the cable network headend for transmission over the cable network responsive to the information demand, the information demand being a transmission of a user command over the cable network by a user. A process to implement a system according to the invention is also provided. The invention is taught below by way of various specific exemplary embodiments explained in detail, and illustrated in the enclosed drawing figures.

20050415

20120131

20051020

57755.0

EKPO, NNENNA NGOZI

INTERNET-BASED SUBMISSION OF CABLE NETWORK CONTENT

SMALL

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Moderate-pressure gas phase phosgenation

The invention relates to a process for preparing aromatic diisocyanates by reaction of phosgene with diamines in the gas phase, in which the reaction is carried out in a reaction zone at moderate pressures, i.e. the pressure in this reaction zone is more than 3 bar and less than 20 bar.

1. A process for preparing an aromatic diisocyanate by reacting a phosgene with a diamine in the gas phase, wherein the reaction is carried out in a reaction zone in which the pressure is more than 3 bar and less than 20 bar and the temperature in the reaction zone is from more than 200° C. to less than 600° C. 2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the temperature in the reaction zone is below the boiling point of said diamine under the pressure conditions prevailing in the reaction zone. 3. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein an inert medium is fed into the reaction zone in addition to said diamine and said phosgene in such an amount that the concentration of inert medium at the outlet from the reaction zone is more than 25 mol/m3. 4. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the concentration of said phosgene in the reaction gas at the outlet from the reaction zone is more than 25 mol/m3. 5. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said process is carried out continuously. 6. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said process is carried out in a production plant wherein the phosgene holdup in the reaction zone for the reaction of said diamine with said phosgene in the plant is less then 100 kg. 7. A production plant for preparing an aromatic diisocyanate by reacting a phosgene with a diamine in the gas phase at a pressure of more than 3 bar and less than 20 bar, wherein said production plant has a ratio of production capacity to phosgene holdup of more than 3200 metric tons of diisocyanate per year/kilogram of phosgene. 8. A production plant as claimed in claim 7 having a production capacity of more than 50 000 metric tons of diisocyanate per year.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing aromatic diisocyanates by reaction of phosgene with diamines in the gas phase, in which the reaction is carried out in a reaction zone at moderate pressures, i.e. the pressure in this reaction zone is more than 3 bar and less than 20 bar. The preparation of organic isocyanates from the corresponding amines by phosgenation in the gas phase is generally known. While the phosgenation of aliphatic amines in the gas phase has been adequately described, the industrial phosgenation of aromatic amines in the gas phase has not yet been realized. In particular, it suffers from problems caused by formation of solids which block the mixing and reaction apparatuses and reduce the yield. In addition, it is known that the reactivity of aromatic amines with phosgene is lower because of the aromatic ring structure, which leads to poorer space-time yields. A number of possible ways of reducing these problems have been proposed. EP-A-570 799 describes a continuous gas-phase phosgenation of aromatic amines in which the reaction is carried out at temperatures above the boiling point of the diamine used and the mixing of the reactants is carried out in such a way that the mean contact time is from 0.5 to 5 seconds and a deviation of less than 6% from the mean contact time is achieved. EP-A-593 334 describes a process for preparing aromatic isocyanates in the gas phase using a tube reactor in which mixing of the starting materials is achieved without mechanical stirring by means of a constriction in the walls. EP-A-699 657 discloses a process for preparing aromatic diisocyanates in the gas phase in a mixing reactor which is divided into two zones of which the first ensures complete mixing of the starting materials and the second ensures plug flow. It is an object of the invention to provide a process which ensures an industrially advantageous reaction, in particular in respect of a high space-time yield and a low occurrence of interfering solids, of aromatic diamines with phosgene in the gas phase to form the corresponding diisocyanates. A further object of the invention is to provide a production plant by means of which the process of the present invention can be carried out advantageously and which contains very little of the toxic substance phosgene. We have found that this object is achieved by carrying out the gas-phase phosgenation at moderate pressures. The present invention accordingly provides a process for preparing aromatic diisocyanates by reaction of phosgene with diamines in the gas phase, wherein the reaction is carried out in a reaction zone in which the pressure is more than 3 bar and less than 20 bar. The invention also provides a production plant for preparing aromatic diisocyanates by reaction of phosgene with diamines in the gas phase at a pressure of more than 3 bar and less than 25 bar which has a ratio of production capacity to phosgene holdup of more than 3200 [metric tons of diisocyanate per year/kilogram of phosgene]. In the process of the present invention, it is possible to use any primary aromatic diamine which can be brought into the gas phase preferably without decomposition, or a mixture of two or more such amines. Preference is given, for example, to methylenedi(phenylamine) (individual isomers and/or an isomer mixture), toluenediamine, R,S-1-phenylethylamine, 1-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine, 2,6-xylidine, naphthalenediamine and bis(3-aminophenyl) sulfone. The process can be employed particularly advantageously for preparing methylenedi(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) and tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), in particular for tolylene diisocyanate. The invention does not encompass the gas-phase phosgenation of aliphatic diamines. An additional inert medium can be employed in the process of the present invention. The inert medium is a medium which at the reaction temperature is present as a gas in the reaction zone and does not react with the starting materials. The inert medium is generally mixed with amine and/or phosgene prior to the reaction. For example, it is possible to use nitrogen, noble gases such as helium or argon or aromatics such as chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene or xylene. Preference is given to using nitrogen as inert medium. Particular preference is given to monochlorobenzene. In general, the inert medium is used in such an amount that the molar ratio of inert medium to diamine is from>2 to 30, preferably from 2.5 to 15. The inert medium is preferably introduced into the reaction zone together with the diamine. A solvent can be used in the process of the present invention. In contrast to the inert medium, the solvent is generally introduced only after the reaction of the starting materials in the reaction zone, i.e. preferably in the work-up stage. The solvent is preferably present in liquid form. Suitable solvents are substances which are inert toward the starting materials and products of the process of the present invention. The solvent should preferably have good, i.e. selective, solvent properties for the isocyanate to be prepared. In a preferred embodiment, the inert medium and the solvent are the same compound, in which case particular preference is given to using monochlorobenzene. The reaction of phosgene with diamine occurs in a reaction zone which is generally located in a reactor, i.e. the term reaction zone refers to the region or space in which the reaction of the starting materials occurs, while the term reactor refers to the apparatus in which the reaction zone is present. For the present purposes, the reaction zone can be any customary reaction zone known from the prior art which is suitable for noncatalytic, single-phase gas reactions, preferably for continuous noncatalytic, single-phase gas reactions, and will withstand the moderate pressures required. Materials suitable for contact with the reaction mixture are, for example, metals such as steel, tantalum, silver or copper, glass, ceramic, enamels or homogeneous or heterogeneous mixtures thereof. Preference is given to using steel reactors. The walls of the reactor can be smooth or profiled. Suitable profiles are, for example, grooves or corrugations. It is generally possible to use the types of reactor construction known from the prior art. Preference is given to using tube reactors. It is likewise possible to use essentially cuboidal reaction zones, preferably plate reactors or plate reaction zones. A particularly preferred plate reactor has a ratio of width to height of at least 2:1, preferably at least 3:1, particularly preferably at least 5:1 and in particular at least 10:1. The upper limit for the ratio of width to height depends on the desired capacity of the reaction zone and is not restricted in principle. Reaction zones having a ratio of width to height up to 5000:1, preferably 1000:1, have been found to be industrially practicable. In the process of the present invention, the mixing of the reactants occurs in a mixing device which produces high shear in the reaction stream fed into the mixing device. As mixing device, preference is given to a static mixer or a mixing nozzle which is installed upstream of the reactor. Particular preference is given to using a mixing nozzle. The reaction of phosgene with diamine in the reaction zone is carried out at absolute pressures of from>3 bar to<20 bar, preferably from 3.5 bar to 15 bar, particularly preferably from 4 bar to 12 bar, in particular from 5 to 12 bar. The pressure in the feed lines to the mixing device is generally higher than the pressure indicated above in the reactor. This pressure depends on the choice of mixing device. The pressure in the feed lines is preferably from 20 to 1000 mbar, particularly preferably from 30 to 200 mbar, higher than that in the reaction zone. The pressure in the work-up apparatus is generally lower than that in the reaction zone. The pressure is preferably from 50 to 500 mbar, particularly preferably from 80 to 150 mbar, lower than that in the reaction zone. In the process of the present invention, the reaction of phosgene with diamine occurs in the gas phase. For the purposes of the present invention, the term “reaction in the gas” phase means that the feed streams react with one another in the gaseous state. In the process of the present invention, the temperature in the reaction zone is selected so that it is below the boiling point of the diamine used under the pressure conditions prevailing in the reaction zone. Depending on the amine used and the pressure which has been set, the temperature in the reaction zone is advantageously from>200° C. to<600° C., preferably from 280° C. to 400° C. To carry out the process of the present invention, it can be advantageous to preheat the streams of the reactants prior to mixing, usually to from 100 to 600° C., preferably from 200 to 400° C. The mean contact time of the reaction mixture in the process of the present invention is generally from 0.1 second to<5 seconds, preferably from>0.5 second to<3 seconds, particularly preferably from>0.6 second to<1.5 seconds. For the purposes of the present invention, the mean contact time is the time from the commencement of mixing of the starting materials to when the reaction mixture leaves the reaction zone. In a preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the reaction zone and the flow velocities are such that turbulent flow occurs, i.e. the Reynolds number is at least 2300, preferably at least 2700, with the Reynolds number being based on the hydraulic diameter of the reaction zone. The gaseous reactants preferably pass through the reaction zone at a flow velocity of from 3 to 180 meters/second, preferably from 10 to 100 meters/second. As a result of the turbulent flow, a narrow residence time and good mixing are achieved. Measures such as the constriction described in EP-A-593 334, which is also susceptible to blockages, are not necessary. The molar ratio of phosgene to diamine used in the process of the present invention is generally from 2:1 to 30:1, preferably from 2.5:1 to 20:1, particularly preferably from 3:1 to 15:1. In a preferred embodiment, the reaction conditions are selected so that the reaction gas at the outlet from the reaction zone has a phosgene concentration of more than 25 mol/m3, preferably from 30 to 50 mol/m3. Furthermore, there is generally an inert medium concentration at the outlet from the reaction zone of more than 25 mol/m3, preferably from 30 to 100 mol/m3. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the reaction conditions are selected so that the reaction gas at the outlet from the reaction zone has a phosgene concentration of more than 25 mol/m3, in particular from 30 to 50 mol/m3, and at the same time an inert medium concentration of more than 25 mol/m3, in particular from 30 to 100 mol/m3. The temperature of the reaction volume is usually regulated via its outer surface. To build production plants having a high plant capacity, a plurality of reactor tubes can be connected in parallel. The process of the present invention is preferably carried out in a single stage. For the purposes of the present invention, this means that mixing and reaction of the starting materials occurs in one step and in one temperature range, preferably in the abovementioned temperature range. Furthermore, the process of the present invention is preferably carried out continuously. After the reaction, the gaseous reaction mixture is preferably scrubbed with a solvent at above 150° C. Preferred solvents are hydrocarbons which may be substituted by halogen atoms, for example chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene and toluene. A particularly preferred solvent is monochlorobenzene. In the scrubbing step, the isocyanate is selectively transferred into the scrubbing solution. The remaining gas and the scrubbing solution obtained are then separated, preferably by means of rectification, into isocyanate(s), solvent, phosgene and hydrogen chloride. Small amounts of by-products remaining in the isocyanate(s) can be separated from the desired isocyanate(s) by means of additional rectification or by crystallization. In a preferred embodiment, the process of the present invention is carried out in a production plant in which the phosgene holdup in the reaction zone for the reaction of amine with phosgene in the plant is less than 100 kg, preferably less than 60 kg, particularly preferably less than 40 kg. For the purposes of the present invention, the phosgene holdup in the reaction zone for the reaction of amine with phosgene is the mass of phosgene in kg present in the reaction zone for the reaction of amine with phosgene in normal operation. The present invention provides a production plant which is suitable for carrying out the process of the present invention, i.e. a production plant for preparing aromatic diisocyanates by reaction of phosgene with diamines in the gas phase, preferably at an absolute pressure in the reaction zone in which the reaction takes place of more than 3 bar and less than 20 bar. In a preferred embodiment, this is a production plant which produces from 50 000 to 500 000 metric tons of the desired diisocyanate per year, more preferably from 100 000 to 300 000 metric tons of diisocyanate per year and particularly preferably from 150 000 to 250 000 metric tons of diisocyanate per year. The production plant of the present invention comprises stock facilities/reservoirs for diamine and phosgene, a mixing device, one or more reactors and a work-up apparatus and, if appropriate, a purification apparatus. An example of a production plant according to the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1 the following meanings apply: I amine reservoir II phosgene reservoir III mixing unit IV reactor V work-up apparatus with quench VI purification apparatus 1 solvent feed 2 amine feed 3 inert medium feed 4 phosgene feed 5 discharge of HCl and/or phosgene and/or inert medium 6 discharge of inert medium and/or solvent 7 discharge of isocyanate and/or solvent The amine reservoir, the diamine is brought into the gas phase together with an inert medium as carrier gas, for example nitrogen, and is fed into the mixing unit. Phosgene from the phosgene reservoir is likewise brought into the gas phase and introduced into the mixing unit. After mixing in the mixing unit, which can, for example, comprise a nozzle or a static mixer, the gaseous mixture of phosgene, amine and inert medium is fed into the reactor in which the reaction zone is present. In a preferred embodiment, the reactor comprises a bundle of reactors. In one possible embodiment, the mixing unit does not have to be an independent apparatus, but instead it can be advantageous to integrate the mixing unit into the reactor. An example of an integrated unit of mixing unit and reactor is a tube reactor with flanged-on nozzles. After the reaction mixture has been reacted in the reaction zone, it goes to the work-up apparatus with quench. This is preferably a scrubbing tower in which the isocyanate formed is separated off from the gaseous mixture by condensation in an inert solvent while excess phosgene, hydrogen chloride and, if applicable, the inert medium pass through the work-up apparatus in gaseous form. Preferred inert solvents are hydrocarbons which may be substituted by halogen atoms, for example chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene and toluene. The temperature of the inert solvent is preferably kept above the decomposition temperature of the carbamoyl chloride corresponding to the amine. In the subsequent optional purification stage, the isocyanate is separated from the solvent, preferably by distillation. The removal of residual impurities such as hydrogen chloride, inert medium and/or phosgene can likewise be carried out here. The production plant of the present invention is constructed so that the ratio of production capacity to phosgene holdup is more than 3200 [metric tons of diisocyanate per year/kilograms of phosgene], preferably more than 4000, particularly preferably more than 5000. The upper limit to the ratio of maximum production capacity to phosgene holdup is generally not restricted, but a value of 20 000, preferably 10 000, has been found to be appropriate. The invention is illustrated by the following examples: EXAMPLE 1 A gas stream which consisted of 74 percent by mass of monochlorobenzene and 26 percent by mass of toluenediamine and had been heated to 320° C. and had a mass flow rate of 30 g/min was mixed in a mixing nozzle with a phosgene stream which had been preheated to 300° C. and had a mass flow rate of 64 g/min and the mixture was reacted at a pressure of 10 bar in a 2 meter long flow tube having an internal diameter of 8 mm. The wall of the flow tube was maintained at 380° C. The mixture leaving the flow tube had a temperature of 384° C. and was quenched in monochlorobenzene at 160° C. to scrub the isocyanate formed from the gas phase. After residual phosgene from the quench phase had been separated off by distillation, the sample was analyzed by gas chromatography. The tolylene diisocyanate yield achieved was about 99.2%. The phosgene concentration at the outlet of the flow tube was about 90 mol/m3. The monochlorobenzene concentration at the outlet from the flow tube was about 35 mol/m3. EXAMPLE 2 A gas stream which consisted of 84 percent by mass of monochlorobenzene and 16 percent by mass of methylenedi(phenylamine) and had been heated to 380° C. and had a mass flow rate of 54.4 g/min was mixed in a mixing nozzle with a phosgene stream which had been preheated to 380° C. and had a mass flow rate of 44.4 g/min and the mixture was reacted at a pressure of 5 bar in a one meter long flow tube having an internal diameter of 8 mm. The reactor wall was maintained at 380° C. The mixture leaving the flow tube had a temperature of 385° C. and was quenched in monochlorobenzene at 160° C. to scrub the isocyanate formed from the gas phase. After residual phosgene from the quench phase had been separated off by distillation, the sample was analyzed by gas chromatography. The yield of methylenedi(phenyl isocyanate) achieved was about 99.3%. The phosgene concentration at the outlet from the flow tube was about 33 mol/m3. The monochlorobenzene concentration at the outlet from the flow tube was about 38 mol/m3.

20050207

20110809

20051208

65066.0

KATAKAM, SUDHAKAR

MODERATE-PRESSURE GAS PHASE PHOSGENATION

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Fuel tin

The invention relates to a fuel paste tin, comprising a dished tin body (1) and a a sealing lid (3), fixed to the tin body (1) with two pre-scored lines (6), along which a pal lid section (7) may be removed from the scaling lid (3) by breaking a material connection to generate a precisely defined opening (4, 10, 11) in the sealing lid (3). The invention permits the production of fuel paste tins with may be employed directly as paste burners with a desired burn capacity and burn duration, which are economic to produce and cause little litter.

1-28. (canceled) 29. A fuel can with a can body containing a fuel filling and a cover lid which is formed by a sealing foil and which by sealing onto a flange like rim of the can body is firmly connected to the can body, characterized in that the cover lid is designed in such a manner that at least one opening in the cover lid is producable by a complete or partial severing or detaching of one or more lid portion elements along one or several material bonded predetermined breaking locations and in that the sealing foil of the cover lid comprises, apart from the sealing layer, at least two metal foils interconnected by a synthetic material layer located between same, and in particular, whereby the metal foils are aluminum foils, which are interconnected with each other by a pe-layer. 30. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that a first one of the two metal foils is weakened or interrupted along the predetermined breaking location whereas the second metal foil is continuous in the area of the predetermined breaking location. 31. The fuel can according to claim 30, characterized in that the second metal foil faces the can body. 32. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that after the complete severing of the predetermined breaking locations the severable or detachable lid portion elements remain undetachably connected at the cover lid. 33. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that at least a part of the severable or detachable lid portion elements are designed as peel-off foil elements, and in particular, in that they are formed by a peel-off foil element extending across the entire cover lid. 34. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that at least a part of the severable or detachable lid portion elements is designed as a subarea which is detachable from the cover lid. 35. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by a severing or detaching of one or several lid portion elements, various openings and/or a differing number of openings are selectively producable in the cover lid. 36. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that the severable or detachable lid portion elements are equipped with opening aid means, in particular with a pulling flap or a pulling ring in order to facilitate a severing or detaching of same, and in particular, in that the opening aid means are designed in such a manner that they project over an outer border of the fuel can and may be gripped by hand. 37. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by the severing or detaching of the lid portion elements, openings with an opening pattern with at least two axes of symmetry are producable in the cover lid, and in particular, in that such opening patterns are producable of which the axes of symmetry intersect in a vertical axis through the center of the can body. 38. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by the severing or detaching of the lid portion elements a center opening is producable in the cover lid which has substantially the same shape as the surface of a fuel filling in the can body at a medium level of fill and is concentrically arranged relative to same. 39. The fuel can according to claim 38, characterized in that a substantially circular or quadratic center opening is producable, and in particular, in that it comprises an area which corresponds to at least 15%, in particular to at least 20% of the surface area of a fuel filling in the can body at a medium level of fill. 40. The fuel can according to claim 38, characterized in that by the severing or detaching of the lid portion elements, in addition to the central opening one or several strip shaped opening pattern elements are producable which are extending radially outwards from same, which in particular are extending up to the edge of the cover lid. 41. The fuel can according to claim 40, characterized in that the radially outwards extending strip shaped opening pattern elements (10) pass smoothly into the central opening, and in particular, in that the center opening forms together with such a radially outwards extending strip shaped opening element a pear-shaped opening. 42. The fuel can according to claim 40, characterized in that two such strip shaped opening pattern elements are producable which are located precisely opposite of each other. 43. The fuel can according to claim 38, characterized in that by a severing or detaching of the cover portion element, further small in particular circular openings are producable in the cover lid in addition to the central opening, which in particular surround the center opening concentrically and with a uniform pitch. 44. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that the cover lid is designed in such a manner that the severing or detaching of the lid portion elements causes an irreversible elimination of the material bond along the predetermined breaking locations. 45. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that the can body is a deep drawn cup or a deep drawn bowl of aluminum or tinplate. 46. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that the fuel filling consists of a fuel paste with or without wick, in particular of thickened ethyl alcohol, isopropanol or methanol without wick. 47. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that the fuel filling consists of a fuel with or without wick which is solid at room temperature, in particular of polyethylene glycols, stearin, paraffin, hydrocarbon-derivates, waxes, wax-like fuels or their derivates, resp, or of a mixture thereof as well as a wick. 48. The fuel can according to claim 29, characterized in that the fuel filling consists of a fuel received in an absorptive, in particular cotton or fleece like material, and in particular, in that the absorptive material during the burning of the fuel has the function of a wick. 49. The fuel can according to claim 48, characterized in that the fuel is a fuel which is liquid at room temperature, in particular diethylene glycol. 50. The fuel can according to claim 48, characterized in that the fuel is a fuel which is solid at room temperature, in particular polyethylene glycol. 51. A fuel can with a can body containing a fuel filling and a cover lid which is formed by a sealing foil and which by sealing onto a flange like rim of the can body is firmly connected to the can body, wherein the cover lid is designed in such a manner that at least one opening in the cover lid is producable by a complete or partial severing or detaching of one or more lid portion elements along one or several material bonded predetermined breaking locations and in that the sealing foil of the cover lid comprises, apart from the sealing layer, at least two aluminum foils, which are interconnected with each other by a pe-layer, wherein a first one of the two metal foils is weakened or interrupted along the predetermined breaking location whereas the second metal foil is continuous in the area of the predetermined breaking location and faces the can body and wherein after the complete severing of the predetermined breaking locations, the severable or detachable lid portion elements remain undetachably connected at the cover lid. 52. A fuel can with a can body containing a fuel filling and a cover lid which is formed by a sealing foil and which by sealing onto a flange like rim of the can body is firmly connected to the can body, wherein the cover lid is designed in such a manner that at least one opening in the cover lid is producable by a complete or partial severing or detaching of one or more lid portion elements along one or several material bonded predetermined breaking locations and in that the sealing foil of the cover lid comprises, apart from the sealing layer, at least two aluminum foils, which are interconnected with each other by a pe-layer, wherein a first one of the two metal foils is weakened or interrupted along the predetermined breaking location whereas the second metal foil is continuous in the area of the predetermined breaking location and faces the can body and wherein the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by a severing or detaching of one or several lid portion elements, various openings and/or a differing number of openings are selectively producable in the cover lid. 53. A fuel can with a can body containing a fuel filling and a cover lid which is formed by a sealing foil and which by sealing onto a flange like rim of the can body is firmly connected to the can body, wherein the cover lid is designed in such a manner that at least one opening in the cover lid is producable by a complete or partial severing or detaching of one or more lid portion elements along one or several material bonded predetermined breaking locations and in that the sealing foil of the cover lid comprises, apart from the sealing layer, at least two aluminum foils, which are interconnected with each other by a pe-layer, wherein a first one of the two metal foils is weakened or interrupted along the predetermined breaking location whereas the second metal foil is continuous in the area of the predetermined breaking location and faces the can body and wherein the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by the severing or detaching of the lid portion elements a center opening, which has substantially the same shape as the surface of a fuel filling in the can body at a medium level of fill and is concentrically arranged relative to same, and one or several strip shaped opening pattern elements, which are extending radially outwards from same, in particular up to the edge of the cover lid, and smoothly pass into the central opening, are produceable in the cover lid. 54. A cover lid of a sealing foil for a fuel can, in particular for a fuel can according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing foil comprises a predetermined breaking location and in addition to the sealing layer at least two metal foils interconnected by a synthetic material layer located between same, of which a first one is weakened or interrupted along the predetermined breaking location and in particular, wherein the metal foils are aluminum foils which are interconnected through a pe-layer. 55. A sealing foils for the production of a cover lid according to claim 54, characterized in that the sealing foil comprises apart from the sealing layer at least two metal foils interconnected by a synthetic material layer located between same, in particular two aluminum foils, which are interconnected through a pe-layer located between same. 56. A use of the fuel can according to claim 29, as a thermal, heat or light source, in particular as burner for a stove or as lamp.

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a fuel can, a cover lid formed by a sealing foil for such a fuel can, a sealing foil for the production of such a cover lid as well as the use of the fuel can as a heat and/or light source in accordance with the preambles of the independent claims. PRIOR ART Fuel cans with a fuel filling and a cover lid are widely used as small containers for providing fuel for burners for stoves and consist in a known design of an aluminum cup filled with a fuel paste with a peel-off foil cover, which for use is placed, after the foil lid has been removed, into a burner for a stove, which provides in the area of the surface of the fuel a burner opening and several air feed openings. These fuel cans are economical regarding the production and cause relative little waste, but need, however, a suitable burner for their intended use. Also known are cans with a fuel paste filling which consist, similar to a paint can, of a tin plate can with a upwards converging opening and a clamping lid, whereby the converging opening serves, after the removal of the lid, as burner opening. By means of this, the fuel can indeed can directly be used as burner, but is, however, costly regarding the production and causes a relative big amount of waste. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, it is the object to provide a fuel can and a cover lid for a fuel can which do not have the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art or avoid these at least partly. This object is met by the fuel can and the cover lid according to the independent claims. In a first aspect of the invention, the fuel can, which is foreseen as non-returnable container for heating and/or lightening reasons, includes a cup or bowl like can body with a fuel-filling as well as a cover lid, which closes the can body tightly and is firmly connected to same, which can be obtained for instance by a welding or glueing of the, cover lid to the can body, in particular by a heat sealing thereof onto the can body or by border crimping. The cover lid comprises one or several predetermined breaking locations, at which one or several lid portion elements are connected in a material bonded manner, i.e. by forming a one-piece structure, by glueing or by welding or soldering, respectively, to the remainder of the cover lid, so that a partial or complete severing and/or detaching of these lid portions from the remainder of the cover lid or out of the same is possible manually and without the use of any tools and, thereby, one or several precisely defined openings in the cover lid are produced. The planar extent of these openings is distinctly smaller than the total surface of the cover lid or the surface of a fuel filling in the can body at a medium filling level, respectively. The predetermined breaking locations can be produced as areas weakened by a punching or removal of material or as glued areas. As fuel filling, all fillings are foreseen which provide after the severing or detaching of the lid portion elements at the opening produced thereby a fuel in a combustible state, and preferably in such a manner that it cannot be spilled at least at room temperature and immediately after the opening. Thereby, the fuel fillings must not necessarily be formed exclusively by the fuel, but can also include wicks and absorbent substrate materials for an immobilizing and/or as wicks for the fuel, which especially in such cases is meaningful, when fuels which are liquid at room temperature, e.g. diethylene glycol, are used. By the invention, fuel cans can be realized, which can directly be employed as heat source, e.g. as burner for a stove or as light source, with a desired rating and combustion duration, are economical to produce and safe in operation and cause little waste. In a preferred embodiment of the fuel can, the predetermined breaking locations are designed in such a manner that the severable or detachable, respectively, cover lid portion(s) are not completely separated from the lid after a complete separating of the predetermined breaking locations, but remain undetachably connected to same. By means of this, all components of the fuel can remain together, which facilitates the disposal and additionally provides the possibility to re-close the partly used can at least provisorily. In a further preferred embodiment of the fuel can, the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by a peeling-off of one or several lid portions elements designed as peeling-off foil elements, at least a part of the openings produced by the severing and/or detaching of lid portion elements can be uncovered, whereby it is preferred that such a peeling-off foil element extends uninterrupted across the entire cover lid. The peeling-off foil elements cover, therefore, openings in lid portions located underneath and can be peeled off by disconnecting their glued connection with the lid portions, which form the predetermined breaking locations, wherewith the openings are exposed. This design results in the advantage that the severable and/or detachable lid portion elements can be made of a material which is different from the remainder of the lid, which in use gets hot and thus leaves little choice regarding the selection oft the material, and that possible problems when disconnecting the material bond along the predetermined breaking location have practically no influence on the geometry of the opening to be exposed. It is also possible to use a multi-layer foil with a peel-off foil cover layer for the production of the cover lid and to locate the desired openings already in all layers of the foil except the peeling-off foil cover layer by a punching, so that upon the peeling-off of the peeling-off foil cover layer the punched portions are automatically removed from the openings. In still a further preferred embodiment of the fuel can, the cover lid is designed in such a manner that at least a part of the openings can be produced by a detaching of partial areas from the actual cover lid, thus prior to their detaching are one-piece with the cover elements which define the openings to be produced. The wording “actual cover” denominates here the structural member(s), which after the removing of the severable or detachable cover portion elements remain at the can body and define the openings. By means of this, the advantage is gained that the cover lid can be made from a single layer of a semi-manufactured product, e.g. foil or sheet metal, wherewith especially simple and economical lids can be realized. In yet a further preferred embodiment, the cover lid of the fuel can is designed in such a manner that by the severing or detaching, respectively, of single or several cover portion elements, one or several openings with differing geometries and areas of the openings can be produced selectively and/or the number of openings can selectively be set. By means of this, e.g. differing lid portion elements may be present, which depending from the desired duration of combustion and rating, can be severed or detached or also remain untouched. By means of this, it is possible to produce, in a simple manner, from the fuel can in accordance with the invention, depending from the specific fuel and other design, a heating and/or light source specifically adapted for the respective application. Preferably, the cover lid of the fuel can according to the invention substantially consists of a foil or a sheet metal, in the latter case preferably of an aluminum sheet, because these materials are economically available as semi-finished products and can be processed to a cover lid according to the invention by only a few and relatively simple production steps. The term “substantially” is here to be understood that at least those areas of the cover lid, which after the removing of the severable or detachable, respectively, cover portion elements remain at the can body, are made of such a material. If the cover lid consists, thereby, of a sealing foil which preferably is formed from several different material layers, it can be sealed onto a flange-like rim of the can body by simple means, wherewith a safe and leak-proof connection between cover lid and can body can be arrived at. In this case it is preferred to use a sealing foil which includes besides the sealing layer at least two metal foils consisting preferably of aluminum, which are extensively interconnected with each other via a synthetic material layer, preferably polyethylene, located between them. If, thereby, a first one of the two metal foils, preferably the one which faces away from the can body, is weakened or interrupted along the predetermined breaking location, whereas the other metal foil is continuous in the area of the predetermined breaking location, a fuel tight lid with a high strength and with a reliably seperable predetermined breaking location is arrived at. At all embodiments, the lid portion elements, for an ease of the severing or detaching, preferably comprise opening aids, which preferably are designed as pulling flaps or pulling rings and preferably project over the outer boundary of the fuel can, e.g. as extension of the cover lid, so that they can be gripped by hand. In case of pulling flaps, grooves are preferably present at the transition from the flap into the actual lid which facilitate a start of the tearing apart at the predetermined breaking locations. By advantage, the cover lid is designed in such a manner that upon the severing or detaching, respectively of the lid portion elements, an opening or openings with an opening pattern results which has two axis of symmetry, whereby it is preferred that the axis of symmetry substantially intersect in a vertical axis through the center of the can body. By means of this, it can be ensured that in operation an as symmetric as possible flame aspect is arrived at and an even combustion of the fuel contained in the can body occurs. Preferrably, the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by the severing or detaching, respectively, of the lid portion elements an opening, in the claims denominated as central opening, can be produced in the area of the center of the fuel can, which has substantially the same shape like the surface of the fuel contained in the tin body, in particular at a medium filling level, and is concentrically arranged relative to same. This design provides the advantage that the limits of the fuel surface practically everywhere have the same distance to the limits of the central opening, which in operation serves as burner opening, wherewith a uniform combustion of the fuel is facilitated. It is, thereby, preferred that the central opening is substantially circular or quadratic and preferably has an area which corresponds to at least 15%, preferably to at least 20% of the surface area of the fuel filling, in particular at a medium level of fill. By means of this, an even burner rating and a stable flame aspect is arrived at during the entire duration of combustion. The expression “substantially circular or quadratic” means that this opening has a shape which is circular or quadraticor is approximated to a circular or quadratic shape, in the case of the circular shape e.g. by a uniform polygon. If additionally at least one strip-like opening element extends from the central opening radially outwards, which extends preferably up to the edge of the cover lid, it is possible to produce an opening pattern by a detaching of one single lid portion element, in which the central opening acts exclusively as burner opening, while the strip shaped opening element(s) serve as air supply openings. By means of this, an especially stable flame pattern and a high rating is arrived at. It is, thereby, of advantage when the transition between the central opening and the strip like opening elements extending radially outwards is smooth or harmonic, respectively, because by this, abrupt changes of the shape, which could lead to problems during the severing at the predetermined breaking locations, can be avoided. It is especially preferred that the central opening forms together with a radially outwards extending strip-shaped opening element a pear-shaped lid portion element. Preferably, the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by the severing or detaching of preferably exactly one lid portion element an opening pattern is arrived at in which two strip-shaped opening elements located opposite of each other by 180° extend from the central opening outwards. Such an arrangement facilitates a trouble-free detaching of the lid portion from the cover lid. Similar advantages as those described above are arrived at-when upon the severing or detaching further small, preferably substantially circular openings can be produced in addition to the center opening, whereby it is preferred that these surround the central opening concentrically and with a uniform pitch. When the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by the severing or detaching the material bond between the lid portion element and the adjacent lid area, which is sealing, is irreversibly abolished along the predetermined breaking location, partly used or opened, respectively, fuel cans can be distinguished in a simple way from new, closed ones. For a can body, preferably a deep drawn cup or a deep drawn bowl of aluminum or tin plate is used, because such can bodies can be produced at low cost, generate little waste after use and furthermore can be recycled, whereby it is especially advantageous when the can body and the cover lid are made of substantially identical materials. In a preferred embodiment of the fuel can, the fuel filling consists of a fuel paste with or without wick, preferably of a filling with a weight of 80 g to 100 g or 150 g to 300 g of thickened ethyl alcohol, isopropanol or methanol, whereby in this case due to the low ignition temperatures no wick is needed. Such fuel cans can excellently be used as burners for stoves. In another preferred embodiment of the fuel can, the fuel filling consists of a fuel which is solid at room temperature with or without wick, whereby it is preferred to use polyethylene glycols, stearin, paraffin, hydrocarbon-derivates, waxes, waxe-like fuels or their derivates, respectively, or a mixture thereof with a wick. In particular when using fuel fillings with stearin and/or paraffin enriched with scents, it is possible to provide in this manner lightening means combined with an additional scent action, which can be stored in a unused state for a long time without being thereby detrimental to the scent action. Preferably, the fuel filling consists of a liquid or solid fuel, which is immobilized by absorption in an absorbent, preferably cotton or fleece like material, such as e.g. mineral or glass wool, cellulose or cotton, i.e. can not be poured out when it is open. The absorbent material hereby preferably at the same time has the function of a wick, as far as such is necessary. By this design it is possible to safely use also fuels which are liquid at room temperature, such as diethylene glycol, or fuels which are solid at room temperature and become liquid during combustion, such as polyethylene glycol. A second aspect of the invention refers to a cover lid made of sealing foil, preferably for a fuel can in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. Thereby, the sealing foil which forms the cover lid comprises a predetermined breaking location and includes, apart from the sealing layer, two metal foils, preferably of aluminum, which are extensively interconnected with each other via a synthetic material layer located between them, of which a first one is weakened or interrupted along the predetermined breaking location, whereas the second one is preferably continuous at the area of the predetermined breaking location. The synthetic material layer present between them and interconnecting them is preferably polyethylene (PE). A third aspect of the invention refers to a sealing foil for the production of a cover lid according to the second aspect of the invention. The sealing foil thereby includes, in addition to the sealing layer, at least two metal foils which are extensively interconnected with each other via a synthetic material layer located between them, and specifically preferably two aluminum foils, which are interconnected with each other via a layer of polyethylene. Such sealing foils are specifically well suitable for the production of cover lids for fuel cans according to the first aspect of the invention, because they are fuel proof, can easily be mounted onto the can body and can easily be provided with a predetermined breaking location. A fourth aspect of the invention refers to the use of the fuel can according to the first aspect of the invention as thermal, heat and/or light source, in particular as burner for a stove or as lamp. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further embodiments, advantages and uses of the invention become apparent from the dependent claims and the now following description with reference to the drawings. There is shown in: FIG. 1a a perspective view of a fuel can in accordance with the invention with a one-piece foil cover lid with a detachable subarea in the not opened state; FIG. 1b a perspective view of the fuel can according to FIG. 1a in opened state; FIG. 2 a top view onto the fuel can of FIG. 1a; FIG. 3 to FIG. 12 top views onto further fuel cans according to the invention with integral foil-cover lids with detachable subareas; FIG. 13 to FIG. 17 top views onto further fuel cans according to the invention with cover lids of sheet metal with detachable subareas; FIG. 18 to FIG. 21 top views onto further fuel cans according to the invention with cover lids with peel-off foil elements; and FIG. 22 a section not true to scale through the sealing foil lid of a fuel can according to one of the FIGS. 1 to 12. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The basic principle of the invention can be recognized by means of the FIG. 1a and 1b, which illustrate perspective views of a fuel can in accordance with the invention, once in the not opened state (FIG. 1a) and once in the opened state (FIG. 1b). As can be seen, the fuel can consists of a can body 1 in the form of a deep drawn aluminum can with a flange-like rim, which is filled with a fuel 2, in the present case with a fuel paste 2 of thickened ethyl alcohol, and a cover lid 3 in the form of a multi-layer sealing foil which is firmly and tightly connected to the can body 1 by a sealing onto the flange-like rim. As can be seen in FIG. 1a, the cover lid 3 comprises in the not opened state a cover portion element 7, which is designed as a subarea of the cover lid 3 which is detachable along two predetermined breaking locations 6 (broken lines). The predetermined breaking locations 6 have been produced in that the foil forming the cover lid 3 has been weakened along the lines illustrated as broken lines, in the present case by a punching or a burning away by laser of a few but not all material layers of the foil, so that a continuous thight and material bonded connection between the cover portion element 7 and the areas of the cover lid 3 bordering same remains preserved. As can further be seen, the detachable cover portion element 7 sporadically extends up to the edge of the cover lid 3 and ends there at one location in a pulling flap 8, which projects over the outer borders of the fuel can and by means of which the cover portion element 7 can be manually detached from the cover lid 3 without the use of any tools by a pulling upwards of the pulling flaps 8. During the detaching of the cover portion element 7, the material bonded connection to the adjacent lid areas is irreversibly disconnected along the predetermined breaking locations 6 by a tearing apart of the not punched through or burnt off material layers, wherewith the cover portion element 7 is completely severed from the cover lid so that a re-closing of the opened fuel can is not possible and furthermore it can be detected as being already opened. As can be seen in FIG. 1b, which illustrates the fuel can after the removal of the cover portion element 7, the cover lid 3 is in the present case designed in such a manner that the detaching of the cover portion element 7 results in an opening 4 with an opening pattern with two axis of symmetry, which intersect in a vertical axis through the center of the fuel can. Thereby, the opening 4 consists of a circular central opening 11, which is concentrically arranged relative to the circular surface of the fuel filling in the can body 12, and from which two strip shaped opening form elements 10 extend radially outwards up to the edge of the cover lid. The two strip shaped opening form elements 10 are located directly opposite each other, i.e. they have a common longitudinal axis which extends through the center of the center opening 11. In the FIGS. 2 to 12, top views onto further fuel cans in accordance with the invention, also with cover lids 3 of a multilayer sealing foil with completely or partly detachable subareas 7 in the not opened state are illustrated, whereby FIG. 2 illustrates a top view onto the already described fuel can. The FIGS. 3 to 10 illustrate respective top views onto fuel cans-of which the cover lid 3 comprises a single detachable cover portion element 7, whereby upon a detaching of same along the predetermined breaking location various opening patterns result, namely at the fuel cans illustrated in the FIGS. 3 to 7 opening patterns with only one axis of symmetry (FIG. 3 circle with a strip shaped opening element, FIGS. 4 and 5 pear-shaped openings, FIG. 6 sector of a circle, FIG. 7 segment of a circle) and at the remaining fuel cans opening patterns with two axes of symmetry extending perpendicular relative to each other (FIG. 8 shape of a lemon, FIG. 9 shape of a strip, FIG. 10 rhomb with two strip shaped opening pattern elements located opposite of each other), which furthermore intersect in a vertical axis through the center of the can body 1 and thereby lead to a burner geometry which promotes a stable flame and a uniform combustion of the fuel during operation. At the fuel can illustrated in FIG. 5, the predetermined breaking locations 6 end within the planar extent of the cover lid 3, so that here an only partly detachable subarea 7 is present, which after the separation of the predetermined breaking locations remains undetachably connected to the cover lid 3, so that it can be flipped over when the fuel can is in use and upon an interruption of the operation can again be flipped over the opening which it has uncovered in order to cover same during non-use. In contrast to all other illustrated fuel cans, the fuel can illustrated in FIG. 10 comprises a quadratic bowl as can body 1. Through this, such fuel cans require especially little space during transport and storage. As can be seen at the predetermined breaking locations 6 illustrated by broken lines, the cover lid is designed here, as already at the fuel can of FIG. 2, in such a manner that upon a detaching of the cover portion element 7 a center opening results, which has substantially the same shape as the surface of the fuel filling in the can body, thus in the present case a substantially quadratic shape, and which additionally is concentrically arranged to this surface. Additionally, after the removing of the cover portion element 7, two strip shaped opening form elements which widen outwards extend from two opposite located corners of the quadratic center opening to the corresponding corners of the cover lid 3. This design favours in operation a separation of the entire opening in burner zone (quadratic center opening) and air supply zones (strip shaped opening form elements) which by the way also applies for the opening patterns of the fuel cans illustrated in the FIGS. 1 to 5 and 11 and 12. FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate, in contrast to the previously illustrated fuel cans which exclusively comprise a foil cover lid 3 with one single detachable cover portion element 7, such cans, at which the cover lid 3 includes two (FIG. 11) or three (FIG. 12), respectively, cover portion elements 7a, 7b or 7a, 7b, 7c, respectively, which are detachable along the predetermined breaking locations 6. Each of the cover portion elements 7 extends thereby up to the edge of the cover, where it ends in a pulling flap 8 projecting over the contour of the fuel can, by means of which is it manually detachable from the cover lid 3. As can be taken from the predetermined breaking locations 6 illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 11, the cover lid 3 of this fuel can is designed in such a manner that depending from-the desired burner rating and duration of combustion either the cover portion element 7a (for a lower burner rating and a longer duration of combustion) or the cover portion element 7b (for a higher burner rating and a shorter duration of combustion) can be detached, whereby in the latter case the cover portion element 7a is automatically detached together with the cover portion element 7b. After the detaching, in both cases an opening geometry similar to the one already described in FIG. 1b is arrived at, however in each case with center openings 11 of different size and strip shaped opening form elements 10 of differents widths. As can be taken from the predetermined breaking locations 6 illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 12, the cover lid 3 of this further embodiment of the fuel can according to the invention is designed in such a manner that, after the detaching of the cover portion element 7b, an opening is arrived at which regarding shape and size is identical to the one in FIG. 1b. Additionally, it is here possible to also detach the cover portion elements 7a and 7c, wherewith an opening pattern with a higher symmetry is reached, which leads to an increased burner rating and a more uniform combustions of the fuel filling in operation. FIGS. 13 to 17 illustrate top views onto further fuel cans according to the invention, which in contrast to the previously shown are equipped with cover lids of sheet aluminum. Also here, the cover lids 3 include in the not opened state cover portion elements 7, 7a, 7b, which are designed each as subareas of the cover lid 3 which are detachable along a predetermined breaking location 6. The predetermined breaking locations 6 have been produced at these embodiments in that the metal sheet forming the cover lid 3 has been weakened along the lines illustrated by broken lines, in the present case by embossing of corresponding grooves in the surface of the metal sheet. In order to facilitate a detaching of the cover portion elements, each cover portion element 7, 7a, 7b includes a pulling ring 9, by means of which, through a flapping upwards, first a portion of the cover portion element 7, 7a, 7b can be bent inwards towards the inside of the can under a rupturing of the sheet metal at a location of the predetermined breaking location 6, and thereafter the entire cover portion element 7 can be detached from the cover lid 3 by a pulling at the pulling ring 9 under a further separating along the predetermined breaking location 6. By means of this, the material bonded connection with the adjacent cover areas is irreversibly disconnected along the predetermined breaking locations 6, so that also here a re-closing of the opened fuel can is not possible and it can be recognized without any doubts as being already opened. As can be taken from the predetermined breaking locations 6 illustrated by broken lines, the cover lids 3 of the fuel cans-illustrated in the FIGS. 13 to 16 in each case comprise exactly one completely detachable cover portion element 7, whereby they differ from each other regarding the shape or arrangement, respectively, of same (FIG. 13 circle located at the edge of the cover, FIG. 14 section of a circle located at the edge of the cover, FIG. 15 circle located in the center of the cover, FIG. 16 free shape located in the center of the cover). Correspondingly, the detaching of the lid portion 7 leads to opened fuel cans with differing opening patterns, which represent burners with differing characteristics. The free shape illustrated in FIG. 16 consists of identical round flaps arranged uniformly around a center and comprises four axes of symmetry, which intersect in a vertical axis through the center of the can body 1 and has the advantage that the correspondingly shaped opening, which results after the detaching, has an area-wise dominant center which is surrounded by four flap form elements which extend radially outwards, wherewith in operation the center forms the burner opening and the outer flap areas serve for the air supply. Also this burner geometry promotes a stable flame and a uniform combustion of the fuel. As can be taken from the predetermined breaking locations 6 illustrated by broken lines in FIG. 17, the cover lid 3 of this fuel can is designed, as already at the fuel can according to FIG. 11, in such a manner that depending from a desired burner rating and combustion duration either the circular central cover portion element 7a (for a smaller burner rating and a longer duration of combustion) or the annular shaped cover portion element 7b (for a higher burner rating and a shorter duration of combustion), which is surrounding the cover portion element 7a, can be detached, whereby in the latter case the cover portion element 7a is automatically detached together with the cover portion element 7b. After the detaching, in both cases an opening geometry as in FIG. 15 is arrived at, however with opening areas of different sizes. FIGS. 18 to 21 illustrate top views onto further fuel cans according to the invention, at which the cover lids 3 are equipped with lid portion elements 7 with pulling tabs 8 structured as peel-off foil elements 5, which after the peeling off expose the openings in the cover lid which are indicated here by broken lines. The predetermined breaking locations 6 are formed in this embodiment by the glueing between the peel-off foil element 5 and the supporting surface and are, therefore, not directly visible in the top view. At the fuel cans of FIG. 18 and 19, the actual cover lid 3 consists of a sealing foil or a sheet metal with the desired opening (FIG. 18 circular opening in the center, FIG. 19 cross-shaped opening in the center), whereby the opening is hidden by a glued on peel-off foil element 5. The lids of the fuel cans according to the FIGS. 20 and 21 are produced by a multi-layer sealing foil with a peel-off foil lid layer, so that the peel-off foil element(s) 5, 5a, 5b extend over the entire cover lid 3. The openings in the lid material that remains after the removing of the peel-off foil elements 5, 5a, 5b, which are illustrated by broken lines have been produced by a punching through all foil layers except the peel-off lid foil layer. By a peeling of the peel-off foil elements 5, 5a, 5b, the punched foil parts are removed together with same. As can be derived by the continuous thin line in the lid surface in FIG. 21, which shows a punching of merely the peel-off foil layer of the illustrated cover lid 3, the lid 3 of the fuel can illustrated in this Figure comprises two peel-off foil elements 5a, 5b arranged substatially concentrically relative to each other, whereby depending from the desired burner rating and duration of combustion either only the central peel-off foil element 5a (for a lower burner rating and a longer duration of combustion) or booth peel-off foil elements 5a, 5b (for a higher burner rating and a shorter duration of combustion) can be removed. By a peeling-off of the central peel-off foil element 5a, a central circular burner opening and a few smaller circular air supply openings surrounding this burner opening in a uniform pitch are exposed, wherewith the opening pattern of a basic burner is arrives at. If additionally the peel-off foil element 5b is peeled off, additional air supply openings of the kind described above are exposed, wherewith an opening pattern of a burner with increased burner rating is arrived at. FIG. 22 illustrates a section not true to scale through a cover lid 3 according to the invention made of a sealing foil according to the invention. Such a cover lid 3 is also illustrated in the FIGS. 1 to 12. As can be seen, the sealing foil, from which the cover lid 3 is formed, consists of two aluminum foils 13, 14 of a thickness of about 30 μm, which are interconnected with each other by a PE-layer 12 (polyethylene-layer) of the same thickness. The aluminum foil 14 facing the can body 1 is continuous and carries at its side facing the can body 1 a sealing layer 15, by means of which the cover lid 3 is sealed onto the flange of the can body 1 (not illustrated). The aluminum foil 13 comprises at its side facing away from the can body 1 an imprint 16 and is interrupted in the area of the predetermined breaking location 6, which in the present case has been obtained by a burning off of material by means of a laser. Whereas preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present invention it shall be clearly understood that the invention is not limited to same but can also otherwise be embodied within the scope of the following claims. In particular it is possible to combine various embodiments and various fuel fillings can be applied, with solid or liquid or gel-like fuels, respectively, whereby the fuel filling can include e.g. also absorbent carrier materials for an immoblilization and/or as wick for the fuel as well as also single wicks. Attention shall also be drawn to the fact that the invention is not limited to stoves, but encompasses fuel cans for all imagineable uses as thermal, heat and light source within the scope of the following claims.

<SOH> TECHNICAL FIELD <EOH>The invention relates to a fuel can, a cover lid formed by a sealing foil for such a fuel can, a sealing foil for the production of such a cover lid as well as the use of the fuel can as a heat and/or light source in accordance with the preambles of the independent claims.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Thus, it is the object to provide a fuel can and a cover lid for a fuel can which do not have the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art or avoid these at least partly. This object is met by the fuel can and the cover lid according to the independent claims. In a first aspect of the invention, the fuel can, which is foreseen as non-returnable container for heating and/or lightening reasons, includes a cup or bowl like can body with a fuel-filling as well as a cover lid, which closes the can body tightly and is firmly connected to same, which can be obtained for instance by a welding or glueing of the, cover lid to the can body, in particular by a heat sealing thereof onto the can body or by border crimping. The cover lid comprises one or several predetermined breaking locations, at which one or several lid portion elements are connected in a material bonded manner, i.e. by forming a one-piece structure, by glueing or by welding or soldering, respectively, to the remainder of the cover lid, so that a partial or complete severing and/or detaching of these lid portions from the remainder of the cover lid or out of the same is possible manually and without the use of any tools and, thereby, one or several precisely defined openings in the cover lid are produced. The planar extent of these openings is distinctly smaller than the total surface of the cover lid or the surface of a fuel filling in the can body at a medium filling level, respectively. The predetermined breaking locations can be produced as areas weakened by a punching or removal of material or as glued areas. As fuel filling, all fillings are foreseen which provide after the severing or detaching of the lid portion elements at the opening produced thereby a fuel in a combustible state, and preferably in such a manner that it cannot be spilled at least at room temperature and immediately after the opening. Thereby, the fuel fillings must not necessarily be formed exclusively by the fuel, but can also include wicks and absorbent substrate materials for an immobilizing and/or as wicks for the fuel, which especially in such cases is meaningful, when fuels which are liquid at room temperature, e.g. diethylene glycol, are used. By the invention, fuel cans can be realized, which can directly be employed as heat source, e.g. as burner for a stove or as light source, with a desired rating and combustion duration, are economical to produce and safe in operation and cause little waste. In a preferred embodiment of the fuel can, the predetermined breaking locations are designed in such a manner that the severable or detachable, respectively, cover lid portion(s) are not completely separated from the lid after a complete separating of the predetermined breaking locations, but remain undetachably connected to same. By means of this, all components of the fuel can remain together, which facilitates the disposal and additionally provides the possibility to re-close the partly used can at least provisorily. In a further preferred embodiment of the fuel can, the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by a peeling-off of one or several lid portions elements designed as peeling-off foil elements, at least a part of the openings produced by the severing and/or detaching of lid portion elements can be uncovered, whereby it is preferred that such a peeling-off foil element extends uninterrupted across the entire cover lid. The peeling-off foil elements cover, therefore, openings in lid portions located underneath and can be peeled off by disconnecting their glued connection with the lid portions, which form the predetermined breaking locations, wherewith the openings are exposed. This design results in the advantage that the severable and/or detachable lid portion elements can be made of a material which is different from the remainder of the lid, which in use gets hot and thus leaves little choice regarding the selection oft the material, and that possible problems when disconnecting the material bond along the predetermined breaking location have practically no influence on the geometry of the opening to be exposed. It is also possible to use a multi-layer foil with a peel-off foil cover layer for the production of the cover lid and to locate the desired openings already in all layers of the foil except the peeling-off foil cover layer by a punching, so that upon the peeling-off of the peeling-off foil cover layer the punched portions are automatically removed from the openings. In still a further preferred embodiment of the fuel can, the cover lid is designed in such a manner that at least a part of the openings can be produced by a detaching of partial areas from the actual cover lid, thus prior to their detaching are one-piece with the cover elements which define the openings to be produced. The wording “actual cover” denominates here the structural member(s), which after the removing of the severable or detachable cover portion elements remain at the can body and define the openings. By means of this, the advantage is gained that the cover lid can be made from a single layer of a semi-manufactured product, e.g. foil or sheet metal, wherewith especially simple and economical lids can be realized. In yet a further preferred embodiment, the cover lid of the fuel can is designed in such a manner that by the severing or detaching, respectively, of single or several cover portion elements, one or several openings with differing geometries and areas of the openings can be produced selectively and/or the number of openings can selectively be set. By means of this, e.g. differing lid portion elements may be present, which depending from the desired duration of combustion and rating, can be severed or detached or also remain untouched. By means of this, it is possible to produce, in a simple manner, from the fuel can in accordance with the invention, depending from the specific fuel and other design, a heating and/or light source specifically adapted for the respective application. Preferably, the cover lid of the fuel can according to the invention substantially consists of a foil or a sheet metal, in the latter case preferably of an aluminum sheet, because these materials are economically available as semi-finished products and can be processed to a cover lid according to the invention by only a few and relatively simple production steps. The term “substantially” is here to be understood that at least those areas of the cover lid, which after the removing of the severable or detachable, respectively, cover portion elements remain at the can body, are made of such a material. If the cover lid consists, thereby, of a sealing foil which preferably is formed from several different material layers, it can be sealed onto a flange-like rim of the can body by simple means, wherewith a safe and leak-proof connection between cover lid and can body can be arrived at. In this case it is preferred to use a sealing foil which includes besides the sealing layer at least two metal foils consisting preferably of aluminum, which are extensively interconnected with each other via a synthetic material layer, preferably polyethylene, located between them. If, thereby, a first one of the two metal foils, preferably the one which faces away from the can body, is weakened or interrupted along the predetermined breaking location, whereas the other metal foil is continuous in the area of the predetermined breaking location, a fuel tight lid with a high strength and with a reliably seperable predetermined breaking location is arrived at. At all embodiments, the lid portion elements, for an ease of the severing or detaching, preferably comprise opening aids, which preferably are designed as pulling flaps or pulling rings and preferably project over the outer boundary of the fuel can, e.g. as extension of the cover lid, so that they can be gripped by hand. In case of pulling flaps, grooves are preferably present at the transition from the flap into the actual lid which facilitate a start of the tearing apart at the predetermined breaking locations. By advantage, the cover lid is designed in such a manner that upon the severing or detaching, respectively of the lid portion elements, an opening or openings with an opening pattern results which has two axis of symmetry, whereby it is preferred that the axis of symmetry substantially intersect in a vertical axis through the center of the can body. By means of this, it can be ensured that in operation an as symmetric as possible flame aspect is arrived at and an even combustion of the fuel contained in the can body occurs. Preferrably, the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by the severing or detaching, respectively, of the lid portion elements an opening, in the claims denominated as central opening, can be produced in the area of the center of the fuel can, which has substantially the same shape like the surface of the fuel contained in the tin body, in particular at a medium filling level, and is concentrically arranged relative to same. This design provides the advantage that the limits of the fuel surface practically everywhere have the same distance to the limits of the central opening, which in operation serves as burner opening, wherewith a uniform combustion of the fuel is facilitated. It is, thereby, preferred that the central opening is substantially circular or quadratic and preferably has an area which corresponds to at least 15%, preferably to at least 20% of the surface area of the fuel filling, in particular at a medium level of fill. By means of this, an even burner rating and a stable flame aspect is arrived at during the entire duration of combustion. The expression “substantially circular or quadratic” means that this opening has a shape which is circular or quadraticor is approximated to a circular or quadratic shape, in the case of the circular shape e.g. by a uniform polygon. If additionally at least one strip-like opening element extends from the central opening radially outwards, which extends preferably up to the edge of the cover lid, it is possible to produce an opening pattern by a detaching of one single lid portion element, in which the central opening acts exclusively as burner opening, while the strip shaped opening element(s) serve as air supply openings. By means of this, an especially stable flame pattern and a high rating is arrived at. It is, thereby, of advantage when the transition between the central opening and the strip like opening elements extending radially outwards is smooth or harmonic, respectively, because by this, abrupt changes of the shape, which could lead to problems during the severing at the predetermined breaking locations, can be avoided. It is especially preferred that the central opening forms together with a radially outwards extending strip-shaped opening element a pear-shaped lid portion element. Preferably, the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by the severing or detaching of preferably exactly one lid portion element an opening pattern is arrived at in which two strip-shaped opening elements located opposite of each other by 180° extend from the central opening outwards. Such an arrangement facilitates a trouble-free detaching of the lid portion from the cover lid. Similar advantages as those described above are arrived at-when upon the severing or detaching further small, preferably substantially circular openings can be produced in addition to the center opening, whereby it is preferred that these surround the central opening concentrically and with a uniform pitch. When the cover lid is designed in such a manner that by the severing or detaching the material bond between the lid portion element and the adjacent lid area, which is sealing, is irreversibly abolished along the predetermined breaking location, partly used or opened, respectively, fuel cans can be distinguished in a simple way from new, closed ones. For a can body, preferably a deep drawn cup or a deep drawn bowl of aluminum or tin plate is used, because such can bodies can be produced at low cost, generate little waste after use and furthermore can be recycled, whereby it is especially advantageous when the can body and the cover lid are made of substantially identical materials. In a preferred embodiment of the fuel can, the fuel filling consists of a fuel paste with or without wick, preferably of a filling with a weight of 80 g to 100 g or 150 g to 300 g of thickened ethyl alcohol, isopropanol or methanol, whereby in this case due to the low ignition temperatures no wick is needed. Such fuel cans can excellently be used as burners for stoves. In another preferred embodiment of the fuel can, the fuel filling consists of a fuel which is solid at room temperature with or without wick, whereby it is preferred to use polyethylene glycols, stearin, paraffin, hydrocarbon-derivates, waxes, waxe-like fuels or their derivates, respectively, or a mixture thereof with a wick. In particular when using fuel fillings with stearin and/or paraffin enriched with scents, it is possible to provide in this manner lightening means combined with an additional scent action, which can be stored in a unused state for a long time without being thereby detrimental to the scent action. Preferably, the fuel filling consists of a liquid or solid fuel, which is immobilized by absorption in an absorbent, preferably cotton or fleece like material, such as e.g. mineral or glass wool, cellulose or cotton, i.e. can not be poured out when it is open. The absorbent material hereby preferably at the same time has the function of a wick, as far as such is necessary. By this design it is possible to safely use also fuels which are liquid at room temperature, such as diethylene glycol, or fuels which are solid at room temperature and become liquid during combustion, such as polyethylene glycol. A second aspect of the invention refers to a cover lid made of sealing foil, preferably for a fuel can in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. Thereby, the sealing foil which forms the cover lid comprises a predetermined breaking location and includes, apart from the sealing layer, two metal foils, preferably of aluminum, which are extensively interconnected with each other via a synthetic material layer located between them, of which a first one is weakened or interrupted along the predetermined breaking location, whereas the second one is preferably continuous at the area of the predetermined breaking location. The synthetic material layer present between them and interconnecting them is preferably polyethylene (PE). A third aspect of the invention refers to a sealing foil for the production of a cover lid according to the second aspect of the invention. The sealing foil thereby includes, in addition to the sealing layer, at least two metal foils which are extensively interconnected with each other via a synthetic material layer located between them, and specifically preferably two aluminum foils, which are interconnected with each other via a layer of polyethylene. Such sealing foils are specifically well suitable for the production of cover lids for fuel cans according to the first aspect of the invention, because they are fuel proof, can easily be mounted onto the can body and can easily be provided with a predetermined breaking location. A fourth aspect of the invention refers to the use of the fuel can according to the first aspect of the invention as thermal, heat and/or light source, in particular as burner for a stove or as lamp.

20050818

20110927

20060518

63855.0

B65D5120

VOLZ, ELIZABETH J

FUEL TIN

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

B65D

ACCEPTED

Joint channel and noise variance estimation in a wideband ofdm system

A method and system for use in a wireless-local-area network (WLAN), for simultaneously estimating the unknown multi-path channel and noise characteristics and using the channel and noise estimates to improve system performance in the presence of narrowband interferers. Estimates are made for the unknown multi-path channel and noise characteristic without a-priori knowledge of the location of the interference in the band and this information is used to generate soft-metrics for a Viterbi decoder. By using the improved channel and noise estimates, the packet error rate (PER) of an 802.11g WLAN system may be maintained despite collisions with interfering packets thereby allowing the 802.11g system to be less sensitive to the interference.

1. In a wireless local area network (WLAN), a method for estimating an unknown multi-path channel and a noise variance in the presence of narrowband interference, said method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a time domain OFDM data packet; (b) converting said time domain OFDM data packet to a frequency domain OFDM data packet; (c) extracting a vector of training symbols having known transmitted values from said frequency domain OFDM data packet; (d) using said training symbols to derive a simplified channel estimate, and (e) estimating a noise variance of said narrowband interference using said simplified channel estimate at said step (d). 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said WLAN is operated in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said simplified channel estimate assumes no interference present in said unknown multi-path channel. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (d) of deriving said simplified channel estimate further comprises the steps of: (1) recognizing a time-frequency relationship of a channel impulse response in the time domain to a channel impulse response in the frequency domain as: H=F h (2) using the recognized time-frequency relationship, H=F h to derive a matrix solution of a received signal model in the frequency domain as: r=A(F h)+n where F is an N×Nc truncated Fourier matrix; h is the channel impulse response in the time domain; A is an N×N diagonal matrix comprised of said plurality of known transmitted data symbols; and n is the noise vector; (3) calculating a least squares estimate of the channel impulse response H as: HLS=F(GH Rn−1G)−1 GHRn−1 r (4) neglecting a noise correlation matrix term Rn−1 of the calculated least squares estimate of the channel impulse response H at step (3) to compute said simplified channel estimate in the frequency domain as: HLS=F(GHG)−1 GH r where F and A and G=AF are matrix values which are all known a-priori for long training sequences L1 and L2 at a receiving node in said WLAN. 5. The method of claim 2, where said step (e) of estimating said noise variance further comprises the steps of: computing an error vector e as: e=r−AĤLS and calculating said noise variance estimate as: σk2=|ek|2. 6. In a wireless local area network (WLAN), a method for estimating an unknown multi-path channel and a noise variance in the presence of narrowband interference, said method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a time domain OFMD data packet; (b) converting said time domain OFDM data packet from said time domain to a frequency domain OFDM data packet; (c) using training symbols from long training sequences L1 and L2 contained within said OFDM data packet to derive a simplified channel estimate in frequency as: HLS=F(GHG)−1 GHr where F and A and G=AF are matrix values which are all known a-priori for said long training sequences L1 and L2 at a receiving node in said WLAN. (d) estimating a noise variance of said narrowband interference using said simplified channel estimate at said step (a), comprising the steps of: (1) computing an error vector e as: e=r−AĤLS; and (2) calculating said noise variance estimate as: σk2=|ek|2; (e) estimating a transmitted symbol as ak,I=rk,I/Hk (f) slicing said estimated transmitted symbol ak,I to the nearest constellation point; (g) estimating the noise variance at frequency k as: {circumflex over (σ)}k,i2=|rk,i−Ĥkâk,i|2 (h) averaging the noise variance estimate over N OFDM data frames to obtain a more refined noise variance estimate as: σ ^ k 2 = 1 N f + 1 ⁢ ∑ i = 0 Nj ⁢ ⁢ σ ^ k , i 2 ⁢ k = 1 n ⁢ ⁢ … ⁢ , N 7. The method of claim 6, wherein said a more refined averaged noise variance estimate than that obtained at said step (d) is computed as: σk2=WLσk,02+W0/NfΣσk,i2 k=1, 2, . . . , 48 where WL+W0=1 WL=a weight corresponding to a long training sequence, e.g., L1, L2; W0=a weight corresponding to one or more data frames. 8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of: (i) decoding the sliced estimated transmitted symbol ak,I; (j) re-encoding the decoded symbol at said step (e); and (k) repeating said steps (g) through (j) for N iterations to derive a more refined noise variance estimate than the one obtained at said step (d). 9. In a wireless local area network (WLAN), a system for estimating an unknown multi-path channel and a noise variance in the presence of narrowband interference, said system comprising: means for receiving a time domain OFDM data packet; means for converting said time domain OFDM data packet to a frequency domain OFDM data packet; means for extracting a vector of training symbols having known transmitted values from said frequency domain OFDM data packet; means for using said training symbols to derive a simplified channel estimate; and means for estimating a noise variance of said narrowband interference using said simplified channel estimate at said step (d). 10. The system of claim 9, wherein said WLAN is operated in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said simplified channel estimate assumes no interference in said unknown multi-path channel. 12. The system of claim 9, wherein said means for using said training symbols to derive a simplified channel estimate, further comprises: means for recognizing a time-frequency relationship of a channel impulse response in the time domain to a channel impulse response in the frequency domain as: H=Fh means for using the recognized time-frequency relationship, H=Fh to derive a matrix solution of a received signal model in the frequency domain as: r=A(Fh)+n where F is an N×Nc truncated Fourier matrix; h is the channel impulse response in the time domain; A is an N×N diagonal matrix comprised of said plurality of known transmitted data symbols; and n is the noise vector; means for calculating a least squares estimate of the channel impulse response H as: HLS=F(GH Rn−1G)−1 GHRn−1 r means for neglecting a noise correlation matrix term Rn−1 of the calculated least squares estimate of the channel impulse response H at step (3) to compute said simplified channel estimate in the frequency domain as: HLS=F(GHG)−1 GH r where F and A and G=AF are matrix values which are all known a-priori for long training sequences L1 and L2 at a receiving node in said WLAN. 13. The method of claim 12, where said estimation of said noise variance further comprises: computing an error vector e as: e=r−AĤLS and calculating said noise variance estimate as: σk2−|ek|2. 14. In a wireless local area network (WLAN), a system for estimating an unknown multi-path channel and a noise variance in the presence of narrowband interference, said system comprising: mean for receiving a time domain OFMD data packet; means for converting said time domain OFDM data packet from said time domain to a frequency domain OFDM data packet; means for using training symbols from long training sequences L1 and L2 contained within said OFDM data packet to derive a simplified channel estimate in frequency as: HLS=F(GHG)−1 GH r where F and A and G=AF are matrix values which are all known a-priori for said long training sequences L1 and L2 at a receiving node in said WLAN; means for estimating a noise variance of said narrowband interference using said simplified channel estimate at said step (a), comprising the steps of: (1) computing an error vector e as: e=r−A HLS; and (2) calculating said noise variance estimate as: σk2=|ek|2; means for estimating a transmitted symbol as ak,I=rk,I/Ĥk means for slicing said estimated transmitted symbol ak,I to the nearest constellation point; means for estimating the noise variance at frequency k as: {circumflex over (σ)}k,i2=|rk,i−Ĥkâk,i|2 means for averaging the noise variance estimate over N OFDM data frames to obtain a more refined noise variance estimate as: σ ^ k 2 = 1 N f + 1 ⁢ ∑ i = 0 Nj ⁢ ⁢ σ ^ k , i 2 ⁢ k = 1 n ⁢ ⁢ … ⁢ , N 15. The system of claim 14, wherein said a more refined averaged noise variance estimate is computed as: σk2=WLσk,02+W0/NfΣσk,i2 K=1, 2, . . . , 48 where WL+W0=1 WL=a weight corresponding to a long training sequence, e.g., L1, L2; W0=a weight corresponding to one or more data frames. 16. The system of claim 14, further comprising: means for decoding the sliced estimated transmitted symbol ak,I; means or re-encoding the decoded symbol at said step (e); and means for repeating said steps (g) through (j) for N iterations to derive a more refined noise variance estimate than the one obtained at said step (d).

The present invention relates generally to communication systems, and more particularly to an improved system and associated method for performing narrowband interference cancellation in a wideband orthogonal frequency modulation local area network. The IEEE 802.11 WLAN standard provides a number of physical (PHY) layer options in terms of data rates, modulation types and spreading spectrum technologies. Three physical layers were standardized in the initial revision of 802.11. They include a direct sequence (DS) spread spectrum PHY, a frequency-hopping (FH) spread spectrum PHY and an infrared light (IR) PHY. All three architectures are designed for operation in the 2.4 GHz band. A second extension to the 802.11 standard, namely IEEE 802.11b, defines requirements for a physical layer based on direct sequence spread spectrum/complementary code keying (DSSS/CCK) for operation in the 2.4 GHz ISM frequency band, for data rates up to 11 Mbps. When the original 802.11b specification was approved, the IEEE concurrently approved the specs for 802.11a which was designed to use a PHY layer based on the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) for operation in the 5 GHz U-NII frequency for data rates ranging from 6 Mps to 54 Mps. In November of 2001, the IEEE 802.11 committee adopted a draft standard, i.e., 802.11 g/D2.1, that proposes to reuse the OFDM physical layer (PHY) which is currently being used as the 802.11a standard in the 5 GHz band, for use in the 2.4 GHz band. A complete description of the 802.11g standard can be found in IEEE 802.11 g/D2.1, “Draft supplement to 802.11-1999, Wireless LAN MAC and PHY specifications: Further Higher-Speed Physical Layer (PHY) extensions in the 2.4 GHz band,” incorporated by reference in its entirety. As is well known, the 802.11g standard uses bit interleaved coded modulation (BICM) in conjunction with orthogonal frequency division modulation (OFDM) to combat the effects of multi-path fading. One drawback of adopting the OFDM PHY layer for use in the 2.4 GHz band is that the operating environments in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands are very different and hence implementations developed for 5 GHz, if used directly at 2.4 GHz may cause system degradation. In particular, one significant operating environment difference of note is the presence of Bluetooth systems in the 2.4 GHz band. Bluetooth is a computing and telecommunications industry specification that describes how mobile phones, computers, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) can easily interconnect with each other and with each other and with home and business phones and computers using a short-range wireless connection. A detailed description of Bluetooth can be found in K. V. S. S. S. S Sairam, et al., “Bluetooth in wireless communications,” IEEE Communications Magazine, vol. 40, no. 6, pp. 90-96, June 2002, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Bluetooth systems are narrow band (i.e., 1 MHz bandwidth), frequency-hopped systems. By contrast, WLANS are wideband (i.e., 22 MHz bandwidth) systems with no frequency hopping. Studies have shown that the effect of Bluetooth interference on WLANs can be catastrophic in the case of collisions, i.e., in the case where a Bluetooth packet collides with an 802.11 packet, the error rate of the latter is very high. One such study can be found in I. Howitt, “WLAN and WPAN coexistence in UL band,” IEEE transactions Veh. Tech., vol. 50, no. 4, pp. 1114-1124, July 2001, incorporated by reference, which shows that the performance of WLANS operating in accordance with 802.11g degrades dramatically in the presence of narrowband interferers such as Bluetooth. While interference avoidance mechanisms in the MAC layer can be useful, they are an incomplete solution in that they limit the available throughput of the WLAN system. Therefore, there is a need for a PHY layer algorithm that allows a 802.11g WLAN system to be more robust in the presence of interference such as bluetooth interference. The present invention is directed to a method and system for use in a wireless-local-area network (WLAN), for simultaneously estimating the unknown multi-path channel and noise characteristics and using the channel and noise estimates to improve system performance in the presence of narrowband interferers. The present invention estimates the unknown multi-path channel and noise characteristic without a-priori knowledge of the location of the interference in the band and uses this information to generate soft-metrics for a Viterbi decoder. By using the improved channel and noise estimates, the packet error rate (PER) of an 802.11g WLAN system may be maintained despite collisions with interfering packets thereby allowing the 802.11g system to be less sensitive to the interference. Currently, conventional schemes for providing interference cancellation try to avoid collisions between interfering systems, such as Bluetooth, by using cooperative methods employed at the MAC layer. Avoiding collisions, however, has the disadvantage of lowering the overall bit-rate of the WLAN system, only allowing transmissions between bluetooth transmissions. There has been very little research on investigating methods of interference cancellation at the PHY layer. The present invention addresses this need by providing a method of interference cancellation defined at the PHY layer that allows the packet error rate (PER) of an 802.11g system to be maintained in the presence of bluetooth interference. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an improved method for estimating the multi-path channel and interference characteristics for use in a convolutional decoder at the PHY layer to improve system performance in the presence of narrowband interference from systems such as Bluetooth. A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates a representative network whereto embodiments of the present invention may be applied; FIG. 2a illustrates the format of an IEEE 802.11g data packet 30 according to the IEEE 802.11g standard; FIG. 2b is a more detailed illustration of the construction of the PLCP preamble field of the data packet of FIG. 2a; FIG. 2c is a detailed illustration of the construction of the two long training sequences, i.e., (L1, L2) of FIG. 2b; FIG. 3 illustrates the construction of a typical network node; FIG. 4 illustrates a transmitter portion 50 of the PHY unit 46 for performing the Tx functions in accordance with the prior art; FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating those elements which make up the receiver portion of the PHY unit of FIG. 4 for performing the Rx functions; FIG. 6 illustrates the matrix components which make up the channel impulse time/frequency relation; FIG. 7 illustrates the noise correlation matrix, Rn; FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing the steps for obtaining a more refined noise estimate in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 9 is a diagram of the receiver of FIG. 5 modified to incorporate an advanced slicer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 10 is a flowchart describing the steps for obtaining a more refined noise estimate in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention. In the following description, for purposes of explanation rather than limitation, specific details are set forth such as the particular architecture, interfaces, techniques, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. For purposes of simplicity and clarity, detailed descriptions of well-known devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. FIG. 1 illustrates a representative network whereto embodiments of the present invention may be applied. As shown, a BSS network 10 includes a plurality of network nodes (e.g., AP, STA1, STA2, STA3, and STA4). It should be noted that the network shown in FIG. 1 is small for the purpose of illustration. In practice, most networks would include a much larger number of mobile STAs. It is also noted that while FIG. 2 and the following description are provided with reference to a BSS network, the principles of the invention apply equally to an IBSS network. In the network of FIG. 1, during a communication between at least two of the network nodes over air, a first network node (e.g., AP) serves as a transmitting network node and at least one second network node (e.g., STA2) serves as a receiving network node for the purpose of transmitting data packets therebetween. FIG. 2a illustrates the format of an IEEE 802.11g data packet 30 according to the IEEE 802.11g standard. A data packet can be of variable length, and is typically around 500-1500 bytes, corresponding to several OFDM frames. The data packet 30 shown has a format including three main fields: (1) a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) preamble field 32, (2) the signal field 34 and (3) the data field 36. FIG. 2b is a more detailed illustration of the construction of the PLCP preamble field 32 of the data packet 30 of FIG. 2a. The preamble field 32 has a duration of 16 μsec and is comprised of ten repetitions of a short training sequence (i.e., S1-S10) and two repetitions of a long training sequence (L1, L2). The ten repetitions of the short training sequence S1-S10 serve to provide synchronization and timing at the receiver, the details of which are not applicable to the present invention. The two long training sequences (L1, L2) will be described below with reference to FIG. 2c. The signal 34 field of data packet 30 is comprised of one OFDM frame consisting of 24 bits which convey the data rate and the length of the data packet 30. The data field 36 of packet 30 is comprised of a variable number of OFDM frames using the mode specified in the signal field 34. The data field 36 contains the data bits that are to be transmitted from a transmitting node (e.g., AP) to a receiving node (e.g., STA1) in the network 10. FIG. 2c is a detailed illustration of the construction of the two long training sequences, i.e., (L1, L2) of FIG. 2b. The two long training sequences (L1, L2) are essential to performing the method of the invention, as will be described below. As shown in FIG. 2c, each training sequence (L1, L2) is comprised of 48 “known” data bits, a1 through a48. That is, both the transmitter and receiver have a-priori knowledge of the values of the data bits a1 through a24 and use the knowledge to derive a channel estimate. Typically, only the first long training sequence, L1, is used to derive a channel estimate, thereafter the channel estimate may be further refined by utilizing the second long training sequence, L2 and averaging the results. Referring now to FIG. 3, the construction of a typical network node 40 is shown to include a processor 42, a media access control (MAC) unit 44 connected to the processor 42 by a data interface 43, a physical layer (PHY) unit 46 connected to the MAC unit 44 by a MAC-to-PHY I/O bus 45. As discussed above, the present invention is preferably implemented as an algorithm in the PHY unit 46 of network node 40 in contrast to prior art approaches which have been implemented at the MAC layer 44. FIG. 4 illustrates a transmitter portion 50 of the PHY unit 46 for performing the Tx functions in accordance with the 802.11g standard. The operations to be described with reference to FIG. 4 are well known and described in detail in the IEEE 802.11g standard. As shown, the transmitter 50 portion includes a scrambler 51, a convolutional encoder 52, an interleaver 53, a bit-to-symbol encoder 54, a serial-to-parallel converter 55, an IFFT unit 56, a parallel-to-serial converter 57 and a guard interval generator unit 59. During a data transmit process, The MAC interface 24 provides the data bits bi via the MAC-to-PHY I/O bus 26 to the scrambler 51. The scrambler 51 ensures that the data as presented to the input of the convolutional encoder 52 is substantially random in pattern. The convolutional encoder 52 encodes the scrambled data pattern in a forward error correction code and the bit interleaver 53 subsequently interleaves the encoded data. As is well known in the art, the convolutional encoder 52 is provided with a puncturing block for converting the convolutional encoder's output from a 1/2 coding rate to some other coding rate, e.g., 2/3, from the basic code. The interleaved encoded bits, output from the Interleaver 53, are input to a bit-to-symbol encoder 54 which groups the interleaved/encoded bits into data symbols, ak, of a predetermined length as specified by the modulation mode or type. The data symbols, ak, are then supplied to a serial-to-parallel converter 55 in a group of N symbols where N=48 data symbols plus 12 zero-fill symbols in the present 802.11g embodiment. The symbol stream that is output from the serial-to-parallel converter 57 is supplied as input to an IFFT unit 56 and are processed therein to transform the N supplied data symbols from the frequency domain to the time domain. In the present embodiment, at each iteration, the IFFT unit 56 outputs N=64 complex values in parallel. The 64 complex numbers output from the IFFT unit 56 are supplied as input to a parallel-to-serial converter unit 57 which outputs a serialized stream S1. The serialized stream S1 is then supplied as input to a guard interval unit 58. Due to the long symbol duration in an 802.11g system, inter-symbol interference may be caused by the channel time dispersion which can be eliminated by using a guard interval as a prefix to every transmitted data packet. In order to maintain the orthogonality of the data packets, the content of each prefix is a copy of the last part of the current data packet, thus making each data packet seem partially cyclic. As such, the guard interval is conventionally referred to as a cyclic prefix. The length of the cyclic prefix is chosen to be greater than the length of the channel impulse response. In the present embodiment, for an 802.11g system, the cyclic prefix is chosen to be 16 FFT symbols (0.8 μsec) which gives a total length of 4 μsec for each OFDM frame duration. It is noted, however, that the cyclic prefix length may be greater than or less than 16 symbols in alternate embodiments. The modified symbol stream S1′ now consists of 80 complex symbols (16 appended cyclic prefix symbols plus 64 data symbols (48 data symbols+12 zero-fill symbols) supplied from the IFFT unit 56), which is then modulated for transmission by the modulator 59 over the wireless medium in accordance with one of the defined OFDM modulation formats or types. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating those elements which make up the receiver 60 portion of the PHY unit 22 for performing the receiver (Rx) functions. As shown, the receiver 60 includes a guard stripping unit 61 for stripping out the guard interval, i.e., the 16 cyclic prefix symbols which were appended at the transmitter 50. What remains thereafter is the original symbol stream comprised of 64 complex data symbols. Next, the stripped down data stream of 64 complex data symbols are supplied to a serial-to-parallel converter 63 which outputs the 64 complex symbols to the Fast Fourier transform (FFT) unit 65 which transforms the 64 complex symbols from the time to the frequency domain, one value for each frequency bin, k. It is noted that in the in the present 802.11g embodiment, the FFT size is 64, which represents the number of carriers, k. Of course, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the size of the FFT may be different for different applications. The 64 complex values in the frequency domain are output from the FFT unit 65 and provided as input to a parallel-to-serial unit 66 for conversion back to a serialized stream. The serialized stream output from the parallel-to-serial unit 66 is simultaneously provided to the bit metric unit 67 and to the slicer and noise variance estimator unit 68. The noise variance estimator 68 performs two operations on the serialized stream. A first operation is to slice each data symbol ak in the stream to its nearest constellation point. A second operation is to compute a noise variance estimate. The sliced data symbols and noise variance estimate are provided as inputs to the bit metric unit 67 which computes soft-metric values for each of the 1, 2, 4, or 6 bits (b0 through b5) which make up a sliced data symbol ak. A sliced data symbol may include 1, 2, 4 or 6 bits depending upon the particular application. As is well known to those in the art, the transmitted symbol ak can be derived from any of the well-known constellations including, BPSK, QPSK, 16 QAM or 64 QAM in which ak represents 1, 2, 4 or 6 bits respectively. Soft-metric values are computed in the Bit Metric Unit 67 and de-interleaved in the de-interleaver 69. The de-interleaved values are then provided to the Viterbi decoder 71. It is noted that soft-metric value are computed by the bit metric unit 67 as a requirement of the Viterbi decoder 71. The inventors recognize that at point “A” in the receiver the received signal rk at frequency bin k has the general form: rk=Hkak+nk, k=1, . . . , N (1) Where: rk is a received signal at frequency bin k; Hk represents the channel value at frequency bin k; ak represents the actual value of the transmitted symbol which is known by the receiver (i.e., ak is a symbol from L1, the long training sequence); nk represents the noise at frequency bin k with variance σk2; and N represents the number of carriers (i.e., the FFT size). Equation (1) is a generalized expression for a received signal, rk which results from the transmission of a known symbol ak multiplied by a channel factor Hk plus any additive noise, nk. Data symbols ak in equation (1) are transmitted as part of the long training sequence portion of a data packet (see FIG. 2c) are known a-priori at both the transmitter and receiver for the purpose of estimating the channel characteristic Hk. To calculate the soft-metric, first define the subset of constellation points Cpi as the set of symbols from the defined constellation such that bi=p where p is either 0 or 1. A first step is to find two symbols a0,i and a1,i for each bit bi as shown in equations (2) and (3): a0,i=arg min |ak∈Cia||rk−Hkak|2/σk2 (2) a1,i=arg min |ak∈Cia||rk−Hkak|2/σk2 (3) Where: a0,i is the probability that the ith bit is a zero; and a1,i the probability that the ith bit is a one. The soft-metric, mk(bi) can then be calculated as: m k ⁡ ( b ) =  r k - H k ⁢ a 0 , 1  2 -  r k - H k ⁢ a 1 , i  2 a k 2 ( 4 ) An important observation regarding equation (4) is that, in a conventional receiver, such as the one shown in FIG. 5, the noise is assumed to be white. Specifically, the noise variance term, σk2, shown in the denominator of equation (4) is assumed to be a constant for all frequencies, k, and is ignored. However, in the case where interference is present in the band, such as Bluetooth interference, the noise variance is not a constant but instead varies with frequency. Accordingly, some number of frequency bins, k, have a higher noise value than others. Therefore, in the case of interference being present in the band, the noise variance term, σk2, cannot be neglected. Doing so would result in severely degraded performance. The inventors have recognized the need to account for the presence of interference in the band and have created a simplified interference model. In the simplified interference model, it is assumed that a Bluetooth system is operating at 1 MHz in the same band as an 802.11g system. In this scenario, each transmitted 802.11g packet would have 3 consecutive frequency channels, ki to ki+2, from among the N=64 channels of operation that would include additional Gaussian noise interference with a variance of σb2. In accordance with the simplified interference model, a channel estimate may be developed, as will be described hereafter. In accordance with the prior art approach for deriving a channel estimate, equation (1) is solved for Hk while ignoring the noise term, nk, which is assumed to be white gaussian noise (AWGN) with zero mean and variance. Solving equation (1) for Hk under an assumption of white noise yields: Hk=rk/ak (6) The noise term, nk, may be ignored in those cases where the noise is assumed to be flat across the band, i.e., AWGN. Under this assumption, the channel value or response Hk at each frequency bin, k, is independent of the response at every other frequency bin. It is to be appreciated, however, that while the assumption of noise being flat across the band simplifies the channel estimate, it suffers in two important respects. First, by using a cyclic prefix length of 16 symbols, it is assumed that the impulse response of the channel is not very wide in time. Because of the linearity between the frequency and time domain, 16 independent samples in time correspond to 16 independent samples in frequency. Therefore, even though the FFT size is 64 in 802.11g, only 16 of the 64 samples in frequency are independent samples. The conventional “simplified” channel estimate of equation (6) does not take this correlation into consideration.. A second drawback of using the simplified channel estimate of equation (6) is that all information about the noise term is disregarded. This is commonly referred to in the art as zero forcing or equalizing. The present invention overcomes the stated drawbacks by providing an estimate for the noise term. Providing a noise estimate is particularly advantageous in the situation where there is interference present in the band, such as bluetooth interference, the problem to which the present invention is particularly directed. a0,i=arg min|ak∈Cia||rk−Hkak|2/σk2 (2) a1,i=arg min|ak∈Cia||rk−Hkak|2/σk2 (3) FIRST EMBODIMENT FOR DERIVING A CHANNEL ESTIMATE An embodiment of the invention is now described for simultaneously estimating the channel and noise in the presence of narrowband interference (e.g., Bluetooth interference) and thereby improving the system performance. The inventors recognize that the channel impulse response in the time domain has a corresponding structure in the frequency domain which is a Fourier structure. In the frequency domain, the Fourier transform of the channel impulse response, hi may be written as: H k = ∑ n = 0 Ne - 1 ⁢ ⁢ h n ⁢ exp ⁡ ( f2 ⁢ ⁢ π ⁢ ⁢ nk / N ) ⁢ k = 0 n ⁢ ⁢ ⋯ ⁢ , N - 1 Equation (7) can be re-written in matrix form as a time/frequency relation as: [H]=[F][h] (8) FIG. 6 illustrates an expanded view of the elements of the matrices of equation (8). As shown, the channel impulse response in frequency [H], is shown to be an (N×1) (e.g., 64×1) matrix, matrix [F] is an N×Nc (e.g., 64×16) truncated Fourier matrix and is multiplied by matrix [h] which is an (N×1) (e.g., 64×1) matrix representing the channel response in the time domain. It is noted that, for the present embodiment, matrix [h] includes only 16 non-zero values, h0-h15, which correspond to the number of independent variables in time. The 16 values correspond to the length of the cyclic prefix. Substituting the time/frequency matrix relation of equation (8) into equation (1) and re-writing ak in matrix form yields a matrix solution for the received signal model at point “A” in the receiving chain (see FIG. 5, pt. “A”): r=[A][F][h]+[n] (9) Where: A is an N×N diagonal matrix composed of the known transmitted symbols ak. Both matrices [A] and [F] are known a-priori for the training frame. Defining Rn to be the correlation matrix of the noise vector [n], and [G]=[A][F], the least-squares estimate of the channel impulse response vector and frequency response vector may be written as follows: {circumflex over (h)}LS=(GHRn−1G)−1GHRn−1r (10) {circumflex over (H)}LS=F(GHRn−1G)−1GHRn−1r (11) Two observations may be made from equations (10) and (11). First, given that the cyclic prefix length Nc=N, and the noise correlation matrix, Rn=σ2I, where I is the identity matrix, equation (11) may be reduced to equation (6), the “simplified” channel estimate. Second, with the exception of the noise correlation matrix, Rn, all of the matrices required in the frequency estimate of the channel, i.e., Hk, are known beforehand and can be pre-computed at the receiver. That is, both matrices [A] and [F] and therefore [G] are known a-priori for the training frame, L1. Also, r is known as the received vector. The only unknown in equation (11) is the noise correlation matrix, Rn. Therefore, if white noise is assumed, the receiver simply needs to perform one matrix-vector multiplication with the received vector r, to obtain the channel estimate as follows: ĤLS=F(G11G)−1G11r (12) The present invention takes advantage of these two stated observations so as to derive a channel and noise estimate in accordance with the method of the invention. Specifically, the method may be generally characterized as a two-step approach. First, a simplified channel estimate is made assuming white noise (despite the actual presence of interference in the band). Second, having derived a channel estimate under the assumption of white noise at the first step, the noise may then be easily estimated. Each step is described in detail below. In accordance with the first embodiment for making a channel and noise estimate in an interference environment, a simplified channel estimate is first derived assuming white noise. An assumption of white noise in an actual interference environment is a reasonable one to obtain a channel estimate by considering the noise correlation matrix, Rn, of FIG. 7. In the case of narrowband interference, only a small percentage of the total number of values in the noise correlation matrix, Rn will have higher noise values. For example, in the specific case of narrowband Bluetooth interference, it may be shown that only 3 of the 64 frequency noise variance terms in the correlation matrix Rn will have higher noise variance values. Given this relatively low percentage, i.e., 0.047, an initial assumption of white noise so as to obtain a channel estimate is both reasonable and justifiable for the reasons stated. Under the assumption of white noise, the noise correlation matrix, Rn of equation (11), as illustrated in FIG. 7, becomes an identity matrix I and the receiver simply needs to perform one matrix-vector multiplication with the received vector, r, to obtain the simplified channel estimate Hk. Equation (11) reduces to equation (12) under the white noise assumption. ĤLS=F(G11G)−1 G11r (12) Having made a channel estimate at a first step of the method, the noise variance estimate must then be determined. To do so, the channel estimate as computed by equation (12) at the first step, is now substituted back into equation (1). The noise variance at each frequency can be estimated as follows. Using the previously determined channel estimate, define e to be the error vector: e=r−AĤLS Then, the noise variance estimate is derived from the error vector as: σk2=|ek|2 (14) The channel and noise variance estimates in frequency, as denoted in equations (11) and (14) may then be averaged over the two long training frames, L1 and L2 included each data packet for each frequency bin k. FIRST EMBODIMENT OF AN IMPROVED NOISE ESTIMATE It has been experimentally determined that the channel estimate, as computed in equation (12), provides a satisfactory estimate when averaged over the two long training sequences. However, it has also been determined that the noise variance estimate, as computed in equation (14), does not provide a satisfactory estimate when averaged over the two long training sequences (L1 and L2) due to the fact that the noise is a more random process. As such, the noise needs to be further averaged in order to reduce the variance of the estimate. As described above, the channel and noise variance estimates, i.e., equations (12) and (14), were obtained from the two long training intervals (L1 and L2) contained in the PLCP preamble portion 32 (See FIG. 3) of the data packet 30. Once the channel and noise estimates are obtained using training intervals (L1 and L2), only the data frame portion 36 of packet 30 is available to obtain a more refined noise estimate. In this regard, having only the data frame portion 36 of packet 30 available for making a more refined noise estimate is problematic in that the data frame portion 36, unlike the PLCP preamble portion 32, does not include any known data symbols (e.g., a1 through a24). Therefore, obtaining a more refined noise estimate requires a further processing step. Namely, the transmitted symbols of the data frame portion 36 must first be estimated (because they are not known by the receiver) as a pre-requisite to obtain the more refined noise estimate. FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing the steps for obtaining an improved noise estimate. At step 900, estimate Ĥ from equation (12) and σ2 from equation (14) on the two training frames (L1 and L2). At step 920, during the ith OFDM data frame contained in the data frame portion 36 of packet 30, use the channel estimate H(cap)LS obtained at step 900 to estimate the transmitted data symbol at frequency k and time I as follows: âi,i=rk,i/Ĥk âi,i={overscore (a)}k,i sliced to nearest constellation point As stated above, data symbol estimation is required here because the data frame portion 36 of packet 30 does not contain data symbols which are known a-priori at the receiver. At step 930, slice the estimated data symbol, âk,I to the nearest constellation point: At step 940, estimate the noise variance at frequency bin k for the ith OFDM frame as {circumflex over (σ)}k,i2=|rk,i=Ĥkâk,i|2 At step 950, average the variance estimates as follows: σ ^ k 2 = 1 N f + 1 ⁢ ∑ i = 0 Nj ⁢ ⁢ σ ^ k , i 2 ⁢ k = 1 n ⁢ ⁢ … ⁢ , N Where: Nf is the number of OFDM frames used for averaging the estimate. At step 960, the channel and noise estimates obtained at steps 900 and 950, respectively, may now be used in equations (12) and (14) to determine soft-metrics for use in the Viterbi decoder 71 of FIG. 5. SECOND EMBODIMENT FOR PROVIDING AN IMPROVED NOISE ESTIMATE In accordance with a second embodiment for providing an improved estimate of noise variance, to further enhance the noise variance estimate than what can be achieved in the prior embodiment, it is possible to employ an advanced slicer and noise variance estimation unit as a substitute for the basic slicer and noise variance estimation unit 68 of the receiver 60 of FIG. 8. The advanced slicer works on the principle of deriving better estimates for the data symbols by re-encoding and decoding the received data symbols over some number of iterations such that each subsequent iteration provides a better estimate of the received data symbol which may then be used to derive a better estimate of the noise variance. FIG. 9a is a diagram of the receiver 60 of FIG. 5 modified to incorporate an advanced slicer in accordance with the present embodiment. In the modified receiver 70 of FIG. 9, the advanced slicer and noise variance estimation unit 81 substitutes for the basic slicer and noise variance estimation unit 68 of FIG. 5. FIG. 9b is a block diagram illustrating in more detail the construction of the advanced slicer and noise variance estimation unit 81 of receiver 70. As shown the advanced slicer and noise variance estimation unit 81 is made up of two components, the advanced slicer 84 and the noise variance estimator 85. The advanced slicer 84 is further comprised of two components, a decoding block 82 whose output is coupled to the input of a re-encoding block 83. In this manner, the data symbols of the serial data bit stream received at point ‘A’ are decoded and then re-encoded to output a serial data bit stream, at point ‘B’, including more accurate reference data symbols for the noise variance estimator 84. FIG. 10 is a flowchart describing the steps for obtaining a more refined noise estimate in accordance with the present embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 10 repeats steps 900-950 of the flowchart of FIG. 8 and such will not be further described. In addition to the known steps, the flowchart of FIG. 10 modifies step 960 and includes additional steps 970 and 980 which define the operations of the advanced slicer and noise variance estimator (block 81) as illustrated in FIGS. 9a and 9b. With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10, starting with step 960, a more refined noise estimate is obtained by using the averaged noise variance estimate obtained at step 950 and the channel estimate from step 900 to determine soft-metrics for the data portion (data symbols) 36 of received OFDM packet 30. The soft-metrics are computed in the advanced slicer and noise variance estimator unit 81 of FIG. 9a. More particularly, the soft-metrics are computed in the bit metric-unit 82a of advanced slicer unit 81. Then, the computed soft-metric values are de-interleaved at block 82band supplied to the Viterbi decoder 82c, at step 970. The decoding operations described 82a, 82b, 82c collectively comprise the decoding block 82 of the advanced slicer 81. Thereafter, at step 980, the output of the decoding block 82 is supplied as input to the re-encoding block 83 to re-encode the once-decoded data bits. As shown in the flowchart, the re-encoded data bits are then supplied as input to block 940 to estimate the noise variance again using the decoded/re-encoded data bits in the feedback loop 960-980. It is noted that this feedback loop may be used for any number of iterations necessary to obtain a noise variance estimate which meets or exceeds a certain prescribed threshold. As is apparent from the foregoing, the present invention has an advantage in that it is possible for a receiver in an 802.11g WLAN system to estimate the unknown multi-path channel and the interference variance simultaneously without a prior knowledge of the location of the interferer in the band and use the information to generate soft-metrics for a Viterbi decoder.

20050210

20080401

20060601

94952.0

H03K5159

TRAN, PABLO N

JOINT CHANNEL AND NOISE VARIANCE ESTIMATION IN A WIDEBAND OFDM SYSTEM

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H03K

ACCEPTED

Method and apparatus for production of biogas from an organic material

In a method of producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic matter, organic matter dried to a dry solids content of at least 50% by weight TS and pelletised is mixed with a liquid to form a slurry. The slurry is contacted with biogas-producing bacteria for digestion under anaerobic conditions in a reactor (102) while producing biogas. A device (100) for producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic matter comprises a sealable, essentially gas-tight reactor (102) having an inlet (104) for organic matter and outlets (106, 108) for produced biogas and formed digested sludge. The device (100) comprises a premixing tank (118) for mixing organic matter dried to a dry solids content of at least 50% by weight and pelletised, with a liquid to a slurry and a feed pipe (104) for feeding the slurry to the reactor (102).

1. A method of producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic matter, comprising: drying organic matter to a dry solids content of at least 50% by weight TS and subsequently pelletising the same, mixing the pelletised organic matter with a liquid to form a slurry, contacting the slurry with biogas-producing bacteria for digestion under anaerobic conditions in a reactor, and digesting the slurry while producing biogas. 2. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the organic matter is dried to a dry solids content of at least 70% by weight TS. 3. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the dried and pelletised matter is ground before being mixed with said liquid to form the slurry. 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the organic matter is ground in such a manner that at least 80% by weight of the matter obtains a particle size of 0.5-3 mm. 5. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which organic matter of a type other than the first-mentioned organic matter is also digested in the reactor, at least 10% by weight of the total dry solids introduced into the reactor originating from the dried and pelletised organic matter. 6. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the liquid with which the organic matter is mixed is essentially pure water. 7. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the liquid with which the organic matter is mixed at least partly is digested sludge which is removed from the reactor 8. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the pelletised organic matter is mixed in a premixing tank with a liquid to form said slurry with a dry solids content of 15-45% by weight TS, and this slurry is then introduced into the reactor to be digested at a dry solids content of 5-10% by weight TS. 9. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the dried and pelletised organic matter is dried green matter, such as dried agricultural products. 10. A method as claimed in claim 1, in which the organic matter is ground before being pelletised. 11. A device for producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic matter, said device comprising a sealable, essentially gas-tight reactor having an inlet for organic matter and outlets for produced biogas and formed digested sludge, wherein the device comprises a premixing tank for mixing organic matter dried to a dry solids content of at least 50% by weight TS and pelletised, with a liquid to a slurry, and a feed pipe for feeding the slurry to the reactor 12. A device as claimed in claim 11, in which a mill is arranged for grinding the dried and pelletised organic matter before being introduced into the premixing tank 13. A device as claimed in claim 12, in which the mill is adapted to grind the dried and pelletised organic matter so that at least 80% by weight of the organic matter obtains a particle size of 0.5-3 mm. 14. A device as claimed in claim 11, in which a supply pipe is arranged for feeding digested sludge from the reactor to the premixing tank.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method of producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of an organic material or organic matter. The present invention also relates to a device for producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic matter, said device comprising a sealable, essentially gas-tight reactor having an inlet for organic matter and outlets for produced biogas and formed digested sludge. BACKGROUND ART Digestion of organic waste is utilised in a plurality of processes for reducing volumes of waste and simultaneously producing biogas. In digestion, the organic waste is mixed with a culture of bacteria and is then digested under anaerobic conditions. In digestion, the organic waste is decomposed, thus producing biogas, which essentially consists of methane and carbon dioxide, and digested sludge. U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,374 in the name of Cohen discloses a method of digesting organic waste in two steps. The solid organic waste is ground in such a manner that 80% has a particle size of 0.25-1.5 mm. Hydrolysis/acidification takes place in a first step. The liquid from the first step is separated and supplied to a second step where the main production of methane takes place. U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,159 in the name of Kanai discloses a method of digesting organic waste matter with a certain ratio of carbon to nitrogen. The organic waste matter is ground to a juice-like liquid and is then mixed with a bacteria-containing sludge in a tank. Then the digestion is allowed to proceed in the tank without agitation for about 5-7 days. It is a disadvantage in the above processes that the production of biogas is inefficient and that the biogas therefore will be expensive. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing biogas, in which method the above drawbacks are eliminated or significantly reduced, and thus to provide a method of producing biogas in a more efficient way. More specifically, the invention provides a method of producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic matter, which method is characterised by drying organic matter to a dry solids content of at least 50% by weight TS and subsequently pelletising the same, mixing the pelletised organic matter with a liquid to form a slurry, contacting the slurry with biogas-producing bacteria for digestion under anaerobic conditions in a reactor, and digesting the slurry while generating biogas. The invention also relates to a device for producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic matter, said device comprising a sealable, essentially gas-tight reactor having an inlet for organic matter and outlets for produced biogas and formed digested sludge, which device is characterised in that it comprises a premixing tank for mixing organic matter dried to a dry solids content of at least 50% by weight TS and pelletised, with a liquid to a slurry, and a feed pipe for feeding the slurry to the reactor. Further advantages and features of the invention will be evident from the following description and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in more detail by way of non-limiting embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a device for producing biogas according to a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a device for producing biogas according to a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a device for producing biogas according to a third embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a device for producing biogas according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a device which has been used in exemplary digestion experiments. FIG. 6 illustrates the production of biogas per tonne of volatile solids and day in a first exemplary experiment. FIG. 7 shows the contents of volatile fatty acids which have been measured in the first exemplary experiment. FIG. 8 shows the production of biogas per tonne of volatile solids and day in a second exemplary experiment. FIG. 9 shows the production of biogas per tonne of volatile solids and day in a third exemplary experiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the present application, the unit “% by weight TS” relates to the dry solids content (total solids) of a material. The dry solids content of a material is measured according to Swedish standard SS 02 81 13 by the material being weighed before measuring and then being heated at 105° C. for 20 h so that water evaporates. The material is then weighed once more. The dry solids content in % by weight TS is then calculated as follows % ⁢ ⁢ by ⁢ ⁢ weight ⁢ ⁢ TS = weight ⁢ ⁢ after ⁢ ⁢ heating ⁢ ⁢ at ⁢ ⁢ 105 ⁢ ° ⁢ ⁢ C . weight ⁢ ⁢ before ⁢ ⁢ heating * 100 ⁢ % For instance, 90% by weight TS relates to a material where 90% of the original weight of the material remains after heating the material at 105° C. for 20 h. In the present application, the unit “% by weight VS” relates to the content of volatile organic matter of a material, below called the volatile solids content. To determine the volatile solids content, first the dry solids content of the material is determined and then its fixed solids. The fixed solids can be determined according to Swedish Standard SS 02 81 13 by a material which has been evaporated at 105° C. for 20 h as stated above being calcined for 2 h at 550° C. The volatile solids content relates in the present application to the dry weight of the material, i.e. the weight after evaporation at 105° C. for 20 h, reduced by the fixed solids and then divided by the dry weight of the material, i.e. the weight after evaporation at 105° C. for 20 h. The volatile solids content of the material in % by weight VS is thus calculated as follows: % ⁢ ⁢ by ⁢ ⁢ weight ⁢ ⁢ VS = weight ⁢ ⁢ after ⁢ ⁢ 105 ⁢ ° ⁢ ⁢ C . - weight ⁢ ⁢ after ⁢ ⁢ 550 ⁢ ° ⁢ ⁢ C . weight ⁢ ⁢ after ⁢ ⁢ 105 ⁢ ° ⁢ ⁢ C . * 100 ⁢ % For instance, a volatile solids content of 85% by weight VS means that 85% of the dry weight of the material, i.e. the weight of the material after heating at 105° C. for 20 h, consists of organic, volatile compounds while 15% consists of fixed solids. The unit “g of volatile solids per day” relates, analogously with the unit % by weight VS, to an amount of volatile organic matter in grams per day as stated above. The amount of volatile organic matter supplied to the reactor, i.e. g of volatile solids, determines how much biogas can be produced since the biogas is produced from the volatile organic matter (and not from the fixed solids or the water contents). By “degree of digestion” is meant, in the present application, the amount of material supplied to a digestion reactor that is converted into biogas in the digestion chamber. If, for instance, 10 g of volatile solids per day is supplied to a reactor in the form of digestible material and the digested sludge removed from the reactor contains correspondingly 2 g of volatile solids per day, the degree of digestion is 80%. The bacteria entrained by removed digested sludge contain some g of volatile solids, and therefore a degree of digestion of 100% according to the above definition cannot be achieved in practice. According to the invention, a dried, pelletised and suitably ground organic matter in contact with biogas-producing bacteria is digested to produce biogas. The dried, pelletised and suitably ground organic matter increases the production of biogas and makes it possible to produce a certain amount of biogas in a smaller reactor than has previously been possible. Thus, biogas can be produced at a lower cost by means of the present invention. A preferred example of organic matter which is suited for use in the present invention is green matter. In the present invention, green matter relates to plants of the type using photosynthesis for producing the plant matter. The green matter can advantageously consist of various agricultural products, such as ensilage, straw, grain, grain offal, rape, sugar-beets, turnips, maize, sunflowers, cabbage, potatoes, molasses, peas, beans, lentils, flax, lupins and pasture plants, such as lucerne, grass and clover. Agricultural products are often available in large amounts and frequently have a high energy content. Moreover, the agricultural products often have a content of nutrients and trace elements making the produced digested sludge most convenient for use as fertiliser on arable land. A further advantage of the above-mentioned agricultural products is that they do not contain any harmful bacteria. Thus, the heating to at least 70° C. for at least 1 h, referred to as sanitation, which is necessary, for instance, in connection with domestic waste and slaughterhouse waste, can be omitted, resulting in reduced production costs. Also products such as lawn waste, straw from edges of roadways, natural hay and leaves, which normally arise in municipal activities, can be used in digestion. The organic matter is dried before digestion. Many of the above examples of green matter have a dry solids content of only 15-35% by weight TS. The drying of the green matter has several advantages. In addition to the digestion in the reactor becoming more efficient, it will also be easier to transport and store the green matter. Consequently, the green matter can be harvested and dried at a time of the year when the supply of green matter is good so as then to be digested during an extended period. The dried green matter is also considerably less expensive to transport since a large amount of water has been removed. Green matter should be dried to a dry solids content of at least 50% by weight TS. Drying to at least 70% by weight TS, still more preferred at least 80% by weight TS, has been found to result in still more efficient digestion in the reactor and reduces the amount of water supplied to the reactor. The digestion in the digestion chamber will be most efficient if the organic matter is ground before being introduced into the digestion chamber. Grinding makes the matter more available to the biogas-producing bacteria and thus accelerates digestion. Green matter can be ground before the above-mentioned drying. Such grinding of “wet” matter, however, is quite difficult to carry out and often results, in particular with green matter having a low dry solids content, in a slurry that is difficult to handle. For this reason, it is often preferred first to dry the green matter and then grind it to the desirable particle size. A suitable particle size of the ground matter from the point of view of digestion has been found to be about 0.5-3 mm, i.e. the major part, at least about 80% by weight, of the matter should have a particle size in this range after grinding. Grinding to smaller particle sizes, for instance below 0.1 mm, increases the dusting problems and increases the consumption of energy in grinding without making digestion significantly quicker. With larger particle sizes of the ground matter, such as larger than 5 mm, the digestion process will be slower, thus requiring a larger reactor. In some cases, for instance with compact green matter such as potatoes, sugar-beets and cabbage, it is convenient to cut the green matter into flakes, for instance flakes with a size of 10-30 mm, before the green matter is dried to achieve maximum efficiency in the drying process. An example of a type of drier which is suitable for drying of green matter is a rotary oven. Drying of green matter may also be preceded by dewatering, which can be carried out, for instance, by means of a filter press, for the purpose of reducing the amount of water that must be removed from the green matter in the actual drying. It has been found particularly convenient to pelletise the green matter after drying. Pelletising changes the dried green matter into a form which is easy to handle and transport. Thus, green matter can be dried and pelletised locally and transported to large-scale regional plants for producing biogas. A further advantage is that different types of pelletised green matter can easily be dosed in the desired proportions to the reactor to achieve a chemical composition in the reactor which gives the biogas-producing bacteria good conditions for growth. Consequently, pelletised green matter with different contents of minerals, such as phosphorus and potassium, can be mixed in such a manner that optimal conditions for bacteria are ensured and that digested sludge with a suitable composition to be returned to agriculture is obtained. When using pelletised green matter, it is preferable to grind the pellets before being introduced into the reactor. In the actual pelletising, a certain degree of compacting of the dried green matter is effected. Grinding makes the pelletised matter more available to the biogas-producing bacteria and increases the rate of digestion. Since the pelletised matter has in many cases already been ground before the actual pelletising, a mill for grinding of pellets can be made relatively simple. The above ranges of particle sizes for grinding of the dried organic matter also apply to grinding of pellets. When the dried, suitably pelletised and suitably ground organic matter is to be introduced into a reactor, the matter is mixed with a liquid to form a slurry. The slurry can be produced in various ways. A preferred way of producing a slurry is to mix the dried and suitably ground organic matter with water, for instance tap water, lake water, condensate, purified waste water or some other water-containing liquid which with regard to biogas production is suitable for supply to the reactor. Thus, also water-containing liquids of little value, or being considered as waste, can thus be used to produce the slurry. According to this method, matter, which has suitably been ground, is mixed with water in a premixing tank, which is provided with a powerful agitator operating at a low speed. The premixing tank reduces the risk of air being unintentionally introduced into the reactor and makes it easier to control the amount of matter that is introduced into the reactor. The premixing tank also provides wetting of the dried organic matter, which results in digestion beginning more quickly in the reactor. A control system is used to achieve the desired dry solids content of the slurry in the premixing tank. Preferably, a batch method for mixing the slurry is used. The residence time in the premixing tank suitably is relatively short, about 5-50 min. However, in some cases also continuous methods may be used. It is desirable not to introduce large amounts of water into the reactor since the residence time and, thus, the degree of digestion would then be reduced. A small amount of supplied water also involves a low cost for heating of supplied water to the desired digestion temperature. It has been found that by means of dried and ground organic matter in general, it is possible to produce pumpable slurries with a dry solids content of up to about 35% by weight TS. With grain, grain offal, and pellets of grain offal it is possible to obtain pumpable slurries with a dry solids content of up to 45% by weight TS. The high dry solids content brings several advantages. On the one hand, only little water has to be added. Thus the consumption of water will be low and the residence time in the reactor will be long, which results in a good degree of digestion. A further advantage of a small amount of water being added is that the produced digested sludge will have a high dry solids content, which facilitates handling, reduces the cost of transport and increases the value of the digested sludge as fertiliser. The high dry solids content also reduces the pumping work required to pump the slurry into the reactor and makes it possible to dimension premixing tank, pumps and pipes for smaller flows. An advantage of using essentially pure water when producing the slurry is that the mixing can be carried out in an open premixing tank. This makes the tank cheap to manufacture and simple to monitor. It has been found that the slurry suitably should have a dry solids content of 15-45% by weight TS, still more preferred 15-40% by weight TS and most preferred 25-35% by weight TS. Compared with digestion of e.g. cow-dung, according to prior-art technique, where the dry solids content of the slurry introduced is only about 6-8% by weight TS, it is possible, in the invention with the same residence time in the reactor, to extract the same amount of biogas from a reactor having only about one-fourth of the volume required in digestion according to prior art. The high degree of digestion for pelletised organic matter, in particular pelletised agricultural products, in the method according to the invention implies that a very large part of the volatile solids content of the slurry supplied to the reactor will be decomposed into biogas. For this reason, the reactor in which digestion takes place will contain digested sludge with a dry solids content of typically 5-10% by weight TS although the slurry supplied to the reactor from the premixing tank has a considerably higher dry solids content. It is an advantage that the digested sludge in the reactor has a considerably lower dry solids content than the supplied slurry since agitation in the reactor is facilitated and the supplied pelletised organic matter's availability to the bacteria is increased, which contributes to the high degree of digestion. Another preferred method of producing a slurry is to discharge digested sludge from the reactor and mix this with the dried and suitably ground organic matter in a premixing tank to form a slurry which is then introduced into the reactor. An advantage of using digested sludge is that no water in addition to the small amount of residual moisture that is present in the dried organic matter has to be added. Therefore the residence time in the reactor will be long. Since the digested sludge contains bacteria, a certain production of biogas will already take place in the premixing tank, which suitably has a residence time of about 5-50 min. For this reason, the premixing tank should be an essentially gas-tight container which continuously is vented to prevent explosive gas mixtures from being produced when produced biogas and air accompanying the ground matter are mixed. It is desirable to minimise the energy that is consumed to pump digested sludge to the premixing tank and to pump the slurry prepared from dried organic matter and digested sludge to the reactor. As mentioned above, the dried organic matter allows preparation of pumpable slurries with a very high dry solids content. It has been found that the slurry should have a dry solids content of 15-45% by weight TS, still more preferred 15-40% by weight TS, and most preferred 25-35% by weight TS. Of the dry solids content in the slurry, about 3-6% by weight TS originates from the digested sludge, and therefore the amount of slurry which, at a given dry solids content of the slurry produced and a given amount of dried organic matter, must be pumped to the reactor will be slightly greater compared with the above-described mixing with pure water. A further alternative is to use in the preparation of the slurry a suitable reject water, i.e. a liquid that arises as a residual product in another process. An example of such reject water that can be used is reject water from sludge dewatering in wastewater treatment plants. Such reject water contains, inter alia, potassium and nitrogen that may serve as extra nutriment for the biogas-producing bacteria and, thus, increase the efficiency of the biogas production while at the same time disposing of the reject water which is to be regarded as waste. It has been found that dried and suitably ground organic matter, in particular dried and ground agricultural products, is very convenient for increasing the biogas production in existing digestion plants. There are a large number of existing digestion plants digesting, for instance, cow-dung, slaughterhouse waste, sorted-out household waste (the part suitable for composting), food waste and sludge from wastewater treatment plants. The purpose of these existing plants is usually to remove waste that is difficult to handle. These plants often digest matter with a low dry solids content and a low energy content per tonne of waste. As a result, the production of biogas will be small. The formed digested sludge has a low dry solids content and is therefore difficult to handle. According to the invention, dried, suitably pelletised and suitably ground organic matter is supplied to such a plant. The dried, pelletised and ground matter adds a very small amount of liquid to the existing plant. This has the advantage that the residence time in the existing reactor is not reduced significantly. This means that the degree of digestion, i.e. the amount of the supplied matter that is converted during the digestion process, will not decrease. The supplied dried, pelletised and suitably ground organic matter has a high energy content per kg and will considerably increase the biogas production in the plant. The dry solids content of the removed digested sludge increases owing to more matter being introduced into the reactor. This makes the digested sludge easier to handle. The introduced dried organic matter will also increase the nutritive value of the digested sludge, thereby increasing its value as fertiliser. The extra nutriment which thanks to the dried organic matter is added to the biogas-producing bacteria can make the bacteria more active by co-digestion, i.e. the nutrients of the digested matters supplement each other, which may result in an increased degree of digestion. The extra equipment that is needed to make an existing digestion process more efficient in the manner described above is simple because the dried matter is easy to handle. Thus, by means of the invention the biogas production can be increased and the handleability of the digested sludge be simplified and its value increased in an existing digestion plant. It will be appreciated that the dried organic matter can also be used in plants which from the beginning are built to digest dried, suitably pelletised and suitably ground organic matter together with other organic matter, which, for instance, can be water treatment sludge, cow-dung or waste that is desired to be removed. In the type of plants where the dried organic waste is used to increase the efficiency of an existing plant, the dried, suitably pelletised and suitably ground organic matter is suitably mixed with a liquid to form a slurry which is then introduced into the reactor. At least 10% by weight of the totally supplied dry solids should originate from the dried, pelletised and ground organic matter, i.e. for 1 tonne of dry solids supplied to the reactor, at least 100 kg should be dry solids originating from the dried organic matter. Still more preferred, at least 30% by weight of the totally supplied dry solids should originate from the dried, suitably pelletised and suitably ground organic matter. It is desirable to prevent large amounts of slurry or sludge to be circulated in the plant. Circulation of large amounts of slurry causes increased consumption of energy and may also cause interruptions in the digestion process. Thus, it is suitable to produce a slurry having a relatively high dry solids content. Slurry can be produced in many different ways. A preferred method is to remove digested sludge from the reactor and mix it with the dried and ground organic matter in a premixing tank. The slurry formed in the premixing tank is then supplied to the reactor. This has the advantage that no extra water besides the small amount of residual moisture that exists in the dried organic matter is supplied to the reactor. Another preferred method is to mix the dried organic matter with the organic matter of a different type, i.e. the cow-dung, the water treatment sludge etc, which is also digested in the reactor. This method is in many cases very cost-efficient since an existing tank can be used as premixing tank. Also in this method, no extra water is supplied in addition to the small amount of residual moisture that is present in the dried organic matter. A further method is to mix the dried organic matter with pure water in a separate premixing tank. However, this increases the amount of water that is supplied to the reactor where the dried organic matter is digested together with organic matter of a different type, such as cow-dung, water treatment sludge. In the cases when pure water must be supplied to the reactor anyway, this water can suitably be used to prepare the slurry with a high dry solids content. A particularly suitable method of using dried, pelletised organic matter, such as pelletised grain offal which mainly consists of husks and rejected grains from harvesting and threshing of grain, in a process where another material is digested aims at controlling the biogas production. Momentary adding of a certain amount of pelletised grain offal will increase the biogas production with a very short time delay. When the demand for biogas increases in an expected or unexpected manner, pelletised grain offal can thus be supplied to a reactor digesting, for instance, sewage sludge in order to meet the increased demand. Owing to pelletised grain offal being easily decomposable, the biogas production will increase very quickly, thus making it possible to meet the increased demand. An example is a plant digesting sewage sludge and producing biogas which is used in local busses. On weekdays, the demand for biogas is great and therefore pelletised grain offal as well as sewage sludge is supplied to the reactor on weekdays. On the last weekday before a weekend, the supply of pelletised grain offal is stopped and the biogas production decreases quickly, typically after 4-24 h, to a low level corresponding to the biogas production that is consumed by the local busses during the weekend. Just before the end of the weekend, the supply of pelletised grain offal is started again, so that the biogas production again reaches the level which is suitable on weekdays. In this way, a plant is provided, which continuously takes care of and digests sewage sludge and which in periods with a great demand for biogas also digests pelletised grain offal. It is, of course, also possible to use other pelletised organic matters to control the biogas production. The pelletised matters are suitably such as are relatively easily decomposable so that the biogas production increases quickly after the pellets in question being added. Digestion is conveniently carried out as a continuous or semicontinuous process by means of a tank reactor which will be described in more detail below, or by means of a tube reactor which is also called plug flow reactor. At a first end of the tube reactor, dried green matter, for instance in the form of pellets, and a bacteria culture, which for instance can be present in the form of recirculated digested sludge, are introduced, digested sludge and biogas being discharged at a second end of the tube reactor, said second end being located downstream of the first end of the tube reactor. The method can also be carried out in a batch reactor. For the anaerobic digestion to function, air is not allowed to come into contact with the sludge during digestion. A reactor for use in the method according to the invention must thus be air-tight. The reactor is provided with an inlet for slurry prepared from dried and suitably ground organic matter and outlets for digested sludge and biogas, said inlet and outlets being designed so that no air can enter the reactor. Dried and suitably ground green matter is digested suitably for an average residence time of about 5-100 days, preferably about 40-60 days. A longer residence time improves the degree of digestion to some extent, but at the same time the quantity of organic matter that can be introduced into the reactor is reduced. Digestion takes place at a temperature of 30-65° C. A higher temperature usually results in quicker digestion. At the same time the heating costs increase and the time that is available for taking care of any problems in the process is reduced. Certain bacteria cultures also have a production maximum which is lower than the above-mentioned upper temperature range. It has therefore been found that a temperature in the range 36-40° C. is particularly preferred in the present invention. It is suitable to make an adjustment between residence time, temperature and degree of digestion and use the most economical combination of these factors. In digestion in a tank reactor, the dry solids content of the digested sludge in the reactor is suitably about 4-30% by weight TS, preferably about 5-10% by weight TS. In an agitated and continuously operating tank reactor, the digested sludge removed from the reactor will have essentially the same dry solids content as the digested sludge in the reactor. Supply of new slurry to the tank reactor is thus made continuously, i.e. as an even inflow, or semicontinuously, i.e. in small portions, preferably from a premixing tank. Removal of sludge from the tank reactor can be effected continuously, i.e. as an even outflow, or semicontinuously, i.e. in small portions. When starting the process, an active culture of bacteria is usually introduced into the reactor. This culture of bacteria may consist of, for instance, digested sludge from a parallel digestion plant, digested sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant or cow-dung. As the culture of bacteria grows, an increasingly greater amount of the slurry of dried, suitably pelletised and suitably ground organic matter can be supplied to the reactor. Too quick an increase of the amount of supplied organic matter is prevented by measuring at short intervals the content of volatile fatty acids in the digested sludge and ensuring that the content of volatile fatty acids is kept at a desirably low level by regulating the supply of organic matter. The method according to the invention can be carried out in a plurality of reactors connected in series. However, it is particularly advantageous to carry out the anaerobic digestion in a single step since this saves equipment and maintenance costs. Description of Preferred Embodiments FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 for producing biogas. The device 1 has a container in the form of an essentially gas-tight reactor 2. The reactor 2 has an inlet 4 for organic matter, an outlet 6 for produced biogas and an outlet 8 for formed digested sludge. An agitator 10 keeps the matter in the reactor agitated. Grain which has been dried to a dry solids content of 92% by weight TS is supplied from a storage silo (not shown) through a feed pipe 12 to a mill 14. In the mill 14, the grain is ground to an average particle size of about 1 mm. The ground grain is supplied through a feed pipe 16, which may consist of, for instance, a screw conveyor, to a premixing tank 18. The premixing tank 18, which is an open tank, has a low speed agitator 20. The agitator 20 is a scraper-type agitator and may conveniently resemble the agitators that are used in the baking industry for preparing dough. A water supply pipe 22 is arranged to supply essentially pure process water to the premixing tank 18. A control system 24 is arranged to batch feed water through the pipe 22 and ground grain through the pipe 16 to the premixing tank 18 in such proportions that a dry solids content of 35% by weight TS is obtained in the premixing tank 18. Use is suitably made of a weighing cell (not shown) which is arranged under the premixing tank 18, to control the supply of water and grain to the premixing tank 18. When a slurry of grain and water has been mixed to an even consistency in the premixing tank 18, the slurry is pumped through a pipe 26 by a pump 28 to the inlet 4 of the reactor 2 and into the reactor 2. To obtain an even liquid volume in the reactor 2, a corresponding amount of digested sludge is pumped out through the outlet 8. The reactor 2 thus is a continuously or semicontinuously operating, agitated tank reactor which contains digested sludge with a dry solids content of about 5-10% by weight TS. FIG. 2 shows a different embodiment of the invention in the form of a device 100. The device 100 has an essentially gas-tight container in the form of a reactor 102 which has an inlet 104 for organic matter, an outlet 106 for produced biogas, an outlet 108 for formed digested sludge and an agitator 110 of essentially the same design as those shown in FIG. 1. Dried and pelletised green matter is passed from a storage silo (not shown) through a feed pipe 112 to a mill 114. In the mill 114, the pellets are ground to an average particle size of about 1 mm. The ground pellets are fed through a feed pipe 116 to a premixing tank 118. The premixing tank 118, which is an essentially gas-tight container, has a low speed agitator 120. A liquid supply pipe 122 is arranged to supply, by means of a pipe 123 and a pump 125, digested sludge from the reactor 102 to the premixing tank 118. A control system 124 is arranged to batch feed digested sludge through the pipe 122 and ground pellets through the pipe 116 to the premixing tank 118 in such proportions that a dry solids content of at least 15% by weight TS is obtained in the premixing tank 118. When a slurry prepared from pellets and digested sludge has been mixed to an even consistency in the premixing tank 118, the slurry is pumped through a pipe 126 by a pump 128 to the inlet 104 of the reactor 102 and into the reactor 102. To obtain an even liquid volume in the reactor 102, a corresponding amount of digested sludge is pumped out through the outlet 108. In the premixing tank 118, a certain amount of biogas will be produced during the mixing process. A gas pipe 130 conducts this gas, which consists of a mixture of produced biogas and the air which has unintentionally been supplied through the feed pipe 116, to a biofilter (not shown) which decomposes methane and odorous gases. If it is necessary to be able to keep the dry solids content in the reactor 102 at a desirable level, pure process water can be supplied to dilute the sludge in the reactor. This process water can either be supplied to the premixing tank 118 through a pipe 132 or directly to the reactor 102 through a pipe 134. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the invention in the form of a device 200. The pumps and agitators are not shown in FIG. 3, but it will be appreciated that such components are used in essentially the same way as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The device 200 digests a mixture of cow-dung, which is supplied to a mixing tank 240 through a pipe 242, and slaughterhouse waste, which is supplied to the mixing tank 240 through a pipe 244. The mixing tank 240 is a closed tank which by means of a gas pipe 243 is vented to a biofilter (not shown) which decomposes methane and odorous gases. The mixture obtained in the mixing tank 240 is passed through a pipe 246 to a sanitation tank 248 where the mixture is heated to at least 70° C. for at least 1 h for the purpose of killing harmful bacteria. The sanitised mixture, which has a dry solids content of about 4-12% by weight TS, is passed through a pipe 250 from the sanitation tank 248 to a reactor 202, which is of a type similar to the reactor 102 as described above and thus has, among other things, an outlet 206 for produced biogas and an outlet 208 for formed digested sludge. With a view to improving the biogas production in the device 200, dried grain is fed through a feed pipe 212 to a mill 214 where the grain is ground to an average particle size of about 1 mm. The ground grain is fed through a feed pipe 216 to a premixing tank 218 which is of essentially the same type as described above regarding the premixing tank 218. A liquid supply pipe 222 is arranged to feed digested sludge from the reactor 202 to the premixing tank 218. A control system 224 is arranged to batch feed digested sludge through the pipe 222 and ground grain through the pipe 216 to the premixing tank 218 in such proportions that a dry solids content of 35% by weight TS is obtained in the premixing tank 218. When a slurry prepared from grain and digested sludge has been mixed to an even consistency in the premixing tank 218, the slurry is pumped from the premixing tank 218 to the reactor 202 through an inlet 204. A gas pipe 230 conducts gas, which is generated in the mixing in the premixing tank 218, to a biofilter (not shown) which decomposes methane and odorous gases. FIG. 4 shows schematically a fourth embodiment of the invention in the form of a device 300. The pumps and the agitators are not shown in FIG. 4, but it will be appreciated that such components are used in essentially the same way as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The device 300 digests cow-dung and meat waste. The cow-dung and the meat waste are fed through a pipe 322 and a pipe 323, respectively, to an essentially gas-tight tank 318 and are mixed. With a view to improving the biogas production in the device 300, dried and pelletised green matter is fed through a feed pipe 312 to a mill 314 where the pellets are ground to an average particle size of about 1 mm. The ground pellets are fed through a feed pipe 316 to the tank 318, which in the device 300 thus is used as premixing tank and is of essentially the same type as described above regarding the premixing tank 118. A certain amount of biogas will be produced in the premixing tank 318 in the mixing process. A gas pipe 330 conducts gas, which consists of a mixture of produced biogas, air unintentionally supplied through the feed pipe 316 and gases generated by the cow-dung and the meat waste, from the tank 318 to a biofilter (not shown) which decomposes methane and odorous gases. A control system 324 is arranged to batch feed cow-dung and meat waste through the pipes 322, 323 and ground pellets through the pipe 316 to the premixing tank 318 in such proportions that a dry solids content of at least 15% by weight TS is obtained in the premixing tank 318. When ground pellets, cow-dung and meat waste have been mixed to a slurry with an even consistency in the premixing tank 318, this slurry is pumped from the premixing tank 318 through a pipe 326 to a sanitation tank 348 where the slurry is heated to at least 70° C. for at least 1 h for the purpose of killing the harmful bacteria that may exist in the slaughterhouse waste. The sanitised slurry is pumped from the sanitation tank 348 through an inlet 304 into a reactor 302 which is of a type similar to the reactor 2 as described above and thus has, inter alia, an outlet 306 for produced biogas and an outlet 308 for formed digested sludge. It will be appreciated that many variations of the embodiments described above are feasible within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. EXAMPLE 1 In a digestion experiment involving grain, an experimental device 400 which is shown in FIG. 5 was used, said device 400 having a gas-tight glass reactor 402 with a volume of 5 l. The liquid volume in the reactor 402 was kept constant at 3 l. A propeller agitator 410 (with a speed of 300 rpm) was used to achieve complete agitation in the reactor 402. A pipe 406 passed generated gas from the reactor 402 to a gas meter 412 measuring the volume of generated gas. A tight glass feed-through 404 was used for batch supply of grain and intermittent removal of formed digested sludge. A tempered space (not shown) was used to keep the temperature in the glass reactor 402 at 37° C. When starting the experiment, 3 l of digested sludge from a full-scale digestion plant was introduced into the reactor 402. The sludge that was digested in the full-scale plant was of the origin that is evident from Table 1. TABLE 1 Origin of materials in full-scale plant. Unit by volume Supplied product % by volume Cow-dung 5.4 Slaughterhouse waste 72.7 Others* 21.9 Total: 100 *“Others” includes above all waste from food production and waste from large-scale kitchens. When starting the experiment, the reactor 402 thus contained active digested sludge including an active culture of biogas-producing bacteria. 10 g grain was charged to the reactor 402 daily. The grain consisted of 50% rye and 50% wheat and was present in the form of whole and screened grains. The grain was ground in a laboratory mill of the type Retsch Mühl type SR2 delivered by Retsch GmbH, DE, to a particle size of about 1 mm. The dry solids content of the ground grain was 91.6% by weight TS and the volatile solids content was 96.7% by weight VS. Thus, each day 8.68 g of volatile solids was charged, which corresponded to about 3 g of volatile solids per litre of reactor liquid and day. The ground grain was mixed with 18 ml water to a substrate mixture with a dry solids content of 35% by weight TS and a volume of 25 ml. For practical reasons, it was necessary to dilute the substrate mixture with digested sludge to be able to introduce it into the reactor 402 through the tight glass feed-through 404 by means of a syringe. For this reason, 100 ml digested sludge was removed daily. 75 ml of this digested sludge was mixed with the substrate mixture and introduced together with the substrate mixture into the reactor 402. The remaining 25 ml of the digested sludge was rejected to keep the volume in the reactor 402 constant. The residence time in the reactor thus was 120 days with the charging stated above. FIG. 6 shows the production of biogas in the unit Nm3 of gas per added tonne of volatile solids and day as a function of the number of days after start. As appears from FIG. 6, the production is first somewhat irregular. From day 50, the system is balanced. As appears from FIG. 6, the average production of biogas from day 50 to day 70 is about 700 Nm3 of biogas per tonne of volatile solids and day, “Nm3” relating to m3 of gas at 0° C. and 1.013*105 Pa and “tonne of volatile solids per day” relating to the amount of volatile solids that is charged daily. Calculated on the charged grain, the average production was 616 Nm3 of biogas per tonne of grain and day. Calculated on the dry solids content of charged grain, the average production was 673 Nm3 of biogas per tonne of dry solids and day. The produced biogas was collected at regular intervals and analysed with respect to methane content. In stable production, the methane content was 49-51%. FIG. 6 also shows the pH of the reactor liquid in the experiment. Except for certain disturbances, the pH was relatively stable in the range 7.3-7.5. The removed digested sludge had a dry solids content of 6.6% by weight TS and a volatile solids content of 89.4% by weight VS, corresponding to a degree of digestion of 83%. FIG. 7 shows the content of volatile fatty acids in the digested sludge as a function of the number of days from start. As is evident, the contents of the various fatty acids vary considerably during the first 50 days of the experiment. In days 50-70, the contents are stabilised. This may be explained by the fact that it takes time for the culture of bacteria, originating from digestion of essentially animal waste, to adapt to the grain. There was also some experiment-related problems at the beginning of the experiment. Round day 70, the contents of all fatty acids are low, indicating that the digestion process is efficient and operates in a stable manner. EXAMPLE 2 A device 400 of the type described above was used for the experiment. At the start of the experiment, 3 l of digested sludge was charged from the above-mentioned full-scale plant. The origin of the digested sludge is thus evident from Table 1 above. The substrate that was supplied to the reactor 402 consisted of grain and pasture plants. The grain consisted of 50% rye and 50% wheat and was present in the form of whole and screened grains. The grain was ground in the above-mentioned laboratory mill to a particle size of about 1 mm. The dry solids content of the ground grain was 91.6% by weight TS and the volatile solids content was 96.7% by weight VS. The pasture plants consisted of a mixture of clover and grass and had a dry solids content of 30.8% by weight TS and a volatile solids content of 92.2% by weight VS. Four days a week, only ground grain was supplied to the reactor 402. The supply of grain amounted to 11.1 g, corresponding to 10 g of volatile solids. The supply of grain was carried out by mixing grain and water to a dry solids content of 35% by weight TS similarly to the way described in Example 1. The remaining three days a week, both grain and pasture plants were added as follows: 300 ml digested sludge was removed from the reactor 402 and mixed for about 1 min with 25 g pasture plants, corresponding to 7 g of volatile solids, in a food processor. 3.3 g ground grain, corresponding to about 3 g of volatile solids, was mixed with 6 ml water to a mixture with a dry solids content of 35% by weight TS. This mixture of grain was added to the mixture of pasture plants in the food processor, after which the entire mixture was introduced into the reactor 402 through the glass feed-through 404. A certain amount of digested sludge, about 20 ml, was removed and rejected each day to keep the volume in the reactor constant. Calculated as an average during the entire experiment, thus 10 g of volatile solids was added per day, corresponding to 3.3 g of volatile solids per litre of reactor liquid and day, of which 7 g of volatile solids per day was grain and 3 g of volatile solids per day was pasture plants. The residence time in the reactor 402 was about 150 days. FIG. 8 shows the production of biogas per day in the unit Nm3 of biogas per added tonne of volatile solids and day as a function of the number of days after start. As appears from FIG. 8, the system has still not after 40 days been stabilised. However, it may be read from FIG. 8 that the average production of biogas from day 32 to day 39 was about 561 Nm3 biogas per tonne of volatile solids and day. Calculated on the charged grain and pasture plants, the average production was 505 Nm3 of biogas per tonne of grain+pasture plants and day. Calculated on the dry solids content of the charged grain and pasture plants, the average production was 541 Nm3 biogas per tonne of dry solids and day. The produced biogas was collected at regular intervals and analysed with respect to methane content. At the end of the experiment, the methane content was 50-51%. FIG. 8 also shows the pH of the reactor liquid during the experiment. Except for certain disturbances, the pH was relatively stable in the range 7.5-7.8. The removed digested sludge had a dry solids content of 6.3% by weight TS and a volatile solids content of 83.9% by weight VS. The contents of volatile fatty acids were approximately the same as in Example 1, although stability had still not been achieved after 40 days. As is evident from the results in Example 2, also such a moderate addition as 30% (calculated on the charged amount of volatile solids per day) of non-dried pasture plants strongly deteriorates the gas production in the reactor compared with the case involving digestion of grain only, like in Example 1. This may be caused by the fact that the removal of as much as 300 ml digested sludge to be mixed with pasture plants in the food processor had interfered with the process in the reactor. EXAMPLE 3 A device 400 of the type as described above was used for the experiment. At the start of the experiment, 3 l of digested sludge from the above-mentioned full-scale plant was charged. The origin of the digested sludge is thus apparent from the Table 1 above. Each day, 10 g of pelletised grain offal was charged to the reactor 402. The grain offal essentially consisted of husks, stems and rejected grains. The grain offal had first been dried in an oven and then pelletised in a pelletising machine. The pellets were ground in the above-mentioned laboratory mill to a particle size of about 1 mm. The dry solids content of the ground pellets was 88.6% by weight TS and the volatile solids content was 96.5% by weight VS. Thus, each day 8.55 g of volatile solids was charged, corresponding to barely 3 g of volatile solids per litre of reactor liquid and day. The ground pellets were mixed with 18 ml of water to a substrate mixture with a dry solids content of 35% by weight TS and a volume of 25 ml. For practical reasons, it was necessary to dilute the substrate mixture to be able to introduce it into the tight glass feed-through 404 by means of a syringe. For this reason, 100 ml digested sludge per day was removed. 75 ml of this digested sludge was mixed with the substrate mixture and introduced together with the substrate mixture into the reactor 402. The remaining 25 ml of the digested sludge was rejected to keep the volume in the reactor 402 constant. The residence time in the reactor was 120 days with the above-described charging. FIG. 9 shows the production of biogas per day in the unit Nm3 of biogas per added tonne of volatile solids as a function of the number of days after start. As appears from FIG. 9, the production was first somewhat irregular. From day 50, the production became stable. As appears from FIG. 9, the average production of biogas is from day 50 to day 70 about 722 Nm3 of biogas per tonne of volatile solids and day. Calculated on the charged pellets, the average production was 616 Nm3 of biogas per tonne of pellets and day. Calculated on the dry solids content of charged pellets, the average production was 697 Nm3 of biogas per tonne of dry solids and day. The produced biogas was collected at regular intervals and analysed with respect to methane content. In stable gas production, the methane content was 51-53%. FIG. 9 also shows the pH of the reactor liquid during the experiment. Except for certain disturbances, the pH was relatively stable in the range 7.5-7.7. The removed digested sludge had a dry solids content of 6.8% by weight TS and a volatile solids content of 85.9% by weight VS. The contents of fatty acids were generally lower than in Example 1, which emphasises that the operation in the experiment was very stable. Thus, it is evident from FIG. 9 that the production of biogas was essentially as great as in Example 1. In Table 2 below, the production of biogas in the three experiments has been compiled. As is evident, a considerably lower gas production was achieved in the experiment in Example 2, where pasture plants were added, than in the experiments in Examples 1 and 3. TABLE 2 Compilation of the results of the experiments Biogas production Nm3 biogas/tonne of volatile solids and Example Substrate day 1 Grain 700 2 Grain + pasture plants 561 3 Pelletised grain 722 offal It has been found in the experiments that the substrate mixtures prepared from ground grain and pelletised grain offal, respectively, and with a dry solids content of 35% by weight TS were definitely pumpable although they could not be injected into the glass reactor 402 by means of a syringe. Pumpable substrate mixtures with a dry solids content of up to 42% by weight TS could be provided by means of ground grain.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Digestion of organic waste is utilised in a plurality of processes for reducing volumes of waste and simultaneously producing biogas. In digestion, the organic waste is mixed with a culture of bacteria and is then digested under anaerobic conditions. In digestion, the organic waste is decomposed, thus producing biogas, which essentially consists of methane and carbon dioxide, and digested sludge. U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,374 in the name of Cohen discloses a method of digesting organic waste in two steps. The solid organic waste is ground in such a manner that 80% has a particle size of 0.25-1.5 mm. Hydrolysis/acidification takes place in a first step. The liquid from the first step is separated and supplied to a second step where the main production of methane takes place. U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,159 in the name of Kanai discloses a method of digesting organic waste matter with a certain ratio of carbon to nitrogen. The organic waste matter is ground to a juice-like liquid and is then mixed with a bacteria-containing sludge in a tank. Then the digestion is allowed to proceed in the tank without agitation for about 5-7 days. It is a disadvantage in the above processes that the production of biogas is inefficient and that the biogas therefore will be expensive.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>An object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing biogas, in which method the above drawbacks are eliminated or significantly reduced, and thus to provide a method of producing biogas in a more efficient way. More specifically, the invention provides a method of producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic matter, which method is characterised by drying organic matter to a dry solids content of at least 50% by weight TS and subsequently pelletising the same, mixing the pelletised organic matter with a liquid to form a slurry, contacting the slurry with biogas-producing bacteria for digestion under anaerobic conditions in a reactor, and digesting the slurry while generating biogas. The invention also relates to a device for producing biogas by anaerobic digestion of organic matter, said device comprising a sealable, essentially gas-tight reactor having an inlet for organic matter and outlets for produced biogas and formed digested sludge, which device is characterised in that it comprises a premixing tank for mixing organic matter dried to a dry solids content of at least 50% by weight TS and pelletised, with a liquid to a slurry, and a feed pipe for feeding the slurry to the reactor. Further advantages and features of the invention will be evident from the following description and the appended claims.

20050811

20110419

20060112

75253.0

C02F300

SRIVASTAVA, KAILASH C

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCTION OF BIOGAS FROM AN ORGANIC MATERIAL

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

C02F

ACCEPTED

Image display device

To provide an image display device of the type used while worn on the head without giving a strange impression when used in everyday life. An image display device 1 includes a main body 10 that can be worn on the head of a user, and a display unit 20 for displaying a predetermined image in such a manner that the image is blurred or beyond the vision of the user when the user wearing the main body 10 on his or her head looks straight ahead, and that the user gets a clear vision of the image when the user moves his or her eyes away. The display unit 20 are a pair of display units for the right and left eyes which are provided on or in the main body 10 at a position that cannot be seen from anyone other than the user.

1. An image display device comprising: a main body that can be worn on the head of a user; and display means for displaying a predetermined image in such a manner that said image is blurred or beyond the vision of said user when said user wearing said main body on his or her head looks straight ahead, and that said user gets a clear vision of said image when said user moves his or her straight-looking eyes away; said display means being provided on or in said main body at a position that cannot be seen from anyone other than said user. 2. The image display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main body is provided in the shape of a glasses frame, at least a part of said frame being positioned in such a manner that said part is not very clearly visible for said user when said user wearing said main body on his or her head looks straight ahead, said display means being provided on or in said part of said frame. 3. The image display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main body comprises: an elongated front unit that is placed in front of the eyes of said user along the direction parallel to a line connecting the right and left eyes when said main body is worn on the head of said user; and a fixing unit for use in mounting said front unit on the head of said user; said display means being provided on or in said front unit. 4. The image display device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said front unit is in the shape of a rod or a thin, narrow plate. 5. The image display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display means has a light source, liquid crystal display means that uses said light source for the backlight thereof and an optical system to guide an image produced by said liquid crystal display means to the outside of said main body, all of which are contained within said main body. 6. The image display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main body comprises means for receiving an image signal by wire or wireless to display an image from outside, said display means being adapted to display an image from said image signal received by said means. 7. The image display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display means is a pair of display means that are provided on or in said main body in one to one correspondence with the right and left eyes of said user. 8. The image display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said display means is configured in such a manner that said user gets a clear vision of said images to be displayed only when said user wearing said main body on his or her head moves his or her straight-looking eyes down. 9. An image display device comprising a main body in the shape of a glasses frame and display means that is provided on or in said main body to present an image to a user; said display means having: a light source, liquid crystal display means that uses said light source for the backlight thereof, a reflecting mirror to guide an image produced by said liquid crystal display means to the outside of said main body and an ocular lens for directing said image to said user, all of which are contained within said main body; said ocular lens being not very clearly visible for said user when said user wearing said main body looks straight ahead, which becomes clearly visible only when said user moves his or her straight-looking eyes away, said ocular lens being provided at a position that cannot be seen from anyone other than said user. 10. An image display device comprising a main body having an elongated front unit and a fixing unit for use in mounting said front unit on the head of said user, and display means that is provided on or in said main body to present an image to said user; said display means having: a light source, liquid crystal display means that uses said light source for the backlight thereof, a reflecting mirror to guide an image produced by said liquid crystal display means to the outside of said main body and an ocular lens for directing said image to said user, all of which are contained within said main body, said front unit being placed in front of the eyes of said user along the direction parallel to a line connecting the right and left eyes when said main body is worn on the head of said user; said ocular lens being not very clearly visible for said user when said user wearing said main body looks straight ahead, which becomes clearly visible only when said user moves his or her straight-looking eyes away, said ocular lens being provided at a position that cannot be seen from anyone other than said user.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a small image display device that can be used while worn on the head. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Head mounted displays (HMDs), which are used while worn on the head to place a video screen in front of each eye of the user, find applications in various fields including the field of virtual reality. Typical HMDs are designed in the shape of a frame of goggles or large glasses that block but outside light and force the user to see only the HMD's pictures. With an HMD used, the user can view images irrespective of the direction he or she faces but then again it gives the user visual isolation from the surrounding environment. In recent years, small image display devices have been proposed that allow users to view images along with the surrounding environment by means of presenting the images in a certain part of the field of vision. Such image display devices are not designed for image presentation only. Instead, the main purpose of it is to aid the everyday life. Images that are displayed are letters and numeric characters unlike the conventional HMDs. For example, Japanese patent laid-open document (JP-A-7-209600) proposes an image display device having a liquid crystal display (LCD), a reflecting mirror, an ocular lens and other components contained within a single housing which is attached to a glasses or sunglasses frame. The housing is placed on top of either right or left lens of the glasses over the outside surface of it. An image that is displayed on the LCD is directed to one eye of the user in a diagonal down direction through the reflecting mirror, the ocular lens, and the lens of the glasses. The image display device disclosed in the aforementioned reference is designed so that it is attached to the glasses, which spoils its appearance. Therefore, the use of an image display device as above in everyday life gives a strong impression of something strange to those around the user. An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device of the type used while worn on the head without giving a strange impression when used in everyday life. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An image display device that solves the aforementioned problem comprises a main body that can be worn on the head of a user, and display means for displaying a predetermined image in such a manner that said image is blurred or beyond the vision of said user when said user wearing said main body on his or her head looks straight ahead, and that said user gets a clear vision of said image when said user moves his or her straight-looking eyes away, said display means being provided on or in said main body at a position that cannot be seen from anyone other than said user. Such an image display device has the display means that cannot be seen from anyone other than the user. Therefore, no one is aware of the display means and accordingly no one feels a strange impression when said image display device is used in everyday life. For example, said main body may be provided in the shape of a glasses frame. At least a part of said frame is positioned in such a manner that said part is not very clearly visible for said user when said user wearing said main body on his or her head looks straight ahead. Said display means is provided on or in said part of said frame. The image display device does not look any different from conventional glasses, giving no strange impression in everyday life. Alternatively, said main body may comprise an elongated front unit that is placed in front of the eyes of said user along the direction parallel to a line connecting the right and left eyes when said main body is worn on the head of said user, and a fixing unit for use in mounting said front unit on the head of said user. In this case, said display means is provided on or in said front unit. Such a main body may be hard to fit into our everyday life as compared with a main body having the shape of a glasses frame. However, it has a simple structure and is designed well. The front unit in this case may be, for example, in the shape of a rod or a thin, narrow plate. The front unit may have a diameter of about 10 mm to 30 mm when shaped as a rod. The front unit may have a width of about 10 mm to 50 mm when shaped as a thin, narrow plate. The diameter of the rod-shaped front unit and the width of the plate-shaped front unit are not required to have a same dimension along the length thereof. The front unit may be deformed more or less in the up and down directions with respect to the face of the user. Alternatively, it may be deformed more or less in the right and left directions with respect to the face of the user. The display means may have various configurations. As an example, said display means has a light source, liquid crystal display means that uses said light source for the backlight thereof and an optical system to guide an image produced by said liquid crystal display means to the outside of said main body, all of which are contained within said main body. The image display device may be downsized by using said main body for receiving an image signal by wire or wireless to display an image from outside and by using said display means for displaying an image from said image signal received by said means. An example of the image signal includes a video signal and an RGB signal. Said display means may be a pair of display means that are provided on or in said main body in one to one correspondence with the right and left eyes of said user. Since these display means provide images at a position or positions close to the eyes of the user when worn, the display means corresponding to the respective eyes allow easy production of sophisticated images such as three-dimensional images. Said display means may be configured in such a manner that said user gets a clear vision of said images to be displayed only when said user wearing said main body on his or her head moves his or her straight-looking eyes down. This configuration allows the user to watch his or her step while viewing said images displayed by the display means. This makes mobile use of said image display device easy. Another image display device of the present invention may comprise a main body in the shape of a glasses frame and display means that is provided on or in said main body to present an image to a user, said display means having a light source, liquid crystal display means that uses said light source for the backlight thereof, a reflecting mirror to guide an image produced by said liquid crystal display means to the outside of said main body and an ocular lens for directing said image to said user, all of which are contained within said main body, said ocular lens being not very clearly visible for said user when said user wearing said main body looks straight ahead, which becomes clearly visible only when said user moves his or her straight-looking eyes away, said ocular lens being provided at a position that cannot be seen from anyone other than said user. Another image display device of the present invention may comprise a main body having an elongated front unit and a fixing unit for use in mounting said front unit on the head of said user, and display means that is provided on or in said main body to present an image to said user, said display means having a light source, liquid crystal display means that uses said light source for the backlight thereof, a reflecting mirror to guide an image produced by said liquid crystal display means to the outside of said main body and an ocular lens for directing said image to said user, all of which are contained within said main body, said front unit being placed in front of the eyes of said user along the direction parallel to a line connecting the right and left eyes when said main body is worn on the head of said user, said ocular lens being not very clearly visible for said user when said user wearing said main body looks straight ahead, which becomes clearly visible only when said user moves his or her straight-looking eyes away, said ocular lens being provided at a position that cannot be seen from anyone other than said user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view showing the whole of an image display device according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a view showing details of a display unit; FIG. 3A is a view showing the state that a user wearing the image display device looks straight ahead, whereas FIG. 3B is a view showing the state that the user looks at the display unit; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an image display device according to a first modification; FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing the state that the user is wearing the image display device in FIG. 4 on his or her head; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an image display device according to a second modification; and FIG. 7 is a side view schematically showing the state that the user is wearing the image display device in FIG. 6 on his or her head. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawing. FIG. 1 is an outline view of an image display device 1 of the present invention. The image display device 1 comprises a main body 10 in the shape of a glasses frame and display units 20 for displaying an image. The image display device 1 is a device that receives an image signal, such as a video signal or an RGB signal, by wire or wireless from an image processor which is not shown, to produce images from the image signal on the display units 20. The main body 10 is designed in such a manner that the user can wear the image display device 1 on his or her head. The main body 10 comprises temples 11 which fit over the user's ears to keep the image display device 1 on when the user wears it on his or her head, and a frame 13 on which or in which the display units 20 are provided. The frame 13 can be fitted around lenses 14 as in normal glasses or sunglasses. Nose pads 15 are attached to the frame 13 in order for the image display device 1 to rest stably while worn by the user. The main body 10 has an audio output device 12, such as a speaker or an earphone, through which sound comes out for the user. The audio output device 12 is integrally provided in the temple 11. Since the audio output device 12 rests close to the user's ear(s) when the user wears the image display device 1, the output sound which comes out through the audio output device 12 is not required to be so loud. While not illustrated in the drawing, the main body 10 has a cable or an antenna to receive image signals from the image processor by wire or wireless. The received image signal is supplied to the display units 20. Simultaneous reception of the sound which comes out through the audio output device 12 and the image signal from the image processor achieves easier synchronization between the image and sound. The display units 20 are provided on or in the frame 13 of the main body 10. Each display unit 20 is designed as shown in FIG. 2. The display unit 20 comprises a light source 21, a liquid crystal display 22 and reflecting mirrors 23 and 24, all of which are contained within the frame 13. An ocular lens 25 is also provided on or in the frame 13. The liquid crystal display 22 uses the light source 21 for the backlight thereof. It produces images from the image signal received by the main body 10. The image produced by the light source 21 and the liquid crystal display 22 is guided to the outside of the frame 13 through the optical system consisting of the reflecting mirrors 23 and 24 and the ocular lens 25. The ocular lenses 25 are provided on or in the frame 13. When the user wearing the image display device 1 looks straight ahead, the images from the ocular lenses 25 are blurred or beyond the vision of the user (FIG. 3A). In the case of this embodiment, the user should move his or her eyes down to look at lower portions of the frame 13 in order to view the images from the ocular lenses 25 (FIG. 3B). The position of each ocular lens 25 is not limited to the aforementioned one. They may be provided at upper or side portions of the frame 13. In any cases, the images from the ocular lenses 25 are invisible from the user when the user looks straight ahead. It can be visible only when the user moves his or her eyes to the direction of the ocular lenses 25. The ocular lenses 25 are provided on or in the frame 13 on the side facing to the user in such a manner that only this particular user can see them while he or she is wearing the image display device 1. Thus, anyone other than the user cannot see the ocular lenses 25. As apparent from the above, all the components of the display units 20 except for the ocular lenses 25 are housed within the frame 13. The ocular lenses 25 are provided at a hidden position that is invisible from anyone other than the user. Thus, no one other than the user will be aware of the display units 20. The image display device 1 gives no strange impression to others when used even in everyday life. The image display device 1 as described above can be used as in the case of ordinary glasses. More specifically, the images displayed on the display units 20 do not catch the user's eyes while the user wearing the image display device 1 looks straight ahead. Therefore, the same usability as ordinary glasses or sunglasses is available. The user becomes aware of the images only when he or she moves his or her eyes to the ocular lenses 25. <<First Modification>> The image display device 1 may by modified as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an image display device 1X according to a first modification. FIG. 5 is a side view showing how the image display device 1X is used. Similar reference numerals in FIGS. 4 and 5 to those used in FIGS. 1 to 3 represent similar components and parts to those shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Repeated description will be omitted. Details of the image display device 1X shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are essentially the same as those of the image display device 1 described in the aforementioned embodiment. The difference of the image display device 1X from the image display device 1 lies in their structure: the main body 10 of the image display device 1 is designed like a glasses frame having the temples 11 and the frame 13 whereas the main body 10 of the image display device 1X has temples 11 and a front unit 16. The front unit 16 of the image display device 1X has an elongated shape, more specifically, a shape of a thin, narrow plate. The front unit 16 is provided with display units 20 (20R, 20L) similar to those of the image display device 1. The display units 20 are placed on the backside (on the side fronting onto the user's face when the main body 10 is mounted on the user's head) of the front unit 16 in the shape of a thin, narrow plate. In addition, while not necessarily being required, the display units 20 of this embodiment are attached to the front unit 16 in such a manner that they are beyond the beholder's vision when the user wearing the main body 10 on his or her head is seen from an anterior view. The width of the front unit 16 is, but not limited to, 15 millimeters. Each of the display units 20R and 20L in this modification 1 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with one surface opened to the air. They can be attached to the backside of the front unit 16 by means of fitting them into respective hollow sockets 17 (sockets 17R and 17L for the right and left eyes, respectively) formed on or in the backside of the front unit 16. FIG. 5 is a side view schematically showing the state that the user is wearing the image display device 1X on his or her head. As apparent from FIG. 5, the display units 20 of the image display device 1X are attached to the front unit 16 at an angle that allows the user to see the images produced by them when the user moves his or her eyes down. The front unit 16 is located slightly below the eyes of the user when the user wears the main body unit 10 on his or her head so that the user can see the images produced by the display units 20 when the user moves his or her eyes down. Details of the display units 20 are the same as that of the image display device 1. In this embodiment, the right eye can catch the image displayed on the display unit 20R for the right eye whereas the left eye can catch the image displayed on the display unit 20L for the left eye when the user looks down at an angle of, but not limited to, 45 degrees with his or her head facing the front (see FIG. 5). This angle is preferably at least 20 degrees in order to give a forward field of vision of the user during the time when the user does not look at the images displayed on the display units 20R and 20L. The aforementioned angle is preferably not larger than 70 degrees because an unduly large angle prevents the user's easy seeing of the images displayed on the display units 20R and 20L. The sockets 17R and 17L are fixed to the front unit 16 at such an angle that the user can look at the display units 20R and 20L over the aforementioned range of angles. <<Second Modification>> Another modification (second modification) of the image display device 1 is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Similar reference numerals in FIGS. 6 and 7 to those used in FIGS. 4 and 5 represent similar components and parts to those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Repeated description will be omitted. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an image display device 1Y according to a second modification. FIG. 7 is a side view schematically showing the state that the user is wearing the image display device 1Y on his or her head. Most of the details of the image display device 1Y shown in FIG. 6 are the same as those of the image display device 1X. The difference between them lies in the shape of their front unit 16. The front unit 16 of the image display device 1X according to the first modification has a shape of a thin, narrow plate whereas the front unit 16 of the image display device 1Y according to the second modification has a shape of a rod with a generally circular cross section in this embodiment. The diameter of the front unit 16 is, but not limited to, 13 millimeters. In the image display device 1Y, the front unit 16 is provided with the display units 20 (20R, 20L). The display units 20 are placed on the backside (on the side fronting onto the user's face when the main body 10 is mounted on the user's head) of the front unit 16, as in the case of the image display device 1X. In addition, while not necessarily being required, the display units 20 of this embodiment are attached to the front unit 16 in such a manner that they are beyond the beholder's vision when the user wearing the main body 10 on his or her head is seen from an anterior view. In this embodiment, depressions 16A are formed in the backside of the rod-shaped front unit 16 at positions corresponding to the right and left eyes of the user (see FIG. 6). The display units 20 are fitted into the respective depressions, which makes the beholder difficult to see the display units 20 when the user wearing the main body 10 on his or her head is seen from an anterior view. As apparent from FIG. 7, the display units 20 of the image display device 1Y are attached to the front unit 16 at an angle that allows the user to see the images produced by them when the user moves his or her eyes down. The front unit 16 is located slightly below the eyes of the user when the user wears the main body unit 10 on his or her head so that the user can see the images produced by the display units 20 when the user moves his or her eyes down. In this embodiment, the right eye can catch the image displayed on the display unit 20R for the right eye whereas the left eye can catch the image displayed on the display unit 20L for the left eye when the user looks down at an angle of, but not limited to, 45 degrees with his or her head facing the front (see FIG. 7). This angle is preferably at least 20 degrees in order to give a forward field of vision of the user during the time when the user does not look at the images displayed on the display units 20R and 20L. The aforementioned angle is preferably not larger than 70 degrees because an unduly large angle prevents the user Is easy seeing of the images displayed on the display units 20R and 20L. The depressions 16A are formed in the front unit 16 at such an angle that the user can look at the display units 20R and 20L over the aforementioned range of angles.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Head mounted displays (HMDs), which are used while worn on the head to place a video screen in front of each eye of the user, find applications in various fields including the field of virtual reality. Typical HMDs are designed in the shape of a frame of goggles or large glasses that block but outside light and force the user to see only the HMD's pictures. With an HMD used, the user can view images irrespective of the direction he or she faces but then again it gives the user visual isolation from the surrounding environment. In recent years, small image display devices have been proposed that allow users to view images along with the surrounding environment by means of presenting the images in a certain part of the field of vision. Such image display devices are not designed for image presentation only. Instead, the main purpose of it is to aid the everyday life. Images that are displayed are letters and numeric characters unlike the conventional HMDs. For example, Japanese patent laid-open document (JP-A-7-209600) proposes an image display device having a liquid crystal display (LCD), a reflecting mirror, an ocular lens and other components contained within a single housing which is attached to a glasses or sunglasses frame. The housing is placed on top of either right or left lens of the glasses over the outside surface of it. An image that is displayed on the LCD is directed to one eye of the user in a diagonal down direction through the reflecting mirror, the ocular lens, and the lens of the glasses. The image display device disclosed in the aforementioned reference is designed so that it is attached to the glasses, which spoils its appearance. Therefore, the use of an image display device as above in everyday life gives a strong impression of something strange to those around the user. An object of the present invention is to provide an image display device of the type used while worn on the head without giving a strange impression when used in everyday life.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>An image display device that solves the aforementioned problem comprises a main body that can be worn on the head of a user, and display means for displaying a predetermined image in such a manner that said image is blurred or beyond the vision of said user when said user wearing said main body on his or her head looks straight ahead, and that said user gets a clear vision of said image when said user moves his or her straight-looking eyes away, said display means being provided on or in said main body at a position that cannot be seen from anyone other than said user. Such an image display device has the display means that cannot be seen from anyone other than the user. Therefore, no one is aware of the display means and accordingly no one feels a strange impression when said image display device is used in everyday life. For example, said main body may be provided in the shape of a glasses frame. At least a part of said frame is positioned in such a manner that said part is not very clearly visible for said user when said user wearing said main body on his or her head looks straight ahead. Said display means is provided on or in said part of said frame. The image display device does not look any different from conventional glasses, giving no strange impression in everyday life. Alternatively, said main body may comprise an elongated front unit that is placed in front of the eyes of said user along the direction parallel to a line connecting the right and left eyes when said main body is worn on the head of said user, and a fixing unit for use in mounting said front unit on the head of said user. In this case, said display means is provided on or in said front unit. Such a main body may be hard to fit into our everyday life as compared with a main body having the shape of a glasses frame. However, it has a simple structure and is designed well. The front unit in this case may be, for example, in the shape of a rod or a thin, narrow plate. The front unit may have a diameter of about 10 mm to 30 mm when shaped as a rod. The front unit may have a width of about 10 mm to 50 mm when shaped as a thin, narrow plate. The diameter of the rod-shaped front unit and the width of the plate-shaped front unit are not required to have a same dimension along the length thereof. The front unit may be deformed more or less in the up and down directions with respect to the face of the user. Alternatively, it may be deformed more or less in the right and left directions with respect to the face of the user. The display means may have various configurations. As an example, said display means has a light source, liquid crystal display means that uses said light source for the backlight thereof and an optical system to guide an image produced by said liquid crystal display means to the outside of said main body, all of which are contained within said main body. The image display device may be downsized by using said main body for receiving an image signal by wire or wireless to display an image from outside and by using said display means for displaying an image from said image signal received by said means. An example of the image signal includes a video signal and an RGB signal. Said display means may be a pair of display means that are provided on or in said main body in one to one correspondence with the right and left eyes of said user. Since these display means provide images at a position or positions close to the eyes of the user when worn, the display means corresponding to the respective eyes allow easy production of sophisticated images such as three-dimensional images. Said display means may be configured in such a manner that said user gets a clear vision of said images to be displayed only when said user wearing said main body on his or her head moves his or her straight-looking eyes down. This configuration allows the user to watch his or her step while viewing said images displayed by the display means. This makes mobile use of said image display device easy. Another image display device of the present invention may comprise a main body in the shape of a glasses frame and display means that is provided on or in said main body to present an image to a user, said display means having a light source, liquid crystal display means that uses said light source for the backlight thereof, a reflecting mirror to guide an image produced by said liquid crystal display means to the outside of said main body and an ocular lens for directing said image to said user, all of which are contained within said main body, said ocular lens being not very clearly visible for said user when said user wearing said main body looks straight ahead, which becomes clearly visible only when said user moves his or her straight-looking eyes away, said ocular lens being provided at a position that cannot be seen from anyone other than said user. Another image display device of the present invention may comprise a main body having an elongated front unit and a fixing unit for use in mounting said front unit on the head of said user, and display means that is provided on or in said main body to present an image to said user, said display means having a light source, liquid crystal display means that uses said light source for the backlight thereof, a reflecting mirror to guide an image produced by said liquid crystal display means to the outside of said main body and an ocular lens for directing said image to said user, all of which are contained within said main body, said front unit being placed in front of the eyes of said user along the direction parallel to a line connecting the right and left eyes when said main body is worn on the head of said user, said ocular lens being not very clearly visible for said user when said user wearing said main body looks straight ahead, which becomes clearly visible only when said user moves his or her straight-looking eyes away, said ocular lens being provided at a position that cannot be seen from anyone other than said user.

20050210

20061010

20051117

59616.0

SCHWARTZ, JORDAN MARC

IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE

SMALL

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Method for the production of indiviual monolithically integrated semiconductor circuits

A method for the production of individual integrated circuit arrangements from a wafer composite is disclosed, whereby the wafer is fixed with the component side (FS) on a support, the individual circuit arrangements (21) are separated on the support body by the etching of separating trenches (27) and individually lifted from the support body. The semiconductor substrate (20) is reduced in thickness during the fixing of the wafer to the support body, preferably to a substrate thickness of less than 100 μm. A reverse face metallization (31) is deposited on the back face (RS) of the thinned substrate, preferably after separation of the circuit arrangements on the support body.

1. Method for the production of individual monolithically integrated semiconductor circuits, which have a component structure on the front face of a substrate that has been reduced in thickness, and a metallized substrate back face, as well as electrical connections between the metallic substrate back face and conductive surfaces on the front face, by way of passage holes through the substrate, from a wafer containing a plurality of separate component structures, wherein a) the wafer is attached to a rigid carrier after completion of the front face component structures, with the front face surface, by means of an attachment layer, over its entire area, b) the substrate is reduced to the desired thickness, c) the passage holes through the substrate are produced up to the conductive surfaces on the front face, d) the separating trenches between the monolithic semiconductor circuits are produced up to or into the intermediate layer, e) the back face metallization, including the electrical connections through the passage holes, is produced, f) the semiconductor circuits are individually released from the rigid carrier and individually processed further. 2. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein an adhesive material is used for the attachment layer. 3. Method as recited in claim 2, wherein an adhesive material having a lower adhesion to the front face surface of the wafer at a higher temperature is used. 4. Method as recited in claim 2, wherein the individual release of the semiconductor circuits from the carrier is performed mechanically, overcoming the adhesion force of the attachment material to the front face of the wafer. 5. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein the substrate is reduced in thickness to a thickness of less than 100 μm. 6. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein the separating trenches are produced by means of a photolithographic etching process. 7. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein a protective layer is applied on the front face of the wafer. 8. Method as recited in claim 7, wherein a lateral under-etching of the substrate is produced in the front face protective layer of the wafer. 9. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein the deposition of the back face metallization is performed after production of the separating trenches. 10. Method as recited in claim 6, wherein a common photolithographic mask is used for the production of the passage holes and the separating trenches. 11. Method as recited in claim 1, wherein an electrical function test of the semiconductor circuits is performed after separation.

The invention relates to a method for the production of individual monolithically integrated semiconductor circuits. In the production of integrated semiconductor circuits, also referred to simply as ICs or chips, a greater number of circuits are typically produced simultaneously on a thin semiconductor wafer, as the substrate, which circuits are subsequently separated in a later method step, particularly by means of sawing or cutting the wafer. The ICs typically have a plurality of components on a front face of the substrate, and a back face metallization on the back face, whereby the back face metallization lies at reference potential and can be electrically connected with individual conductive surfaces on the front face, by way of passage holes (vias) through the substrate. In the case of a method known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,448,151 B2, the separation of individual chips from a wafer takes place mechanically, in that trenches are sawed into the wafer from the back face, using a thin saw blade, which trenches reach so far into the substrate that even after the substrate is reduced in thickness, these trenches are still present. Final separation takes place after the wafer has been turned over, from the front face, again by means of sawing. In the case of a method described in U.S. 2002/00 55 238 A1, trenches are sawed into a wafer from the circuit side, and in the case of a wafer glued onto an intermediate carrier with the circuit side, the substrate is worn away, from the back, to the desired thickness, whereby the trenches sawed previously are so deep that after the substrate is reduced in thickness, the individual chips are separated from one another in the substrate plane. The chips, which are still located in the glued laminate, are attached to a second carrier with the back face, and the first intermediate carrier is removed. Afterwards, the interstices between the chips separated in the substrate plane are made deeper by means of an upper partial layer of the second carrier, and the chips in the laminate of substrate and upper layer of the second carrier are individually removed from the lower layer of the second carrier. In U.S. 2001/00 05 043 A1, exemplary embodiments are indicated, among other things, in which the wafer is attached to a carrier with the component side. After the substrate has been reduced in thickness from the back, vias and separating trenches are etched, and the back face is provided with a back face metallization, over its entire area. A metal strip that surrounds the individual components on the component side serves as an etch stop in the region of the separating trenches and initially bridges these separating trenches, so that the individual chips are still connected by way of the metallization and the metal frames on the component side. In a first example, the chips in the laminate are turned over and attached to a carrier tape with the back face, and mechanically separated, in this position, along the remaining connections by way of the metal strips. In another method of procedure, the separation of the metallic chip connections remaining in the region of the separating trenches takes place with the component side facing the carrier, and the elements are subsequently taken over onto a carrier tape. U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,130: A describes a method in which trenches are mechanically worked into the substrate from the component side, and the substrate is subsequently glued onto a first intermediate carrier. After the substrate has been reduced in thickness from the back face, thin material gates remain standing at the locations of the milled separating trenches, so that the substrate continues to form a rigid composite. On the back face, a semi-rigid connecting layer and a PVC carrier are then applied, and the first intermediate carrier is removed. By means of heating and expansion of the PVC carrier, the remaining thin substrate gates are torn open and the individual chips are mechanically separated in this manner. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,215,194, the individual chips of a wafer, which are glued onto a carrier, are separated by means of milling separating trenches in the substrate plane, and are removed from the composite by means of a separate separating tool, and pressed onto and glued onto a chip carrier. In the case of a method known from WO 99/25 019 A1 for reducing the thickness of wafers, separating trenches are worked into a semiconductor substrate from the component side, and the substrate is glued onto a carrier with the component side. Afterwards, the substrate is worn away from the back face, all the way to the trenches. In WO 01/03 180 A1, as well, trenches are made in the semiconductor substrate from the component side, whereby this can take place both mechanically and by means of dry etching, and after the wafer has been glued onto a rigid carrier, the back face is worn down all the way to the trenches, so that the chips are present on the carrier, separated in the substrate plane. The present invention is based on the task of indicating an advantageous method for the production of individual monolithically integrated semiconductor circuits. The invention is described in the independent patent claim. The dependent claims contain advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention. The invention makes secure and stable handling of the wafer possible in critical method steps, particularly in the case of low thickness of the substrate. According to an advantageous embodiment, the substrate is reduced in thickness to a substrate thickness of less than 100 μm, after completion of the semiconductor circuits, including the conductive surfaces and, if necessary, passivation of the front face. This is particularly advantageous for semiconductor circuits on a GaAs substrate, since GaAs possesses low heat conductivity, and the removal of waste heat to a heat sink, during operation, is significantly improved in the case of a low substrate thickness. Because of the low substrate thickness, the opening cross-section of the passage holes that widen from the front face to the back face is also reduced, so that the packing density of the circuits can be increased in the case of the thin substrate. Attachment of the wafer to a rigid carrier before reducing the thickness of the substrate guarantees stable and secure handling even in the case of very low substrate thickness brought about by great reduction in thickness of the wafer. In particular, even non-level deformation of the wafer due to thermal influences or, in particular, also due to internal mechanical stresses in the semiconductor material, as they are typical for hetero-structure semiconductor layer sequences, is avoided. It is advantageous that an electrical function test, particularly with regard to high-frequency behavior, is also performed only after separation of the individual components and thereby when the back face metallization is present and interfacial connections through the passage holes, on completely connected units, has taken place. Attachment of the uniform wafer to the rigid carrier, which can be a sapphire, for example, takes place by means of an attachment layer made of preferably adhesive material, particularly an adhesive, a paste, a gel, or the like, which can also follow uneven parts of the surface of the wafer front face, which has been passivated, if necessary. An adhesive attachment material whose adhesion to the front face of the wafer is lower at greater temperatures is preferred. Individual release of the mechanically separated ICs from the carrier preferably takes place by means of mechanical lifting, overcoming the adhesion force, for which purpose the IC is heated, preferably by way of the carrier body, in the case of the preferred attachment material, in order to reduce the release force. To release the individual ICs, it is advantageous to use a tool in the manner of vacuum tweezers. It is advantageous if the several ICs of a wafer attached to a carrier are separated laterally in the wafer plane, in such a manner that separating trenches are etched from the back face of the substrate, which faces away from the carrier body, which trenches advantageously reach at least to or into the attachment material. During etching of the separating trenches, it is advantageous if lateral under-etching is produced in the attachment material, underneath the wafer. This makes it possible to deposit the metal for the back face metallization and the interfacial connection after completion of the separating trenches, as well, over the entire area, without any metallization bridge being formed over the separating trenches. The metallization layer is interrupted at the steps that occur at the under-etchings. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the passage holes through the substrate and the separating trenches can be produced in a common etching process, particularly using a common photolithographic etching mask and/or at least partially common etching agents. In this connection, advantage can advantageously be taken of the fact that in the case of conventional etching of the passage holes, the conductive surfaces on the front face act as an etch stop, and no conductive surfaces are provided in the regions between adjacent ICs of the wafer, so that etching continues into the attachment material in the region of the separating trenches, while it stops at the conductive surfaces of the front face in the region of the passage holes. This results in a particularly simple course of the method. After individually lifting the ICs separated in the substrate plane, as individual chips, from the carrier body, the chips are individually treated further; this can include, for example, cleaning procedures, but particularly also testing procedures with optical surface testing and electrical function testing, for example. It is advantageous if the step of optical testing simultaneously includes orientation of the chips in a defined position for tip contacting, for the electrical function test. The tested chips can be deposited onto intermediate carriers, which are known as “blue tape” or “gel pack,” for delivery to the customer and/or intermediate storage, or can be installed into circuit modules directly, without such an intermediate step. In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail using preferred exemplary embodiments. The drawings show: FIG. 1 a side view of a wafer on a carrier, FIG. 2 a preferred back treatment of a wafer, FIG. 3 the treatment of separated integrated circuits. FIG. 1 shows a side view of a cross-section through a dielectric carrier body TR, for example a sapphire, and through a wafer WA, which contains a plurality of individual integrated circuits having semiconductor components and metallic conductive surfaces on the front face FS of a semiconductor substrate HS. The wafer WA is covered with an inorganic protective layer 23 on the front face FS that faces down in FIG. 1. The surface of the carrier body TR that faces the wafer is provided with a glue material. The wafer is pressed onto the glue material with the surface of the protective layer 23, and fixed in place adhesively by this material, on the carrier TR. After fixation of the wafer on the carrier, the substrate is reduced in thickness from the back face, which faces away from the carrier, to the thickness indicated with the broken line, particularly to less than 100 μm (arrows DS), preferably by means of grinding. In FIG. 2, the starting point is a wafer still fixed in place on the carrier body by way of the glue material 24, with the substrate reduced to the desired thickness. The carrier body itself is no longer shown in FIG. 2, in order to make the illustration clearer. In FIG. 2 a) to e), a detail having a separation region TB between two adjacent integrated circuit regions IBN and IBN+1 is shown, in each instance, in a side cross-section view, in the left half of the figure, and a detail from a region IBN of an integrated circuit having interfacial connections with passage holes is shown in the right half of the figure. The drawings are not to scale. On the front face of the substrate 20 that has been reduced in thickness, facing the carrier body, the circuit plane having conductive surfaces 22 is indicated as 21; it is covered by the protective layer 23 (FIG. 2a). On the back face RS of the substrate 20 that has been reduced in thickness, a photoresist layer PL was applied, and first openings 25 for separating trenches were structured in the separation region TB, and second openings 26 for passage holes to conductive surfaces were structured in the circuit region IB of the individual integrated circuits. In a first common etching step, using the structured photoresist layer PL, separating trenches 27 are etched clear in the separation region TB, and passage holes 28 through the semiconductor substrate 20 are etched clear in the circuit region IB. The etching parameters are adjusted in such a manner that the passage holes narrow conically from the back face RS towards the front face, with slanted flanks. This manner of etching passage holes is generally used. The etching process for the passage holes automatically stops at the conductive surfaces 22 of the circuit plane 21 in the circuit region IB, because of the selection of the etching agent and the adjustment of the etching parameters, whereas the etching process continues into the protective layer 23 in the separation region TB, in which no such conductive surfaces are present (FIG. 2c). The etching process is continued in a second etching step, preferably with a change in the etching agent and/or a change in the etching parameters, whereby preferably, the substrate material is not removed any more and whereby the conductive surfaces 22 are not attacked in the circuit region IB, whereas the material of the protective layer 23, under the separating trench 27, in the separation region TB, is removed in a depression that reaches to or into the glue material 24. The etching agent and the etching parameters are selected in such a manner that the material of the protective layer is removed even laterally under the substrate 20, so that an overhang 30a is formed by means of under-etching of the substrate. According to a preferred embodiment, etching of the depression 30 in the protective layer 23, including the overhangs 30a, takes place together with removal of the photoresist mask 29. During the subsequent deposition of the back face metallization 31, which is directed over the entire area, the metal film 31a that is deposited on the glue material, in the depression 30, is interrupted by the steps at the overhangs 30a, as compared with the metallization on the back face and side flanks of the substrate 20. In the passage holes, the back face metallization 31 forms a continuous metal film along the slanted edges, up to the conductive surfaces 22, in conventional manner, by way of which the conductive surfaces 22, contacted in this manner, can be laid to the electrical potential of the back face metallization 31. The integrated circuits laterally separated by the separating trenches 27 that go through to the glue material (including the depressions 30) can be individually released from the glue material by means of a release force that acts perpendicular to the substrate plane and overcomes the adhesion force of the glue material to the protective layer 23. By means of the selection of a glue material that demonstrates a clear reduction in adhesive strength when heated, and by means of heating this glue material, preferably by way of the carrier body, the individual circuit arrangements can be individually removed with low release force, for further treatment. To lift the individual circuit arrangements off the carrier body TR, counter to a low adhesion force, and for their further handling, it is advantageous to use so-called vacuum tweezers 4 as schematically shown in FIG. 3. After a circuit arrangement (chip) IC has been lifted from the carrier body TR (FIG. 3A), in the sequence of handling steps shown in FIG. 3, the chip IC, held on the back face with the vacuum tweezers 4, is turned (FIG. 3B) and cleaned by means of a solvent jet 5 (FIG. 3C), and subsequently dried with inert gas (FIG. 3D). Another pair of vacuum tweezers 7 takes the chip over on the front face (FIG. 3E) and lays it onto the grounded electrostatic base plate 10 (FIG. 3F) with the metallized back face. The chip held electrostatically on the base plate 10 is subjected to an automatic optical inspection 9 (FIG. 3G) and, in this connection, advantageously adjusted in defined manner by means of rotation and/or displacement of the base plate, or on the base plate in the plate plane 8, and thereby oriented for a subsequent electrical measurement 11 (FIG. 3H). The chips that pass the optical and electrical inspection can be set into a storage or shipping area 13 (FIG. 3I). The characteristics indicated above and in the claims, as well as those that can be derived from the figures, can advantageously be implemented both individually and in various combinations. The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments described, but rather can be modified in many different ways, within the scope of the ability of a person skilled in the art.

20050209

20060801

20051201

65891.0

LEE, CHEUNG

METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF INDIVIUAL MONOLITHICALLY INTEGRATED SEMICONDUCTOR CIRCUITS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Well abandonment apparatus

A well abandonment apparatus is described. The apparatus can be run on drillstring and does not require the use of explosives to sever the casing. The apparatus includes both a cutting device to perforate and sever the casing and a sealing device to prevent well fluids from reaching the surface while the well abandonment operation is proceeding.

1. Well treatment apparatus comprising a cutting tool; a sealing device to seal a portion of a wellbore; and an anchor means to anchor the apparatus with respect to the wellbore. 2. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing device comprises at least one annular cup-type device. 3. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 1, adapted to attach to a drillstring. 4. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sealing device is adapted to, in use, seal the annulus between the drillstring and the innermost casing of the wellbore. 5. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sealing device comprises at least one annular cup device that has a cup-shaped body and wherein a part of the cup device is adapted to deform outwards to seal the annulus upon the application of pressure from inside the cup-shaped body. 6. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing device comprises more than one annular cup device, at least two of the annular cup devices being orientated in the same direction to provide a double seal between the portion of the wellbore beneath the sealing device and the surface of the wellbore. 7. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing device comprises more than one annular cup device and at least two of the annular cup devices are orientated in opposite directions to seal the portion of the apparatus in between the two oppositely-orientated devices from the rest of the bore. 8. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one fluid-circulation device is located between the two oppositely-orientated cup devices. 9. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a fluid-circulation device is located below the sealing device. 10. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including at least one further sealing device at the downhole end of the apparatus, the further sealing device being adapted to seal the portion of the borehole in which the rest of the apparatus is located from the portion of the borehole below the apparatus. 11. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cutting tool comprises a jet cut nozzle capable of cutting through wellbore casing, capable of rotation through 360°, and capable of rotation in at two perpendicular planes. 12. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one part of the anchor means is laterally extendable. 13. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the laterally extendable part of the anchor means has a high-friction surface for engaging the casing. 14. Well treatment apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the anchor means has a radial casing-contacting surface. 15. A method of treating a well, including the steps of: inserting well treatment apparatus into a cased wellbore, the apparatus including a cutting tool, a sealing device and an anchor means; perforating the innermost casing in two vertically spaced positions; and injecting cement into a portion of the annulus between the two innermost casing strings to seal the annulus; whereby the method includes the step of using the anchor means to anchor the apparatus to the cased wellbore. 16. A method as claimed in claim 15, including the step of pressure-testing the innermost casing before the first perforation is made by injecting a fluid into the wellbore below the sealing device. 17. A method as claimed in claim 15, including the step of pressure testing the annulus before the second perforation is made by injecting a fluid into the wellbore below the sealing device and measuring the equilibrium rate of pumping as the fluid flows through the first perforation into the annulus. 18. A method as claimed in claim 15, including the step of pressure-testing the annulus after the second perforation has been made by injecting a fluid into the annulus to check that there are no blockages in the part of that annulus lying between the vertically spaced perforations. 19. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the sealing device includes two oppositely-orientated cup devices, and the cement is injected into the annulus from an aperture in the apparatus located between these two cup devices. 20. A method as claimed as claimed in claim 15, including the step of pressure testing the sealed annulus by positioning the apparatus so that the sealing device lies between the two vertically spaced perforations and by injecting fluid into the wellbore below the sealing device. 21. A method as claimed in claim 15, including the step of using the cutting tool to sever the casings above the perforations after the annulus has been sealed. 22. A method as claimed in claim 15, the method including the step of undertaking at least one pressure test by injecting fluids, whereby during the pressure test, the apparatus is anchored to the casing by the anchor means to counter the force on the apparatus by the injected fluids. 23. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the well treatment apparatus is mounted on a drillstring and is manoeuvred in the wellbore by raising and lowering the drillstring.

This invention relates to apparatus and a method for treating wells, especially but not exclusively for abandoning hydrocarbon-bearing wells. When wells have reached the end of their useful life, they need to be abandoned. The top of the casing strings must be cut off near the wellhead, whilst ensuring that no further hydrocarbons can leak through the casing strings and into the surrounding area. The bottom of the annulus between the two innermost casings is in communication with the formation. Therefore, if this annulus is not completely sealed, hydrocarbons from the formation could leak out. Usually, wells are abandoned using explosives to sever the casings. These are harmful for fish and the environment. Furthermore, underwater explosions are difficult to control and there is a risk of damaging the well plug, causing it to leak. According to the present invention there is provided well treatment apparatus comprising a cutting tool; a sealing device to seal a portion of a wellbore; and an anchor means to anchor the apparatus with respect to the wellbore. Preferably, the sealing device comprises at least one and preferably two annular cup devices typically orientated in the same direction to provide a double seal between the portion of the well beneath the sealing device and the surface of the well. Optionally, the sealing device comprises two annular cup devices orientated in opposite directions (e.g. with cups facing one another) to seal the portion of the apparatus in between the two oppositely-orientated devices from the rest of the bore. Preferably, a first fluid circulation device is positioned between the two oppositely orientated cup devices. Typically the cup devices can be cup-type seal assemblies, typically with axially extending conduits for e.g. control lines and fluid lines. A preferred cup device can be constructed from a packer (e.g. such as a gas line packer available from Double-E, Inc), modified so that its rubber part allows the packer to perform a sealing function, and including bulkhead connections providing axial passages through the packer. Preferably, the apparatus adapted to attach to a drillstring and the sealing device is typically adapted to, in use, seal the annulus between the drillstring and the innermost casing of the wellbore. Typically, the cup device has a cup-shaped body (typically at least a portion of this is made from a deformable material, such as high density rubber). Preferably, a part of the cup device is adapted to deform outwards to seal the annulus upon the application of pressure from inside the cup-shaped body. In use, fluid flowing into the cup-shaped body typically deforms the cup-shaped body so that the external face of the cup presses against the inner face of the casing, preventing or restricting fluid from flowing past the cup device. Typically, a further fluid-circulating device is located between the sealing device and the cutting tool. Typically, fluid can be diverted between the circulating devices by dropping a ball/dart into the body of the apparatus. Optionally, at least one further seal is located beneath the cutting tool, to seal the portion of the bore around the cutting tool from that below the cutting tool. Preferably, the at least one further seal is a cup-type seal assembly. Preferably, the cutting tool comprises a jet cut nozzle that is able to cut through casings that line the bore. Preferably, the nozzle is movable e.g. rotatable in two perpendicular planes (e.g. horizontal and vertical) so that the nozzle can cut circular apertures in the casing. Preferably the nozzle/cutting tool is also rotatable through 360° to enable the cutting tool to cut around the entire circumference of the casing. Optionally, the anchor means is located on the body of the cutting tool. Alternatively, the anchor means could be provided on a further sub separate from the cutting tool. Preferably, at least one part of the anchor means is laterally extendable. The laterally extendable part of the anchor means typically has a foot for engaging a wall of a casing. Preferably, the foot has a high-friction casing-contacting surface. Typically, the casing-contacting surface extends around the entire circumference of the anchor means. A typical anchor means can be provided by modifying a packer device having an expandable anchor portion; the modification typically includes the removal of the interior packing material to leave a hollow bore through the packer. Such packer devices typically have an exterior anchor portion, which is expanded on moving a first part of the anchor device relative to a second part. Optionally, the cutting tool has at least two (e.g. three or more) circumferentially spaced feet, to engage the interior of the casing at circumferentially spaced locations. The or each foot can be mounted on a moveable arm that can be driven by a ram or alternatively at least one of the feet can be static e.g. provided on the body of the cutting tool, or on an extension of the body. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of treating a well, including the steps of: inserting well treatment apparatus into a cased wellbore, the apparatus including a cutting tool, a sealing device and an anchor means; perforating the innermost casing in two vertically spaced positions; and injecting cement into a portion of the annulus between the two innermost casing strings to seal the annulus; whereby the method includes the step of using the anchor means to anchor the apparatus to the cased wellbore. Typically, the method includes the step of pressure testing the innermost casing before the first perforation is made by injecting a fluid into the wellbore below the sealing means. Typically, the method includes the step of pressure testing the annulus before the second perforation is made by injecting a fluid into the wellbore below the sealing means and measuring the equilibrium rate of pumping as the fluid flows through the first perforation into the annulus. Optionally, the method includes the step of pressure testing the annulus after the second perforation has been made by injecting a fluid into the annulus to check that there are no blockages in the part of that annulus lying between the vertically spaced perforations. Typically, the sealing device includes two oppositely orientated cup devices, and the cement is injected into the annulus from an aperture in the apparatus located between these two cup devices. Optionally, the method includes the step of pressure testing the sealed annulus by positioning the apparatus so that the sealing device lies between the two vertically spaced perforations and by injecting fluid into the wellbore below the sealing device. Preferably, the method includes the step of using the cutting tool to sever the casings above the perforations after the annulus has been sealed, and typically tested for seal integrity. Typically, the method including the step of undertaking at least one pressure test by injecting fluids, whereby during the pressure test, the apparatus is anchored to the casing by the anchor means to counter the upwards force on the apparatus by the injected fluids. Typically, the well treatment apparatus is mounted on a drillstring and is manoeuvred in the wellbore by raising and lowering the drillstring. Typically the fluid used in the pressure tests is water, but in some circumstances cement or other fluids can be used. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the following drawings, in which:— FIG. 1 shows a partial cross-section of an abandonment string inserted into a wellbore to be abandoned; FIG. 2 shows a partial cross-section of the abandonment string piercing the 9⅝″ casing; FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-section of the abandonment string making a second, higher cut in the 9⅝″ casing; FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-section of the abandonment string injecting cement into the annulus between the cuts; FIG. 5 shows a partial cross-section of the abandonment string performing a final pressure test on the cemented annulus; FIG. 6 shows a partial cross-section of the abandonment string cutting through all the casing strings at the wellhead; FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-section of the abandonment string pressure testing the 9⅝″ casing string; FIG. 8 shows a schematic cross-section of the abandonment string making a cut in the 9⅝″ casing and pressure testing the annulus between the 9⅝″ casing and the 13⅜″ casing; FIG. 9 shows a schematic cross-section of the abandonment string making a second cut in the 9⅝″ casing; FIG. 10 shows a schematic cross-section of an integrity check of the cement in the annulus between the two cuts; FIG. 11 shows a schematic cross-section of cement being injected into the annulus between the two cuts; FIG. 12 shows a schematic cross-section of the cement in the annulus between the cuts being pressure tested; FIG. 13 shows a schematic cross-section of the casings being cut near the wellhead; FIG. 14 shows a cross section of three cup-type seal assemblies mounted on two circulating subs; FIG. 15 shows a side view of a cutting tool; FIG. 16 shows a side view of a portion of a cutting tool; FIG. 17 shows a schematic diagram of an abandonment string; FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of the abandonment string of FIG. 17; FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of a cup-type assembly; FIG. 20 shows an end view of a body member of the cup-type assembly of FIG. 19; FIG. 21 shows a cross-section along the line A-A of FIG. 20; FIG. 22 shows an enlarged view of circle B of FIG. 21; FIG. 23 shows an end view of a cup-type seal of FIG. 19; FIG. 24 shows a cross-section along the line A-A of FIG. 23; FIG. 25 shows an end view of a shaft of the cup-type seal assembly of FIG. 19; FIG. 26 shows a cross-section along the line A-A of FIG. 25; FIG. 27 shows an enlarged view of region B of FIG. 26; FIG. 28 shows a side view with interior detail of a flange of the shaft of FIG. 25 and FIG. 29 shows a side view of the anchor of FIGS. 17 and 18. As shown in FIG. 1, an abandonment string 10 typically comprises a cutting tool 12, a first circulating sub 14, two oppositely orientated cup-type seal assemblies 16 18, a second circulating sub 20, a third cup-type seal assembly 22 and drill pipe 24. An enlarged view of cup-type seal assemblies 16, 18, 22 and circulating subs 14, 20 is shown in FIG. 14. Cup-type seal assemblies 16 and 22 provide two permanent barriers between the hydrocarbon bearing formation and the surface. Optionally, a second cup-type seal assembly and sub arrangement may be provided beneath the cutting tool 12. This could be useful if the plug 44 in the innermost casing has not formed a perfect seal. As shown in FIG. 1, the arrangement could comprise a sub 26, fourth and fifth cup-type seal assemblies 28,30 arranged back-to-back, a further sub 32 and a sixth cup-type seal assembly 34. This cup-type seal assembly and sub arrangement is inverted as compared with the arrangement above the cutting tool 12, except that the subs 26 and 32 can be ordinary subs instead of circulating subs. It is not necessary to have this entire arrangement; cup-type seal assembly 28 would be sufficient, or cup-type seal assemblies 28 and 34, if a double seal is required. The cutting tool 12 is best shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. It has a rotatable jet cut nozzle 70, which can cut through casing 36. Cutting nozzle 70 is rotatable in both horizontal and vertical planes to allow the cutting of communication ports (i.e. cutting nozzle can cut in two dimensions). Cutting tool 12 has a pair of anchoring devices 74 that are axially spaced along the body of the tool, to anchor the tool 12 in the casing 36. Each anchoring device 74 has three feet 78 that are circumferentially spaced around the body of the tool 12 and each foot is attached to the body of the tool 12 by a pair of link arms 72 that are each pivotally coupled at one end to an eye on the foot and at the other end to a respective eye on the body. One of the eyes on the body is mounted on a central plate that is driven axially by a hydraulic ram to push the eyes on the body together thereby extending the feet by means of the pivotal connections so that the feet move laterally to contact the casing 36. FIG. 16 shows one embodiment of a part of cutting tool 12, which has a foot 78, mounted on a pair of link arms 72. The foot 78 typically has an abrasive outer surface with e.g. serrations so that there is high friction between the foot 78 and casing 36 when the two are in contact. FIG. 16 also depicts an optional second foot 80, which is mounted on an extension 82 of the body of the cutting tool 12. The cutting tool should have at least one extendable foot 78, and optionally at least one other foot 78 or 80, or other high friction casing contacting surface. Typically there are two or three feet 78 each circumferentially mounted on pairs of linking arms 72 which are circumferentially spaced around the tool 12. As shown in FIG. 15, more than one plate 74 may be provided. The drill pipe 24 extends to the surface. Umbilicals also extend from the surface to the cutting tool 10. The abandonment string 10 is shown inside a wellbore, which has several layers of casing: 9⅝″, 13⅜″, 20″ and 30″, which are respectively designated by numbers 36, 38, 40 and 42. FIGS. 17 and 18 show a second embodiment of abandonment string 100 and like parts are designated by like numbers. Abandonment string 100 differs from abandonment string 10 in that cup-type seal assemblies 16 and 18 are shown separated by subs, whereas in FIG. 10, these are shown back to back. Like the FIG. 1 embodiment, abandonment string 100 is run on drillpipe 24. Starting from the top of the string, the first component is an optional safety joint 102. This provides a means of disconnecting drillpipe 24 from abandonment string 100 should the need arise. A flex pipe 104 runs along the side of drillstring 24 and the rest of abandonment string 100. Flex pipe 104 typically comprises a ¾ inch 15K fluid power hose to supply fluid (slurry) to cutting tool 12. Also running along the side of drillstring 24 parallel to flex pipe 104 are electrical and hydraulic umbilical lines (not shown) to power and control the cutting tool 12. The next component in the string is cup-type seal assembly 22 and associated flex pipe assembly 200. Cup-type seal assembly 22 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 19 to 28. Cup-type seal assemblies 16, 18 further down the string are typically exactly the same, but for ease of reference numbering, the cup-type seal assembly is denoted simply as 22. Cup-type seal assembly 22 includes a body member 106, a seal 108, a shaft assembly 110 and an o-ring seal 112. Body member 106 is substantially cylindrical. It has a shaft-engaging portion 120 and a seal-engaging portion 122. Shaft-engaging portion 120 has a smooth outer surface of constant diameter. Shaft-engaging portion 120 is divided into two portions with different inner diameters; an end portion 150 of diameter 188 mm and a mid portion 152 of diameter 175 mm; end portion 150 and mid portion 152 are divided by a step 125, which lies at 53 mm from the end of body member 106. It should be noted that throughout this specification all dimensions are exemplary rather than limiting The outer end of the end portion 150 is provided with four holes 123 equally spaced around the circumference for the insertion of grub screws. Adjacent to holes 123, end portion 150 has 7.375-6 ACME-2G threads 127 which terminate a short distance before step 125. Mid portion 152 is provided with a groove 124 to accommodate o-ring seal 112. Mid portion 152 then continues uniformly up to a distance of 92 mm from the end of the shaft-engaging portion 120, where there is a further step 128 which marks the boundary between the shaft-engaging portion 120 and the seal-engaging portion 122. The seal-engaging portion 122 comprises an extension of the shaft-engaging portion and is provided with undulations on both of its inner and outer surfaces. The seal-engaging portion 122 is thinner than the shaft-engaging portion 120, having a larger inner diameter and the same outer diameter. Eight radial apertures 126 are provided in the seal-engaging portion 122, equally spaced around the circumference; more or fewer apertures could be provided here, or even none at all. Seal 108 is best shown in FIGS. 24 and 25. Seal 108 is also basically cylindrical with a body-engaging portion 132 and a radially-extending end 130. Body-engaging portion 132 is shaped to co-operate with the seal-engaging portion 122 of body member 106. Body-engaging end 132 of seal 108 is provided with a cylindrical recess 134 corresponding to the seal-engaging end 122 of body member 106, i.e. the cylindrical recess 134 has undulating inner and outer surfaces adapted to co-operate with the undulations on seal-engaging end 122. Seal 108 is coupled to body member 106 by the seal-engaging end 122 of body member 106 engaging the co-operating cylindrical recess 134 of seal 108, with end 133 of seal 108 abutting against step 128 of body member 106; the undulations act to resist separation. Radially-extending end 130 is an extension of a body-engaging end 132 and it tapers outwards from body-engaging end 132, with both the inner and outer diameters increasing. The inner diameter increases at a greater rate than the outer diameter, so that the radially-extending end 130 gets thinner as it tapers outwards. Seal 108 is preferable made of a rubber composition, preferably 70-80 durometer Nitrile which is suitable for hydrocarbon use; however other materials could also be used. Shaft assembly 110, as best shown in FIGS. 25 to 28 includes a hollow shaft 140 and flange 142 extending outwardly of shaft 140. The shaft 140 has a box and a pin connection on respective opposite ends. Flange 142 is shaped to engage and co-operate with the shaft-engaging end 120 of body member 106. Flange 142 is provided with 7.375.6 ACME-2G screw threads 143 on its outer surface for connection with screw threads 127 on body member 106. Flange 142 has a radial projection 144 on the end of flange 142 closest to the pin connection, and a stepped recess 147 on the opposite end of flange 142. Between radial projection 144 and threads 143 is an unthreaded gap 145. Flange 142 is provided with eight passages 146 of 11.8 mm diameter extending through flange 142 parallel to the axis of shaft assembly 110. Passages 146 are threaded at their upper and lower ends for the first 20 mm for engagement with respective bulkhead connections (not shown). One bulkhead connection is supplied for each end of each passage 146. Passages 146 are to enable the electrical and hydraulic umbilical lines to continue past cup-type seal assembly 22; each umbilical line terminates at the first bulkhead connection, the first bulkhead connection provides a continuation of the umbilical line through respective passage 146 to the second bulkhead connection on the opposite side of flange 142, which is in turn connected to a further umbilical line on the other side of flange 142. The bulkhead connectors can each be sealed closed, so that if any passage 146 is not being used, the respective bulkhead connectors are sealed so that no fluids can get through that passage 146. Two further passages 141, 148 of larger (25.4 mm) diameter are provided in flange 142. Passages 141, 148 are threaded for the first 5/8 inches at their upper and lower ends. Passage 141 allows the flex pipe 104 to continue through flange 142. Passage 141 also has a bulkhead connection, in the form of flex pipe assembly 200. Flex pipe assembly 200 is a means of connecting a portion of flex pipe 104 on one side of cup-type seal assembly 22 to a further portion of flex pipe 104 on the other side. Flex pipe assembly 200 typically includes a further portion of flex pipe 104 which passes through passage 141 in flange 142; flex pipe assembly 200 typically includes one or more seals (not shown) to seal between the exterior of flex pipe 104 and the interior of passage 141. Two blind passages 149 are also provided in the flange, equally spaced on either side of passage 141. Blind passages 149 are typically used to receive bolts to secure flex pipe assembly 200 to shaft assembly 110. Remaining passage 141 also has a bulkhead connection on each side of flange 142. Passage 141 can be used to accommodate a return fluid line or an extra flex pipe for slurry (not shown) or alternatively, if not used, it could be sealed closed at its bulkhead connections. Passages 141, 146, 148, 149 are circumferentially distributed on flange 142. Referring back to FIG. 18, cup-type seal assembly 22 is orientated in the string 100 with the seal end (and the box connection of shaft assembly 110) pointing downwards. The pin of shaft assembly 110 is attached to drillstring 24 as shown in FIG. 17. When fluid flows into the seal end of cup-type seal assembly 22 (i.e. fluid flowing upwards on the outside of string 100 in this embodiment) the radially-extending end 130 of seal 108 is pushed outwards to engage the casing wall. The greater the pressure from the fluid, the more the radially-extending end 130 is pushed against the casing, and the better the seal. Therefore, fluid flowing upwards in the annulus between the string 100 and the innermost casing string cannot get past seal 22. The box of shaft assembly 110 is attached to a pin-pin sub 202, followed by a crossover sub 204, two pin-box ported subs 20a, 20b, a further cross-over sub 210 and a pin-box sub 212. (Note that in this embodiment, there are two pin-box ported subs 20, whereas in the FIG. 1 embodiment only one was shown). At this point in the string is cup-type seal assembly 18; this is exactly the same as cup-type seal assembly 22 and the above description of cup-type seal assembly 22 is equally applicable here. However, the orientation of cup-type seal assembly 18 is the reverse of the former seal assembly 22; i.e. where cup-type seal assembly 22 has its seal 108 pointing downwards, cup-type seal assembly 18 has its seal pointing upwards. Thus, in this case, it is the box connection of shaft assembly 110 that is attached to pin-box sub 212. Because of the opposite orientation, fluid flowing downwards in the annulus between string 100 and the innermost casing, is stopped by cup-type seal assembly 18. Also as described above, a further flex pipe assembly 200 allows flex pipe 104 to pass through passage 141 in flange 142 whilst forming a seal around the outside of the passage. The pin connection of shaft assembly 110 is attached to pin-box sub 214 and the drillstring continues with box-box sub 216 and further pin-box sub 218. A further cup-type seal assembly 16 and respective flex pipe assembly 200 is attached to pin-box sub 218. Cup-type seal assembly 16 is exactly the same as cup-type seal assemblies 18, 22 described above, and has the same orientation in the string as cup-type seal assembly 22 (i.e. opposite to assembly 18). Thus, cup-type seal assemblies 16, 22 both act to prevent fluid flowing upwards from the well to the surface. Connected to shaft assembly 110 of cup-type seal assembly 16 is a pin-pin sub 220 and pin-box ported sub 14. Pin-box ported sub 14 has a blind ending, and three transverse passages (although only one is necessary) leading from an inner bore to the outside of abandonment string 100, providing fluid communication with the outside of the string 100. Ported sub 14 allows for pressure testing beneath cup-type seal assembly 16, circulating through perforations as required and pressure monitoring during perforations. It also allows a fluid return path (via the drillpipe 24) for the cutting tool power fluid whilst cutting operations are in progress. Furthermore, bullheading the perforated casing annuli can be carried out via sub 14. Shield bracket 226 is provided on sub 14. The next element is apertured sub 224, which has at least one side aperture to allow the entry of flex pipe 104 into a hollow bore of apertured sub 224. Apertured sub 224 may also have a further aperture for entry of a further fluid return pipe (not shown) into the hollow bore. Attached to apertured sub 224 is anchor sub 228; this is best shown in FIG. 29. Anchor sub 228 replaces the anchoring device 74 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 (used in abandonment string 10). Anchor sub 228 is a modification of a casing packer. The modification typically includes the removal of the inner packing material, leaving a central hollow bore for the passage of flex pipe 104 and the umbilicals. Anchor sub 228 has a first portion 232 and second portion 234 which are slideable relative to each other; the second portion 234 having a tapered portion 238, which in turn has a reduced-diameter extension 236. The first portion 232 has grippers 240 on the end closest to the second portion. To activate anchor 228, the second portion 234 is moved upwards relative to first portion 232, which causes grippers 240 to be pushed radially outwards as they travel along tapered portion 238. Grippers 240 engage the inner surface of the cased wellbore to anchor abandonment string 100 to the casing. Attached to anchor sub 228 is cutting tool 12, which can be the same anchoring tool as shown in FIG. 15. Cutting tool 12 in this embodiment does not need to have feet 78 as abandonment string 100 already has an anchor 228, although these may be still be provided if desired. Cutting tool 12 has a hollow internal passage to allow passage of flex pipe 104 and the umbilical lines (not shown). Cutting tool 12 has a cutting nozzle 70 (see FIG. 15). The cutting tool 230 is controlled and powered by the umbilicals; fluid (typically slurry) is supplied to cutting nozzle 70 by flex hose 104. The remaining features of cutting tool 12 have already been described above with reference to FIG. 15 and the abandonment string 10 embodiment. In use, when the corrosion cap/temporary abandonment cap has been removed from the well, a drill string with a rock bit is run into the wellbore, to check that it is free of obstructions. The drill string is typically made up of 3½″ or 5″ drill pipe. The abandonment string 10, 100 is made up and run into the hole to a depth of typically 100-400 metres (in some cases up to several thousand metres) beneath the wellhead. The top drive is then made up or the string is connected to a circulation device. With abandonment string 10, the cutting tool 12 in the string is then anchored to e.g. the 9 5/8″ optionally below the wellhead by extending the rams 72 so that the feet 78 contact the casing 36. The abandonment string 10 is thus held fixed relative to the casing 36 by friction between the feet 78 and the casing 36. If abandonment string 100 is used, anchor 228 is engaged as described above by moving second portion 234 towards first portion 232 until the grippers 240 grip the casing sufficiently. As shown in FIG. 7, the casing 36 is pressure tested, to check its integrity. This is done by pumping fluid down through the abandonment string 10, 100 and out through an aperture in circulating sub 14. The fluid is constrained within the area bounded by an existing plug 44 (fitted when the wellbore was temporarily abandoned), the cup-type seal assemblies 16, 22 and the casing 36. This tests the pressure integrity of the casing and of the plug 44 and identifies whether there are any fissures through which significant amounts of hydrocarbons can leak from the formation. It may be advantageous to only engage the anchor after the pressure has already begun to build up. The anchor is useful to prevent the pressure build up underneath cup-type seal assembly 16 from forcing abandonment string 100 out of the well. Assuming that the casing 36 and the plug 44 do not have any substantial leaks, the cutting tool 12 then cuts two (typically circular) holes 46, 48 in opposite sides of the casing 36, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 8. It is not necessary to cut two holes; one would suffice, nor is it necessary for the holes to be opposite each other. A second pressure test is then performed by pumping fluid 50 (e.g. water) through the abandonment string and out through the aperture in circulating sub 14, in the same manner as the first pressure test. The fluid 50 passes out through the holes 46 and 48 and into the annulus 52 between the casing 36 and the casing 38. Some of the fluid 50 may escape down the annulus 52 and into the formation. The rate of pumping is varied so that equilibrium is reached between the amount of fluid 50 entering and leaving the annulus 52. The equilibrium rate of pumping and pressure are recorded. A typical equilibrium rate might be 2-3 barrels per minute at a pressure of 3,000 pounds per square inch. This test is done to establish a bench mark for the next pressure test. It also establishes the integrity of the casing 38; if there is very low pressure in the annulus 52 after pumping fluid 50 into it, that could indicate leaks in the casing 38 or the cement job. If there is a very high back pressure, which could be caused by hydrocarbons in the annulus/formation, the excess fluid will have to be removed via the string before proceeding. The anchoring means are then deactivated to release the cutting tool 12 from the casing 36 and the abandonment string 10, 100 is then raised so that the cutting tool 12 is approximately 400-500 feet above the first cuts 46,48 as shown for example in FIGS. 3 and 9. The anchoring means are then reactivated so that the cutting tool 12 is re-anchored to the casing 36 (i.e. by extending the link arm 72 to push the feet 78, 80 against the casing 36 in the FIG. 1 embodiment, or by moving the first and second portions 232, 234 away from each other in the FIG. 17 embodiment). A pair of second cuts 54, 56 are made with the cutting tool 12 in opposite sides of the casing 36 as before. Again, it is not necessary to cut twice; one cut would suffice. In some cases a further pressure test as described previously can be carried out through the newly made cuts 54, 56, but this is not necessary. The anchoring device is then deactivated to release the cutting tool 12 from the casing and the abandonment string 10 is lowered down the borehole so that the cup-type seal assemblies 16 and 22 are between the two sets of cuts 46, 48 and 54, 56, as shown in FIG. 10. Fluid is then pumped from the lower sub through cuts 46, 48 and into the annulus 52 between the two sets of cuts 46, 48 and 54, 56. If the fluid pathway is open in the annulus 52, fluid pumped through the string 10 should flow through cuts 54, 56 without significant measurable pressure build up at surface. The abandonment string 10 is then detached from the casing, lowered and re-anchored so that the first cuts 46, 48 are positioned between cup-type seal assemblies 18 and 22, as shown in FIG. 11. A ball or dart is dropped through the abandonment string 10 so that it diverts fluid from the circulating sub 14. Cement is then pumped down the abandonment string 10. The cement 58 passes out of the hole 20 in circulating sub and into the annulus 52. When no more cement can be pumped in at a reasonable rate and pressure (with reference to the readings taken earlier) this indicates that the annulus between the cuts is well sealed. Alternatively a cement slug of a known volume can be injected into the string and is pumped through the tool 12. The volume of the slug is calculated to create a plug extending the length of the annulus between the cuts 46, 48 and the cuts 56,58. Typically the distance between the first and second cuts is at least 100 feet, and typically an excess of cement (e.g. 2-300%) is used in order to ensure that the annular cement plug is sufficiently long. The anchoring devices are then deactivated and the string 10 is pulled up out of the borehole before the cement sets. Excess cement that has emerged from the upper cuts 56, 58 is wiped out of the bore by the seals on the tool 12. At this time, the tool can be redressed to remove the ball/dart from the circulating sub 14 so that fluid can circulate through the sub 14 once more. When the new cement is set, the string 10 is run into the borehole again so that the cup-type seal assemblies 16, 22 are in between cuts 46, 48 and cuts 54, 56, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 12. The annular plug of cement in the section 60 of annulus 52 between the cuts 46, 48 and cuts 54, 56 should now be solid. To test this, fluid (e.g. water) is then pumped down the string 12 and through the hole in the circulating sub 14. If no significant injection of fluid into the annulus 52 is possible, then this proves that the cement job has been successful and that the section 60 of annulus 52 is firmly sealed. If this is the case, the tool 10 is unanchored, raised and re-anchored so that the cutter of the cutting tool 12 is near the wellhead. The cutting tool 12 is then used to cut through all the casings 36, 38, 40, 42 by continuous cutting while the head rotates around 360°. In the case of the string 100, the procedure is the same but the port 20a between the cups 22,18 can optionally be used for cement injection, whereas the other port 20b can be used for pressure testing between the upper 22 and lower 18 seals prior to any perforations being made. Thus testing of the upper and the lower seals 22, 16 can optionally be done without moving the string. Modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, after the cement has been injected into the annulus, instead of withdrawing the string 10,100 back to surface, the string 10,100 can be pulled up just above the upper perforations 54,56, to wait on cement (if a cement slug has been used) or can be pulled up until the ports 20 are above the wellhead, where the cement can be purged from the drillstring, the port 20a, and the area between the seals 22,18. When the cement has been purged (if necessary) then the string 10,100 can be run back into the hole to test the integrity of the annular cement seal at 60, by pumping seawater through either of ports 20a and 20b. This therefore allows the whole operation to be completed in a single run. In a further modification of the method, further radially outward annuli can be sealed in exactly the same way, optionally on the same run in the hole, by cutting through the two innermost layers of casing and into the second annulus behind that already sealed. Typically the plug in the second annulus overlaps the first plug, in accordance with normal procedures, and this can be achieved by making the first cut for the second plug between the first and second cuts of the first, and then raising the string 10,100 to a level above the second (upper) cuts of the first plug, before making the second (upper) cuts for the second plug. Clearly the outer plug could be set at a lower level than the first plug. The high pressure rating of the tool allows control of hydrocarbons behind the perforated casings, and also can be used to inject behind numerous radially outward casings outside the innermost casing, or to break down the formation at these points. This high-pressure capability is useful if bullheading is required. Cutting through radially outward casing strings can be detected by observing pressure drops in the slurry hose. When moving the string 10,100 through the hole the plunger effect can be minimised by allowing free passage of fluid through the string 10,100. Also, swabbing can be minimised when pulling out by pumping fluid down the string 10,100. Embodiments of the present invention have the advantage that no explosives are used, which makes it more environmentally friendly. This also eliminates the risk of shattering the well plugs using explosives. Also, by following the method described above, the casing can be perforated and pressure tested, cement injected into the annulus between casings to seal the annulus and the casings severed all on a single run operation. Furthermore, the cutting tool can also be used to cut the concrete pancake at the top of the wellhead, breaking it up and hence reducing the amount of weight to be lifted after the casings are severed. The equipment is usually run on a drillstring, and can be run on coil tubing, so the abandonment string can be run from a derrick vessel, or a floating/jack-up rig, without requiring more expensive and permanent platforms, or even diving support vessels.

20050210

20080603

20051201

66434.0

NEUDER, WILLIAM P

WELL ABANDONMENT APPARATUS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

System and method for secure control of resources of wireless mobile communication devices

Systems and methods for secure control of a wireless mobile communication device are disclosed. Each of a plurality of domains includes at least one wireless mobile communication device asset. When a request to perform an operation affecting at least one of the assets is received, it is determined whether the request is permitted by the domain that includes the at least one affected asset, by determining whether the entity with which the request originated has a trust relationship with the domain, for example. The operation is completed where it is permitted by the domain. Wireless mobile communication device assets include software applications, persistent data, communication pipes, and configuration data, properties or user or subscriber profiles.

1. A system of securely controlling a wireless mobile communication device, comprising: a plurality of domains residing on a wireless mobile communication device, each domain including an asset of the wireless mobile communication device; and a domain controller configured to receive a request to perform an operation affecting at least one of the assets, to determine whether the request originated with an entity that has a trust relationship with the domain that includes the at least one affected asset, and to permit completion of the operation where the request originated with an entity that has a trust relationship with the domain that includes the at least one affected asset. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a key store for storing cryptographic keys associated with the domain that includes the at least one affected asset, wherein the domain controller is configured to determine whether the request originated with an entity that has a trust relationship with the domain using the cryptographic keys. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the domain controller is configured to determine whether the request originated with the entity that has a trust relationship with the domain that includes the at least one affected asset by determining whether the domain that includes the at least one affected asset also includes the entity. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one domain further includes a software application. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the domains comprises a plurality of domains, and wherein the wireless mobile communication device further comprises a super user software application that has a trust relationship with more than one of the plurality of domains. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein each of the more than one of the plurality of domains includes the super user software application. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the domain controller is further configured to receive information, and to place the information into a domain. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one asset is selected from the group consisting of: communication pipes, persistent data, properties, and software applications. 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a data store for storing properties, wherein the domain controller is further configured to determine whether the operation is permitted by properties in the data store, and to permit completion of the operation where the operation is permitted by the properties in the data store. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein each property is global, domain-specific, or specific to a particular software application on the wireless mobile communication device. 11. A method for secure control of a wireless mobile communication device, comprising: segregating assets of the wireless mobile communication device into a plurality of domains, each domain including at least one asset of the wireless mobile communication device; receiving a request to perform an operation affecting at least one of the assets; determining whether the operation is permitted by the domain that includes the affected asset; and allowing the operation to be completed where the operation is permitted by the domain that includes the affected asset. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining comprises the step of determining whether the request originated with an entity that has a trust relationship with the domain that includes the at least one affected asset. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of determining whether the request originated with an entity that has a trust relationship with the domain that includes the at least one affected asset comprises the step of determining whether the domain that includes the at least one affected asset also includes the entity. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the request originates from a software application, and wherein the step of determining whether the request originated with an entity that has a trust relationship with the domain that includes the at least one affected asset comprises the step of verifying a digital signature of the software application using a cryptographic key associated with the domain. 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of: receiving information; and associating the information with at-least one of the plurality of domains. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the step of associating comprises the step of determining with which domains the information is to be associated in accordance with domain policies. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the domain policies specify that information is to be associated with domains based on one or more of: a source of the information, an indicator of a domain in the information, a communication pipe over which the information is received, a digital signature of the information, an access list describing allowed domain information, and an input from a user of the wireless mobile communication device. 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: determining whether the operation is permitted by properties stored at the wireless mobile communication device, wherein the step of allowing comprises the step of allowing the operation to be completed where the operation is permitted by both the domain and the properties. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of determining whether the operation is permitted by properties stored at the wireless mobile communication device comprises the step of checking global properties for the wireless mobile communication device and domain properties for the domain that includes the at least one affected asset. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the request originates from a software application, and wherein the step of determining whether the operation is permitted by properties stored at the wireless mobile communication device further comprises the step of checking application properties for the software application.

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates generally to wireless mobile communication devices, and in particular to providing security for such devices. BACKGROUND ART When personal computers (PCs) were first introduced, one of their greatest appeals was that the machine was controlled by its user. This was in stark contract to the mainframe model, where multiple users shared a single machine. Resources on a mainframe computer were carefully shared between users by the operating system. On a PC having a single user at any time, this type of partitioning of resources was not necessary. As the PC began to displace the corporate mainframe computer, however, issues of control began to re-emerge. Corporate Information Technology (IT) departments, increasingly saw the desktop PC as part of the corporate infrastructure. This caused tension between an original goal of the PC revolution, that the user controls their own computer, and the new role they played in the corporation. This conflict continues today and is played out on a regular basis in companies around the world. A similar tension exists with handheld and other portable computers. Such as wireless mobile communication devices. However, the situation with handheld computers is more complex for several reasons. Since handheld computers are becoming relatively inexpensive, many users purchase such devices for personal use. Such user-purchased devices cannot be said to be owned by a corporation of which the user is an employee, but they often come to contain corporate data such as contacts, calendar entries and email. Even when a handheld computer is purchased by a corporate employer and provided to an employee, the handheld computer is likely to be used outside the corporate premises. This may require external access to the corporate infrastructure. Allowing an unsecured device to access the corporate network offers potential for security breaches. Furthermore, when a handheld computer is enabled for wireless communications, a carrier becomes another interested party with respect to the handheld computer. The carrier owns and operates a wireless communication network in which the handheld computer is configured to operate, and therefore may want to exercise control over the traffic on that network. As well, the carrier may wish to add to their revenue by offering additional services to handheld computers. A carrier may thus be at odds with a corporate IT department in regard to handheld computer control, particularly where IT department controls may potentially increase network traffic or affect the carrier's ability to offer these services and thus reduce their revenue. Therefore, there remains a need for a system and method for secure control of a wireless communication device, which allows each individual stakeholders, including the user, corporate owner or corporate system operator, carrier, and possibly other stakeholders, to control their device assets without affecting the other stakeholders. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to an aspect of the invention, a system for secure control of a wireless mobile communication device comprises at least one domain, each domain including an asset of the wireless mobile communication device, and a domain controller configured to receive a request to perform-an operation affecting at least one of the assets, to determine whether the request originated with an entity that has a trust relationship with the domain that includes the at least one affected asset, and to permit completion of the operation where the request originated with an entity that has a trust relationship with the domain that includes the at least one affected asset. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for secure control of a wireless mobile communication device, comprises segregating assets of the wireless mobile communication device into a plurality of domains, each domain including at least one asset of the wireless mobile communication device, receiving a request to perform an operation affecting at least one of the assets, determining whether the operation is permitted by the domain that includes the affected asset, and allowing the operation to be completed where the operation is permitted by the domain that includes the affected asset. Further features of secure control systems and methods will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication system in which wireless mobile communication devices may be used. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless mobile communication device in which a system and method for secure control may be implemented. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating multiple domains on a wireless mobile communication device. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a method for secure control of a wireless mobile communication device. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example wireless mobile communication device. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication system in which wireless mobile communication devices may be used. The communication system 10 includes a Wide Area Network (WAN) 12, coupled to a computer system 14, a wireless network gateway 16 and a corporate Local Area Network (LAN) 18. The wireless network gateway 16 is also connected to a wireless communication network 20 in which a wireless mobile communication device 22 (“mobile device”), is configured to operate. The computer system 14 may be a desktop or laptop PC, which is configured to communicate to the WAN 12, the Internet for example. PCs, such as computer system 14, normally access the Internet through an Internet Service Provider (ISP), Application Service Provider (ASP) or the like. The corporate LAN 18 is an example of a typical working environment, in which multiple computers 28 are connected in a network. It is normally located behind a security firewall 24. Within the corporate LAN 30, a message server 26, operating on a computer behind the firewall 24, acts as the primary interface for the corporation to exchange messages both within the LAN 18, and with other external messaging clients via the WAN 12. Known message servers include, for example, Microsoft™ Exchange Server and Lotus Domino™. These servers are often used in conjunction with Internet mail routers to route and deliver mail. The message server 26 may also provide additional functionality, such as dynamic database storage for data like calendars, todo lists, task lists, e-mail and documentation. Although only a message server 26 is shown in the LAN 18, those skilled in the art will appreciate that a LAN may include other types of servers supporting resources that are shared between the networked computer systems 28. The message server 26 and electronic messaging are described for illustrative purposes only. Owner control systems and methods are applicable to a wide range of electronic devices, and are in no way limited to electronic devices with messaging capabilities The message server 26 provides messaging capabilities to networked computer systems 28 coupled to the LAN 18. A typical LAN 18 includes multiple computer systems 28, each of which implements a messaging client, such as Microsoft Outlook™, Lotus Notes™, etc. Within the LAN 18, messages are received by the message server 26, distributed to the appropriate mailboxes for user accounts addressed in the received message, and are then accessed by a user through a messaging client operating on a computer system 28. The wireless gateway 16 provides an interface to a wireless network 20, through which messages may be exchanged with a mobile device 22. The mobile device 22 may, for example, be a data communication device, a voice communication device, a dual-mode communication device such as many modern cellular telephones having both data and voice communications functionality, a multiple-mode device capable of voice, data and other types of communications, a personal digital assistant (PDA) enabled for wireless communications, or a laptop or desktop computer system with a wireless modem. An exemplary mobile device is described in further detail below. Such functions as addressing of the mobile device 22, encoding or otherwise transforming messages for wireless transmission, and any other interface functions may be performed by the wireless gateway 16. The wireless gateway 16 may be configured to operate with more than one wireless network 20, in which case the wireless gateway 16 may also determine a most likely network for locating a given mobile device 22 and possibly track mobile devices as users roam between countries or networks. Any computer system with access to the WAN 12 may exchange messages with the mobile device 22 through the wireless network gateway 16. Alternatively, private wireless network gateways such as wireless Virtual Private Network (VPN) routers could also be implemented to provide a private interface to a wireless network. For example, a wireless VPN implemented in the LAN 18 may provide a private interface from the LAN 18 to one or more mobile devices such as 22 through the wireless network 20. Such a private interface to a mobile device 22 via the wireless network gateway 16 and/or the wireless network 20 may also effectively be extended to entities outside the LAN 18 by providing a message forwarding or redirection system that operates with the message server 26. Such a message redirection system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,219,694, which is hereby incorporated into this application by reference. In this type of system, incoming messages received by the message server 26 and addressed to a user of a mobile device 22 are sent through the wireless network interface, either a wireless VPN router, wireless gateway 16 or other interface, for example, to the wireless network 20 and to the user's mobile device 22. Another alternate interface to a user's mailbox on a message server 26 may be a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) gateway. Through a WAP gateway, a list of messages in a user's mailbox on the message server 26, and possibly each message or a portion of each message, may be sent to the mobile device 22. A wireless network 20 normally delivers messages to and from communication devices such as the mobile device 22 via RF transmissions between base stations and devices. The wireless network 20 may, for example, be a data-centric wireless network, a voice-centric wireless network, or a dual-mode network that can support both voice and data communications over the same infrastructure. Recently developed networks include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, Groupe Special Mobile or the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) networks, and third-generation (3G) networks like Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS), which are currently under development. GPRS is a data overlay on top of the existing GSM wireless network, which is used operating in virtually every country in Europe. Some older examples of data-centric networks include, but are not limited to, the Mobitex™ Radio Network (“Mobitex”), and the DataTAC™ Radio Network (“DataTAC”). Examples of known voice-centric data networks include Personal Communication Systems (PCS) networks like GSM and Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) systems that have been available in North America and world-wide for several years. In the system 10, a company which owns the corporate LAN 18 may provide a computer system 28 and a mobile device 22 to an employee. Stakeholders in this example include the user of the mobile device 22, the company which owns the corporate LAN 18, and a carrier which operates the wireless network 20. As described above, each of these stakeholders may have an interest in controlling the mobile device 22 or certain resources or assets resident on the mobile device 22. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless mobile communication device in which a system and method for secure control may be implemented. It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that only the components involved in a secure control system are shown in FIG. 2. The mobile device 30 will typically include further components, depending upon the type and functionality of the mobile device 30. As shown in FIG. 2, a mobile device 30 comprises a memory 32, a domain controller 40, a wireless transceiver 48, a user interface (UI) 46, and an interface or connector 50. The memory 32 includes a key store 31, a software applications store 33 configured to store software applications, a message store 34 for storing electronic messages, a contacts store 35 for storing contact information, a domain policy store 36, a persistent data store 37, a communication “pipes” table 38, and a properties store 39. These stores are illustrative of the types of information stores that may be provided in the memory 32. Other information stores may also be provided instead of or in addition to those shown in FIG. 2. The memory 32 is a writeable store such as a RAM into which other device components may write data. Within the memory 32, the key store 31 stores cryptographic keys which may be used by the domain controller to implement domain policies. The software applications store 33 includes software applications that have been installed on the mobile device 30, and may include, for example, an electronic messaging software application, a personal information management (PIM) software application, games, as well as other software applications. The message store 34 stores electronic messages associated with one or more messaging software applications or services for which the mobile device 30 has been enabled. The contacts store 35 also stores information normally associated with such messaging software applications and services, including contact names, telephone and fax numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, and the like. In the domain policy store 36, domain membership control policies (“domain policies”), which specify the criteria used to determine into which domain a software application, property, or other information should be placed, are stored. Persistent data, or data which survives the termination of a software application which created it, is stored in the persistent store 37. Communication pipes, described in further detail below, are mobile device communication assets and are listed in the communication pipes table 38. As will also be described below, the communication pipes table 38 may also include or reference an application programming interface (API) 41 through which data may be sent to and received from a communication pipe. Properties represent configuration data, and are stored in the properties store 39. Other data associated with the mobile device 30 or software applications installed on the mobile device 30 may be stored in the data stores shown in FIG. 2, in further data stores in the memory 32 but not shown in FIG. 2, or possibly in a separate memory component on the mobile device 30. The wireless transceiver 48 enables the mobile device 30 for communications via a wireless network, as described above in conjunction with FIG. 1. The mobile device 30 is also enabled for communications with a similarly-equipped PC or other device, including another mobile device, via the interface/connector 50. In FIG. 2, the domain controller 40 is coupled to the memory 32, the wireless transceiver 48, the UI 46, and the interface/connector 50. As will be described in further detail below, access to such mobile device assets or resources is controlled by the domain controller 40. The domain controller 40 will likely be implemented most often as a software module or operating system that is executed by a mobile device processor (not shown). For example, where the mobile device 30 is a Java™-enabled device including a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) as its operating system, functionality of the domain controller 40 may be incorporated within the JVM or implemented as a software component that is executed by the JVM. Domain control at the operating system level provides more streamlined and reliable domain security than domain control at a software application level. The UI 46 may include such UI components as a keyboard or keypad, a display, or other components which may accept inputs from or provide outputs to a user of the mobile device 30. Although shown as a single block in FIG. 2, it should be apparent that a mobile device 30 typically includes more than one UI, and the UI 46 is therefore intended to represent one or more user interfaces. The interface/connector 50 enables information transfer between the mobile device 30 and a PC or another device via a communication link established between the interface/connector 50 and a compatible interface or connector in the PC or other device. The interface/connector 50 could be any of a plurality of data transfer components, including, for example, an optical data transfer interface such as an Infrared Data Association (IrDA) port, some other short-range wireless communications interface, or a wired interface such as serial or Universal Serial Bus (USB) port and connection. Known short-range wireless communications interfaces include, for example, “Bluetooth” modules and 802.11 modules according to the Bluetooth or 802.11 specifications, respectively. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that Bluetooth and 802.11 denote sets of specifications, available from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), relating to wireless LANs and wireless personal area networks, respectively. Since communications between the mobile device 30 and other systems or devices via the interface/connector 50 need not necessarily be via a physical connection, references to connecting a mobile device to a PC or other device or system includes establishing communications through either physical connections or wireless transfer schemes. Thus, the mobile device 30 could be connected to a PC, for example, by placing the mobile device 30 in a mobile device cradle connected to a serial port on the PC, by positioning the mobile device 30 such that an optical port thereof is in a line of sight of a similar port of the PC, or by physically connecting or arranging the mobile device 30 and PC in some other manner so that data may be exchanged. The particular operations involved in establishing communications between a mobile device and another system or device will be dependent upon the types of interfaces and/or connectors available in both the mobile device and the other system or device. As described above, multiple stakeholders may have interests in controlling mobile device assets or resources. In the mobile device 30, assets or resources include the wireless transceiver 48, UI 46, interface/connector 50, processor 40, and any of the stores or information in the memory 32. Some of these assets, such as the UI 46, might be usable by any software application or system on the mobile device 30, whereas one or more of the stakeholders may wish to exerts tighter control over other assets, including the wireless transceiver 48, interface/connector 50, and information stored in the memory 32, for example. In order to provide multiple-stakeholder secure control of the mobile device 30, assets may be assigned to domains, as shown in the stores in the memory 32. The key store 31 includes cryptographic keys for domains B and C. The software applications store 33, domain policy store 36, persistent data store 37, and communication pipes table 38 respectively include software applications, domain policies, persistent data, and communication pipes associated with domains A, B and C. The message store 34 and contacts store 35 include messages and contacts associated with domains B and C. In this example, only domains B and C have associated messaging software applications or services which use the message store 34 and contacts store 35. Domain C includes a communication pipe, but not for the purposes of electronic messaging in this example. It is also possible that not all domains on a mobile device include a communication pipe. This may occur, for example, when a domain includes only software applications which provide local mobile device functions which do not require communications to or from the mobile device. A domain is a collection of objects that share a common level of trust, and can be owned and controlled by a mobile device stakeholder, such as a mobile device user, a mobile device owner, a carrier or a service provider. Placing an object in a domain means that the object is trusted, and that its use can be restricted to other domain members. Each domain has a domain policy that controls which objects can become members of a domain, as described in further detail below. By creating domains and assigning one or more domains on the mobile device to each stakeholder, all stakeholders may maintain some level of control over mobile device assets that are part of the stakeholder's domain or domains. The domain controller 40 manages each domain on the mobile device 30 and maintains control over access to domain assets or resources to ensure that trust requirements are satisfied before such access is granted. For example, most mobile devices may be purchased from any of a number of retailers. Once purchased, a mobile device user can preferably execute a pre-installed software application that allows the user to enter credit card and other billing information that is used to provision wireless network communication services. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that initial provisioning of such services on a new device may instead involve interactions with a carrier or service provider customer service representative via a telephone or Internet web page. The billing information is sent to a wireless carrier billing server, which verifies the billing information and send a registration message to the mobile device. The registration message is processed at the mobile device to establish carrier domain on the mobile device. The carrier domain may include such assets as a browser that can be used to access Internet information and services via the carrier's wireless communication network. The user may then use the browser in the carrier domain to subscribe to a chat service, download the required software application from the Internet, and place the downloaded software application into the carrier domain. Other domain services, such as a domain backup frequency, for example, which specifies how often domain data should be backed up, may also be configured by the user for the carrier domain. Domain backup generally involves the transfer of domain data, possibly including software applications, properties, and persistent data to an external system. Such a backup operation allows a device user, owner, or other stakeholder to restore a domain in the event that the domain becomes corrupted, for example. Although the user may configure some settings for the carrier domain on the mobile device, the carrier maintains ultimate control over the carrier domain, as described in further detail below. The user may also install other software applications and provision further services using the mobile device. An electronic messaging service which supports message exchange between the mobile device and a personal email or other messaging account is one service that may be of interest to a mobile device user. A PC software application component of such a service, when installed on a PC configured to access the personal messaging account, establishes a user domain on the mobile device if one has not already been established. Any mobile device software applications required to use the service are then downloaded and installed on the mobile device, and placed in the user domain. Such a service might also synchronize stored messages, contacts and possibly further data associated with the personal messaging account between the PC and the mobile device, creating messages, contacts, and data in the user domain. Since the electronic messaging service, and thus the user domain, have access to a communication medium through which messages are exchanged with the PC, the user domain might also support Internet browsing. Using the web browser, the user may then download and install other software applications to the user domain. Where the software application is a birthday reminder program, for example, this program may access all of the contacts that lie in the user domain and create reminders for their birthdays. The user domain may also have user-configurable settings, such as a domain backup frequency. Where the user wishes to use the mobile device for work purposes as well, he or she may send a message, an email for example, to the IT department of his or her employer. The email includes the type of the mobile device and its network address. The IT department then sends a create domain message to the mobile device. When the create domain message is received at the mobile device, the user may first be prompted, using a UI 46 (FIG. 2), to accept this new domain. The new employer domain is then created. Having created the employer domain on the device, the IT department uploads such information as the company directory and a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software application to the device. As described above for the carrier and personal domains, the employer domain may include settings which control behaviour and characteristics of the domain, such as domain backup frequency. It is contemplated, however, that at least the employer domain may be tightly controlled, such that employer domain configuration is established by the employer. The introduction of domains in this example has some important mobile device control and security benefits. For example, the birthday reminder program in the user domain cannot access the company directory in the employer domain, even though they are both stored on the same mobile device. Also, synchronization of the user domain data, such as personal contacts, between the mobile device and a user's PC is accomplished through a user domain communication pipe, associated with the personal messaging service, so no corporate data from the employer domain is backed up to the user's PC when the user domain is backed up. Similarly, any synchronization or backup of the employer domain data is performed through the employer domain communication pipe, so that the user's personal contacts are not copied to the corporate server. In addition, none of the software applications in the carrier domain or the user domain can access the communication pipe in the employer domain. Only software applications in the employer domain can access corporate data which normally resides behind a security firewall in the employer's corporate network. This prevents “Trojan horse” type software applications from compromising the employer's network security. The employer IT department prevents the user from installing software applications in the employer domain, as described in further detail below. The user can still install software applications in the user domain, but they are not trusted by the employer. The carrier can disable or upgrade software applications in the carrier domain, but cannot effect software applications in the other domains. The carrier may, of course, prevent traffic from the mobile device on their communication network, but any mobile device could be enabled for operation in multiple different communication networks operated by different carriers. Super user software applications provided by the mobile device manufacturer, for example, or some other source trusted by all domains, are members of multiple domains and thus present a unified view of data across multiple domains. This is useful in such software applications as an Address Book software application used to view and manage a contacts store on a mobile device. Such super user software applications have access to multiple domains, but also preferably respect the security of each domain. For example, a synchronization software application might access all data but only backs up domain data through the appropriate domain pipe. In order to avoid duplication of super user software application code on a mobile device, super user software applications may be outside the domains to which they have access, and effectively assume domain membership from time to time, as required. Super user software applications may therefore reside in a particular super user domain, or possibly in a part of a software applications store that is not associated with any particular domain. The mobile device 30 (FIG. 2) implies a segregation of the various stores in the memory 32 into different domain storage areas. However, it should be appreciated that implementation of domains on a mobile device may be much more flexible than would be apparent from FIG. 2. For example, entries in any of the stores in the memory 32 need not be ordered by domain. The software applications store 33 may include a first software application in domain A, followed by another software application in domain C, and then a third software application which is also in domain A. Even though the domain A software applications in this example do not occupy contiguous locations in the software applications store 33, they are nonetheless associated with domain A. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating multiple domains on a wireless mobile communication device. FIG. 2 shows domains from the perspective of physical device components, whereas FIG. 3 illustrates the practical effect of domains on mobile device assets. Therefore, the actual mobile device may be the same in FIGS. 2 and 3, although domain-based secure control of a mobile device will become more apparent from FIG. 3 and the following description thereof. The mobile device 52 in FIG. 3 includes an employer domain 54, a carrier domain 62, and a user domain 64, each including software applications, a communication pipe, and properties. The employer domain 54 and the user domain 64 also include contacts and messages. The employer domain 54 and the user domain 64 are respectively secured using the employer key 56 and a user key 66, as will be described in further detail below. As will be apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3, the carrier domain 62, the employer domain 54, and the user domain 64 are similar to the domains A, B and C, respectively, in FIG. 2. A default domain 58, which contains software applications and properties, and a properties domain 68, which includes at least some of the properties stored in the properties store 39 (FIG. 2), are also shown in FIG. 3. Placing a software application in a domain gives it access to domain assets, most notably the domain communication pipe(s) and domain data such as persistent data and properties. In the employer domain 54, for example, the CRM software application and the corporate messaging software application have access to the corporate communication pipe, data such as corporate contacts and messages associated with a corporate messaging account, and properties in the employer domain 54. Libraries within a domain are similarly accessible only from software applications in that domain. Some software applications may be members of more than one domain. This grants the software application access to data in multiple domains. In FIG. 3, both the employer domain 54 and the user domain 64 include a messaging software application. In this case, it is desirable to have a single super user messaging software application that is a member of or has access to both domains. However, the owners of both domains would have to trust such a software application. Since the user of the mobile device has control over the user domain 64, a software application trusted by another domain could fairly easily be granted access to the user domain 64 by the user. When other domains than the user domain 64 are involved, each domain owner has to trust a super user software application and grant access to such a software application to its respective domain. Software application provisioning policy is preferably set on a per domain basis, so that the domain owner can control which software applications can be loaded into a domain. There are several methods of controlling/assigning a software application to a domain. These are discussed in further detail below. A communication pipe is a means of communication between the mobile device and some external entity. A particular physical transport layer, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), Bluetooth™, a serial port, 802.11 and GPRS, can represent several logical communication pipes depending on the gateway at the other end. For example, a GPRS radio can be used to communicate with both the carrier WAP gateway in the carrier domain 62, as well as a corporate gateway through the corporate communication pipe in the employer domain 54. In this case, both the WAP gateway and the corporate communication pipe represent separate communication pipes even though they use the same physical transport. One reason for this separation is that even though the same physical transport is used, the gateways are controlled by separate stakeholders. Placing a communication pipe in a domain means that the domain owner trusts that communication pipe. This is usually due to their control of the gateway or of the encryption keys that are used for communications over the communication pipe. In the case of the corporate communication pipe, the communication pipe often includes a gateway through a corporate security firewall, such that access to the communication pipe represents a possible avenue of attack against a corporate infrastructure. By placing the communication pipe inside a domain that they control, a corporate entity such as an employer restricts access to the communication pipe and reduce the likelihood of attack. As described above, any data that survives the termination of the software application that created it is said to be persistent. In a more traditional computer architecture, persistent data is written to a disk or database. Information in main memory is normally not persistent and disappears when the software application exits, gracefully or otherwise, unless the software application takes explicit action to preserve the data by writing it to a persistent store. Like most computers, mobile devices have persistent and non-persistent storage. Persistent data is often shared between software applications. Such sharing of data or software application integration leads to useful and convenient features but also introduces the possibility of data theft or corruption by unscrupulous software applications. Domains allow the benefits of software application integration while mitigating the risk to important data. By default, all persistent data created by a software application is placed in the same domain as the software application. Only software applications in the same domain can access this persistent data. This allows the domain owner to ensure that only trusted software applications can access persistent data. Untrusted software applications can still be loaded onto a mobile device without compromising data integrity or security. Properties are persistent data that represent configuration information that is either global, domain or software application specific. Unlike most persistent data, properties allow a finer grain of access control. For example, it is possible to define a property that can be read by a software application but not modified. Properties can be placed in a domain and used to store user configuration or to set policies. There may be several ways to add, modify, store, backup and restore configuration data on a mobile device. In general, known configuration data handling schemes relate to configuration data that is global to the mobile device. Handling of configuration data on a per application basis is normally left up to the software application. However, a system level domain-based mechanism for handling software application configuration data is desirable, for example, to place information about a software application in a secure location so that it can be used to define domain provisioning policy. When configuration data is removed from the control of the software application, the software application need not be trusted to set its own provisioning policy or manage its own application lifecycle. As well as supporting software application provisioning, properties provide a consistent set of software application configuration services to the software application developer. These software application configuration services include automatic backup and restoring of properties, automatic generation of a user interface for editing properties, programmatic access to properties, a secure method of exchanging properties additions or changes over the air from a mobile device, and a secure and tamperproof offline properties storage mechanism. Also, by defining properties at a global scope, properties may be used to control configuration of a mobile device, not just software applications on such a device. Properties are named, typed data. They are akin to resources except that they are meant to be edited, whereas software application resources are usually defined when a software application is created and are not normally changed. The name is an identifier that a software application can use to refer to a property, and the type indicates a type of data of the property. Properties may also have a description, separate from the name. Separating the description from the name allows a properties editing to be internationalized without recompiling a software application. The following property identifies a server with which a software application interacts: Name: Server Type: String Value: http://sap.server.net/crm Description: CRM Server. This property might be used by a CRM software application on a mobile device that accesses data on a corporate server. The CRM software application is loaded in the employer domain 54 in FIG. 3. The server property, required by the CRM software application, is also placed or created in the employer domain 54. Properties preferably have access control. Not all properties can be read or modified by all software applications or stakeholders on a mobile device. For example, the CRM software application is able to read the name of the CRM server in the value field of the server property, but cannot modify it. Additionally, the ability to modify the server URL may be reserved for the employer or corporate IT department. This is particularly important when application properties are tied to system resources. For example, if a mobile device security firewall uses an application property to allow or deny access to a corporate gateway through the corporate communication pipe, then it would be important to prevent the software application from modifying this property. In this case, the software application cannot generate a user interface to allow editing this property, since it cannot modify the property. For this reason, it is important to have a trusted application generate the user interface for editing application properties. This trusted software application or Property Editor ensures that properties are properly labelled, to prevent a user being mislead into modifying a property, and that access control rules are enforced. Each property may have access control rules for each software application, as well as for each of the stakeholders on a mobile device. Since properties may be included in every domain on a mobile device, a Property Editor is preferably implemented as a super user software application and thereby granted access to the properties in multiple domains. For example, the following property allows a software application to read but not modify or write to the property. A user or a domain is able to both read and write to the property. Global rights are normally associated with a mobile device owner, which is not necessarily the user, such as when the mobile device was provided to a user by an employer. In this example, global rights include reading, but not writing to, the property. Name: HTTPAccess Type: Boolean Value: false Description: Allow HTTP Access Application: +read, −write User: +read, +write Domain: +read, +write Global: +read, −write Properties are preferably defined within a scope. Valid scopes, as shown in the properties store 39 in FIG. 2, may include global, domain and application. When a software application requests a list of properties, it gets all readable global properties, all readable properties in the software application's domain, assuming the software application is a member of a domain, and all readable application properties for the software application. In general, any readable properties which may affect the software application are provided in such a list. The properties placed within a domain may include application properties for the software applications within the domain, as well as domain properties. Global properties are placed in a separate properties domain 68, which is preferably accessible to all mobile device software applications, regardless of the domain in which each software application exists. Access rules may also be applied to control the creation of new properties of any particular scope. For example, the following definition of global scope indicates that global properties may be created by a user but not a software application: Scope: Global Application: −create User: +create. Domain scope properties for a particular domain may be defined, for example, as: Scope: Domain Name: Employer Application: +create User: −create, which means that software applications in the employer domain can create new properties in that domain. A user cannot create new employer domain properties in this example. Software applications have programmatic access to read properties, and possibly to modify and create properties. New properties can be created in any of the software application's scopes, subject to scope access rules. By default, new properties created by a software application preferably have application scope. As described above, a trusted software application, a Property Editor, generates a user interface for editing properties. Since software applications may be able to modify and create properties, there should be a way to programmatically invoke the Property Editor. For example, each software application may have a menu item called “Options” that can be selected to invoke the Property Editor. When invoked from within a software application, the property editor does not display properties that cannot be read by the software application. Properties that cannot be modified by the software application are displayed in a read only mode. The Property Editor may group properties into multiple pages based on the scope of the properties, for example, to reduce clutter. It may be necessary to allow the software application to define property groups as a hint to the Property Editor in the case where there are too many properties to fit on a single page. Like other domain data, properties can preferably be backed up and restored through one or more communication pipes, such as through a serial port or over the air. In reference to FIG. 2, backup and restore operations may be performed using the wireless transceiver 48 or the interface/connector 50. Backup through an interface or connector such as a serial port may be initiated by a PC or other device with which a mobile device communicates. All application properties may be backed up by default, so that no serialization code is needed in the software applications. As well, any property data, and other domain data, that is stored to a disk may be digitally signed and encrypted before being sent to the mobile device. This prevents tampering with the property data as a way to circumvent the access control mechanisms. Over the air backup and restore may be initiated either by a mobile device or by a remote server or system. Mobile device-initiated backup and restore are important for transports that do not support sending data to a device without first requesting such data. For example, if the device can only access a remote network through a WAP gateway, the user initiates a backup of the device. This could be done by explicit user action or by setting up a timer. Over the air restoration allows restoring properties to the last saved state. Again, this could be explicitly initiated by the user as part of a device recovery task. Server initiated backup and restore are forms of remote control of a mobile device. Where the path to the device allows server-initiated communication, the properties can be completely controlled from a remote server. Remote server actions may include, for example creating a property, modifying a property, deleting a property, getting a list of properties (globally or software application specific), and getting a list of software applications on a mobile device. One purpose of domains is to define a restricted set of objects with a common trust relationship. In general, no access to domain software applications or data is granted to external entities, but all members of a domain'are completely trusted. As described above, however, properties have a further level of access control. Although certain software applications may span several domains, such a software application may only access a domain if it is trusted and has been granted access to the domain by the owner of that domain. The fundamental domain operations that are controlled are creating and deleting domains, managing software applications (installing and deleting), managing properties (creating, reading, modifying), and access to persistent data (creating, reading, modifying). A finer grained control can be achieved by introducing additional domains, subdomains or domain libraries. A subdomain is a domain that lies within another domain. Members of a subdomain inherit all of the privileges of the parent domain. An example of a subdomain would be a human resources (HR) subdomain within the employer domain 54. All software applications within the employer domain 54, including those in the HR domain, can access the company directory on a corporate network through the corporate data pipe, but only software applications in the HR domain may be able to access personal information on the corporate network. This allows different levels of trust within a domain while sharing some common resources. If a code library is a member of a domain, then it may be used to grant restricted assess to domain data to software applications outside the domain. This allows a domain owner to write their own access control rules and use them to grant limited access to domain data through the library. By default, domain libraries do not allow non-domain software applications to make calls to domain libraries, but the domain owner could relax this restriction on a per library basis. In this sense, a domain library that is accessible to software applications outside a domain is analogous to a domain controller in that it controls access to domain assets or resources associated with the library. Such a domain library permits implementation of a finer granularity of domain access control or more complex access rules for a particular domain, or for specific assets or resources within a domain. In order for domain operations to be secure, domain policies control how objects become members of a domain. There are several different possible domain policies, each of which relies on a different trusted entity. Perhaps the simplest domain policy is to allow objects to place themselves into a domain. This relies on the unlikelihood of an untrusted entity knowing about the domain. Information received at a mobile device is placed into a domain indicated in the received information or possibly control information received with the information. Another relatively simple scheme is to trust the communication pipe. This means that anything received over a domain communication pipe is placed in that domain. This works well when the domain owner can control the pipe, as is the case with the carrier domain 62, for example. Referring to both FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, where domain A of FIG. 2 corresponds to the carrier domain 62 in FIG. 3, this type of domain policy is specified as shown in the domain policy store 36. When information is received over the WAP gateway (pipe A), the domain controller 40 determines that it belongs to domain A, the carrier domain 62, and places the information in that domain. The domain controller 40 accesses the domain policy store 36 to determine whether the domain for the communication pipe over which the information was received is configured for a trust the pipe domain policy. The domain controller 40 may determine the domain for the communication pipe by consulting the communication pipe table 38. Where the API 41 is provided for transferring data between the domain controller 40 and any communication pipe in the communication pipe table 38, the communication pipe table may indicate to the domain controller 40 the domain to which the communication pipe belongs. It is also possible that received information may include an indicator of the domain in which it should be placed. The domain controller 40 then accesses the domain policy store 36 to determine the domain policy in effect for that domain. A stronger method of domain security relies on cryptography. In a public key system, each domain has an associated public and private key. Anything that is added to a domain must be digitally signed using the domain private key. Only digital signatures generated using the domain private key can be verified using the domain public key, such as the keys B and C, 56 and 66. This allows domain information to arrive through any pipe. For example, an employer would normally want to ensure that the creation and control of the employer domain 54 is secure. A secure connection is preferably established between the mobile device 52 and the employer system before a create domain message is sent to the mobile device 52. A secure connection could be established through encryption of the create domain message or other cryptographic techniques, or using a secure communication protocol between the employer system and the mobile device 52. Encryption may involve public key cryptographic operations, or “shared secret” type cryptography. Secure domain creation techniques may also be used by other stakeholders to securely create domains on the mobile device. In order to ensure that all information for the employer domain is authentic, both when the employer domain is created and when software applications or data are subsequently to be placed in the employer domain, information destined for the employer domain is digitally signed using a signature private key of the employer, and the mobile device 52 then verifies the digital signature before it places the data and software applications in the employer domain. Digital signature schemes generally involve some sort of transformation of digitally signed information to provide for checking the integrity of the information and authentication of a source of the signed information. For example, according to one digital signature scheme, a digest of information to be digitally signed is first generated using a non-reversible digest algorithm or transformation. Known digest algorithms include Secure Hashing Algorithm 1 (SHA-1) and Message-Digest algorithm 5 (MD5). Other digest techniques that produce a unique digest for each unique input may also be used. The digest is then further transformed using a signer's signature private key and a signature algorithm to generate a digital signature. In order to provide for digital signature verification, signature algorithms are normally reversible, but only when a signature public key corresponding to the signature private key is used. If the signed information has been changed after it was signed, or the digital signature was generated using any key other than the signer's signature private key, then signature verification using the signer's signature public key fails. In the context of secure domain control on the mobile device 52, a domain owner digitally signs any information destined for a domain on the mobile device 52 using a signature private key. At the mobile device 52, the information is not placed in the domain unless the digital signature is verified using the domain owner's signature public key 56 or 66 for the domain. Referring again to both FIGS. 2 and 3, and specifically to the employer domain 54 (domain B), when digitally signed information is received by the mobile device 30, the domain controller 40 determines the domain for which the information is destined. The domain controller 40 may determine the appropriate domain by accessing the communication pipes table 38, or based on a domain indication either from the API 41 in the communication pipes table 38 or in the received information. Since cryptographic or “trust the key” domain policies facilitate receipt of data for a particular domain over other than the communication pipe(s) in that domain, a domain indication in received information may be particularly useful in conjunction with this type of domain policy. Once the appropriate domain has been identified, the domain controller 40 then retrieves the corresponding key for the domain, key B in this example, from the key store 31. The information is placed in the domain where the digital signature is verified using the key B. The received information may be discarded, or possibly placed in the default domain 58 if the digital signature is not verified. The operations of the domain controller 40 are similar for other domains having a trust the key domain policy, such as the user domain 64 (domain C). As those skilled in the art of public key cryptography will appreciate, where a public key is not stored on a mobile device, it is obtained from a public key repository if it is not available in the key store 31 when required. It should also be appreciated that other cryptographic access control mechanisms are possible, using cryptographic challenges and responses or shared secret keys, for example. When digital signature verification for received software applications or data fails, or software applications or data have not been signed, the software applications or data may be placed in a default domain 58. The default domain 58 includes software applications and properties and possibly allows access to unrestricted device assets or resources. A default domain such as 58 may also provide temporary storage of unsigned or improperly signed software applications and data. Any software applications and data in the default domain 58 could then be placed into a user-controlled domain at a later time. In order to prevent denial of service type attacks exploiting the default domain 58, resources available to the default domain 58 are preferably limited. By limiting the amount of memory that objects in the default domain 58 may occupy, for example, inundating a mobile device with unsigned or improperly signed information cannot deplete the amount of memory available to other domains on the mobile device to such a degree as to render the mobile device or software applications in other domains inoperable. As a further alternative domain policy, when a domain is created, it may include an access list established by the domain owner that describes all allowable members. This works well with software applications, but becomes complex where control of persistent data is required. A hybrid scheme where data is verified by some other method might be appropriate here. If a domain owner trusts the holder of the device, or the holder of the device is the domain owner, then each new object could be placed in the domain by some on-device user interface, dependent upon a prompt to the user. According to this domain policy, when a software application or other domain data is received at a mobile device, the user either accepts the software application or data and places it in a domain or rejects the software application or data. It may make sense to use different security techniques for different types of objects. For example, domain creation may be controlled cryptographically. However, once a domain is established, it may trust the domain pipe for further domain changes. Different domains might also use different security measures. Since the user domain 64 is controlled by the user of the mobile device 52, the user may be prompted to accept or reject software applications and data for the user domain 64, whereas the employer domain 54 and the, carrier domain 62, as shown, use a cryptographic domain policy and a trust the pipe domain policy, respectively. In regard to creating new domains, different control mechanisms could also be applied. As described above, new domains could be created in response to requests from a stakeholder, possibly subject to acceptance by the user. Domain creation could be further restricted by trusting the mobile device manufacturer. The device manufacturer could set up domains when the mobile device is manufactured. When a particular component of a mobile device is configured to store information, then that component could be manufactured with certain domains. This technique applies to GPRS mobile devices, for example, which require a Subscriber Identity Module or SIM for operation. Domains could be configured on a SIM by a SIM manufacturer, owner or other stakeholder before the SIM is provided to a user. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a method for secure control of a wireless mobile communication device. The method begins at step 70, where a request to perform an operation is received at the mobile device. The mobile device 30 (FIG. 2), for example, may receive such a request through the wireless transceiver 48, from a UI 46, through the interface/connector 50, or from a software application running on the mobile device 30. A received request is then passed to a domain controller 40 (FIG. 2), which determines in which domain the assets or resources affected by the requested operation are located. Referring again to FIG. 2, if the request is a memory access request by a software application to read record 1 in the persistent data store 37, then the domain controller 40 determines that record 1 belongs to domain A. In FIG. 2, a domain identifier or indicator is stored with each record in the persistent data store 37. Objects in other stores may similarly include such a domain identifier to allow the domain controller to determine the domain to which an object belongs. For domains with cryptographic or trust the key domain policies, digitally signed domain data, which may include software applications, properties, persistent data, or other information, that is, received by the mobile device 30 may be stored in signed form. The domain controller 40 can then confirm that an object is trusted by a particular domain by verifying the digital signature stored with the object using the appropriate cryptographic key. The domain controller 40 may also be configured to establish and maintain or at least consult an access control list that specifies associations between domains and the objects that have been granted access to the domains. Different domains on a mobile device may also use different schemes for indicating domain membership, provided the domain controller on the mobile device is configured to handle such different schemes. At step 74, the domain controller determines whether the requested operation is permitted. This determination involves determining the domain from which the received request originated. As described above, each member of a domain is trusted and has access to assets within that domain. The requested operation is completed at step 76 where the operation is permitted. In the above example of a request from a software application to read record 1, the read operation is completed where the requesting software application is in domain A, the same domain as the record to be read. The domain controller 40 may determine, and possibly confirm, the domain from which a request originates substantially as described above in the context of determining the domain to which an asset belongs. Where the operation is not permitted, the operation is denied at step 78, and error processing operations, if any, are performed at step 80. Error processing operations at step 80 may include, for example, returning an error or failure indication to the requesting object and displaying an error message to a user of the mobile device. The determination at step 74 may include further or alternative operations beyond determining whether the received request originated from the same domain as the domain assets affected by the requested operation. A “same domain” determination represents but one example of how a trust relationship might be verified. In the case of a super user software application, the software application might not belong to any particular domain. Therefore, instead of determining an originating domain, a domain controller determines whether the super user software application is trusted and has been granted access to the affected domain assets by the domain owner. Also, as described above, properties may have additional access rules. As such, when a requested operation affects properties, further criteria may be applied at step 74 to determine whether the operation is permitted. Domain policies may also be examined by a domain controller at step 74, where the received request relates to new domain data that is to be placed into an existing domain. If the request is a create domain message, then step 74 may involve interaction with a user to accept or reject a new domain. Although the method in FIG. 4 has been described primarily in the context of a read operation as an example of a controlled operation, it should be apparent that other operations may be similarly controlled. Domain assets thereby remain protected from objects in other domains, and may be accessed only by trusted objects in the same domain or super user software applications that are trusted by multiple domains. When data is to be sent using a particular domain's communication pipe, for example, the domain controller first determines whether an object or domain attempting to send the data has been granted access to the communication pipe by the domain owner, such as by determining whether the sending object or domain is in the same domain as the communication pipe. The domain controller 40 accesses the communication pipes table 38 to determine to which domain a communication pipe belongs, and then send data to the communication pipe via the API 41 where the sending object in that same domain or has been granted access to the communication pipe in that domain by the domain owner. The method shown in FIG. 4 relates to control of a mobile device based on domains. Global, domain, or application properties are used to establish further controls, as described above. The processing of a request for an operation may therefore also or instead involve checking such properties to determine if an operation is permitted. Although a software application might have access to a communication pipe in a domain, an application property might indicate that the software application has expired, or a global property may specify that the software application cannot send data from the mobile device. Although properties are included in the domains shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and affect operations associated with domains, property-based control may be implemented separately from domain-based control. For example, where an operation is to be performed by a software application, the application properties associated with software application may first be accessed to determine whether the operation is permitted for the software application. A request for the operation is then sent to a domain controller only if the application properties permit the operation by the software application. In this example, application properties provide a first level of control, and domains provide a further level of control. It should be appreciated, however, that either property-based control or domain-based control may be implemented on a mobile device. Although these control schemes complement each other, they can instead be independent. Having described domains, properties and related security mechanisms, domain- and property-based services and uses will now be described. Since a domain describes a set of data and possibly a communication pipe, the communication pipe is used to perform a backup operation on a domain. This involves sending all of the domain data, including properties and software applications, over the communication pipe to a backup system or server. Similarly, as part of a device recovery plan, the backup system or server is used to re-establish the domain on the mobile device and restore all of the data. In this case, the domain defines what should be backed up, as well as the trusted communication path to use. Domains that do not include a communication pipe may be backed up through another available data pipe or transport that has not been assigned to a domain. Digital signing and encryption techniques, when used during backup and restore operations, ensure security and integrity of domain data. It is also possible to place objects from multiple domains into single container classes. When a software application requests an iterator on such a class, it enumerates only the elements in the proper domain. Super user software applications, such as an Address Book software application, should be able to request an iterator for a particular domain. This makes it easy to write a software application where the user requests a domain specific view on the data. For example, the Address Book could be configured to display only contacts in the employer domain 54. Super user software applications that span domains also assume domain membership for a finite period of time. This allows a super user software application to act on the behalf of a domain without having to duplicate code that enforces domain access control. An example where this might be useful is in a data synchronization software application. When it is backing up a domain, such a software application assumes membership in that domain. This allows the underlying operating system to ensure that domain data is only written to the domain communication pipe. One of the primary uses for domains is to provide data security. By placing a software application in a domain, access to that software application's data is restricted to other software applications in that domain. Levels of security within a single organization can be represented by multiple domains or by subdomains. Where the enforcement of domain policies is performed by a mobile device system such as a JVM and not a software application, bad programming on the part of the developer is less likely to result in a security breach. Domains are also useful in over the air software application provisioning for mobile devices. Where each stakeholder is provided with a respective domain, software applications installed in one domain do not affect mobile device assets, software applications, or data in other domains. Thus, neither a carrier providing communication services to a mobile device nor an employer as an owner of a mobile device need be concerned that user software applications installed in a user domain on the mobile device will affect carrier domain assets, software applications or data or corporate assets, software applications or data. Software application provisioning may also include loading of configuration data for a software application in the form of application properties. Other aspects of software applications on a mobile device are also controllable using application properties. A domain owner, such as a service provider, may specify that a software application may be executed only a specific number of times, only a specific number of times in a certain time period, or only a specific number of times before service charges apply. By placing properties within domains, a stakeholder maintains secure control over domain assets, including software applications in the domain. Just as properties can be mapped to mobile device resource access such as HTTP access and, phone access, for example, they can also be mapped to device state information, including information on available memory and date and time of last mobile device reset. This allows remote querying of the mobile device state. Such a query could be initiated by a device management server or be triggered by a timer on the mobile device. By querying these system-mapped properties, a server can remotely manage the mobile device. Some of these properties will be local to a domain, such as a maximum number of recipients per message, and some will be global to the device, the minimum length of a password, for example. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example wireless mobile communication device. The mobile device 500 is preferably a two-way communication device having at least voice and data communication capabilities. The mobile device 500 preferably has the capability to communicate with other computer systems on the Internet. Depending on the functionality provided by the mobile device, the mobile device may be referred to as a data messaging device, a two-way pager, a cellular telephone with data messaging capabilities, a wireless Internet appliance, or a data communication device (with or without telephony capabilities). As mentioned above, such devices are referred to generally herein simply as mobile devices. The mobile device 500 includes a transceiver 511, a microprocessor 538, a display 522, Flash memory 524, RAM 526, auxiliary input/output (I/O) devices 528, a serial port 530, a keyboard 532, a speaker 534, a microphone 536, a short-range wireless communications sub-system 540, and may also include other device sub-systems 542. The transceiver 511 preferably includes transmit and receive antennas 516, 518, a receiver (Rx) 512, a transmitter (Tx) 514, one or more local oscillators (LOs) 513, and a digital signal processor (DSP) 520. Within the Flash memory 524, which may alternatively be another type of non-volatile store such as a battery backed-up RAM, the mobile device 500 preferably includes a plurality of software modules 524A-524N that can be executed by the microprocessor 538 (and/or the DSP 520), including a voice communication module 524A, a data communication module 524B, and a plurality of other operational modules 524N for carrying out a plurality of other functions. The mobile device 500 is preferably a two-way communication device having voice and data communication capabilities. Thus, for example, the mobile device 500 may communicate over a voice network, such as any of the analog or digital cellular networks, and may also communicate over a data network. The voice and data networks are depicted in FIG. 5 by the communication tower 519. These voice and data networks may be separate communication networks using separate infrastructure, such as base stations, network controllers, etc., or they may be integrated into a single wireless network. References to the network 519 should therefore be interpreted as encompassing both a single voice and data network and separate networks. The communication subsystem 511 is used to communicate with the network 519. The DSP 520 is used to send and receive communication signals to and from the transmitter 514 and receiver 512, and may also exchange control information with the transmitter 514 and receiver 512. If the voice and data communications occur at a single frequency, or closely-spaced set of frequencies, then a single LO 513 may be used in conjunction with the transmitter 514 and receiver 512. Alternatively, if different frequencies are utilized for voice communications versus data communications, then a plurality of LOs 513 can be used to generate a plurality of frequencies corresponding to the network 519. Although two antennas 516, 518 are depicted in FIG. 5, the mobile device 500 could be used with a single antenna structure. Information, which includes both voice and data information, is communicated to and from the communication module 511 via a link between the DSP 520 and the microprocessor 538. The detailed design of the communication subsystem 511, such as frequency band, component selection, power level, etc., will be dependent upon the communication network 519 in which the mobile device 500 is intended to operate. For example, a mobile device 500 intended to operate in a North American market may include a communication subsystem 511 designed to operate with the Mobitex or DataTAC mobile data communication networks and also designed to operated with any of a variety of voice communication networks, such as AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, PCS, etc., whereas a mobile device 500 intended for use in Europe may be configured to operate with the GPRS data communication network and the GSM voice communication network. Other types of data and voice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilized with the mobile device 500. Depending upon the type of network 519, the access requirements for the mobile device 500 may also vary. For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC data networks, mobile devices are registered on the network using a unique identification number associated with each device. In GPRS data networks, however, network access is associated with a subscriber or user of the mobile device 500. A GPRS device typically requires a SIM in order to operate the mobile device 500 on a GPRS network. Local or non-network communication functions (if any) may be operable, without the SIM, but the mobile device 500 will be unable to carry out any functions involving communications over the network 519, other than any legally required operations, such as ‘911’ emergency calling. As described above, domains may be established on a SIM before it is provided to a user, with further domains possibly being added to a SIM after it has been installed in a mobile device. When a GPRS device also includes a memory component, domains may exist on the memory component and the SIM. Different types of domain control and domain policies could be implemented depending upon the location of a domain. After any required network registration or activation procedures have been completed, the mobile device 500 may send and receive communication signals, preferably including both voice and data signals, over the network 519. Signals received by the antenna 516 from the communication network 519 are routed to the receiver 512, which provides for signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection, analog to digital conversion, etc. Analog to digital conversion of the received signal allows more complex communication functions, such as digital demodulation and decoding to be performed using the DSP 520. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted to the network 519 are processed, including modulation and encoding, for example, by the DSP 520 and are then provided to the transmitter 514 for digital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission to the communication network 519 via the antenna 518. Although a single transceiver 511 is shown in FIG. 5 for both voice and data communications, it is possible that the mobile device 500 may include two distinct transceivers, such as a first transceiver for transmitting and receiving voice signals, and a second transceiver for transmitting and receiving data signals, or a first transceiver configured to operate within a first frequency band, and a second transceiver configured to operate within a second frequency band. In addition to processing the communication signals, the DSP 520 may also provide for receiver and transmitter control. For example, the gain levels applied to communication signals in the receiver 512 and transmitter 514 may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP 520. Other transceiver control algorithms could also be implemented in the DSP 520 in order to provide more sophisticated control of the transceiver 511. The microprocessor 538 preferably manages and controls the overall operation of the mobile device 500. Many types of microprocessors or microcontrollers could be used here, or, alternatively, a single DSP 520 could be used to carry out the functions of the microprocessor 538. Low-level communication functions, including at least data and voice communications, are performed through the DSP 520 in the transceiver 511. Other, high-level communication software applications, such as a voice communication software application 524A, and a data communication software application 524B may be stored in the Flash memory 524 for execution by the microprocessor 538. For example, the voice communication module 524A may provide a high-level user interface operable to transmit and receive voice calls between the mobile device 500 and a plurality of other voice devices via the network 519. Similarly, the data communication module 524B may provide a high-level user interface operable for sending and receiving data, such as e-mail messages, files, organizer information, short text messages, etc., between the mobile device 500 and a plurality of other data devices via the network 519. The microprocessor 538 also interacts with other device subsystems, such as the display 522, Flash memory 524, random access memory (RAM) 526, auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 528, serial port 530, keyboard 532, speaker 534, microphone 536, a short-range communications subsystem 540 and any other device subsystems generally designated as 542. For example, the modules 524A-N are executed by the microprocessor 538 and may provide a high-level interface between a user of the mobile device and the mobile device. This interface typically includes a graphical component provided through the display 522, and an input/output component provided through the auxiliary I/O 528, keyboard 532, speaker 534, or microphone 536. Such interfaces are designated generally as UI 46 in FIG. 2. Some of the subsystems shown in FIG. 5 perform communication-related functions, whereas other subsystems may provide “resident” or on-device functions. Notably, some subsystems, such as keyboard 532 and display 522 may be used for both communication-related functions, such as entering a text message for transmission over a data communication network, and device-resident functions such as a calculator or task list or other PDA type functions. Operating system software used by the microprocessor 538 is preferably stored in a persistent store such as Flash memory 524. In addition to the operating system and communication modules 524A-N, the Flash memory 524 may also include a file system for storing data. The Flash memory 524 may also include data stores for application, domain and global properties. The operating system, specific device software applications or modules, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as RAM 526 for faster operation. Moreover, received communication signals may also be temporarily stored to RAM 526, before permanently writing them to a file system located in the Flash memory 524. Although the device 500 includes a Flash memory 524 as a non-volatile store, it should be appreciated that Flash memory represents one example of a non-volatile memory. Other memory arrangements, such as battery backed-up RAM, for example, may be used instead of the Flash memory 524. An exemplary software application module 524N that may be loaded onto the mobile device 500 is a PIM software application providing PDA functionality, such as calendar events, appointments, and task items. This module 524N may also interact with the voice communication module 524A for managing phone calls, voice mails, etc., and may also interact with the data communication module 524B for managing e-mail communications and other data transmissions. Alternatively, all of the functionality of the voice communication module 524A and the data communication module 524B may be integrated into the PIM module. The Flash memory 524 preferably provides a file system to facilitate storage of PIM data items on the device. The PIM software application preferably includes the ability to send and receive data items, either by itself, or in conjunction with the voice and data communication modules 524A, 524B, via the wireless network 519. The PIM data items are preferably seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated, via the wireless network 519, with a corresponding set of data items stored or associated with a host computer system, thereby creating a mirrored system for data items associated with a particular user. The mobile device 500 may also be manually synchronized with a host system by placing the mobile device 500 in an interface cradle, which couples the serial port 530 of the mobile device 500 to the serial port of the host system. The serial port 530 may also be used to download other software application modules 524N, properties, and data to one or more domains on the mobile device 500. This wired download path may further be used to load an encryption key onto the mobile device 500 for use in secure communications, which is a more secure method than exchanging encryption information via the wireless network 519. Additional software application modules 524N, properties and data may also be loaded to domains on the mobile device 500 through the network 519, through an auxiliary I/O subsystem 528, through the short-range communications subsystem 540, or through any other suitable subsystem 542, and installed by a user in the Flash memory 524 or RAM 526. Such flexibility in software application installation increases the functionality of the mobile device 500 and may provide enhanced on-device functions, communication-related functions, or both. For example, secure communication software applications may enable electronic commerce functions and other such financial transactions to be performed using the mobile device 500. When the mobile device 500 is operating in a data communication mode, a received signal, such as a text message or a web page download, will be processed by the transceiver 511 and provided to the microprocessor 538, which will preferably further process the received signal for output to the display 522, or, alternatively, to an auxiliary I/O device 528. A user of mobile device 500 may also compose data items, such as email messages, using the keyboard 532, which is preferably a complete alphanumeric keyboard laid out in the QWERTY style, although other styles of complete alphanumeric keyboards such as the known DVORAK style may also be used. User input to the mobile device 500 is further enhanced with a plurality of auxiliary I/O devices 528, which may include a thumbwheel input device, a touchpad, a variety of switches, a rocker input switch, etc. The composed data items input by the user may then be transmitted over the communication network 519 via the transceiver 511. Where the data communication module 524B is in a particular domain, received and composed data items would preferably be stored in that domain, and the composed data items would also be sent over the domain data pipe. When the mobile device 500 is operating in a voice communication mode, the overall operation of the mobile device 500 is substantially similar to the data mode, except that received signals are preferably output to the speaker 534, voice signals for transmission are generated by a microphone 536, and a different domain data pipe and assets may be used. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on the mobile device 500. Although voice or audio signal output is preferably accomplished primarily through the speaker 534, the display 522 may also be used to provide an indication of the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information. For example, the microprocessor 538, in conjunction with the voice communication module 524A and the operating system software, may detect the caller identification information of an incoming voice call and display it on the display 522. A short-range communications subsystem 540 may also be included in the mobile device 500. For example, the subsystem 540 may include an infrared device and associated circuits and components, or a Bluetooth or 802.11 short-range wireless communication module to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems and devices. Thus, owner information insertion, owner control information insertion, and software application loading operations as described above may be enabled on the mobile device 500 via the serial port 530 or other short-range communications subsystem 540. It will be appreciated that the above description relates to preferred embodiments by way of example only. Many variations on the systems and methods described above will be obvious to those knowledgeable in the field, and such obvious variations are within the scope of the invention as described and claimed, whether or not expressly described. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The invention provides improved security for wireless mobile communication devices.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>When personal computers (PCs) were first introduced, one of their greatest appeals was that the machine was controlled by its user. This was in stark contract to the mainframe model, where multiple users shared a single machine. Resources on a mainframe computer were carefully shared between users by the operating system. On a PC having a single user at any time, this type of partitioning of resources was not necessary. As the PC began to displace the corporate mainframe computer, however, issues of control began to re-emerge. Corporate Information Technology (IT) departments, increasingly saw the desktop PC as part of the corporate infrastructure. This caused tension between an original goal of the PC revolution, that the user controls their own computer, and the new role they played in the corporation. This conflict continues today and is played out on a regular basis in companies around the world. A similar tension exists with handheld and other portable computers. Such as wireless mobile communication devices. However, the situation with handheld computers is more complex for several reasons. Since handheld computers are becoming relatively inexpensive, many users purchase such devices for personal use. Such user-purchased devices cannot be said to be owned by a corporation of which the user is an employee, but they often come to contain corporate data such as contacts, calendar entries and email. Even when a handheld computer is purchased by a corporate employer and provided to an employee, the handheld computer is likely to be used outside the corporate premises. This may require external access to the corporate infrastructure. Allowing an unsecured device to access the corporate network offers potential for security breaches. Furthermore, when a handheld computer is enabled for wireless communications, a carrier becomes another interested party with respect to the handheld computer. The carrier owns and operates a wireless communication network in which the handheld computer is configured to operate, and therefore may want to exercise control over the traffic on that network. As well, the carrier may wish to add to their revenue by offering additional services to handheld computers. A carrier may thus be at odds with a corporate IT department in regard to handheld computer control, particularly where IT department controls may potentially increase network traffic or affect the carrier's ability to offer these services and thus reduce their revenue. Therefore, there remains a need for a system and method for secure control of a wireless communication device, which allows each individual stakeholders, including the user, corporate owner or corporate system operator, carrier, and possibly other stakeholders, to control their device assets without affecting the other stakeholders.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication system in which wireless mobile communication devices may be used. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless mobile communication device in which a system and method for secure control may be implemented. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating multiple domains on a wireless mobile communication device. FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing a method for secure control of a wireless mobile communication device. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example wireless mobile communication device. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050214

20130924

20050929

63792.0

SCHWARTZ, DARREN B

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURE CONTROL OF RESOURCES OF WIRELESS MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Wall mounted domestic cmbined heat and power appliance

A wall mounted domestic combined heat and power appliance comprising housing (1) containing a prime mover to generate electrical power and heat output. At least one bracket (2) at each side of the housing mounts the housing to a wall (W). Each bracket comprises a main body which is elongate in a vertical direction and has a L-shape cross section. Each extremity of the L-shape cross section has an enlarged portion (22, 23), a first (23) of which provides a spacer between the main body and the housing, and a second (22) of which provides a spacer between the main body and the wall.

1. A wall mounted domestic combined heat and power appliance comprising a prime mover to generate electrical power and heat output, a housing containing the prime mover, and at least one bracket at each side of the housing to mount the housing to a wall, each bracket comprising a main body which is elongate in a vertical direction and has a L-shape cross section, each extremity of the L-shape cross section having an enlarged portion, a first of which provides a spacer between the main body and the housing, and a second of which provides a spacer between the main body and the wall: 2. An appliance according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of brackets are provided at each side of the housing. 3. An appliance according to claim 1 wherein the prime mover is a linear free piston Stirling engine. 4. An appliance according to claim 3, wherein an absorber mass is suspended from the Stirling engine. 5. An appliance according to claim 1 wherein the housing is provided with at least one flexible inlet/outlet connection for fluid. 6. An appliance according to claim 5, wherein the flexible connection is provided by an oversize opening in the housing through which an inlet/outlet pipe extends, and a flexible seal between the hole and the pipe. 7. An appliance according to claim 5, wherein the inlet/outlet is provided with a flexible pipe section to absorb pressure pulses. 8. An appliance according to claim 6, wherein the inlet/outlet is provided with a flexible pipe section to absorb pressure pulses. 9. An appliance according to claim 2 wherein the prime mover is a linear free piston Stirling engine.

The present invention relates to a wall mounted combined heat and power appliance. The invention has been motivated by the need to improve the mounting of a combined heat and power appliance having a linear free piston Stirling engine. However, it can be applied to any wall mounted combined heat and power appliance where the prime mover generates undesirable vibration. The linear free piston Stirling engine operates at a generally constant frequency and tends to vibrate primarily in a single direction, being the direction of reciprocation of the engine. Such vibrations can be substantially cancelled out by suspending an absorber mass from the engine on a spring (as disclosed in our earlier UK application No. 0203016.1. Further, by suspending the engine on a number of low-stiffness springs, transmission of any resultant vibrations to the engine mounting can be reduced (see our earlier application 0203016.1). The Stirling engine requires a seal between the vibrating Stirling engine and an externally mounted burner in order to prevent the burner gases from escaping into the housing and into the dwelling. Such a seal represents an interface between a vibrating component and a static component. The seal can be designed to be flexible in the direction of the reciprocation of the engine, but tends to be relatively stiff in the horizontal plane. Thus, vibrations in the horizontal plane of the engine and the absorber mass are not isolated from the appliance casing. The vibrations are consequently transmitted to the wall, causing the wall to vibrate, and exciting resonances in the wall and other structures. These resonances are the major cause of unacceptable vibration problems on prototype units which we have tested to date. The present invention aims to solve this problem. According to the present invention, a wall mounted domestic combined and power appliance comprises a prime mover to generate electrical power and heat output, a housing containing the prime mover and at least one bracket at each side of the housing to mount the housing to a wall, each bracket comprising a main body which is elongate in a vertical direction and has an L-shape section, each extremity of the L-shape cross section having an enlarged portion, a first of which provides a spacer between the main body and the housing, and a second of which provides a spacer between the main body and the wall. This bracket arrangement has the necessary vertical rigidity to support the weight of the prime mover (and any associated absorber mass). However, the bracket also provides the necessary flexibility in the horizontal plane, both in direction towards and away from the wall (subsequently referred to as the in/out direction), and the direction parallel to the wall subsequently referred to as the left/right direction). The presence of the two enlarged portions provides sufficient clearance to allow this vibration in the horizontal plane. The brackets greatly reduce or eliminate the transference of horizontal vibrations to the wall. A single bracket may be provided on each side of the housing. However, the current preference is to provide two such brackets on each side of the housing spaced in the vertical direction. More than two brackets could also be provided. As previously mentioned, the present invention is particularly applicable to a linear free piston Stirling engine, and particularly, to one from which an absorber mass is suspended to reduce vibrations in the vertical direction. With any domestic combined heat and power appliance of this type, several other connections to the outside world are required. For example, it may require a supply of combustible gas, a supply of air to a burner and an outlet for exhaust gases from the burner. In addition, to extract the heat, the unit may require an inlet for cold water and an outlet for heated water. The housing is, therefore, provided with flexible inlet/outlet fluid connections. Such a connection may for example, take the form of an inlet/outlet pipe extending through an oversize hole in the housing, with a flexible seal between the hole and the pipe. Preferably, two such flexible seals are provided internal to the housing and one external to the housing respectively. The presence of at least one flexible seal ensures that the pipe is centred within the hole, prevents the pipe from making direct contact with the housing, prevents transmission of noise through the clearances and allows thermal expansion of the casing. The liquid pipe, in particular, can serve to transmit pressure pulses. To reduce these, each pipe is preferably provided with a flexible section to absorb the pressure pulses. Preferably, such flexible sections are bellows sections. Examples of an appliance in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the connections between the appliance and the outside wall; FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective showing the lid of the wall mounting in brackets; FIG. 3 is a more detailed diagram of the appliance as shown in FIG. 2; and FIG. 4 is a cross-section through a fluid connection to the appliance. The DCHP unit comprises a linear free piston Stirling engine, from which an absorber mass is suspended in order to absorb vibrations in the direction of linear motion. Such a unit is described in greater detail in our earlier application 0203016.1. The detailed construction of the engine is not of concern in the present invention. The engine is mounted within a housing 1 on a frame (not shown) on a plurality of low stiffness springs (not shown) is disclosed in GB 0203016.1. This reduces the level of vertical vibration to a manageable level. However, the seal between the burner and the engine head is relatively stiff, and tends to transmit vibrations in the horizontal plane from the engine head to the burner assembly and hence to the unit housing. As shown in FIG. 1, the engine as required to have a number of connections with the outside world. Wall mounts 2 are provided to mount the engine and this will be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The Stirling engine burner requires a combustible fuel inlet 3 and air intake 4. An exhaust gas outlet 5 is also required to transmit the exhaust gas from the burner. In practice, the air intake 4 and the exhaust gas outlet 5 will be concentric to pre-heat incoming air. An inlet 6 and an outlet 7 for the circulation of the water to/from the domestic water heater or central heating are required. The air intake 4 and exhaust gas outlet 5 for the burner are both connected to a recuperator which sits above the Stirling engine and hence does not vibrate. Therefore this concentric arrangement simply requires a rubber concertina seal to seal to a respective housing, to ensure that the concentric flue is spaced from and generally centred within a hole within the housing, so that it does not receive any vibration from the housing itself. The fuel inlet 3 is connected to the burner housing and therefore is caused to vibrate with the burner housing. For this reason, an arrangement such as that shown in FIG. 4 is provided. In this arrangement, the fuel inlet 3 extends through in an oversize hole in the form of a housing formed by a short length of tube 8. The tube 8 is sealed at its top and bottom end with a rubber boot 9 which holds the fuel inlet 3 away from the tube 8 and ensures that vibration of the inlet pipe is not transmitted to the housing. The space between the pipe 3 and tube 8 may be filled with compliant noise attenuation material. The water inlet/outlets 6, 7 are also in contact with a vibrating part of the engine, and a similar arrangement is used to isolate pipes 6, 7 from the housing 1 as described above with reference to the fuel inlet 3. In addition to the features described with reference to the gas inlet, the water inlet and outlet are also provided with two bellows sections 10 and which are designed to reduce pressure pulses in the liquid thereby minimising their transmission downstream. Access to the housing 1 is required for maintenance purposes as indicated by arrow 11. Such access is provided by a replaceable panel with a rubber edge seal. This is designed to allow the easy, secure replacement of the panel while minimising the risk of introducing leaks each time it is removed. The wall brackets 2 are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 1 is supported by four brackets 2 with two brackets being positioned on each side of the housing 1 and being vertically displaced from one another. The brackets have a generally L-shape cross section shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. The L-shaped cross section comprises a first side 20 parallel to the wall W, and a second side 21 extending away from the first side 20 perpendicular to the wall W. The first side 20 is spaced from the wall W by an enlarged portion 22 which extends from the first side 20 towards the wall W. Similarly, the second side 21 is spaced from the housing 1 by an enlarged portion 23 which extends from the second side 21 towards the housing 1. The wall brackets are designed to give a natural frequency of 20 Hz. To ensure this, the lateral stiffness is 12,000 N/m (±1000 N/m). Aluminium brackets are used, which, for the arrangement incorporating 4 brackets, are of length 225 mm and edges of 100 mm each. The material thickness is 1.5 mm. Dimensions for alternative arrangements, using different numbers of brackets, would reflect the required stiffness. As will be appreciated from FIGS. 2 and 3, the brackets 2 provide adequate stiffness in the vertical direction allowing the vertical load of the Stirling engine and absorber mass to be adequately supported. However, as will be apparent from FIG. 3, any vibrations in the horizontal plane are accommodated by the flexibility of the brackets 2, as well as the clearances which are provided between the sides 20 and 21 of the brackets and the housing 1 and wall 2 respectively by the enlarged portions 22 and 23.

20050211

20100907

20051229

92469.0

OREILLY, PATRICK F

WALL MOUNTED DOMESTIC CMBINED HEAT AND POWER APPLIANCE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Method for detecting and automatically identifying defects in technical equipment

The subject of the invention is a method for detecting and automatically identifying defects in technical equipment, applicable in diagnosing defects in technical equipment, and especially rotational machinery. The method consists in measuring measurement signals varying in time and downloading the results of the measurements in the form of spectrograms to the memory of a computer. In the first stage peaks of amplitude values bigger than a specified amplitude threshold value are selected from spectrograms, of which peaks a set of designated peak values is created. Next, the ratio of the frequency of each peak to the frequencies of the other peaks is calculated, whereupon, depending on the value of the obtained quotient, the set of designated peak values is divided into two subsets. In the second stage, in one of the subsets, peak groups differing from each other by the basic frequency values are distinguished. The second subset, created from the set of designated peak values, is searched for the presence of sidebands for peaks from each specified peak group and if the presence of sidebands is found, the basic frequency of the sidebands is calculated. Then, in stage three, the existence of a defect in the technical equipment is detected, which is then identified by comparing the basic frequencies and the basic frequencies of the sidebands with the frequency values collected in the memory of the computer device.

1. A method for detecting and automatically identifying defects in technical equipment, wherein measurement signals varying with time are measured by means of a known measuring device, and the results of the measurements in the form of spectrograms are downloaded to the memory of a computer, to which appropriate data bases are also downloaded, characterised in that in the first stage peaks of amplitude values bigger than a specified set amplitude threshold value are selected from at least one spectrogram, of which peaks a set of designated peak values is created, then the ratio of the frequency of each peak to the frequency of the other peaks is calculated for all peaks of this set, whereupon, depending on the value of the obtained quotient, the set of designated peak values is divided into two subsets, and then in the second stage in one of the subsets successive specific peak groups are distinguished, which differ from each other by the values of the basic frequency, constituting one of the product factors, consistently recurring in one of these groups, whereupon for peaks from every specific peak group the presence of sidebands is sought for in the second subset created from the set of designated peak values and if the presence of sidebands is found, the basic frequency of the sidebands is calculated, after which, in stage three, the presence of a defect in the technical equipment is detected, which is then identified by comparing the basic frequencies and the basic frequencies of the sidebands with the frequency values collected in the computer device memory, in the data signature base and in the base containing technical data of the technical equipment, and then the result of such analysis of the spectrogram or spectrograms is presented by means of a results visualisation device coupled with the computer device. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that in the first stage the set of designated peak values is divided into two subsets of peaks, one subset comprising such peak values for which the ratio of their frequency values to the frequency values of all the other peaks is expressed by a quotient of integers smaller than 10, and the other peak subset consists of all the other peaks. 3. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that in the second stage, the second subset created from the set of designated peak values is searched for the presence of sidebands for any peak pairs, by calculating the ratios of the difference between the frequency value of one peak of the given peak pair and the frequency value of the nearest peak from a specific peak group to the difference between the frequency value of the second peak of the given pair and the frequency value of the nearest peak from a specific peak group, after which, depending on the value of the obtained quotient, a new subset is created in the second subset, from which there are then separated subsequent peak groups differing from each other by the values of the basic frequency of the sidebands, which basic frequency is one of the factors of the quotient, consistently recurring in one of these groups. 4. A method according to claim 3, characterised in that the new peak subset created from peak pairs in the second subset consists of such peak pairs, for which the calculated ratios of the difference between the frequency value of one peak from the given peak pair and the frequency value of the nearest peak from the specific peak group to the difference between the frequency value of the second peak from the given pair and the frequency value of the nearest peak from the specific peak group, are expressed in the form of quotients of integers of absolute value smaller than 10.

The subject of the invention is a method for detecting and automatically identifying defects in technical equipment, applicable to fault diagnosing in technical equipment, especially rotating machinery. When assessing the technical condition of technical equipment, and especially when detecting and identifying defects in rotating electric machines and their parts, methods based on the measurement of electric or mechanical signals and the spectrum analysis of these measured signals are relatively often used. Measurement signals variable in time are presented in the form of their frequency spectra, and their graphs are subjected to detailed analysis. Therefore, a spectrogram describes frequency distribution in a given signal. A peak in the spectrogram denotes the presence of a corresponding frequency in the given signal. The standard method of defects detection and analysis consists in checking the spectrogram for peaks corresponding to the multiples of the frequency generated by the given defect. Available tools facilitate this task by visualising this process, but they do not change its principle. A disadvantage of such method of conducting the assessment of the technical condition is the necessity to exactly know the specific frequency associated with the given defect. For example, for an assessed bearing, this is the resultant of the shaft rotational frequency and the bearing geometry. If one of these data is missing, the analysis cannot be done or it is very uncertain. From Polish patent description No. 171 505 there is known a method for assessing the technical condition of a gear transmission based on the analysis of the vibroacoustic signal, which consists in the examination of the amplitude of spectral lines of frequencies corresponding to the product of the rotational frequency and the number of the teeth of a gear wheel, in the narrow-band spectra of the gear transmission operating at different speeds, and the frequency of the spectral line of the highest amplitude is assumed to be the local resonant frequency reflecting the stiffness of the co-operating teeth. Then, by comparing this local resonant frequency with the standard value specific for the given transmission, manufacturing faults or wear are determined. From a Polish patent description No. 148 831 there is known a method for detecting shortings and deficiencies in the stator windings of an induction motor, in which, during the motor operation, the band frequency characteristics of the motor are measured by measuring the band frequency characteristics of the tangent of the velocity or acceleration of the motor vibrations with a view to determining the occurrence in the frequency characteristics of modal values of specific frequencies characteristic of shortings and deficiencies in stator windings or their harmonics. The obtained voltage-type signal is compared with the set value, and the occurrence of a defect is signalled by exceeding this set value. From U.S. Pat. No. 5,895,857 there is known a method of detecting defects in machinery having rotating or reciprocating elements, especially in transmissions and bearings. The method consists in selecting the amplitude peaks for specific sampling time intervals from the measured signal representing the spectra of amplitude and frequency of vibrations of the examined rotating element. These peak values are compared with the velocity signal measured by the velocity sensor that is installed on the rotating element, and the comparison of these values takes place after a previous synchronisation and averaging of the peak amplitude values and velocity signals, and these synchronously averaged amplitude values are converted to the natural frequency, in order to determine the presence of defects in the examined rotating element. The description presents also a method of converting a vibration signal generated by a vibration sensor attached to the examined rotating element to a signal representing the natural frequency generating the peak values in the spectrum. In the presented methods of assessment of the technical condition of technical equipment measured values of various signals, shown in spectrograms, are compared with known, predetermined threshold values. The method for detecting and automatically identifying defects in technical equipment according to the invention, in which measuring signals variable in time are measured by means of a known measuring device, and the measurement results in the form of spectrograms are fed to the memory of a computer, to which appropriate data bases are supplied, consists, at the first stage, in selecting peaks of amplitude values bigger than a specific, predetermined amplitude threshold value, out of at least one spectrogram, of which peaks a set of designated peak values is created. Then, the relation between the frequency of each peak and the frequency of the other peaks is calculated for all peaks from this set, after which, depending on the value of the obtained quotient, the set of designated peak values is divided into two subsets. Further on, in the second stage, in one of the subsets subsequent specific peak groups are distinguished, which differ from one another by the values of the basic frequency, which is one of the factors of the quotient, recurring regularly in one of those groups. For peaks from every specific peak group the presence of sidebands is sought for in the second subset created from the set of designated peak values and if the presence of sidebands is found the basic frequency of the sidebands is calculated. Next, in the third stage, the existence of a defect in the piece of technical equipment is detected and then identified by comparing the basic frequencies and the basic frequencies of the sidebands with the values of the frequencies that are stored in the computer device memory, in the data signatures base and in technical data base of the piece of the technical equipment. The results of such an analysis of the spectrogram or spectrograms are presented by means of a device for visualising the results, coupled with the computer device. Preferably, in the first stage the set of designated peak values is divided into two subsets of peaks, where one subset comprises peak values for which the ratio of their frequency values to the frequency values of all the other peaks is expressed by the quotient of integers smaller than 10, and the second peak subset comprises all the remaining peaks. Preferably, in the second stage, the second subset created from the set of designated peak values is searched for the presence of sidebands for any peak pairs by calculating the ratios of the difference between the frequency value of one peak of the given peak pair and the frequency value of the nearest peak from a specific peak group to the difference between the frequency value of the second peak of the given pair and the frequency value of the nearest peak from a specific peak group, after which, depending on the value of the obtained quotient, a new subset is created in the second subset, from which there are then separated subsequent peak groups differing from each other by the values of the basic frequency of the sidebands, which basic frequency is one of the factors of the quotient, consistently recurring in one of these groups. Preferably, the new peak subset formed from peak pairs in the second subset comprises such peak pairs, for which the calculated ratios of the difference between the frequency value of one peak from the given peak pair and the frequency value of the nearest peak from a specific peak group to the difference between the frequency value of the second peak from the given pair and the frequency value of the nearest peak from the specific peak group are expressed as quotients of integers of absolute values less than 10. The advantage of the inventive method is the possibility to detect and identify the presence of a defect in cases where the exact frequencies of the defects in specific technical equipment are not known. The inventive method involves examining the relations between all peaks and their sidebands and searching out frequencies that are integral multiples of a certain, originally unspecified frequency. The designation of the basic frequency and the basic frequencies of the sidebands provides sufficient information to make a quantitative comparison with frequencies connected with the given defect and/or qualitative comparison with the characteristic signature of the given defect. The subject of the invention is explained by its embodiment and a drawing where FIG. 1, 2, 3, 4, show examples of spectrograms of the examined piece of equipment, wherein the consecutive steps of the realisation of the invention are indicated, and FIG. 5 shows an example of equipment used to realise the method according to the invention. The method according to the invention can be realised as follows. 1. In the spectrogram /FIG. 1/ supplied to the computer device, showing the value of the amplitude in the function of the frequency of the given signal of the examined technical equipment, there is indicated the threshold value of the amplitude, which is the value of the median for this diagram multiplied by 2.5. The threshold value is shown in the spectrogram in the form of a full line. 2. All the consecutive peaks of the spectrogram are compared with the threshold value of the amplitude and from peaks, for which their amplitudes are bigger than the threshold value, a set of designated peaks A1 . . . An, is created, where each of the peaks of this set is characterised by a different frequency value f1 . . . fn/FIG. 2/. 3. From the set of designated peaks A1 . . . An, peaks are successively selected and for these peaks the ratio of the frequency values of these peaks divided by the frequency values of all the other peaks is calculated. 4. From peak pairs, for which calculated ratios are expressed as quotients of small integers /less than 10/a subset {A} of the set A1 . . . An is created, and from the other peaks a peak subset {Z} is created, for example, in FIG. 3 these are peaks A6, A9, A15, A18 from the subset {A}, for which the ratios of peak frequencies f15/f6=3/1, f18/f9=2/1, f15/f9=3/2 and f7/f4 from the subset {Z} of ratio=217/100. 5. Then, from the subset {A} successive groups of peaks B1 . . . Bn, C1 . . . Cn, D1 . . . Dn etc. are separated, which differ from each other by frequency values constituting one of the factors of the product that recurs in the given group B1 . . . Bn or C1 . . . Cn or D1 . . . Dn, the other factor of the product is any integer. The recurring product factor constitutes basic frequency ωb, ωc or ωd of the given peak group. Peaks A6, A9, A15, A18 form a set B1 . . . B4 of basic frequency ωb=4.95, /FIG. 3/. 6. Next, for all peaks from the group B1, . . . Bn the presence of sidebands is sought for. For this purpose further analysis of the spectrograms is carried out, which consists in the following: a/ from the peak subset {Z} all peak pairs of frequencies {fzj, fzk} are selected and for each peak pair there is calculated the ratio of the difference between the peak frequency value fzi and such frequency value of a peak from the group B1 . . . Bn, which is the nearest to the peak of the value fzj, divided by the difference between peak frequency value fzk and such frequency value of a peak from the group B1 . . . Bn, which is the nearest to the peak of the value fzk. b/ from peak pairs, for which the calculated ratios are expressed as quotients of small integers /of absolute value less than 10/a subset {ZZ} of the set {Z} is created, for example, in FIG. 4, the ratio of the distance A4-B1, to the distance A5-B1 is 2:1, and the ratio of the distance A10-B2 to the distance A5-B1 is −1:1, c/ if in subsection b/ the subset {ZZ} is an empty set for peaks from the group B1 . . . Bn, and from the groups C1 . . . Cn, D1 . . . Dn etc., then the absence of sidebands is found and the actions presented in section 7 are performed, if not, actions mentioned in subsection d/ are performed, d/ Then, from the subset {ZZ} successive peak groups b1 . . . bn, c1 . . . cn, d1 . . . dn etc. are separated, which differ from each other by the values of rotational frequencies, constituting one of the factors of the product, which recurs in the given subset b1 . . . bn or c1 . . . cn or d1 . . . dn, the other factor of the product is any integer. The recurring product factor is the basic frequency of sidebands ωb1, ωc1 or ωd1 of the given peak group, for example, peaks b1, b2, b3 are sidebands of peak B1, peaks b4, b5—of peak B2, peaks b6, b7—of peak B3, and peak b8—of peak B4/FIG. 4/. e/ the actions presented in subsections a-d are repeated for peak groups C1 . . . Cn, D1 . . . Dn, etc. described in item 5. 7. The separated basic frequencies ωb, ωc or ωd and the basic frequencies of sidebands ωb1, ωc1 or ωd1 of a given peak group are compared with the frequency values, which are collected in the data signature base BSD, as frequencies known for various types of defects, and depending on the type of the technical equipment whose technical data are collected in the technical data base BDT—the type of defect of the given technical equipment is detected and identified. Next, the result of such analysis of a spectrogram or spectrograms are presented by means of a results visualisation device coupled with a computer device. For example, the existence of a bearing defect can be inferred from the existence of distinct peaks in the spectrum. From the fact that the basic frequency ωb is approximately equal to 5X the rotational frequency of the piece of equipment and from the fact of existence of sidebands it can be inferred that the defect is connected with the inner race of the bearing. In the case of a defect of the outer raceway, the basic frequency would usually be lower and there would be no sidebands. Other defects can be eliminated in a similar way and the type of the defect can be determined with considerable likelihood, and a precise knowledge of frequencies connected with a bearing defect is not required while conducting the analysis. The inventive method is realised in a device for detecting and automatically identifying defects in technical equipment. This device is a processor PR, incorporating memory PK, in which a functional module MF and an identification module MI can be distinguished. The functional module MF comprises a spectrograms register RS, a peak selection and register unit ZP and a group classification unit ZG. The functional module MF via the spectrograms register RS is connected through an input WE of the processor PR, to which input a measuring device UP is connected if any on-line measurements are made. Any information carrier containing measurement data can be connected to the spectrograms register RS through the input WE. The output of the functional module MF is connected with the identification module MI, to which the base of technical data characterising the given examined piece of equipment BDT and the defects signature database BDS are connected. The output of the identification module MI is at the same time the output WY of the processor PR and it is connected with the final report visualisation device UK, which can be a display on the computer screen or a printer.

20050211

20060627

20051124

74852.0

KUNDU, SUJOY K

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AND AUTOMATICALLY IDENTIFYING DEFECTS IN TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Vehicle body frame of motorcycles

There is provided a vehicle frame structure for a motorcycle having an appealing appearance, which structure can be assembled lightweight and compact in size and at a reduced cost. The vehicle frame structure includes a head block (2) including a head tube (3), a main frame (11) forked leftwards and rightwards from the head block (2) to form a pair of main frame half portions (11a, 11b) extending rearwardly thereof, and swing arm brackets (8) extending downwardly from rear ends of the main frame half portions (11a, 11b). An inner frame portion (21) of the main frame (11) and the swing arm brackets (8) in their entirety or respective inner portions of the swing arm brackets (8) are integrally formed by an inner member (19) prepared from a metal casting, and at least an outer frame portion of the main frame (11) is formed by an outer member (20) prepared from a sheet metal.

1. A vehicle frame structure for a motorcycle, which comprises a head block including a head tube, a main frame forked leftwards and rightwards from the head block to form a pair of left and right main frame half portions extending rearwardly thereof, and swing arm brackets extending downwardly from rear ends of the main frame half portions; wherein an inner frame portion of the main frame positioned inside the vehicle frame structure and the swing arm brackets in their entirety or respective inner portions of the swing arm brackets are integrally formed by an inner member prepared from a metal casting, and wherein at least an outer frame portion of the main frame is formed by an outer member prepared from a sheet metal: 2. The vehicle frame structure for the motorcycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a guide passage for introduction of an air to an air cleaner of an engine is formed inside the main frame. 3. The vehicle frame structure for the motorcycle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the air cleaner is positioned within a space delimited between the pair of the left and right main frame half portions of the main frame. 4. The vehicle frame structure for the motorcycle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the inner and outer frame portions of the main frame are configured to represent a generally U-shape, with their openings jointed with each other to define the guide passage therein. 5. The vehicle frame structure for the motorcycle as claimed in claim 2, wherein a flashing plate for deflecting the flow of the air to separate water contained in the air is disposed within the guide passage. 6. The vehicle frame structure for the motorcycle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the head block is formed with an intake passage through which the air is sucked and supplied to the guide passage. 7. The vehicle frame structure for the motorcycle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the head block is a metal casting including an air intake duct that defines the intake passage and the head tube, and is welded to the main frame. 8. The vehicle frame structure for the motorcycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner member is integrally cast with a cross member for connecting the pair of the left and right main frame half portions with each other. 9. The vehicle frame structure for the motorcycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner member is integrally cast with damping ribs. 10. A combination vehicle frame structure for a motorcycle and air cleaner for providing air to an engine, comprising: a hollow frame body member extending to the front of the motorcycle with an opening for receiving an air flow pressurized by forward movement of the motorcycle and a guide passage connected to the opening for directing air; an air cleaner positioned downstream of the opening and configured to fit within the hollow frame body member for communication with the guide passage for cleaning the air and with the engine for delivering clean air; and a flashing plate positioned within the guide passage traverse to the air flow for deflecting the flow of the air to separate water contained in the air. 11. The combination vehicle frame structure of claim 10 wherein the hollow frame body member includes a left and right main frame half portion and the air cleaner is positioned within a space delimited between the pair of the left and right main frame half portions each of which support a guide passage and a traverse flashing plate adjacent openings to the air cleaner. 12. The combination vehicle frame structure of claim 11 further including means for releasing any separate water from the hollow frame body member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vehicle frame structure for a motorcycle, which includes main frames prepared from a sheet metal and a cast metal. BACKGROUND ART For a well-known vehicle frame structure of a motorcycle, the Japanese Patent No. 2688916 discloses a vehicle frame structure which includes a pair of left and right main frame pieces each having inner and outer plates prepared from a sheet metal and also includes rear arm brackets (swing arm brackets) connected to and extending downwardly from a corresponding rear end of the main frame pieces and having left and right bracket bodies prepared from a cast metal, the left and right bracket bodies being connected with each other by means of cross tubes. However, since in this known vehicle frame structure the inner and outer plates forming the pair of the left and right main frame pieces are each prepared from a sheet metal, it is difficult to secure dimensional accuracy. Because of this, where an air cleaner is desired to be disposed inside the main frame pieces forming a forked main frame, it is necessary to set a clearance for the mounting of the air cleaner and other components with a dimensional error taken into consideration. As a result, the main frame tends to become bulky in size, resulting in a weight increase. Also, as shown in FIG. 4c, when an outer plate 61 and an inner plate 62 forming the main frame and prepared from a sheet metal are welded together, the outer and inner plates are overlapped one above the other and then connected together by a fillet welding. Accordingly, in view of the facts that the shape of a welding groove is limited and that it is difficult to position the outer and inner plates 61 and 62, both of which are prepared from a sheet metal and are therefore difficult to be prepared with dimensional accuracy, so as to be overlapped one above the other with no gap formed between the outer and inner plates 61 and 62, the welding workability tends to be lowered. Also, since respective portions in contact with welding joints between the outer and inner plates 61 and 62, which are encompassed by the phantom circles 63 in FIG. 4c, tends to be melted during the fillet welding, a welding torch must be set and held relative to the plate surface at an angle effective to accomplish an optimum welding and, therefore, not only does the welding require time-consuming and cumbersome procedures, but it also requires the skill. In addition, since the welding joint has a step at which the cross-sectional area varies greatly, stress concentration tends to set up easily. Since the main frame is prepared by welding the outer frame 61 and the inner frame 62, each prepared from the sheet metal, finished products are apt to have large dimensional variations. Accordingly, when the air cleaner is to be disposed in a space inside the main frame, a joint of an air guide port inside the main frame and a joint of the air cleaner will not be smoothly positioned relative to each other, resulting in complicated and time-consuming assemblage. Yet, when the strength of the main frame prepared from the sheet metal is desired to be locally reinforced, the main frame in its entirety has to be prepared to have an increased thickness and/or a separate element such as a gusset plate must be welded to the area required to be reinforced, resulting in increase of the weight and the manufacturing cost. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been devised in view of the foregoing problems and is intended to provide a vehicle frame structure for a motorcycle having an appealing appearance, which structure can be assembled lightweight and compact in size and at a reduced cost. In order to accomplish the foregoing object, the vehicle frame structure for a motorcycle according to the present invention includes a head block including a head tube, a main frame forked leftwards and rightwards from the head block to form a pair of left and right main frame half portions extending rearwardly of the head block, and swing arm brackets extending downwardly from rear ends of the main frame half portions. An inner frame portion of the main frame and the swing arm brackets in their entirety or inner portions of the swing arm brackets are integrally formed by an inner member prepared from a metal casting. On the other hand, at least an outer frame portion of the main frame is formed by an outer member prepared from a sheet metal. In this vehicle frame structure for a motorcycle, since the outer portion of the main frame is formed by the outer member prepared from a sheet metal, not only can an excellent appearance be obtained as compared with a metal casting, but a weight reduction can also be achieved. On the other hand, since the inner portion of the main frame is formed by the inner member prepared from a metal casting that can be manufactured to have an accurate shape with higher dimensional precision than that afforded by a sheet metal, the following advantages can be obtained. Specifically, since the clearance for component parts such as an air cleaner that are to be disposed inside the forked main frame can be set to a value as small as possible, the widthwise dimension of the main frame can be reduced to facilitate compactization and reduction in the weight of the main frame. Also, when the outer member and the inner member are welded with each other, a welding step can be integrally formed in the inner member prepared from a metal casting, with each of tip portions of the inner member formed as a thin-walled portion and, accordingly, if the outer member prepared from a sheet metal is overlapped with this thin-walled portion so as to be butted against the welding step to perform a butt welding, positioning at the welding site can be accomplished easily and a favorable welding can be carried out. Also, since the shape of a welding groove between the inner member and the outer member, that is, the shape of a weld joint can have the freedom, the weldability can be increased to facilitate the efficient welding. In other words, the time required to accomplish the welding can be shortened. Moreover, when the butt welding is performed, since a smooth weld joint without accompanying a bead protrusion can be obtained and, also, since the cross-sectional area of the resultant weld is uniform without being accompanied by any stress concentration, strength variations of the main frame can be withheld at a low level and, as a result, the weight of the main frame can be reduced. Also, since the inner member prepared from a metal casting and forming the inner portion of the main frame can be easily formed integrally with holding elements for an air cleaner and/or an electrical component and damping ribs if necessary, as compared with the conventional arrangement in which separate and independent retainer brackets are welded or bolted to a main frame or in which a damping structure having a rubber damper embedded in a main frame is employed, the number of component parts can be reduced to thereby reduce the cost. In addition, where the strength of the main frame is desired to be locally enhanced, it can be accomplished merely by increasing the thickness of that portion of the inner member, formed by casting, which requires reinforcement. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a guide passage for introduction of an air to an air cleaner of an engine is formed inside the main frame. According to this feature, since the inside of the main frame functions as a part of the air cleaner, a cleaner casing for the air cleaner can be formed compact in size. In such case, since the inner portion of the main frame with respect to the vehicle frame structure is formed by the inner member prepared from a metal casting and capable of being manufactured with higher dimensional accuracy than that afforded by a sheet metal, the guide passage and a front portion of the cleaner casing can be favorably connected with each other to enhance the assemblability when the air cleaner or the like is disposed inside the forked main frame. The air cleaner may be positioned within a space delimited between a pair of left and right main frame half portions of the main frame. According to this feature, the space between the main frame half portions can be effectively utilized. Also, the inner and outer frame portions of the main frame may be configured to represent a generally U-shape with their openings jointed with each other to define the guide passage therein. According to this feature, the space for the guide passage can be secured. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a flashing plate is employed for deflecting the flow of the air to separate water contained in the air is disposed within the guide passage. According to this feature, even though the air introduced contains raindrops or the like, intrusion of those raindrops into a downstream portion of a cleaner element of the air cleaner can be avoided by the flashing plate. Also, since the flashing plate can be easily formed integrally with the inner member that is prepared from a metal casting, there is no increase in the number of component parts and the cost. In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the head block is formed with an intake passage through which the air is sucked and supplied to the guide passage. According to this construction, the space available within the frame structure from the head block towards the main frame can be utilized effectively to allow the air to be efficiently supplied to the air cleaner. Also, the inner member is preferably integrally cast with cross members for connecting the pair of the left and right main frame half portions with each other. According to this feature, the rigidity of the main frame can be increased. In addition, the inner member can be integrally cast with damping ribs. According to this feature, vibration of the main frame can be suppressed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle having a vehicle frame structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a view of the vehicle frame structure as viewed in a direction II shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 3 is a side view showing the vehicle frame structure supporting an engine; FIG. 4a is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vehicle frame structure taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2; FIG. 4b is a fragmentary enlarged view of FIG. 4a; and FIG. 4c is a sectional view of the conventional vehicle frame structure, shown for comparison purpose, showing the manner in which inner and outer plates of a main frame of the conventional vehicle frame structure are welded together. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle having a vehicle frame structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The motorcycle includes a vehicle frame structure 1 and a front fork 4. The vehicle frame structure 1 has a head tube 3 formed integrally with a head block 2 at a front end of the vehicle frame structure 1 and also has swing arm brackets 8 positioned below a generally intermediate portion of the vehicle frame structure 1 to pivotally support a swing arm 9 for movement up and down with a rear wheel 10 rotatably carried by the swing arm 9. The front fork 4 is rotatably supported by the head tube 3 through a steering shaft (not shown) with a front wheel 7 rotatably carried by the front fork 4. An internal combustion engine E is mounted on the vehicle frame structure 1 at a location below a generally intermediate portion thereof and is used to drive the rear wheel 10 by a chain (not shown) while the motorcycle can be steered through the steering shaft and a handlebar 12 fixed on an upper end of the front fork 4. A fuel tank 13 is mounted on the top of main frames 11 of the vehicle frame structure 1. A seat rail 14 and a reinforcement rail 14A cooperating together to define a rear portion of the vehicle frame structure 1 are secured to a rear portion of the main frame 11, with a seat 17 for supporting a motorcyclist mounted on the seat rail 17. A single rear suspension 18 is interposed between the vehicle frame structure 1 and the swing arm 9. FIG. 2 illustrates the vehicle frame structure 1 as viewed in a direction II shown in FIG. 3. The illustrated vehicle frame structure 1 includes the main frame 11 forked from the head block 2 so as to extend rearwardly (or downwardly as viewed in FIG. 2) therefrom on left and right sides, respectively, to form a pair of left and right main frame half portions 11a and 11b, and also includes the swing arm brackets 8 that extend downwardly from left and right rear ends of the main frame 11, respectively, as shown in FIG. 3. The main frame 11 includes, as shown in FIG. 2, an inner member 19, prepared from a cast metal, and an outer member 20 prepared from a sheet metal and joined to the inner member 19. The inner member 19 includes an inner frame portion 21, made up of a pair of left and right inner frame halves 21A and 21B that are positioned inside the vehicle frame structure, and the swing arm brackets 8, the inner frame portion 21 and the swing arm brackets 8 being integrated together by a metal casting technique. The outer member 20 includes a pair of left and right outer frame halves 20A and 20B that are prepared from a sheet metal and define an outer frame portion of the main frame 11 of the vehicle frame structure 1. FIG. 4a illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 2. As shown therein, the pair of the left and right outer frame halves 20A and 20B of the outer member 20 and the pair of the left and right inner frame halves 21A and 21B of the inner frame portion 21 of the inner member 19 are each in the form of U-sectioned configuration. The pair of the left and right outer frame halves 20A and 20B and the pair of the left and right inner frame halves 21A and 21B are welded together at their respective openings to define the main frame 11. A guide passage 22 for an air A (FIG. 1) forming a part of an upstream side of an air cleaner 28 is defined inside the pair of the left and right main frame half portions 11a and 11b. It is to be noted that the details of the route of flow of the air A and the welding of the outer frame halves 20A and 20B and the inner frame halves 21A and 21B will be described later. The route of flow of the air A will now be described. Referring to FIG. 2, the head block 2 is a metal casting product made up of an air intake duct 23 having its front end opening outwardly and the head tube 3, both of which are molded integrally with each other, with a rear end of the air intake duct 23 welded to a front end of the main frame 11. The welding line is indicated by a symbol L1. Accordingly, the air A introduced into intake passages 23b through an intake port 23a at the front end of the intake duct 23 is introduced being branched into left and right introducing passages 22 in the main frames 11. Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front end of the intake duct 23 is fluid-connected with an air introducing duct 27 opening at a front surface of a front fairlng 24 of the motorcycle, and the air A is thus introduced from this air introducing duct 27 into the intake duct 23. Within an inner space of the forked main frame 11 shown in FIG. 2, that is, an inner space between the two main frame half portions 11a and 11b, a cleaner casing 31 accommodating therein an cleaner element 29 forming a part of the air cleaner 28 is disposed, and an upstream side of the cleaner element 29 within the cleaner casing 31 is coupled in fluid-communication with the left and right introducing passages 22 in the main frame 11 through a pair of left and right connecting ducts 32. The cleaner casing 31 is supported by a throttle body 25 shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaner casing 31 is connected with a plurality of ducts 33a of fuel supply devices 33 that are connected with respective cylinders of the multi-cylinder engine E. Accordingly, the air A after having been branched and flowed from the air introducing duct 27, shown in FIG. 1, into the left and right introducing passages 22 in the main frames 11 and the connecting ducts 32 through the intake passages 23b of the air intake duct 23 is supplied to the cleaner casing 31 and is then purified by the cleaner element 29. The purified air is supplied from a purified air chamber 30 at a downstream side of the cleaner element 29 to the fuel supply device 33 through the ducts 33a and is finally supplied to the engine E after having been mixed with a fuel in the fuel supply devices 33. In the vehicle frame structure 1, since the introducing passages 22 in the main frame 11 functions as a part of the air cleaner 28 to carry out, for example, noise reduction as a silencer and waterproofing, the cleaner casing 31 of the air cleaner 28 can be compact in size. In such case, since the inner space of the main frame 11 is defined by the inner member 19 prepared by the metal casting capable which enables to provide the inner member 19 with higher dimensional accuracy than the sheet metal, a consistent connection between the introducing passage 22 and the front portion of the air cleaner 28 can be achieved through the connecting duct 32 and the assemblability can be increased when the air cleaner 28 is disposed within the inner space of the forked main frame 11. Also, since the intake passages 23b are defined in the air intake duct 23 of the head block 2, the space available from the head block 2 towards the main frame 11 can be effectively utilized to allow the air A to be efficiently supplied to the air cleaner 28. Also, in this embodiment, a flashing plate 34 for deflecting the flow of the air A over 270° to separate water contained in the air A is positioned within each of the left and right introducing passages 22 of the main frame 11 at a location upstream of the mounting site of the connecting duct 32. This flashing plate 34 is formed integrally with each of the left and right inner frame halves 21A and 21B of the inner frame portion 21 by a metal casting technique. Accordingly, even though the air A introduced contains raindrops or the like, intrusion of those raindrops into the air cleaner 28 can be avoided by the flashing plates 34. Also, since each of the flashing plates 34 can be easily formed integrally with the inner frame portion 21 prepared from a metal casting, there is no increase in the number of component parts used and the cost will not be increased. The inner frame halves 21A and 21B forming the inner portions of the main frame half portions 11a and 11b and the left and right swing arm brackets 8 and 8 are connected with each other by respective cross members 37 and 38 extending left and right therebetween and formed integrally with the inner member 19 by a metal casting technique. Accordingly, the rigidity of the main frame 11 can be increased. The front upper cross member 37 is positioned rearwardly of the cleaner casing 31. Accordingly, the space for accommodating the cleaner casing 31 is delimited by the left and right main frame half portions 11a and 11b and the upper cross member 37. As shown in FIG. 3, at a location substantially intermediate of the vertical direction of the cross members 37 and 38, fitting holes 39 are defined in the swing arm brackets 8 to bear the swing arm 9 shown in FIG. 1. A pair of left and right first engine mounts 40 for supporting an upper portion of the engine E are formed integrally with the main frame 11 so as to protrude downwardly therefrom. On the other hand, a portion of the cylinder of the engine E confronting each of the first engine mounts 40 is formed integrally with a fitting piece 43 so as to protrude therefrom. The first engine mounts 40 and the fitting pieces 43 are overlapped one above the other with spacers (not shown) intervening therebetween and, by fastening bolts 44, inserted into respective fitting holes of the first engine mounts 40 and the fitting pieces 43, with nuts (not shown), the engine E is supported at its front upper portion by the main frames 11. Also, a pair of left and right second engine mounts 47 for supporting a rear upper portion of the engine E are formed integrally with the upper cross member 37 in the main frame 11 so as to protrude forwardly therefrom. On the other hand, a portion of a crankcase 48 of the engine E confronting each of the second engine mounts 47 is formed integrally with a fitting piece 49 so as to protrude therefrom. The second engine mounts 47 and the fitting pieces 49 are overlapped one above the other with their fitting holes (not shown) aligned and, by fastening bolts 44A, inserted into the fitting holes, with nuts (nut shown), the engine E is supported at its rear upper portion by the main frames 11. In addition, a pair of left and right third engine mounts 50 for supporting a lower portion of the engine E are formed integrally with the lower cross member 38 in the swing arm brackets 8 so as to protrude upwardly therefrom. On the other hand, another portion of the crankcase 48 of the engine E confronting each of the third engine mounts 50 is formed with a screw hole (not shown). Yet, the swing arm brackets 8 are formed with respective throughholes 51 for a bolt fastening work. Thus, by aligning the fitting holes (not shown) in the third engine mounts 50 and the screw holes in the engine E with each other and then inserting fitting bolts 44B into the screw holes through the throughholes 51, the engine E is supported at its lower portion by the swing arm brackets 8. Since the first to third engine mounts 40, 47 and 50 are formed integrally with the inner member 19, as compared with the conventional arrangement in which the engine is mounted through engine mounts which are formed by separate and independent elements, the number of component parts can be reduced and the assemblability can be increased. In addition, the engine E can be stably supported by the first to third engine mounts 40, 47 and 50 that are formed integrally with the inner member 19 prepared from a metal casting and thus having a high rigidity. It is to be noted that the inner member 19 of a metal casting can be formed integrally with other members than the first to third engine mounts 40, 47 and 50. In the illustrated embodiment, in order for the seat rail 14 and the reinforcement member 14A shown in FIG. 1 to be fitted, a pair of left and right support pieces 52 and a pair of left and right support pieces 53 shown in FIG. 2 are formed integrally with the upper cross member 37 and inner surfaces of the swing arm brackets 8, respectively. Also, a plurality of damping ribs 56 are formed integrally with an inner surface of each of the left and right inner plate halves 21A and 21B of the inner member 19. Where the damping ribs 56 are provided integrally, as compared with the conventional damping structure in which rubber dampers are embedded within a main frame, the number of component parts can be reduced to achieve reduction in cost. Yet, the inner member 19 can be provided integrally with, for example, a mounting bracket 54 for holding an electrical component 41 as shown by the double-dotted line in FIG. 2. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, a rear end portion of each of the inner frame halves 21A and 21B of the inner frame portions 21 is provided with a drain port 57 opening inwardly for discharging a water component, trapped by the flashing plate 34 (FIG. 2), to the outside of the vehicle frame structure 1. In the next place, the welding between the outer frame halves 20A and 20B of the outer member 20 and the inner frame halves 21A and 21B of the inner member 19 will be described with reference to FIG. 4b which illustrates an important portion of FIG. 4a on an enlarged scale. Upper and lower end portions of each of the inner frame halves 21A and 21B of the inner members 19 of a metal casting are formed with welding steps 58 each corresponding to the thickness of each of the outer frame halves 20A and 20B of the outer member 20, with their tip portions defining a thin-walled portion 59. Opposite end portions of each of the outer frame halves 20A and 20B of the outer member 20 of a sheet metal are overlapped over the corresponding thin-walled portions 59 and a butt welding 60 is carried out while the opposite end portions of each of the outer frame halves 20A and 20B butt against the associated welding steps 58. The employment of the above described welding method is effective to facilitate an accurate positioning of the outer frame halves 20A and 20B and the inner frame halves 21A and 21B relative to each other at the site of welding and is also effective to provide a high degree of freedom on the shape of the grooves between the inner frame halves 21A and 21B and the outer frame halves 20A and 20B. Accordingly, the weldability can be considerably increased and no high welding skill is needed to achieve the intended welding. In addition, where a butt welding is performed, if a suitable groove angle θ is selected, a mere linear movement of a welding torch while it is held at right angles to the welding groove is effective to secure penetration of an equal depth in both the outer frame halves 20A and 20B and the inner frame halves 21A and 21B so that smooth weld joints 60 without accompanying a bead protrusion can be obtained. Also, since the cross-sectional area of the resultant weld is uniform enough to prevent any stress concentration, the margin of the frame structure strength with respect to the weld joints 60 can be withheld at a low level. As a result, the weight of the main frame 11 can be reduced. Also, since the inside of the main frame 11 is delimited by the outer member 20 of a sheet metal, the vehicle frame structure 1 can provide an appealing appearance. In addition, since the inside of the main frame 11 is constructed of the inner member 19 of a metal casting that can exhibit higher dimensional accuracy than a sheet metal, the clearance for the cleaner casing 31 or other components positioned inside the forked main frame 11 can be minimized to a value as small as possible and, accordingly, the widthwise dimension of the main frame 11 can be reduced to facilitate reduction in size and weight. It is to be noted that although in the foregoing embodiment the inner frame portion 21 of the inner member 19 has been described as comprised of the pair of left and right inner frame halves 21A and 21B, the inner member 19 may be of a structure including an inner frame portion having left and right inner frame halves formed integrally and swing arm brackets. Also, although in the foregoing embodiment the outer member 20 has been shown as forming an outer frame portion of the main frame 11, the outer member 20 may form respective outer portions of the main frame 11 and the swing arm brackets 8. In such case, the inner member 19 will form the inner portions of the swing arm brackets 8.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>For a well-known vehicle frame structure of a motorcycle, the Japanese Patent No. 2688916 discloses a vehicle frame structure which includes a pair of left and right main frame pieces each having inner and outer plates prepared from a sheet metal and also includes rear arm brackets (swing arm brackets) connected to and extending downwardly from a corresponding rear end of the main frame pieces and having left and right bracket bodies prepared from a cast metal, the left and right bracket bodies being connected with each other by means of cross tubes. However, since in this known vehicle frame structure the inner and outer plates forming the pair of the left and right main frame pieces are each prepared from a sheet metal, it is difficult to secure dimensional accuracy. Because of this, where an air cleaner is desired to be disposed inside the main frame pieces forming a forked main frame, it is necessary to set a clearance for the mounting of the air cleaner and other components with a dimensional error taken into consideration. As a result, the main frame tends to become bulky in size, resulting in a weight increase. Also, as shown in FIG. 4 c , when an outer plate 61 and an inner plate 62 forming the main frame and prepared from a sheet metal are welded together, the outer and inner plates are overlapped one above the other and then connected together by a fillet welding. Accordingly, in view of the facts that the shape of a welding groove is limited and that it is difficult to position the outer and inner plates 61 and 62 , both of which are prepared from a sheet metal and are therefore difficult to be prepared with dimensional accuracy, so as to be overlapped one above the other with no gap formed between the outer and inner plates 61 and 62 , the welding workability tends to be lowered. Also, since respective portions in contact with welding joints between the outer and inner plates 61 and 62 , which are encompassed by the phantom circles 63 in FIG. 4 c , tends to be melted during the fillet welding, a welding torch must be set and held relative to the plate surface at an angle effective to accomplish an optimum welding and, therefore, not only does the welding require time-consuming and cumbersome procedures, but it also requires the skill. In addition, since the welding joint has a step at which the cross-sectional area varies greatly, stress concentration tends to set up easily. Since the main frame is prepared by welding the outer frame 61 and the inner frame 62 , each prepared from the sheet metal, finished products are apt to have large dimensional variations. Accordingly, when the air cleaner is to be disposed in a space inside the main frame, a joint of an air guide port inside the main frame and a joint of the air cleaner will not be smoothly positioned relative to each other, resulting in complicated and time-consuming assemblage. Yet, when the strength of the main frame prepared from the sheet metal is desired to be locally reinforced, the main frame in its entirety has to be prepared to have an increased thickness and/or a separate element such as a gusset plate must be welded to the area required to be reinforced, resulting in increase of the weight and the manufacturing cost.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a side view of a motorcycle having a vehicle frame structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a view of the vehicle frame structure as viewed in a direction II shown in FIG. 3 ; FIG. 3 is a side view showing the vehicle frame structure supporting an engine; FIG. 4 a is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the vehicle frame structure taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. 2 ; FIG. 4 b is a fragmentary enlarged view of FIG. 4 a ; and FIG. 4 c is a sectional view of the conventional vehicle frame structure, shown for comparison purpose, showing the manner in which inner and outer plates of a main frame of the conventional vehicle frame structure are welded together. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050214

20070821

20051201

59767.0

SCHARICH, MARC A

VEHICLE BODY FRAME OF MOTORCYCLES

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Novel crystalline form of linezolid

The present invention relates to a novel crystalline form of linezolid, to processes for its preparation and to a pharmaceutical composition containing it.

1. A crystalline linezolid form III, characterized by an x-ray powder diffraction spectrum having peaks expressed as 2θ at about 7.6, 9.6, 13.6, 14.9, 18.2, 18.9, 21.2, 22.3, 25.6, 26.9, 27.9 and 29.9 degrees. 2. A crystalline linezolid form III as defined in claim 1, further characterized by an IR spectrum having main bands at about 3338, 1741, 1662, 1544, 1517, 1471, 1452, 1425, 1400, 1381, 1334, 1273, 1255, 1228, 1213, 1197, 1176, 1116, 1082, 1051, 937, 923, 904, 869, 825 and 756 cm−1. 3. A process for preparation of linezolid form III as defined in claim 1, which comprises the step of heating linezolid in a known crystalline form or in a mixture of known crystalline forms until the known forms are converted to form III. 4. A process according to claim 3, wherein linezolid is heated directly or linezolid suspended in a solvent is heated. 5. A process according to claim 4, wherein linezolid is heated at above about 90° C. for at least 30 min. 6. A process according to claim 5, wherein linezolid is heated between 100° C. and 200° C. for about 2 hours to 12 hours. 7. A process according to claim 6, wherein linezolid is heated between 120° C. and 140° C. for about 4 hours to 10 hours. 8. A process according to claim 4, wherein linezolid suspended in toluene is heated at about boiling temperature of the solvent for about 4 hours to 10 hours. 9. A process according to claim 4, wherein linezolid suspended in xylene is heated at about boiling temperature of the solvent for about 4 hours to 10 hours. 10. A process for preparation of linezolid form III as defined in claim 1, which comprises the steps of: a) acetylating (S)—N-[[3-[3-fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl] methyl]amine of formula in a solvent optionally in the presence of an organic base to form linezolid; b) optionally seeding the reaction mixture formed in step (a); and c) isolating linezolid form III from the reaction mixture of (a) or (b); wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethylacetate, methylacetate, propylacetate, isopropylacetate, butylacetate, acetonitrile, chloroform, methylenedichloride, benzene, toluene and xylene. 11. A process according to claim 10, wherein the process is carried out in the presence of the organic base. 12. A process according to claim 10, wherein the organic base is selected from pyridine, tri(C1-C4)alkylamine and N,N-di(C1-C3)alkylaniline. 13. A process according to claim 12, wherein the organic base is pyridine, triethylamine, N,N-diisopropyl ethylamine and N,N-dimethylaniline. 14. A process according to claim 10, wherein the process is carried out in the absence of the organic base. 15. A process according to claim 10, wherein the solvent is ethylacetate. 16. A process according to claim 10, wherein linezolid form III is isolated without seeding. 17. A process according to claim 10, wherein linezolid form III is isolated after seeding. 18. A process for preparation of linezolid form III as defined in claim 1, which comprises the steps of: a) mixing linezolid with a solvent or a mixture of solvents; b) cooling the contents to below about 15° C.; c) optionally seeding the contents with linezolid form III; d) stirring the contents for at least about 15 minutes; and e) collecting linezolid form III crystals by filtration or centrifugation; wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of toluene, xylene, chloroform methylene dichloride, acetonitrile, water, R1—OH, R1—CO—R2, R1—CO—O—R2 and R1—O—R2 where R1 and R2 are independently C1 to C2 alkyl groups. 19. A process according to claim 18, wherein the solvent is selected from toluene, xylene, chloroform, methylene dichloride, acetonitrile, water, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethylacetate, diethyl ether and methyl tert-butyl ether. 20. A process according to claim 19, wherein the solvent is isopropyl alcohol or ethyl acetate. 21. A process according to claim 20, wherein the solvent is isopropyl alcohol. 22. A process according to claim 20, wherein the solvent is ethyl acetate. 23. A process according to claim 18, wherein the contents in step (b) is cooled to 0° C. to 10° C. and stirring the contents in step (d) for about 30 minutes to 8 hours; 24. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the linezolid form III of claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. 25. A process according to claim 11, wherein the solvent is ethylacetate. 26. A process according to claim 12, wherein the solvent is ethylacetate. 27. A process according to claim 13, wherein the solvent is ethylacetate. 28. A process according to claim 14, wherein the solvent is ethylacetate. 29. A process according to claim 11, wherein linezolid form III is isolated without seeding. 30. A process according to claim 12, wherein linezolid form III is isolated without seeding. 31. A process according to claim 13, wherein linezolid form III is isolated without seeding. 32. A process according to claim 14, wherein linezolid form III is isolated without seeding. 33. A process according to claim 15, wherein linezolid form III is isolated without seeding. 34. A process according to claim 11, wherein linezolid form III is isolated after seeding. 35. A process according to claim 12, wherein linezolid form III is isolated after seeding. 36. A process according to claim 13, wherein linezolid form III is isolated after seeding. 37. A process according to claim 14, wherein linezolid form III is isolated after seeding. 38. A process according to claim 15, wherein linezolid form III is isolated after seeding.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a novel crystalline form of linezolid, to processes for its preparation and to a pharmaceutical composition containing it. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Linezolid, chemically N-[[(5S)-3-[3-fluoro-A-(4-morpholinyl)phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]acetamide is an antibacterial agent. Linezolid is represented by the following structure: Linezolid and related compounds, processes for their preparation and their therapeutic uses were disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792. Processes for preparation of linezolid were also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,870, WO 99/24393, J. Med. Chem. 39(3), 673-679, 1996 and Tetrahedron Lett., 40(26), 4855, 1999. Linezolid is known to exhibit polymorphism and two crystalline forms are so far known. U.S. Pat. No. 6,559,305 and US 6,444,813 addressed that the product obtained by the process described by J. Med. Chem. 39(3), 673-679, 1996 is form I and is characterized by having melting point of 181.5-182.5° C. and by IR spectrum having bands at 3284, 3092, 1753, 1728, 1649, 1565, 1519, 1447, 1435 cm−1. U.S. Pat. No. 6,559,305 claims crystalline form 11 characterized by IR spectrum having bands at 3364, 1748, 1675, 1537, 1517, 1445, 1410, 1401, 1358, 1329, 1287, 1274,1253, 1237, 1221, 1145, 1130, 1123, 1116, 1078, 1066, 1049, 907, 852 and 758 cm−1 and powder X-ray diffraction spectrum having 2-theta values at 7.10, 9.54, 13.88, 14.23, 16.18, 16.79, 17.69, 19.41, 19.69, 19.93, 21.61, 22.39, 22.84, 23.52,24.16, 25.28, 26.66; 27.01 and 27.77 degrees. We have discovered a novel crystalline form (form III) of linezolid. The novel crystalline form of linezolid is consistently reproducible, does not have the tendency to convert to other forms and found to be thermally more stable than form I or form II. Furthermore, form III bulk solid is more compact and less electrostatic than form II and hence is more readily subjected to any treatment under the usual conditions of the pharmaceutical technology, in particular, of formulation on an industrial scale. Therapeutic uses of linezolid were disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792. The object of the present invention is to provide a stable, consistently reproducible crystalline form of linezolid; processes for preparing it; and a pharmaceutical composition containing it. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel crystalline form of linezolid, designated as linezolid form III. Linezolid form III is characterized by peaks in the powder x-ray diffraction spectrum having 2θ angle positions at about 7.6, 9.6, 13.6, 14.9, 18.2, 18.9, 21.2, 22.3, 25.6, 26.9, 27.9 and 29.9 degrees. Linezolid form III is further characterized by IR spectrum having main bands at about 3338, 1741, 1662, 1544, 1517, 1471, 1452, 1425, 1400, 1381, 1334, 1273, 1255, 1228, 1213, 1197, 1176, 1116, 1082, 1051, 937, 923, 904, 869, 825 and 756 cm−1. Linezolid form III is obtained by heating linezolid in a known crystalline form or in a mixture of known crystalline forms until the known form/s are converted to form III. The known form may be heated directly to obtain linezolid form III; or linezolid form III may be obtained by heating linezolid suspended in a solvent like toluene, xylene, etc. The conversion to form III occurs at above about 90° C., preferably between 100° C. and 200° C. and more preferably between 120° C. and 140° C. The heating takes at least about 30 min, usually about 2 hours to 12 hours and typically about 4 hours to 10 hours. In accordance with the present invention, an alternative process is provided for preparation of linezolid form III, which comprises the steps of: a) acetylating (S)-N-[[3-[3-fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]amine of formula in a solvent optionally in the presence of an organic base to form linezolid; b) optionally seeding the reaction mixture formed in step (a); and c) isolating linezolid form III from the reaction mixture of (a) or (b); wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethylacetate, methylacetate, propylacetate, isopropylacetate, butylacetate, acetonitrile, chloroform, methylenedichloride, benzene, toluene and xylene. The organic base is preferably selected from pyridine; tri(C1-C4)alkylamine e.g. triethylamine and N,N-diisopropyl ethylamine; and N,N-di(C1-C3)alkylaniline e.g. N,N-dimethylaniline. In accordance with the present invention, still another process is provided for preparation of linezolid form III, which comprises the steps of: a) mixing linezolid with a solvent or a mixture of solvents; b) cooling the contents to below about 15° C.; c) optionally seeding the contents with linezolid form III; d) stirring the contents for at least about 15 min; and e) collecting linezolid form III crystals by filtration or centrifugation; wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of toluene, xylene, chloroform methylene dichloride, acetonitrile, water, R1—OH, R1—CO—R2, R1—CO—O—R2, R1—O—R2 wherein R1 and R2 are independently C1-C6 alkyl groups. Preferable solvents are toluene, xylene, chloroform, methylene dichloride, acetonitrile, water, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethylacetate, diethyl ether and methyl tert-butyl ether. Most preferable solvents are isopropyl alcohol and ethylacetate. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising linezolid form III and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel crystalline form of linezolid, designated as linezolid form III. Linezolid form III is characterized by peaks in the powder x-ray diffraction spectrum having 2θ angle positions at about 7.6, 9.6, 13.6, 14.9, 18.2, 18.9, 21.2, 22.3, 25.6, 26.9, 27.9 and 29.9 degrees. Linezolid form III is further characterized by IR spectrum having main bands at about 3338, 1741, 1662, 1544, 1517, 1471, 1452, 1425, 1400, 1381, 1334, 1273, 1255, 1228, 1213, 1197, 1176, 1116, 1082, 1051, 937, 923, 904, 869, 825 and 756 cm−1. Linezolid form III is obtained by heating linezolid in a known crystalline form or in a mixture of known crystalline forms until the known form/s are converted to form III. The known form may be heated directly to obtain linezolid form III; or linezolid form III may be obtained by heating linezolid suspended in a solvent like toluene, xylene, etc. The conversion to form III occurs at above about 90° C., preferably between 100° C. and 200° C. and more preferably between 120° C. and 140° C. The heating takes at least about 30 min, usually about 2 hours to 12 hours and typically about 4 hours to 10 hours. No recimization occurs during the heating of linezolid as evidenced by enantiomeric purity, which is same before and after heating. In accordance with the present invention, an alternative process is provided for preparation of linezolid form III. Thus, (S)—N-[[3-[3-fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl] methyl]amine of formula is reacted with an acetylating agent, like acetic anhydride, acetyl chloride, in a solvent optionally in the presence of an organic base and linezolid formed is isolated from the reaction mixture. The solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethylacetate, methylacetate, propylacetate, isopropylacetate, butylacetate, acetonitrile, chloroform, methylenedichloride, benzene, toluene and xylene. The organic base is preferably selected from pyridine; tri(C1-C4)alkylamine e.g. triethylamine and N,N-diisopropyl ethylamine; and N,N-di(C1-C3)alkylaniline e.g. N,N-dimethylaniline. Preferably, (S—N-[[3-[3-fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]amine is mixed in ethyl acetate, acetic anhydride is added maintaining the reaction temperature at or below boiling temperature of ethylacetate, preferably at about 15° C. to 40° C.; the reaction mixture is agitated preferably at about 15° C. to 40° C. for at least 15 min; and linezolid form III is collected by filtration or centrifugation. The reaction mixture is optionally seeded with linezolid form III before isolating linezolid form III. In accordance with the present invention, still another process is provided for preparation of linezolid form III. Thus, linezolid is mixed with a solvent. Linezolid is preferably mixed at boiling point of the solvent used. The solvent is selected from the group consisting of toluene, xylene, chloroform methylene dichloride, acetonitrile, water, R1—OH, R1—CO—R2, R1—CO—O—R2, R1—O—R2 wherein R1 and R2 are independently C1-C6 alkyl groups. Preferable solvents being toluene, xylene, chloroform, methylene dichloride, acetonitrile, water, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethylacetate, diethyl ether and methyl tert-butyl ether. Most preferable solvents being isopropyl alcohol and ethylacetate. A mixture of solvents may also be used and solvents like hexane, heptane may also be added in order to enhance crystallization in latter stages. Linezolid obtained by a known method is used in the process. The solution obtained as above is cooled to below about 15° C., preferably to about 0° C. to about 15° C., more preferably to about 0° C. to about 10C. The contents are optionally seeded with linezolid form III. The contents are then stirred for at least about 15 min, preferably for about 30 min to 8 hours and more preferably about 1 hour to about 5 hours. Linezolid form III crystals are then collected by filtration or centrifugation. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising linezolid form III and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. The invention will now be further described by the following examples; which are illustrative rather than limiting. EXAMPLE 1 Linezolid (10 gm, obtained by the process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792 Example 5) is heated at 130° C. to 140° C. under N2 atmosphere for 4 hours to give linezolid form III quantitatively. EXAMPLE 2 Linezolid form 11 (10 gm, with 99.8% ee) is suspended in toluene (50 ml) and refluxed for 3 hours. the contents are cooled to 25° C. and filtered to obtain 9.8 gm of linezolid form III (99.8% ee). EXAMPLE 3 Linezolid (10 gm, obtained by the process described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792 Example 5) is mixed with isopropyl alcohol (200 ml), heated to 80° C. and stirred for 10 min at the same temperature to form a clear solution. The solution is cooled to 0° C., stirred for 1 hour 30 min at 0° C. and filtered to give 9.7 gm of linezolid form III EXAMPLE 4 Example 3 is repeated by seeding the solution with linezolid form III during maintenance at about 0° C. Yield of linezolid form III is 9.6 gm. EXAMPLE 5 To the mixture of (S)—N-[[3-[3-fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]amine (10 gm) and ethylacetate (100 ml), acetic anhydride (10 ml) is slowly added at ambient temperature, then stirred at ambient temperature for 1 hour. The separated solid is filtered and dried under reduced pressure at 50° C. to give 9.5 gm of linezolid form III.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Linezolid, chemically N-[[(5S)-3-[3-fluoro-A-(4-morpholinyl)phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]acetamide is an antibacterial agent. Linezolid is represented by the following structure: Linezolid and related compounds, processes for their preparation and their therapeutic uses were disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792. Processes for preparation of linezolid were also described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,870, WO 99/24393, J. Med. Chem. 39(3), 673-679, 1996 and Tetrahedron Lett., 40(26), 4855, 1999. Linezolid is known to exhibit polymorphism and two crystalline forms are so far known. U.S. Pat. No. 6,559,305 and US 6,444,813 addressed that the product obtained by the process described by J. Med. Chem. 39(3), 673-679, 1996 is form I and is characterized by having melting point of 181.5-182.5° C. and by IR spectrum having bands at 3284, 3092, 1753, 1728, 1649, 1565, 1519, 1447, 1435 cm −1 . U.S. Pat. No. 6,559,305 claims crystalline form 11 characterized by IR spectrum having bands at 3364, 1748, 1675, 1537, 1517, 1445, 1410, 1401, 1358, 1329, 1287, 1274,1253, 1237, 1221, 1145, 1130, 1123, 1116, 1078, 1066, 1049, 907, 852 and 758 cm −1 and powder X-ray diffraction spectrum having 2-theta values at 7.10, 9.54, 13.88, 14.23, 16.18, 16.79, 17.69, 19.41, 19.69, 19.93, 21.61, 22.39, 22.84, 23.52,24.16, 25.28, 26.66; 27.01 and 27.77 degrees. We have discovered a novel crystalline form (form III) of linezolid. The novel crystalline form of linezolid is consistently reproducible, does not have the tendency to convert to other forms and found to be thermally more stable than form I or form II. Furthermore, form III bulk solid is more compact and less electrostatic than form II and hence is more readily subjected to any treatment under the usual conditions of the pharmaceutical technology, in particular, of formulation on an industrial scale. Therapeutic uses of linezolid were disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792. The object of the present invention is to provide a stable, consistently reproducible crystalline form of linezolid; processes for preparing it; and a pharmaceutical composition containing it.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a novel crystalline form of linezolid, designated as linezolid form III. Linezolid form III is characterized by peaks in the powder x-ray diffraction spectrum having 2θ angle positions at about 7.6, 9.6, 13.6, 14.9, 18.2, 18.9, 21.2, 22.3, 25.6, 26.9, 27.9 and 29.9 degrees. Linezolid form III is further characterized by IR spectrum having main bands at about 3338, 1741, 1662, 1544, 1517, 1471, 1452, 1425, 1400, 1381, 1334, 1273, 1255, 1228, 1213, 1197, 1176, 1116, 1082, 1051, 937, 923, 904, 869, 825 and 756 cm −1 . Linezolid form III is obtained by heating linezolid in a known crystalline form or in a mixture of known crystalline forms until the known form/s are converted to form III. The known form may be heated directly to obtain linezolid form III; or linezolid form III may be obtained by heating linezolid suspended in a solvent like toluene, xylene, etc. The conversion to form III occurs at above about 90° C., preferably between 100° C. and 200° C. and more preferably between 120° C. and 140° C. The heating takes at least about 30 min, usually about 2 hours to 12 hours and typically about 4 hours to 10 hours. In accordance with the present invention, an alternative process is provided for preparation of linezolid form III, which comprises the steps of: a) acetylating (S)-N-[[3-[3-fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]amine of formula in a solvent optionally in the presence of an organic base to form linezolid; b) optionally seeding the reaction mixture formed in step (a); and c) isolating linezolid form III from the reaction mixture of (a) or (b); wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethylacetate, methylacetate, propylacetate, isopropylacetate, butylacetate, acetonitrile, chloroform, methylenedichloride, benzene, toluene and xylene. The organic base is preferably selected from pyridine; tri(C1-C4)alkylamine e.g. triethylamine and N,N-diisopropyl ethylamine; and N,N-di(C1-C3)alkylaniline e.g. N,N-dimethylaniline. In accordance with the present invention, still another process is provided for preparation of linezolid form III, which comprises the steps of: a) mixing linezolid with a solvent or a mixture of solvents; b) cooling the contents to below about 15° C.; c) optionally seeding the contents with linezolid form III; d) stirring the contents for at least about 15 min; and e) collecting linezolid form III crystals by filtration or centrifugation; wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of toluene, xylene, chloroform methylene dichloride, acetonitrile, water, R 1 —OH, R 1 —CO—R 2 , R 1 —CO—O—R 2 , R 1 —O—R 2 wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently C 1 -C 6 alkyl groups. Preferable solvents are toluene, xylene, chloroform, methylene dichloride, acetonitrile, water, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropyl alcohol, tert-butyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethylacetate, diethyl ether and methyl tert-butyl ether. Most preferable solvents are isopropyl alcohol and ethylacetate. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising linezolid form III and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050211

20100511

20060615

60795.0

A61K315377

YOO, SUN JAE

NOVEL CRYSTALLINE FORM OF LINEZOLID

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Novel intermediates for linezolid and related compounds

The present invention provides a novel process for preparation of 5 aminomethyl substituted oxazolidinones, key intermediates for oxazolidinone antibacterials including linezolid. Thus, the key intermediate of linezolid is prepared by a) reacting N-[3-Chloro-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-morpholinyl aniline with potassium phthalimide; b) subjecting N-[3-pthalimido-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-(morpholinyl) aniline produced in the above step to carbonylation; and c) reacting (S)-N-[[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidiriyl]methyl]phthalimide produced in the above step with hydrazine hydrate to produce (S)-N-[[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]amine.

1. A process for the preparation of 5-aminomethyl substituted oxazolidinones of formula I: wherein X is O, S, SO or SO2; R1 is H, CH3 or CN; R2 is independently H, F or Cl; R3 is H or CH3; n is o, 1 or 2; which comprises; a) (i) reacting the compound of formula II: wherein R1, R3, X, R2 and n are as defined in formula 1; with potassium phthalimide of formula III: to produce compounds of formula IV: wherein R1, R3, X, R2 and n are as defined in formula I; (or) ii) reacting the compound of formula V: wherein R1, R3, X, R2 and n are as defined in formula I; with phthalimido oxiranyl compound of formula VI: b) converting the product of step (a) to produce a compound of formula VII: and c) converting the product of step (b) to aminomethyl oxazolidinone of formula I. 2. The process according to claim 1, wherein the aminomethyl oxazolidinone formed is the compound of formula I, wherein R1═R3 is H; R2 is independently H and F; X is O or S; and n is 1. 3. The process according to claim 2, wherein the aminomethyl oxazolidinone is the compound of formula I, wherein X is O. 4. The process according to claim 2, wherein the aminomethyl oxazolidinone is the compound of formula I, wherein one R2 is H and the other R2 is F; X is O. 5. The process according to claim 1, wherein the reaction in step (a)(i) is carried out by contacting the chlorohydrin compounds of formula II with potassium phthalimide in a solvent or mixture of solvents. 6. The process according to claim 5, wherein the solvent is dimethyl formamide or acetonitrile. 7. The process according to claim 5, wherein the reaction is carried out between about 10° C. and the boiling temperature of the solvent used. 8. The process according to claim 7, wherein the reaction is carried out between about 40° C. and the boiling temperature of the solvent used. 9. The process according to claim 8, wherein the reaction is carried out at boiling temperature of the solvent used. 10. The process according to claim 1, wherein the quantity of phthalimido oxiranyl compound in step (a)(ii) is at least one molar equivalent per equivalent of phenyl amine of formula V. 11. The process according to claim 1, wherein the reaction between the compounds of formula V and formula VI in step (a)(ii) is carried out in a solvent. 12. The process according to claim 11, wherein the solvent is neutral towards the reactants. 13. The process according to claim 12, wherein the solvent is selected from cyclic ethers, amides, acetonitrile and alcohols; and a mixture thereof. 14. The process according to claim 13, wherein the solvent is selected from tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, t-amyl alcohol, t-butyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol. 15. The process according to claim 14, wherein the solvent is selected from methanol, isopropyl alcohol and N,N-dimethylformamide. 16. The process according to claim 15, wherein the solvent is methanol. 17. The process according to claim 15, wherein the solvent is isopropyl alcohol. 18. The process according to claim 15, wherein the solvent is N,N-dimethylformamide. 19. The process according to claim 1, wherein the reaction in step (a)(ii) is performed at or below boiling temperature of the solvent used. 20. The process according to claim 19, wherein the reaction is performed between about 10° C. and boiling temperature of the solvent used. 21. The process according to claim 20, reaction is performed at the boiling temperature of the solvent used. 22. A process according to claim 1, wherein the phthalimido compound of formula IV is subjected in the step (b) to carbonylation using carbonylating reagent to provide phthalimido oxazolidinone compound of formula VII. 23. The process according to claim 22, wherein the carbonylating reagent is selected from carbonyldiimidazole, phosgene, alkyl chloroformates, aryl chloroformates, aralkyl chloroformates diethyl carbonate and triphosgene. 24. The process according to claim 23, wherein the alkyl chloroformate is methyl chloroformate, aryl chloroformate is phenyl chloroformate and aralkyl chloroformate is benzyl chloroformate. 25. The process according to claim 23, wherein the carbonylating reagent is carbonyldiimidazole or triphosgene or diethyl carbonate. 26. The process according to claim 25, wherein the carbonylating reagent is carbonyldiimidazole. 27. The process according to claim 25, wherein the carbonylating reagent is diethyl carbonate. 28. The process according to claim 25, wherein the carbonylating reagent is triphosgene. 29. The process according to claim 22, wherein the carbonylation reaction is performed in the presence of an aprotic solvent or a mixture thereof. 30. The process according to claim 29, wherein the aprotic solvent is selected from methylenedichloride, ethylenedichloride and chloroform. 31. The process according to claim 30, wherein the aprotic solvent is methyleriedichloride. 32. The process according to claim 30, wherein the aprotic solvent is chloroform. 33. The process according to claim 1, wherein the phthalimido oxazolidinone compound of formula VII is converted in the step (c) to the compound of formula I as defined in claim 1, which comprises reacting the said phthalimido oxazolidinone with hydrazine hydrate to obtain the said compound of formula I. 34. A process for the preparation of linezolid intermediate of formula: which comprises: a) (i) reacting N-[3-Chloro-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-morpholinyl aniline with potassium phthalimide to produce N-[3-pthalimido-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-(morpholinyl)aniline; (or) (ii) reacting 3-fluoro-4-morpholinyl aniline with (S)-N-2,3-epoxypropyl phthalimide to produce N-[3-pthalimido-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-(morpholinyl)aniline; b) subjecting N-[3-pthalimido-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-(morpholinyl) aniline produced in step (a) to carbonylation using a carbonylating agent to produce (S)-N-[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]phthalimide; and c) reacting (S)-N-[[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]phthalimide produced in step (b) with hydrazine hydrate or aqueous methyl amine to pro duce S—N-[[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]amine. 35. The process according to claim 34, further characterized by reacting S—N-[[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]amine produced in step (c) with acetic anhydride to produce linezolid of formula: 36. The process according to claim 34, wherein the reaction in step (a) (i) is carried out in a solvent or a mixture thereof. 37. The process according to claim 36, wherein the solvent is dimethylformamide or acetonitrile. 38. The process according to claim 34, wherein the reaction in the step (a) (i) is performed between about 10° C. and the boiling temperature of the solvent used. 39. The process according to claim 38, wherein the reaction is performed between about 40° C. and boiling temperature. 40. The process according to claim 39, wherein the reaction is performed at boiling temperature of the solvent used. 41. The process according to claim 34, wherein the reaction in step (a) (ii) is carried out in a solvent or a mixture thereof. 42. The process according to claim 41, wherein the solvent is selected from cyclic ethers, amides, acetonitrile and alcohols; or a mixture thereof. 43. The process according to claim 42, wherein the solvent is selected from tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, acetonitrile, methanol, ethanol, t-amyl alcohol, t-butyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol. 44. The process according to claim 43, wherein the solvent is selected from methanol, isopropyl alcohol and N,N-dimethylformamide. 45. The process according to claim 44, wherein the solvent is methanol. 46. The process according to claim 44, wherein the solvent is isopropyl alcohol. 47. The process according to claim 44, wherein the solvent is N,N-dimethylformamide. 48. The process according to claim 34, wherein the reaction in step (a) (ii) is performed at or below boiling temperature of the solvent used. 49. The process according to claim 48, wherein the reaction is performed between about 10° C. and boiling temperature of the solvent used. 50. The process according to claim 49, reaction is performed at the boiling temperature of the solvent used. 51. The process according to claim 34, wherein the carbonylating reagent in step (b) is selected from carbonyldiimidazole, phosgene, diethyl carbonate, triphosgene, alkyl chloroformate, aryl chloroformate and aralkyl chloroformate. 52. The process according to claim 51, wherein the alkyl chloroformate is methyl chloroformate, aryl chloroformate is phenyl chloroformate and aralkyl chloroformate is benzyl chloroformate. 53. The process according to claim 51, wherein the carbonylating reagent is carbonyldiimidazole or triphosgene or diethyl carbonate. 54. The process according to claim 53, wherein the carbonylating reagent is carbonyldiimidazole. 55. The process according to claim 53, wherein the carbonylating reagent is diethyl carbonate. 56. The process according to claim 53, wherein the carbonylating reagent is triphosgene. 57. The process according to claim 34, wherein the carbonylation reaction In the step (b) is performed in the presence of an aprotic solvent or a mixture thereof. 58. The process according to claim 57, wherein the aprotic solvent is selected from methylenedichloride, ethylenedichloride and chloroform. 59. The process according to claim 58, wherein the aprotic solvent is methylenedichloride. 60. The process according to claim 58, wherein the aprotic solvent is chloroform. 61. The process according to claim 34, wherein the step (c), the reaction is carried out in a solvent. 62. The process according to claim 61, wherein the solvent is selected from methanol, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol. 63. The process according to claim 35, wherein the reaction is carried out in toluene or acetone. 64. A compound of formula IV: wherein X is O, S, SO or SO2; R1 is H, CH3 or CN; R2 is independently H, F or Cl; R3 is H or CH3; n is 0, 1 or 2. 65. The compound of formula IV as defined in claim 64, wherein R1═R3 is H; R2 is independently H and F; X is O or S; and n is 1. 66. The compound of formula IV as defined in claim 65, wherein one R2 is H and the other R2 is F; and X is O.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides novel processes for preparation of 5-aminomethyl substituted oxazolidinones, key intermediates for oxazolidinone antibacterials. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792) disclosed oxazine and thiazine oxazolidinone derivatives. The compounds are antimicrobial agents. Among them linezolid, chemically N-[[(5S)-3-[3-fluoro-4-(4-morpholinyl)phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]acetamide is the most important antibacterial agent. Linezolid is represented by the following structure: Processes for preparation of linezolid were described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,870, WO 99/24393, WO 95/07271, J. Med. Chem. 39(3), 673-679, 1996 and Tetrahedron Lett., 40(26), 4855, 1999. According to prior art processes, the 5-hydroxymethyl substituted oxazolidinones are converted to the corresponding 5-aminomethyl substituted oxazolidinones, key intermediates in the production of oxazolidinone antibacterial pharmaceuticals. The prior art processes for preparing 5-aminomethyl substituted oxazolidinones are associated with many drawbacks. For instant in the preparation of linezolid, WO 95/07271 uses butyl lithium at very low temperature (−78° C.). It is known that the handling of butyl lithium is difficult and the person skilled in the art appreciate a process that produces the product in good yield avoiding the ‘difficult to handle’ reagents. We have discovered novel intermediates useful for preparing oxazolidinone antibacterials. The novel intermediates can be prepared in high yields using easy to handle reagents. The novel intermediates can be converted to oxazolidinone antibacterials using common reagents, also in good yields. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides a novel process to prepare 5-aminomethyl substituted oxazolidinones of formula I: wherein X is O, S, SO or SO2; R1 is H, CH3 or CN; R2 is independently H, F or Cl; R3 is H or CH3; n is 0, 1 or 2; which comprises; a) (i) reacting the compound of formula II: wherein R1, R3, X, R2 and n are as defined in formula I; with potassium phthalimide of formula III: to produce compounds of formula IV: wherein R1, R3, X, R2 and n are as defined in formula I; (or) (ii) reacting the compound of formula V: wherein R1, R3, X, R2 and n are as defined in formula I; with phthalimido oxiranyl compound of formula VI: b) converting the product of step (a) to produce a compound of formula VII: and c) converting the product of step (b) to aminomethyl oxazolidinone of formula I. The compounds of formula IV are novel and provides another aspect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novel process for preparing 5-aminomethyl substituted oxazolidinones of formula I: wherein X is O, S, SO or SO2; R1 is H, CH3 or CN; R2 is independently H, F or Cl; R3 is H or CH3; n is 0, 1 or 2. The compounds of formula I are key intermediates for preparing known oxazolidinone antibacterials. Step—a) The chlorohydrin compound of formula II: wherein R1, R3, X, R2 and n are as defined in formula I; is reacted with potassium phthalimide of formula III: to provide phthalimido compound of formula IV: wherein R1, R3, X, R2 and n are as defined In formula I. The reaction is carried out by contacting the chlorohydrin compounds with potassium phthalimide in a solvent or mixture of solvents. Selection of solvent is not critical, but preferable solvents are those that dissolve both the chlorohydrin compounds and potassium phthalimide to ensure maximum contact between the reactants resulting in faster reaction. However, the process is also operable with solvents that only partially dissolve the chlorohydrin compounds or potassium phthalimide. The preferable solvent is dimethylformamide or acetonitrile. The reaction is performed preferably between about 10° C. and the boiling temperature of the solvent used, more preferably between 40° C. and the boiling temperature of the solvent and most preferably at the boiling temperature of the solvent used. Time required for completion of the reaction depends on factors such as solvent used and temperature at which the reaction is carried out. For example, if the reaction is carried out by contacting the chlorohydrin compounds with potassium phthalimide in dimethylformamide under reflux conditions, about 2 to 10 hours is required for the reaction completion. Alternatively the compound of formula IV is prepared by reacting the compound of formula V: wherein R1, R3, X, R2 and n are as defined in formula I; with phthalimido oxiranyl compound of formula VI: The quantity of phthalimido oxiranyl compound is not critical, but for better yield at least one molar equivalent is required per equivalent of phenyl amine of formula V. The reaction between the compounds of formula V and formula VI is carried out in a solvent. Any solvent, which is neutral towards the reactants, may be used. Operable solvents include cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran; amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide; acetonitrile; and alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, t-amyl alcohol, t-butyl alcohol and Isopropyl alcohol; and a mixture thereof. Preferable solvent is selected from methanol, Isopropyl alcohol and N,N-dimethylformamide. The reaction is performed at or below boiling temperature of the solvent used, more preferably between 10° C. and boiling temperature of the solvent used and even more preferably at boiling temperature of the solvent used. Time required for completion of the reaction depends on factors such as solvent used and temperature at which the reaction is carried. The product obtained may be used directly in the next step, or it can be isolated from the reaction mixture and used in the next step. Step (b) The phthalimido compound of formula IV produced as above is subjected to cabonylation to provide phthalimido oxazolidinone compound of formula VII. The carbonylation is performed using any carbonylating reagent commonly known for such purpose. Among them carbonyldiimidazole, phosgene, diethyl carbonate, triphosgene, alkyl chloroformates such as ethyl chloroformate, aryl chloroformates such as phenyl chloroformate and aralkyl chloroformates such as benzyl chloroformate are preferred; carbonyldiimidazole, diethyl carbonate and triphosgene are being more preferred. The carbonylation reaction is preferably performed by contacting the phthalimido compound of formula IV with carbonylating agent in the presence of an aprotic solvent or a mixture thereof. More preferably the phthalimido compound of formula IV is reacted with at least one molar equivalent of the carbonylating agent in the presence of an aprotic solvent such as methylene dichloride, ethylenedichloride or chloroform. The phthalimido compounds of formula VII are known and can be converted to the aminomethyl oxazolidinone compounds by using for example Hydrazine hydrate or aqueous methylamine. These methods are known and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792. The aminomethyl oxazolidinone compounds of formula I are acylated by known methods using acylating agents such as acyl halides or acyl anhydrides to form the corresponding 5-acylaminomethyloxazolidinone compounds of formula VIII: wherein R1, R3, X, R2 and n are as defined in formula I; R represents C1 to C8 straight or branched alkyl groups. The preferred alkyl group is CH3. The acylation can be carried out by known methods such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792. One compound of formula VIII can be converted to another compound of formula VII. Thus for example compounds of formula VIII, wherein X is S can be converted to the compounds of formula VIII, wherein X is SO or SO2 by the methods such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792. The 5-acyl amino methyl substituted oxazolidinone of formula VIII are known to be antibacterial pharmaceutical agents. The compounds of formula II and VI have the right configuration to obtain the compounds of formula I and VII. The configurations of formula II and VI are retained through out the sequence of reactions of the invention. However, it is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that one could easily perform the identical process steps with the opposite enantiomeric form or racemic form to obtain the corresponding stereo isomers. Therefore, using the chemistry of the claimed process with any of the enantiomeric forms is considered equivalent to the claimed processes. The compounds of formula II used as starting materials can be obtained by the process described in our co-pending international application No. PCT/IN04/00105. Thus, the compound of formula II is prepared by reacting a compound of formula V: wherein R1, R3, X, R2 and n are as defined in formula I; with (R)-epichlorohydrin of formula IX: Phthalimido oxiranyl compound VI used as starting material is commercially available. In particular most important compound of formula VIII is linezolid (VIII, R1 and R3 is H; X is O, one R2 is H and the other R2 is F; n is 1). The most preferred process for preparing linezolid is described as under: a) N-[3-Chloro-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-morpholinyl aniline is reacted with potassium phthalimide to provide N-[3-pthalimido-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-(morpholinyl)aniline (Formula IV, R1═R3 is H; X is O; one R2 is H and the other R2 is F; and n is 1). The reaction is carried out by contacting the N-[3-Chloro-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-morpholinylaniline, with potassium phthalimide in a solvent or a mixture of solvents. Selection of solvent is not critical, but preferable solvents are those that dissolve both the chlorohydrin compounds and potassium phthalimide to ensure maximum contact between the reactants resulting in faster reaction. However, the process is also operable with solvents that only partially dissolve the chlorohydrin compounds or potassium phthalimide. The preferable solvent is dimethylformamide or acetonitrile. The reaction is performed preferably between about 10° C. and the boiling temperature of the solvent used, more preferably between 40° C. and the boiling temperature of the solvent, and most preferably at the boiling temperature of the solvent used. Time required for completion of the reaction depends on factors such as solvent used and temperature at which the reaction is carried out. For example, if the reaction is carried out by contacting the chlorohydrin compounds with potassium phthalimide in dimethylformamide under reflux conditions, about 3 to 7 hours is required for the reaction completion. Alternatively 3-fluoro-4-morpholinyl aniline (formula V, R1 ═R3 is H; X is O; one R2 is H and the other R2 is F; and n is 1) is reacted with phthalimido oxiranyl compound of formula VI to provide. N-[3-pthalimido-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-(morpholinyl)aniline (Formula IV, R1 ═R3 is H; X is O; one R2 is H and the other R2 is F; and n is 1). The quantity of phthalimido oxiranyl compound is not critical, but for better yield at least one molar equivalent is required per equivalent of 3-fluoro-4-morpholinyl aniline. Any solvent, which is neutral towards the reactants, may be used. Operable solvents include cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran; amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide; acetonitrile; and alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, t-amyl alcohol, t-butyl alcohol and Isopropyl alcohol. Preferable solvent is selected from methanol, isopropyl alcohol and N,N-dimethylformamide. The reaction is performed at or below boiling temperature of the solvent used, more preferably between 10° C. and boiling temperature of the solvent used and even more preferably at boiling temperature of the solvent used. The product obtained can be used directly in the next step, or it can be isolated from the reaction mixture and used in the next step. b) N-[3-pthalimido-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-(morpholinyl)aniline produced as above is subjected to carbonylation to provide (S)-N-[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]phthalimide (Formula VII, R1═R3 is H; X is O; one R2 is H and the other R2 is F; and n is 1). The carbonylation is performed using any carbonylating reagent commonly known for such purpose. Among them carbonyldiimidazole, phosgene, methyl chloroformate, benzyl chloroformate, diethyl carbonate, triphosgene and phenylchloroformate are preferred; carbonyldiimidazole, diethyl carbonate and triphosgene are being more preferred. The carbonylation reaction is preferably performed by contacting the N-[3-phthalimido-2-(R)hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-morpholinylaniline with carbonylating agent in the presence of an aprotic solvent or a mixture of aprotic solvents. More preferably the N-[3-phthalimido-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-morpholinylaniline is reacted with at least one molar equivalent of the carbonylating agent in the presence of an aprotic solvent such as methylene dichloride, ethylenedichloride or chloroform. c) (S)-N-[[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholiny]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]phthalimide produced as above is reacted with hydrazine hydrate or aqueous methyl amine to produce S—N-[[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]amine (Formula I, R1═R3 is H; X is O; one R2 is H and the other R2 is F; and n is 1). These methods of deprotection are known and described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792. d) S—N-[[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]amine is reacted with acetic anhydride to produce linezolid. The following examples are given for the purpose of illustrating the present invention and should not be considered as limitations on the scope and spirit of the invention. EXAMPLES Example 1 3-Fluoro-4-morpholinyl aniline (39 gm) is mixed with (R)-epichlorohydrin (18.5 gm) and isopropyl alcohol (200 ml) and heated to reflux for 16 hours. The solvent is distilled off to give 57 gm residue of N-[3-Chloro-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-morpholinyl aniline. Example 2 The mixture of (N-[3-Chloro-2-(R)hydroxypropyl-3-fluoro-4-morpholinyl aniline obtained in example 1, potassium phthalimide (40 gm) and Dimethyl formamide (400 ml) is heated for 5 hours at reflux temperature. The reaction mixture is cooled to ambient temperature, poured in to water (2 L) and filtered the solid obtained, and recrystallized from isopropyl alcohol to give 50 gm N-[3-pthalimido-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-(morpholinyl)aniline. Example 3 3-Fluoro-morpholinyl aniline (39 gm) is mixed with (S)-N-2,3-epoxypropylphthalimide (40 gm) and dimethylformamide (400 ml) and heated to reflux for 5 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled to ambient temperature, poured into 2 liter water and filtered the solid obtained to give 60 gm of N-[3-pthalimido-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-(morpholinyl)aniline. Example 4 N-[3-pthalimido-2-(R)-hydroxypropyl]-3-fluoro-4-(morpholinyl)aniline (57 gm) is dissolved in methylene dichloride (600 ml), carbonyl diimidazole (32 gm) is added at ambient temperature and the reaction mixture is stirred for 20 hours. The reaction mass is washed with water and methylene dichloride is distilled to give 48 gm of (S)-N-[[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]phthalimide as solid. Example 5 Methanol (240 ml) and Hydrazine hydrate (26 gm) are added to a flask containing the (S)-N-[[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]phthalimide (40 gm), heated for 1 hour at reflux temperature and cooled to ambient temperature, water (500 ml) is added to the reaction mass and extracted with methylene dichloride (300 ml). The combined extractions are washed with water (100 ml) and the solvent is distilled to give 20 gm of S—N-[[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]anine. Example 6 S—N-[[3-[3-Fluoro-4-[4-morpholinyl]phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]amine (20 gm) is stirred in toluene (200 ml) for 15 minutes, acetic anhydride (20 gm) is added drop wise at ambient temperature and stirred for 1 hour. The reaction mixture is cooled to 0-5° C., filtered the solid and re-crystallized from methanol (200 ml) to give 16 gm of N-[[(5S)-3-[3-fluoro-4-(4-morpholinyl)phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]acetamide.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,792) disclosed oxazine and thiazine oxazolidinone derivatives. The compounds are antimicrobial agents. Among them linezolid, chemically N-[[(5S)-3-[3-fluoro-4-(4-morpholinyl)phenyl]-2-oxo-5-oxazolidinyl]methyl]acetamide is the most important antibacterial agent. Linezolid is represented by the following structure: Processes for preparation of linezolid were described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,870, WO 99/24393, WO 95/07271, J. Med. Chem. 39(3), 673-679, 1996 and Tetrahedron Lett., 40(26), 4855, 1999. According to prior art processes, the 5-hydroxymethyl substituted oxazolidinones are converted to the corresponding 5-aminomethyl substituted oxazolidinones, key intermediates in the production of oxazolidinone antibacterial pharmaceuticals. The prior art processes for preparing 5-aminomethyl substituted oxazolidinones are associated with many drawbacks. For instant in the preparation of linezolid, WO 95/07271 uses butyl lithium at very low temperature (−78° C.). It is known that the handling of butyl lithium is difficult and the person skilled in the art appreciate a process that produces the product in good yield avoiding the ‘difficult to handle’ reagents. We have discovered novel intermediates useful for preparing oxazolidinone antibacterials. The novel intermediates can be prepared in high yields using easy to handle reagents. The novel intermediates can be converted to oxazolidinone antibacterials using common reagents, also in good yields.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF INVENTION <EOH>The present invention provides a novel process to prepare 5-aminomethyl substituted oxazolidinones of formula I: wherein X is O, S, SO or SO 2 ; R 1 is H, CH 3 or CN; R 2 is independently H, F or Cl; R 3 is H or CH 3 ; n is 0, 1 or 2; which comprises; a) (i) reacting the compound of formula II: wherein R 1 , R 3 , X, R 2 and n are as defined in formula I; with potassium phthalimide of formula III: to produce compounds of formula IV: wherein R 1 , R 3 , X, R 2 and n are as defined in formula I; (or) (ii) reacting the compound of formula V: wherein R 1 , R 3 , X, R 2 and n are as defined in formula I; with phthalimido oxiranyl compound of formula VI: b) converting the product of step (a) to produce a compound of formula VII: and c) converting the product of step (b) to aminomethyl oxazolidinone of formula I. The compounds of formula IV are novel and provides another aspect of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20060126

20080930

20061102

81101.0

A61K31541

NOLAN, JASON MICHAEL

NOVEL INTERMEDIATES FOR LINEZOLID AND RELATED COMPOUNDS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Component placing head and component placing method

A component placing head has a first component image-pickup unit capable of capturing an image of a component held by a component holding member from a direction along central axes of the component holding members, and a second component image-pickup unit capable of capturing an image of the held component from a direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members, the images of the component are captured by the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit from the two directions generally orthogonal to each other, and holding postures of the components are recognized on basis of the images.

1. A component placing head having a plurality of component holding members for releasably holding components which members are arranged in a row, and being capable of placing on a circuit board the plurality of components held by the component holding members, the component placing head comprising: a first component image-pickup unit capable of capturing images of the components held by the component holding members from a direction along central axes of the component holding members; a second component image-pickup unit capable of capturing images of the components held by the component holding members from a direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members and to a direction of the arrangement of the component holding members; supporting members for supporting the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit so as to allow movement thereof in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members; a moving device for moving the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members between the component holding members arranged at both ends of the row; and a control unit that causes the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit to sequentially capture the images of the components held by the component holding members while moving the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit by the moving device in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members and that is capable of recognizing holding postures of the components on the component holding members on basis of the images of the components captured by the first component image-pickup unit and the images of the components captured by the second component image-pickup unit, wherein the components can be placed on the circuit board on basis of the holding postures of the components recognized by the control unit. 2. A component placing head having a plurality of component holding members for releasably holding components which members are arranged in a row, and being capable of placing on a circuit board the plurality of components held by the component holding members, the component placing head having: a first component image-pickup unit having a plurality of image-pickup elements capable of capturing images of the components held by the component holding members from a direction along central axes of the component holding members, in one-to-one correspondence to the component holding members and with positional relations fixed among the image-pickup elements, and having reflectors that are positioned on a central axis of a component holding member so as to reflect an image of the component held by the component holding member from the direction along the central axes and so as to make the image incident along an optical axis of a corresponding image-pickup element on the image-pickup element; a second component image-pickup unit capable of capturing images of the components held by the component holding members from a direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members and to a direction of the arrangement of the component holding members; a supporting member for supporting the reflectors of the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit so as to allow movement thereof in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members; a moving device for moving the reflectors and the second component image-pickup unit in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members between the component holding members arranged at both ends of the row; and a control unit that causes the image-pickup elements to sequentially capture the images of the components held by the corresponding component holding members, through the reflectors, and causes the second component image-pickup unit to sequentially capture the images of the components held by the component holding members while moving the reflectors and the second component image-pickup unit by the moving device in the direction of the arrangement, and that is capable of recognizing holding postures of the components on the component holding members on basis of the images of the components captured by the first component image-pickup unit and the images of the components captured by the second component image-pickup unit, wherein the components can be placed on the circuit boards on basis of the holding postures of the components recognized by the control unit. 3. A component placing head as defined in claim 1, wherein the control unit is capable of recognizing holding postures of the components on the component holding members with respect to directions generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members on basis of the images captured by the first component image-pickup unit, and wherein the control unit is capable of recognizing holding postures of the components on the component holding members with respect to the direction along the central axes of the component holding members on basis of the images captured by the second component image-pickup unit. 4. A component placing head as defined in claim 3, wherein the second component image-pickup unit is a line sensor having a phototransmitter and a photoreceiver that are arranged so as to face each other with interposition of the component holding members arranged in the row and being capable of capturing an image of a component by reception, on the photoreceiver, of light cast from the phototransmitter toward the component held by the component holding member with a portion of the light interrupted by the component, and wherein the control unit is operable to recognize a holding posture of the component with respect to the direction along the central axes on basis of capture result information obtained from the line sensor, detect a position of the line sensor moved by the moving device along the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members, with the image capture, and identify the component of which the holding posture has been recognized, from among the components on basis of a result of the detection. 5. A component placing head as defined in claim 1, wherein the moving device has a drive motor for moving the first component image-pickup unit in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members, and wherein the drive motor is provided so as to be opposed to the first component image-pickup unit with the component holding members between. 6. A component placing head as defined in claim 5, wherein the drive motor is provided so as to be opposed to the second component image-pickup unit also with the component holding members between. 7. A component placing head as defined in claim 1, wherein the first component image-pickup unit has: image-pickup element that use as optical axes (T) thereof axes different from the central axes (S) of the component holding members and that are capable of capturing images of the components held by the component holding members incident along the optical axes; reflectors for reflecting an image of a component from the direction along the central axis of the component holding member, and thereby making the image incident along the optical axis of an image-pickup element on the image-pickup element; horizontal light casting unit for casting rays of light in generally horizontal directions directly onto a component imaging plane (Q) which is orthogonal to the central axis of the component holding member and in which the image of the component to be captured is obtained; a vertical light casting unit for casting rays of light generally along the optical axis, causing the rays of light to be reflected by the reflectors and to travel in the direction along the central axis, and casting the rays of light in generally vertical directions onto the component imaging plane; and inclined light casting unit for casting rays of light inclined at a generally medial angle between the horizontal directions and the vertical directions, directly onto the component imaging plane, and wherein the control unit causes the image-pickup element to capture the image of the component in a status in which the horizontal light casting unit, the vertical light casting unit, and the inclined light casting unit are simultaneously casting the rays of light onto the component imaging plane of the component held by the component holding member. 8. A component placing head as defined in claim 7, wherein the inclined light casting unit has a plurality of illuminating sections for inclined light that are arranged so as to be symmetric and opposed to each other with respect to the central axis of the component holding member as an axis of symmetry, wherein the horizontal light casting unit has a plurality of illuminating sections for horizontal light that are arranged so as to be symmetric and opposed to each other with respect to the central axis of the component holding member as an axis of symmetry, and wherein the illuminating sections are arranged in vicinity of a periphery of a zone (U) in which the rays of light in the generally vertical directions from the vertical light casting unit pass and which is formed on and around the central axis of the component holding member. 9. A component placing head as defined in claim 8, wherein the inclined light casting unit has two pairs of the illuminating sections for inclined light, wherein the horizontal light casting unit has two pairs of the illuminating sections for horizontal light, and wherein the illuminating sections for inclined light and the illuminating sections for horizontal light are alternately positioned with an angle pitch generally of 45 degrees on a plane extending along the component imaging plane of the component. 10. A component placing head as defined in claim 7, wherein the vertical light casting unit has a shade plate that is provided on an imaginary straight line (V) connecting the vertical light casting unit and the imaging plane of the component and that interrupts rays of light cast from the vertical light casting unit along the imaginary straight line onto the component imaging plane. 11. A component placing head as defined in claim 1, further comprising a board image-pickup device capable of capturing an image of a specified position on a surface of the circuit board, wherein the board image-pickup device has, as two types of board image-pickup units having different fields of view for image capture and different resolving powers, a first board image-pickup unit having a narrower field of view and a higher resolving power than a remainder of the board image-pickup units, and a second board image-pickup unit having a wider field of view and a lower resolving power than the first board image-pickup unit, and wherein the control unit is operable to select either of the first board image-pickup unit and the second board image-pickup unit of the board image-pickup devices in accordance with an accuracy in placement of components on the circuit board, cause the selected board image-pickup unit to capture the image of the specified position on the surface of the circuit board, and recognizes the specified position on basis of the captured image. 12. A component placing method comprising: holding a component releasably by each of a plurality of component holding members of a plurality of component holding members arranged in a row; sequentially capturing images of the components held by the component holding members from a direction along central axes of the component holding members and sequentially capturing images of the components from a direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members and to a direction of the arrangement of the component holding members; recognizing holding postures of the components on the component holding members on basis of the images captured from the direction along the central axes and the images captured from the direction generally orthogonal to the central axes and to the direction of the arrangement; and placing the components on a circuit board on basis of the recognized holding postures of the components. 13. A component placing method as defined in claim 12, wherein holding postures of the components on the component holding members with respect to the direction generally orthogonal to the central axes can be recognized on basis of the images of the components captured from the direction along the central axes of the component holding members, and wherein holding postures of the components on the component holding members with respect to the direction along the central axes can be recognized on basis of the images of the components captured from the direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members and to the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a component placing head and a component placing method that have a plurality of component holding members, capture an image of a component held by each component holding member, recognize a holding posture of the component, and place the component on a circuit board on basis of a result of the recognition. BACKGROUND ART In recent years, markets have been increasing their demands for miniaturization, high performance, and reduction in cost of electronic equipment that contains electronic circuits formed by placement of electronic components as a plurality of components on circuit boards. In an electronic component placing apparatus having a head as an example of a component placing head, the plurality of electronic components are placed by the head on the circuit boards held on a stage and such electronic circuits are thereby manufactured. In such an electronic component placing apparatus, holding postures of the electronic components held by the head, placement positions of the electronic components on the circuit board, and the like are recognized with use of image-pickup devices provided on the stage or on the head or the like, and the electronic components are placed on the circuit board on basis of a result of the recognition (see Japanese unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-307297, for example). In order to meet the demands from the markets, on the other hand, such electronic component placing apparatus have been desired to cope with persistent miniaturization of the electronic components and the circuit boards and to perform placement with high density and high accuracy of the electronic components on the circuit boards and have been desired to achieve decrease in time span required for the placement so as to fulfill efficient placement and reduction in manufacturing cost of electronic circuits. Hereinbelow, an image-pickup device 210 provided in a head 200 in such a conventional electronic component placing apparatus will be described with reference to a fragmentary enlarged schematic explanatory view of the head 200 shown in FIG. 7. The head 200 has eight suction nozzles 201, as an example of the component holding members, arranged in a row, and FIG. 7 shows a section of the head 200 taken along a plane orthogonal to a direction of the arrangement. As shown in FIG. 7, the head 200 has the eight suction nozzles 201 capable of sucking and holding electronic components 1 at extremities of the nozzles, and each suction nozzle 201 is supported by a head frame 202 so as to be capable of moving up and down along a central axis of the nozzle (in vertical directions in FIG. 7) and capable of rotating about the central axis. As shown in FIG. 7, the image-pickup device 210 has a camera 211 that is provided to the left of the suction nozzle 201 in the drawing and that is capable of capturing an image of the electronic component 1 sucked and held by the suction nozzle 201, from downside of the electronic component in the drawing through medium of two reflecting mirrors 212 and 213 placed on an optical axis of the camera. The image-pickup device 210 also has a linear guide rail 214 that is provided along the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 201 to the upper left of the suction nozzle 201 in the drawing and that is fixed to the head frame 202, and the camera 211 is supported by the head frame 202 through medium of the linear guide rail 214 so as to be capable of sliding along the linear guide rail 214, i.e., along the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 201. A sliding device 215 for sliding the camera 211 along the linear guide rail 214 is fixed to the head frame 202 in neighborhood of a location where the linear guide rail 214 is installed. When images of the electronic components 1 held by the suction nozzles 201 are captured by the image-pickup device 210, an image of the electronic component 1 held by each suction nozzle 201 is sequentially captured from the downside through the reflecting mirrors 212 and 213 while the camera 211 is slid by the sliding device 215 along the linear guide rail 214. Each image captured in this manner is subjected to recognition processing in a control unit or the like provided in the head 200 and is recognized as a suction holding posture of each electronic component 1 relative to each suction nozzle 201. The suction holding posture is then corrected with the rotating of the suction nozzle 201 or the like so that the recognized suction holding posture coincides with a placement posture relative to a circuit board, and the electronic component 1 is thereafter placed on the circuit board. In the head 200 having the above structure, however, an image of the electronic component 1 held by the suction nozzle 201 is captured from the downside of the electronic component 1, and it is therefore impossible to recognize a suction holding posture of the electronic component 1 with respect to the direction along the central axis of the suction nozzle 201 (i.e., the vertical direction in FIG. 7) For example, an electronic component 1 that is such a minute electronic component as a chip component is prone to be sucked and held in a position diagonal to the extremity of a suction nozzle 201 (what is called a diagonal position), it is difficult to recognize such a position on basis of an image captured from the downside, and placement on a circuit board with such a position unrecognized may cause an error in placement of the electronic component 1 on the circuit board or may cause a problem in that high-accuracy placement of electronic components cannot be addressed even if the placement error is avoided. In the head 200, the sliding device 215 is provided on the head frame 202 in neighborhood of the linear guide rail 214 and of the camera 211, vibrations accompanying operation of the sliding device 215 are therefore prone to be transmitted through the linear guide rail 214 to the camera 211, and this causes a problem in that the camera 211 influenced by the vibrations cannot capture a high-accuracy image of an electronic component 1. An increase in sliding velocity of the camera 211 slid by the sliding device 215, for purpose of a decrease in a time span required for the placement of an electronic component 1 by the head 200, strengthens the transmitted vibrations and makes the above problem more noticeable, while a decrease in the sliding velocity for purpose of reduction in the vibrations fails to cause the decrease in the time span required for the placement and fails to allow efficient operation for placing electronic components. In the head 200 provided with a board recognizing device for recognizing placement positions or the like for electronic components 1 on a circuit board, for example, the electronic components 1 can be placed with reliable recognition of the placement positions on the circuit board; however, recognition accuracy required of the board recognizing device differ with accuracy in placement of electronic components 1 that are placed. Though the head 200 that is provided with the board recognizing device having a high recognizing accuracy so as to address the high-accuracy placement of electronic components is capable of addressing the high-accuracy placement, a narrowed recognizable field of view of the device causes a problem, for example, in that placement of an electronic components 1 which does not require the high-accuracy placement may rather increase a time span required for recognition and may lower a placing efficiency. In order to address such high-accuracy placement of electronic components, it is necessary to capture a clear image of a placement surface of a component sucked and held by a suction nozzle. Though simple capture of the image with illumination of the placement surface of the component may address capture of images of conventional general-purpose components, the simple capture for miniaturized components, components with diversified shapes, and the like may cause non-uniform illuminance or the like on their placement surfaces having miniaturized shapes, special shapes and the like and may thereby cause a problem in that images of the components cannot be captured clearly and in that such electronic components cannot be placed with a high accuracy. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a component placing head and a component placing method that have a plurality of component holding members, capture an image of a component held by each component holding member, recognize a holding posture of the component, and place the component on a circuit board on basis of a result of the recognition, the component placing head and the component placing method capable of performing the recognition with a high efficiency and a high accuracy. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION In accomplishing these and other aspects, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing head having a plurality of component holding members for releasably holding components which members are arranged in a row, and being capable of placing on a circuit board the plurality of components held by the component holding members, the component placing head comprising: a first component image-pickup unit capable of capturing images of the components held by the component holding members from a direction along central axes of the component holding members; a second component image-pickup unit capable of capturing images of the components held by the component holding members from a direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members and to a direction of the arrangement of the component holding members; supporting members for supporting the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit so as to allow movement thereof in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members; a moving device for moving the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members between the component holding members arranged at both ends of the row; and a control unit that causes the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit to sequentially capture the images of the components held by the component holding members while moving the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit by the moving device in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members and that is capable of recognizing holding postures of the components on the component holding members on basis of the images of the components captured by the first component image-pickup unit and the images of the components captured by the second component image-pickup unit, wherein the components can be placed on the circuit board on basis of the holding postures of the components recognized by the control unit. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing head having a plurality of component holding members for releasably holding components which members are arranged in a row, and being capable of placing on a circuit board the plurality of components held by the component holding members, the component placing head having: a first component image-pickup unit having a plurality of image-pickup elements capable of capturing images of the components held by the component holding members from a direction along central axes of the component holding members, in one-to-one correspondence to the component holding members and with positional relations fixed among the image-pickup elements, and having reflectors that are positioned on a central axis of a component holding member so as to reflect an image of the component held by the component holding member from the direction along the central axes and so as to make the image incident along an optical axis of a corresponding image-pickup element on the image-pickup element; a second component image-pickup unit capable of capturing images of the components held by the component holding members from a direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members and to a direction of the arrangement of the component holding members; a supporting member for supporting the reflectors of the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit so as to allow movement thereof in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members; a moving device for moving the reflectors and the second component image-pickup unit in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members between the component holding members arranged at both ends of the row; and a control unit that causes the image-pickup elements to sequentially capture the images of the components held by the corresponding component holding members, through the reflectors, and causes the second component image-pickup unit to sequentially capture the images of the components held by the component holding members while moving the reflectors and the second component image-pickup unit by the moving device in the direction of the arrangement, and that is capable of recognizing holding postures of the components on the component holding members on basis of the images of the components captured by the first component image-pickup unit and the images of the components captured by the second component image-pickup unit, wherein the components can be placed on the circuit boards on basis of the holding postures of the components recognized by the control unit. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing head as defined in the first aspect, wherein the control unit is capable of recognizing holding postures of the components on the component holding members with respect to directions generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members on basis of the images captured by the first component image-pickup unit, and wherein the control unit is capable of recognizing holding postures of the components on the component holding members with respect to the direction along the central axes of the component holding-members on basis of the images captured by the second component image-pickup unit. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing head as defined in the third aspect, wherein the second component image-pickup unit is a line sensor having a phototransmitter and a photoreceiver that are arranged so as to face each other with interposition of the component holding members arranged in the row and being capable of capturing an image of a component by reception, on the photoreceiver, of light cast from the phototransmitter toward the component held by the component holding member with a portion of the light interrupted by the component, and wherein the control unit is operable to recognize a holding posture of the component with respect to the direction along the central axes on basis of capture result information obtained from the line sensor, detect a position of the line sensor moved by the moving device along the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members, with the image capture, and identify the component of which the holding posture has been recognized, from among the components on basis of a result of the detection. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing head as defined in the first aspect, wherein the moving device has a drive motor for moving the first component image-pickup unit in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members, and wherein the drive motor is provided so as to be opposed to the first component image-pickup unit with the component holding members between. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing head as defined in the fifth aspect, wherein the drive motor is provided so as to be opposed to the second component image-pickup unit also with the component holding members between. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing head as defined in the first aspect, wherein the first component image-pickup unit has: image-pickup element that use as optical axes thereof axes different from the central axes of the component holding members and that are capable of capturing images of the components held by the component holding members incident along the optical axes; reflectors for reflecting an image of a component from the direction along the central axis of the component holding member, and thereby making the image incident along the optical axis of an image-pickup element on the image-pickup element; horizontal light casting unit for casting rays of light in generally horizontal directions directly onto a component imaging plane which is orthogonal to the central axis of the component holding member and in which the image of the component to be captured is obtained; a vertical light casting unit for casting rays of light generally along the optical axis, causing the rays of light to be reflected by the reflectors and to travel in the direction along the central axis, and casting the rays of light in generally vertical directions onto the component imaging plane; and inclined light casting unit for casting rays of light inclined at a generally medial angle between the horizontal directions and the vertical directions, directly onto the component imaging plane, and wherein the control unit causes the image-pickup element to capture the image of the component in a status in which the horizontal light casting unit, the vertical light casting unit, and the inclined light casting unit are simultaneously casting the rays of light onto the component imaging plane of the component held by the component holding member. According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing head as defined in the seventh aspect, wherein the inclined light casting unit has a plurality of illuminating sections for inclined light that are arranged so as to be symmetric and opposed to each other with respect to the central axis of the component holding member as an axis of symmetry, wherein the horizontal light casting unit has a plurality of illuminating sections for horizontal light that are arranged so as to be symmetric and opposed to each other with respect to the central axis of the component holding member as an axis of symmetry, and wherein the illuminating sections are arranged in vicinity of a periphery of a zone in which the rays of light in the generally vertical directions from the vertical light casting unit pass and which is formed on and around the central axis of the component holding member. According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing head as defined in the eighth, wherein the inclined light casting unit has two pairs of the illuminating sections for inclined light, wherein the horizontal light casting unit has two pairs of the illuminating sections for horizontal light, and wherein the illuminating sections for inclined light and the illuminating sections for horizontal light are alternately positioned with an angle pitch generally of 45 degrees on a plane extending along the component imaging plane of the component. According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing head as defined in the seventh aspect, wherein the vertical light casting unit has a shade plate that is provided on an imaginary straight line connecting the vertical light casting unit and the imaging plane of the component and that interrupts rays of light cast from the vertical light casting unit along the imaginary straight line onto the component imaging plane. According to a eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing head as defined in any one of the aspects the first through the tenth, further comprising a board image-pickup device capable of capturing an image of a specified position on a surface of the circuit board, wherein the board image-pickup device has, as two types of board image-pickup units having different fields of view for image capture and different resolving powers, a first board image-pickup unit having a narrower field of view and a higher resolving power than a remainder of the board image-pickup units, and a second board image-pickup unit having a wider field of view and a lower resolving power than the first board image-pickup unit, and wherein the control unit is operable to select either of the first board image-pickup unit and the second board image-pickup unit of the board image-pickup devices in accordance with an accuracy in placement of components on the circuit board, cause the selected board image-pickup unit to capture the image of the specified position on the surface of the circuit board, and recognizes the specified position on basis of the captured image. According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing method comprising: holding a component releasably by each of a plurality of component holding members of a plurality of component holding members arranged in a row; sequentially capturing images of the components held by the component holding members from a direction along central axes of the component holding members and sequentially capturing images of the components from a direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members and to a direction of the arrangement of the component holding members; recognizing holding postures of the components on the component holding members on basis of the images captured from the direction along the central axes and the C images captured from the direction generally orthogonal to the central axes and to the direction of the arrangement; and placing the components on a circuit board on basis of the recognized holding postures of the components. According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a component placing method as defined in the twelfth aspect, wherein holding postures of the components on the component holding members with respect to the direction generally orthogonal to the central axes can be recognized on basis of the images of the components captured from the direction along the central axes of the component holding members, and wherein holding postures of the components on the component holding members with respect to the direction along the central axes can be recognized on basis of the images of the components captured from the direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members and to the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members. In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the component placing head has the first component image-pickup unit for capturing the images of the components held by the component holding members from the direction along central axes of the component holding members, and further has the second component image-pickup unit for capturing the images of the components from the direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members and to the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members. Thus the images of the components can be captured from the two directions generally orthogonal to each other, and the holding postures of the components on the component holding members can reliably be recognized on basis of the images captured from the two directions. On condition that an image of each component is captured from the direction along the central axis for recognition of a holding posture thereof, as in conventional component placing heads, it is difficult to recognize a holding posture of a component that is such a minute component as a small chip component and that is held with a posture diagonal to an extremity of a component holding member (such a case often occurs), for example, on basis of an image captured from the direction along the central axis. In the component placing head of the first aspect, by contrast, images of each component are captured from the direction generally orthogonal to the direction along the central axis as well as from the direction along the central axis and holding postures of the components are recognized on basis of the images from the generally orthogonal direction also, so that the holding postures of the components held with the diagonal posture can be recognized reliably. Consequently, the holding posture of the component on each component holding member can be recognized reliably and accurately, each component can be placed on a circuit board on basis of a result of the recognition, and high-accuracy placement of components can be addressed. Besides, the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit are supported by the supporting members and are provided on the component placing head so as to be capable of moving in the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members provided in the component placing head, and therefore images of the components held by the component holding members can sequentially be captured from the two directions with movement of the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit in the direction of the arrangement which movement is caused by the moving device. In the component placing head having the plurality of component holding members, accordingly, the images of the components can efficiently be captured from the two directions by the first component image-pickup unit and the second component image-pickup unit, and the image capture can be performed efficiently. In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, such effects as follows can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first aspect. Initially, the plurality of image-pickup elements are provided in the first component image-pickup unit, in one-to-one correspondence to the component holding members and with positional relations fixed among the image-pickup elements, so that the image-pickup elements can be stationary during the image capture without being moved. Thus influences, such as vibrations, of the movement of the image-pickup elements can be prevented from occurring in the image capture by the first component image-pickup unit, and high-accuracy image capture can be achieved. Besides, the image-pickup elements are provided in one-to-one correspondence to the component holding members provided in the component placing head and with positional relations fixed among the image-pickup elements, and therefore positional relations between the component holding members and the image-pickup elements can be secured stably at all times, so that stable image capture can be achieved. Besides, the positional relations between the component holding members and the image-pickup elements are fixed, and thus the image capture can be performed if vicinity of a general center of a reflecting surface, for example, of the reflectors that can be moved is positioned on a central axis of a component holding member. Accordingly, the high-accuracy-movement of the reflectors by the moving device may be unnecessary, and the necessity of the high-accuracy moving device can be obviated. As a result, high-accuracy image capture can be achieved by a simplified configuration of the apparatus. With the image-pickup elements provided in one-to-one correspondence, relevant image data can be outputted for the control unit and recognition processing and the like can be started immediately after the image capture operation is completed in each image-pickup element. Accordingly, the recognition processing of the images can be started in the control unit before completion of the capture of all the images, so that a time span from the image capture to completion of the recognition processing can be shortened. As a result, efficient image capture and efficient placement of components can be achieved. Furthermore, elements that are moved by the moving device can be limited to the reflectors and the second component image-pickup unit, thus a power of the moving device can be reduced, and a velocity of the movement can be increased for efficient image capture and efficient placement of components. In accordance with the third aspect of the present invention, in the component placing head, the control unit that recognizes the holding postures of the components on basis of the images from the two directions is capable of recognizing the holding postures of the components on the component holding members with respect to the directions generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members on basis of the images captured by the first component image-pickup unit, and the control unit is capable of recognizing the holding postures of the components on the component holding members with respect to the direction along the central axes of the component holding members on basis of the images captured by the second component image-pickup unit. Accordingly, the component placing head can be provided that is capable of recognizing the holding postures of the components reliably and accurately from the two directions and that is capable of placing the components on the circuit boards with a high accuracy in the placement positions on basis of a result of the recognition. In accordance with the fourth aspect of the present invention, the line sensor composed of the phototransmitter and the photoreceiver that are arranged so as to face each other with interposition of the component holding members is used as the second component image-pickup unit, thus an image of the component can be captured by the reception, on the photoreceiver, of light cast from the phototransmitter toward the photoreceiver with a portion of the light interrupted by the component, and therefore a holding posture of the component with respect to the direction along the central axes can be recognized reliably and accurately on basis of a condition of the interruption of the light as capture result information. With use of the line sensor, furthermore, a structure of the second component image-pickup unit can be simplified and a cost of the second component image-pickup unit can be reduced. In the control unit, besides, the holding posture is recognized on basis of the capture result information obtained from the line sensor, a position of the line sensor moved by the moving device along the direction of the arrangement is detected with the image capture, thus the component of which the holding posture has been recognized can be identified from among the components on basis of a result of the detection, and the holding postures of the components can be recognized reliably. In accordance with the fifth aspect of the present invention, the moving device has the drive motor for moving the first component image-pickup unit in the direction of the arrangement, the drive motor is provided so as to be opposed to the first component image-pickup unit with the component holding members between, and thus the vibrations that are transmitted from the drive motor with the drive of the drive motor can be reduced in the first component image-pickup unit. As a result, influence of the vibrations on the capture of the images of the components that is performed by the first component image-pickup unit can be reduced, the images of the components can be captured with a high accuracy, and the holding postures of the components can be recognized with a high accuracy. In accordance with the sixth aspect of the invention, the drive motor is provided so as to be opposed to the second component image-pickup unit also with the component holding members between, and thus the vibrations that are transmitted from the drive motor can be reduced in the second component image-pickup unit also. As a result, influence of the vibrations on the capture of the images of the components that is performed by the second component image-pickup unit can be reduced, the images of the components can be captured with a high accuracy, and the holding postures of the components can be recognized with a higher accuracy. In accordance with the seventh aspect of the present invention, the first component image-pickup unit has the horizontal light casting unit for casting rays of light in the generally horizontal directions directly onto the component imaging plane in which the image of the component to be captured is obtained, the vertical light casting unit for casting rays of light in the generally vertical directions onto the component imaging plane, and the inclined light casting unit for casting rays of light inclined at the generally medial angle between the horizontal directions and the vertical directions, directly onto the component imaging plane, and thus the image of the component can be captured by the image-pickup element in a status in which the horizontal light casting units, the vertical light casting unit, and the inclined light casting units are simultaneously casting the rays of light onto the component. Accordingly, the rays of light from the various directions can be cast on the component imaging planes of the components diversified with various shapes, so that occurrence of non-uniform illuminance on the component imaging plane can be reduced. Consequently, the images of the components can be captured with a high accuracy by the first component image-pickup device and high-accuracy mounting can be achieved. In accordance with the eighth aspect or the ninth aspect of the present invention, the inclined light casting units have the plurality of illuminating sections for inclined light that are arranged so as to be symmetric and opposed to each other with respect to the central axis of the component holding member as the axis of symmetry, the horizontal light casting units have the plurality of illuminating sections for horizontal light that are arranged so as to be symmetric and opposed to each other with respect to the central axis of the component holding member as the axis of symmetry, and the illuminating sections are arranged in the vicinity of the periphery of the zone in which the rays of light cast in the generally vertical directions from the vertical light casting unit pass and which is formed on and around the central axis of the component holding member, and thus the arrangements and configurations of the casting units can be made compact. Besides, the inclined light casting units have two pairs of the illuminating sections for inclined light, the horizontal light casting units have two pairs of the illuminating sections for horizontal light, and the illuminating sections for inclined light and the illuminating sections for horizontal light are alternately positioned with the angle pitch generally of 45 degrees on the plane extending along the component imaging plane of the component. Accordingly, more compact arrangements and configurations can be achieved, and the rays of light cast from the illuminating sections can be cast uniformly on the component imaging plane of the component. As a consequence, the first component image-pickup unit can be made compact, degree of non-uniform illuminance on the component imaging plane can be reduced, and images of components with diversified shapes can be captured efficiently with a high accuracy. In accordance with the tenth aspect of the present invention, the vertical light casting unit has the shade plate that is provided on the imaginary straight line connecting the vertical light casting unit and the imaging plane of the component and that interrupts rays of light cast from the vertical light casting unit along the imaginary straight line onto the component imaging plane, and the light leaking from the vertical light casting unit can thereby be prevented from causing non-uniform illuminance on the component imaging plane, so that high-accuracy image capture can be achieved. In accordance with the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the component placing head according to any one of the first to the fifth aspects has two types of board image-pickup units having different fields of view for image capture and different resolving powers, as the board image-pickup devices capable of capturing the image of the specified position on the surface of the circuit board, either of the board image-pickup units is used selectively in accordance with a placement accuracy on the circuit board of which the image is to be captured, and thus the image of the board can be captured efficiently. That is, the component placing head has the first board image-pickup unit having the narrower field of view and the higher resolving power than the remainder of the board image-pickup units, and has the second board image-pickup unit having the wider field of view and the lower resolving power than the first board image-pickup unit, and the control unit is capable of selecting either of the first board image-pickup unit and the second board image-pickup unit in accordance with the accuracy in placement of the component on the circuit board, causing the selected board image-pickup unit to capture the image of the specified position on the surface of the circuit board, and recognizing the specified position on basis of the captured image. Thus the component placing head can be provided that is capable of efficiently recognizing the specified position on the circuit board. In accordance with the twelfth aspect of the present invention, images of the components held by the component holding members are sequentially captured from the direction along the central axes of the component holding members and are sequentially captured also from the direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members and to the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members. Thus the images of the components can be captured from the two directions generally-orthogonal to each other, and holding postures of the components on the component-holding members can reliably be recognized on basis of the images captured from the two directions. That is, on condition that an image of each component is captured from the direction along the central axis for recognition of a holding posture thereof, as in conventional component placing methods, it is difficult to recognize the holding posture of the component that is such a minute component as a small chip component and that is held with a posture diagonal to an extremity of the component holding member (such a case often occurs), for example, on basis of the image captured from the direction along the central axis. In the component placing method of the twelfth aspect, by contrast, images of each component are captured from the direction generally orthogonal to the direction along the central axis as well as from the direction along the central axis, and the holding posture of the component is recognized on basis of the image from the generally orthogonal direction also, so that the holding posture of the component held with the diagonal posture can be recognized reliably. Consequently, the component placing method can be provided wherein a holding posture of a component on each component holding member can be recognized reliably and accurately, wherein each component can be placed on a circuit board on basis of a result of the recognition, and wherein high-accuracy placement of components can be addressed. In accordance with the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, on basis of the images captured from the two directions, holding postures of the components on the component holding members with respect to the direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members can be recognized on basis of the images captured from the direction along the central axes of the component holding members, and holding postures of the components on the component holding members with respect to the direction along the central axes of the component holding members can be recognized on basis of the images captured from the direction generally orthogonal to the central axes of the component holding members and to the direction of the arrangement of the component holding members. Thus the component placing method can be provided wherein a holding posture of each component can be recognized reliably and accurately from the two directions, and wherein each component can be placed on a circuit board with a high accuracy of placement position on basis of a result of the recognition. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS These and other aspects and features of the present invention will become clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of a head in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the head of FIG. 1, taken along a plane orthogonal to directions of arrangement of suction nozzles; FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged schematic sectional view of a component placement surface image-pickup device in the head; FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a component thickness image-pickup device in the head; FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the component thickness image-pickup device moving in the directions of arrangement of the suction nozzles in the head; FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged schematic diagram of the head provided with a first board image-pickup camera and a second board image-pickup camera; FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an image-pickup device in a conventional head; FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged side view of the component placement surface image-pickup device; FIG. 9 is a view of horizontal light casting units and main casting units of the component placement surface image-pickup device as looking in accordance with arrows A-A in FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a view of a vertical light casting unit of the component placement surface image-pickup device as looking in accordance with arrows B-B in FIG. 8; FIG. 11 is a schematic side sectional view of a head in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of the head of FIG. 11, taken along a plane orthogonal to directions of arrangement of suction nozzles; and FIG. 13 is a fragmentary schematic plan view of a component placing apparatus having the head of FIG. 11. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Before the description of the present invention proceeds, it is to be noted that like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the accompanying drawings. Hereinbelow, embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view (partly in section) of a head 100 that is an example of a component placing head in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the head 100 has a plurality of (e.g., eight) suction nozzles 11 as an example of component holding members that are capable of releasably sucking and holding electronic components 1 as an example of components on holding surfaces 11a at extremities of the nozzles and that are arranged in a row with a uniform interval pitch. The head 100 is provided on an XY robot or the like in an electronic component placing apparatus (not shown) so as to be capable of placing electronic components on circuit boards held on a stage of the electronic component placing apparatus. Specifically, a plurality of electronic components 1 fed by an electronic component feeding section of the electronic component placing apparatus are sucked and held by the suction nozzles 11 the head 100 has, the head 100 is moved to above a circuit board by the XY robot, an electronic component 1 sucked and held by a suction nozzle 11 of the head 100 is aligned with a placement position for the electronic component 1 on the circuit board, the suction nozzle 11 is subsequently lowered by the head 100, and thereby, the electronic component 1 can be placed on the placement position on the circuit board. In placement of such electronic components 1, images of an electronic component 1 sucked and held by each suction nozzle 11 of the head 100 is captured by component image-pickup units provided in the head 100, a suction holding posture of each electronic component 1 is recognized, a positional shift between the suction holding posture and a posture in which the electronic component 1 is to be placed on a circuit board is corrected on basis of a result of the recognition, and the electronic component 1 is placed on the circuit board. Hereinbelow, a structure of the head 100 will be described in detail mainly on a structure of the component image-pickup units. FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the head 100 taken along a plane orthogonal to direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11. In the head 100, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, eight shafts 51 are arranged in a row at a uniform interval, and a suction nozzle 11 is detachably provided at an extremity of each shaft 51. Each shaft 51 is supported through spline nuts, bearings, and the like by ahead frame 52 formed of a rigid body so as to be capable of moving up and down along a central axis of the shaft and rotating about the central axis. The head 100 has elevating devices 53 for moving each shaft 51 up and down and rotating devices 54 for rotating each shaft 51, and each elevating device 53 and each turning device 54 are fixed to the head frame 52. For the elevating devices 53 may be used a mechanism that is conventionally used in such a head, e.g., a mechanism composed of a ball screw shaft and nuts (the mechanism used in this embodiment), a mechanism with use of an air cylinder, or the like. For the rotating devices 54 may be used a mechanism that rotates a shaft 51 with a belt (the mechanism that is used in this embodiment), a mechanism that directly rotates a shaft 51, or the like. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, each suction nozzle 11 provided in the head 100 is in a status in which a holding surface 11a at an extremity of the nozzle is exposed from a lower frame 52a at a bottom of the head frame 52. On the lower frame 52a is provided a component placement surface image-pickup device 20 as a component image-pickup unit and as an example of a first component image-pickup unit capable of capturing an image of a placement surface that is on an underside of an electronic component 1 held by a suction nozzle 11 and that is to face a circuit board. FIG. 3 shows a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 has a camera 23 as an example of an image-pickup element that is provided to left of the suction nozzle 11 in the drawing and that is capable of capturing an image of the electronic component 1 sucked and held on the holding surface 11a of the suction nozzle 11, from underside in the drawing through medium of two reflecting mirrors 21 and 22 placed on an optical axis of the camera 23, i.e., that is capable of capturing an image of a placement surface (as an example of a component imaging plane) of the electronic component 1. The component placement surface image-pickup device 20 has an imaging frame 24 as an example of a supporting member that is provided so as to surround the suction nozzles 11 without interfering with the suction nozzles 11 and that has a cross section generally shaped like a letter “U,” and the camera 23 and the reflecting mirrors 21 and 22 are fixed to the imaging frame 24 while keeping relations among positions thereof. As shown in FIG. 3, the camera 23 is provided so as to point downward in the drawing with the optical axis thereof inclined generally at about 40 degrees to the central axis of the suction nozzle 11 on a side of the suction nozzle 11. The reflecting mirror 21 as an example of a reflector provided on left side in the drawing has a reflecting surface, on the optical axis, inclined toward the suction nozzle 11 generally at 65 degrees to the central axis of the nozzle, and the reflecting mirror 22 as an example of a reflector provided on right side in the drawing has a reflecting surface inclined to an opposite side to the reflecting surface of the reflecting mirror 21 generally at 45 degrees to the central axis of the nozzle and positioned under the suction nozzle 11 on the central axis of the suction nozzle 11. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 has two linear guide rails 25 (the linear guide rails 25 also are an example of supporting members) that are shaped like thin long bars and that are fixed to a lower surface of the lower frame 52a so as to extend along the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11 the head 100 has and so as to face each other with the suction nozzles 11 between. With each linear guide rail 25 engages a linear guide slider 26 (the linear guide slider 26 also is an example of supporting members) that is fixed to each upper end of the cross section of the imaging frame 24 generally in shape of the letter “U” and that has a cross section generally shaped like a square bracket. The linear guide sliders 26 are capable of sliding in longitudinal directions of the linear guide rails 25 (i.e., the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11) while engaging with the linear guide rails 25. That is, the imaging frame 24 that fixes and supports the camera 23 and the reflecting mirrors 21 and 22 is supported by the lower frame 52a through the linear guide sliders 26 and the linear guide rails 25, and is capable of sliding in the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11 while being guided by the linear guide rails 25. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 has a slide drive unit 27 as an example of a moving device that slides the imaging frame 24 in the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11 with a guide by the linear guide rails 25. The slide drive unit 27 has a drive motor 28, and the slide movement (reciprocating movement) of the imaging frame 24 in the direction of the arrangement can be effected by a drive of the drive motor 28 in either normal or reverse direction of rotation. As shown in FIG. 1, the drive motor 28 is fixed to the head frame 52 and, in FIG. 3 (the drive motor 28 is not shown in FIG. 3), a position of the fixation may be opposed to the camera 23 with the suction nozzles 11 between. That is, in FIG. 3, the camera 23 is positioned and fixed, on left side of the suction nozzle 11 in the drawing, and the drive motor 28 is positioned and fixed on right side of the suction nozzle 11 in the drawing, so that the drive motor 28 is installed far from a position where the camera 23 is installed. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the slide drive unit 27 has a driving belt 29 that engages with a driving shaft of the drive motor 28 and that can be traveled by the rotational drive of the drive motor 28. The driving belt 29 is provided along the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11, and a portion of the belt is fixed to an arm 24a that is a portion of the imaging frame 24 protruding upward on an upper right side in FIG. 3. With this configuration, the slide drive of the imaging frame 24 can be effected by the rotational drive of the drive motor 28 through the driving belt 29 and the arm 24a. In the same manner as the position of installation of the drive motor 28, the driving belt 29 and the arm 24a are provided so as to be opposed to the camera 23 with the suction nozzles 11 between, in FIG. 3. A range of the slide movement of the imaging frame 24 by the slide drive unit 27 is between a position of the imaging frame 24 shown on left side in FIG. 1 (shown by solid lines) and a position of the imaging frame 24 shown on right side in the drawing (shown by imaginary lines). That is, the slide movement of the imaging frame 24 can be effected so that all of the eight suction nozzles 11 provided in the head 100 may pass inside of the cross section of the imaging frame 24 that is generally shaped like the letter “U.” The imaging frame 24 is capable of sliding in this manner, so that the camera 23 and the reflecting mirrors 21 and 22 which are fixed to the imaging frame 24 are capable of sliding together with the imaging frame 24 as described the above while keeping the relations among the positions thereof. With this arrangement, an image of each electronic component 1 sucked and held on the holding surfaces 11a of the eight suction nozzles 11 the head 100 has can be captured by the camera 23 from underside of each component (i.e., from a direction along the central axes of the suction nozzles 11) through medium of the reflecting mirrors 21 and 22. The component placement surface image-pickup device 20 is provided with a plurality of illuminating units that are capable of casting light along the optical axis of the camera 23 to irradiate with the light an electronic component 1 sucked and held by a suction nozzle 11, and an image of each electronic component 1 is captured with the illuminating units lighted. The head 100 has a component thickness image-pickup device 30 that is an example of a second component image-pickup unit, as another one of the component image-pickup units. The component placement surface image-pickup device 20 captures an image of an electronic component 1 sucked and held on each suction nozzle 11, from underside of each component from a direction along the central axis of the suction nozzle 11 in order to capture an image of a placement surface of the electronic component 1, whereas the component thickness image-pickup device 30 captures an image of each electronic component 1 from a direction generally orthogonal to the central axis of each suction nozzle 11 and to the direction of the arrangement. That is, the device 30 is capable of capturing an image of an electronic component 1 from lateral side. As shown in FIG. 1, the component thickness image-pickup device 30 is fixed to the imaging frame 24 of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 so as to be capable of sliding in the direction of the arrangement with the sliding movement of the imaging frame 24. As schematic explanatory diagrams illustrating a schematic structure of the component thickness image-pickup device 30, FIG. 4 shows a schematic explanatory diagram as seen from the same direction as the head 100.is seen in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 shows a schematic explanatory diagram as seen from the same direction as the head 100 is seen in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are drawings intended mainly for explaining the structure of the component thickness image-pickup device 30, and the camera 23 and the like of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 are therefore omitted in the drawings. As shown in FIG. 4, the component thickness image-pickup device 30 has a line sensor 33 including a phototransmitter 31 and a photoreceiver 32 that are arranged so as to face each other with interposition of each of the suction nozzles 11 arranged in a row, and the phototransmitter 31 and the photoreceiver 32 are fixed to the imaging frame 24 while keeping the arrangement. More particularly, heights at which the phototransmitter 31 and the photoreceiver 32 in the line sensor 33 are installed are preferably in generally the same height positions and, in the embodiment, the holding surface 11a of each suction nozzle 11 in a state in which an image of an electronic components 1 thereon can be captured is in vicinity of a height position generally at a midpoint between the above-mentioned generally the same height positions. The phototransmitter 31 and the photoreceiver 32 are arranged and fixed to the imaging frame 24 so that a light casting surface 31a for casting light in the phototransmitter 31 and a light receiving surface 32a for receiving the cast light in the photoreceiver 32 face and generally parallel each other. With this arrangement of the phototransmitter 31 and the photoreceiver 32, light can be cast from the light casting surface 31a of the phototransmitter 31 onto an electronic component 1 (sucked and held by a suction nozzle 11) positioned between the phototransmitter 31 and the photoreceiver 32 in the line sensor 33, and the cast light can be received by the light receiving surface 32a of the photoreceiver 32 while a portion of the light is interrupted by the electronic component 1 (e.g., in accordance with a shape thereof seen from a direction of a thickness thereof). As described the above, the line sensor 33 is fixed to the imaging frame 24, so that the line sensor 33 can be slid in the direction of the arrangement with the slide movement of the imaging frame 24 in the direction of the arrangement by the slide drive unit 27. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, the line sensor 33 can be slid and reciprocated in the direction of the arrangement between a left end position shown in the drawing (shown by solid lines) and a right end position shown in the drawing (shown by imaginary lines). With this arrangement in which the line sensor 33 can be slid as described the above, the slide movement of the line sensor 33 in the direction of the arrangement makes it possible to capture an image of an electronic component 1 held by a suction nozzle 11 of which a holding surface 11a is positioned between the phototransmitter 31 and the photoreceiver 32, out of the eight suction nozzles 11 provided in the head 100, from a direction generally orthogonal to the central axis of the nozzle and to the direction of the arrangement, that is, the image that allows recognition of a shape of the electronic component 1 seen from the direction of the thickness thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the head 100 has a control unit 9 for controlling operations of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and the component thickness image-pickup device 30. For the component placement surface image-pickup device 20, the control unit 9 is capable of controlling image capture operations of the camera 23 including control of on/off operation of each illuminating unit and control of image capture timing, and is capable of controlling operations of the slide drive unit 27 including driving operation of the drive motor 28 and detection of a position in the slide movement of the imaging frame 24 on the linear guide rails 25. For the component thickness image-pickup device 30, the control unit 9 is capable of controlling image capture operations of the line sensor 33 including an operation of casting light by the phototransmitter 31 and an operation of receiving the cast light on the photoreceiver 32. To right of the imaging frame 24 in FIG. 3 is installed a cable bearer 55 containing a plurality of cables for transmitting control signals that are transmitted between the control unit 9 and the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and between the control unit 9 and the component thickness image-pickup device 30, and the like. The cable bearer 55 is generally shaped like a letter “U” fallen sideways, and the cables bent in the shape of the letter “U” fallen sideways are contained in the cable bearer 55 so as not to influence the slide movement of the imaging frame 24. Hereinbelow, a configuration of the illuminating units that are provided in the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and that emit light required for the capture of an image of an electronic component 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 8′ that is a schematic enlarged fragmentary section of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20, FIG. 9 that is a view as looking in accordance with arrows A-A in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 that is a view as looking in accordance with arrows B-B in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 has the camera 23 that uses as an optical axis T an axis different from a central axis S of each suction nozzle 11 provided in the head 100 (i.e., an axis which does not coincide with the central axis) and that captures an image of an electronic component 1 sucked and held by each suction nozzle 11 from a direction along the central axis S which image is reflected by the reflecting mirror 22 and the reflecting mirror 21, thereby directed along the optical axis T, and made incident along the optical axis T. As for an electronic component 1 sucked and held by each suction nozzle 11, an image of a bottom surface thereof as a surface (that may be a plane orthogonal to the central axis S and may be a placement plane as an example of a component placement plane) Q for placement on a circuit board is captured by the camera 23 and, in the capture, light is cast from a plurality of directions in order to provide the placement surface Q with an illuminance required for the capture. The component placement surface image-pickup device 20 has, as the illuminating units for casting such light, horizontal light casting unit 61 that cast rays of light slightly inclined to horizontal (generally horizontal rays of light) directly onto the placement surface Q of the electronic component 1 without passage through the reflecting mirrors 21 and 22 and the like, a vertical light casting unit 60 that casts rays of light generally along the optical axis T from vicinity of the camera 23, causes the rays of light to be reflected by the reflecting mirrors 21 and 22 and to travel in a direction along the central axis S, and casts the rays of light vertically in general onto the placement surface Q of the electronic component 17 and main-casting unit 62 as an example of inclined light casting units that cast rays of light inclined at a generally medial angle between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction directly onto the component imaging surface Q of the electronic component 1 without passage through the reflecting mirrors 21 and 2-2 and the like. The horizontal light casting unit 61 is capable of casting rays of light inclined, e.g., at on the order of 10 to 20 degrees to the placement surface Q, the vertical light casting unit 60 is capable of casting rays of light inclined e.g., at on the order of 70 to 80 degrees to the placement surface Q, and the main casting unit 62 is capable of casting rays of light inclined, e.g., at on the order of 40 to −50 degrees to the placement surface Q. As shown in FIG. 8, the horizontal light casting unit 61 and the main casting unit 62 are mounted and fixed onto the imaging frame 24 so as to be positioned in vicinity of the placement surface Q, and the vertical light casting unit 60 is mounted and fixed onto the imaging frame 24 so as to be positioned in vicinity of the camera 23. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the main casting unit 62 has a plurality of illuminating sections 62a (e.g., composed of LEDs or the like) arranged so as to be symmetric and opposed with respect to the central, axis S, as an axis of symmetry, of a suction nozzle 11 being ready for image capture, and the horizontal light casting unit 61 has a plurality of illuminating sections 61a (e.g., composed of LEDs or the like) arranged so as to be symmetric and opposed with respect to the central axis as an axis of symmetry. As shown in FIG. 9, the illuminating sections 61a and 62a are arranged in vicinity of a periphery of a zone U in which the generally vertical light from the vertical light casting unit 60 passes and which is formed on and around the central axis S of the suction nozzle 11, in other words, the zone U in which an image of the placement surface Q of the electronic component 1 passes. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the main casting unit 62 has, for example, two pairs of symmetric and opposed illuminating sections 62a (i.e., four illuminating sections 62a in total), and the horizontal light casting unit 61 has, for example, two pairs of symmetric and opposed illuminating sections 61a (i.e., four illuminating sections 61a in total). On a plane extending along the placement surface Q, each pair of the illuminating sections 62a of the main casting units 62 is arranged along each of directions of X axis and Y axis in the drawing, and each pair of the illuminating sections 61a of the horizontal light casting units 61 is arranged along each of directions inclined generally at 45 degrees to X axis in the drawing. That is, the illuminating sections 62a of the main casting units 62 and the illuminating sections 61a of the horizontal light casting units 61 are alternately positioned with an angle pitch generally of 45 degrees. In FIG. 9, a height position of upper ends of the illuminating sections 62a arranged along the direction of X axis in the drawing is lower than a height position of the placement surface Q of the electronic component 1 sucked and held by the suction nozzle 11 made ready for image capture, so that a relative movement between the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and each suction nozzle 11 in the direction of X axis in the drawing causes no interference between each electronic component 1 and each illuminating section 62a. In other words, the electronic component 1 may be defined as an electronic component of which an image can be captured by the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and which has a forming height (a forming thickness) such that the interference with the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 is avoided. As shown in FIG. 10, the vertical light casting unit 60 has an aperture 60b which is formed in a center part thereof so that an image along the optical axis T may pass through the aperture 60b, and a plurality of illuminating sections 60a (e.g., composed of LEDs or the like) are provided around the aperture 60b. In FIG. 8, mirror images of the reflecting mirror 21 and of the vertical light casting unit 60 are shown by imaginary lines (chain double-dashed lines) under the imaging frame 24 in the drawing. The reflecting mirrors 21 and 22 are capable of uniformly reflecting light cast by the vertical light casting unit 60 and are sized so as to be capable of uniformly reflecting an image of the placement surface Q of the electronic component 1. As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the vertical light casting unit 60 has a shade plate 63 that is provided on an imaginary straight line V connecting the vertical light casting unit 60 and the placement surface Q and that interrupts light cast from the vertical light casting unit 60 along the imaginary straight line V. The shade plate 63 is mounted on the imaging frame 24 so as to be positioned in vicinity of a left end of a main casting unit 62 provided at a left end in FIG. 9. A shading width that is a forming width of the shade plate 63 is of generally the same size as a forming width of the vertical light casting unit 60 shown in FIG. 10. Thus the interruption by the shade plate 63 of the light leaking and being cast from the vertical light casting unit 60 along the imaginary straight line V prevents casting of the light on the placement surface Q of the electronic component 1 and the resultant unevenness in casting of light. In the control unit 9, recognition processing of a suction holding posture of an electronic component 1 on each suction nozzle 11 with respect to directions generally orthogonal to the central axis of the suction nozzle 11 can be executed on basis of an image of the electronic component 1 captured by the component placement surface image-pickup device 20, and recognition processing of a suction holding posture of an electronic component 1 on each suction nozzle 11 with respect to a direction along the central axis of the suction nozzle 11 can be executed on basis of an image of the electronic component 1 captured by the component thickness image-pickup device 30. The control unit 9 is capable of controlling the elevating operation of each elevating device 53 provided in the head 100 and the rotating operation of each rotating device 54. In the image capture, the control unit 9 is capable of controlling on/off operations in the casting of light by the horizontal light casting unit 61, the main casting unit 62, and the vertical light casting unit 60 in relation to the operation of moving the imaging frame 24. Hereinbelow will be described operations of sucking and holding an electronic component 1 on each suction nozzle 11, capturing images of each electronic component 1 by the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and the component thickness image-pickup device 30, recognizing a suction holding posture of each electronic component 1 on basis of the images, and placing each electronic component 1 on a circuit board on basis of a result of the recognition, in the head 100 having the configuration described the above. Each operation in the head 100 that will be described below is controlled by the control unit 9. In the electronic component placing apparatus (not shown) provided with the head 100, initially, the head 100 is moved to above the electronic component feeding section by the XY robot, and a holding surface 11a of each suction nozzle 11 of the head 100 is aligned, by the XY robot, with an electronic component 1 that is contained in the electronic component feeding section so as to be ready to be taken out. After the alignment, each suction nozzle 11 is lowered through medium of each shaft 51 by each elevating device 53 in the head 100, a top surface of each electronic component 1 is thereby brought into contact with the holding surface 11a and is sucked and held, and each electronic component 1 is thereafter taken out by suction from the electronic component feeding section with elevation of each suction nozzle 11. These operations result in a status in which an electronic component 1 is sucked and held by each holding surface 11a of each suction nozzle 11 provided in the head 100. The suction holding of electronic components 1 may be performed simultaneously for all the suction nozzles 11 provided in the head 100 or, alternatively, may be performed sequentially. After the suction holding, the movement of the head 100 to above circuit boards held on the stage is started by the XY robot. In process of the movement of the head 100, images of a suction holding posture of each electronic component 1 that is sucked and held are captured by the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and the component thickness image-pickup device 30 provided in the head 100. The head 100 in which an electronic component 1 has been sucked and held by each suction nozzle 11 in this manner is in such a status as shown in the fragmentary schematic explanatory diagram of FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the eight suction nozzles 11 provided in the head 100 are respectively referred to as a first suction nozzle 11-1, a second suction nozzle 11-2, . . . , and an eighth suction nozzle 11-8, in order from left to right in the drawing. As shown in FIG. 5, the imaging frame 24 of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 in the head 100 is in a position in vicinity of a left end of the linear guide rail 25 in the drawing which position is a left end position, in the drawing, of the range of the slide movement in the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11. In this status, the drive motor 28 of the slide drive unit 27 is driven to run, and a slide movement of the imaging frame 24 in a direction of an arrow in the drawing is thereby initiated through medium of the driving belt 29 and the arm 24a. A velocity of the movement of the imaging frame 24 by the slide drive unit 27 is set at 950 mm/s, for example. With the initiation of the slide movement, an electronic component 1 sucked and held by the first suction nozzle 11-1 initially passes through between the phototransmitter 31 and the photoreceiver 32 of the line sensor 33 fixed to the imaging frame 24, the electronic component 1 then passes inside the imaging frame 24, and passes the optical axis of the camera 23 refracted upward by the reflecting mirror 22. With the continuous slide movement of the imaging frame 24, the electronic component 1 sucked and held by the second suction nozzle 11-2 initially passes the line sensor 33, the electronic component 1 then passes inside the imaging frame 24, and passes the optical axis of the camera 23 reflected upward by the reflecting mirror 22. Subsequently, other electronic components 1 sequentially pass in the same manner, and thus all of eight electronic components 1 are supposed to pass. Before the electronic component 1 sucked and held by the first suction nozzle 11-1 comes into the position between the phototransmitter 31 and the photoreceiver 32 after the initiation of the slide movement in the passage of the electronic components 1, the component thickness image-pickup device 30 is brought into a status in which light is being cast continuously from the phototransmitter 31 to the photoreceiver 32. Timing of initiation of the casting is controlled by input into the control unit 9, of detected positions of the imaging frame 24 on the linear guide rail 25, measurement by the control unit 9 of time having elapsed from the initiation of the slide movement, or the like. While the light is being cast in the line sensor 33, each electronic component 1 passes a space between the phototransmitter 31 and the photoreceiver 32. In each of the passage, a portion of the light cast from the phototransmitter 31 is temporarily interrupted by the electronic component 1 that is passing, and the light of which the portion has been interrupted is received by the photoreceiver 3.2. After all the electronic components 1 pass, the casting of the light by the phototransmitter 31 is shut off. The timing of the shutoff of the casting is controlled by the control unit 9 in the same manner as the timing of initiation of the casting. In the component placement surface image-pickup device 20, the illuminating sections 60a, 61a, and 62a mounted on the imaging frame 24 are lighted to cast light uniformly in general on a placement surface Q of an electronic component 1 before the optical axis of the camera 23 refracted upward by the reflecting mirror 22 generally coincides with the central axis of the first suction nozzle 11-1 with passage inside the imaging frame 24 of the electronic component 1 sucked and held by the first suction nozzle 11-1 after the initiation of the slide movement in the passage of the electronic components 1. When the optical axis thereafter coincides generally with the central axis of the first suction nozzle 11-1, an image of the electronic component 1 is captured through medium of the reflecting mirror 22 and the reflecting mirror 21 by the camera 23, for example, with use of electronic shutter function or the like. When the central axis of the second suction nozzle 11-2 coincides generally with the optical-axis of the camera 23, an image of the electronic component 1 sucked and held by the second suction nozzle 11-2 is captured by the camera 23 in the same manner. With continuous movement of the imaging frame 24, an image of each electronic component 1 is sequentially captured by the camera 23. After images of all the electronic components 1 are captured, the illuminating sections 60a, 61a, and 62a are shut off. Timing of the image capture in the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 is controlled by input into the control unit 9 of detected positions of the imaging frame 24 on the linear guide rail 25, measurement by the control unit 9 of time having elapsed from the initiation of the slide movement, or the like. For the detection of such positions, as shown in FIG. 3, an elongated plate-like linear scale 71 that is provided along the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11 and a position reading head 72 that is provided on an upper left portion (in the drawing) of the imaging frame 24 so as to face and be close to (but not in contact with) the linear scale 71 are provided on a left side surface (in the drawing) of the lower frame 52a provided with the linear guide rail 25 on the upper left side in the drawing. The position reading head 72 is slid with the slide movement of the imaging frame 24 while keeping facing and being close to the linear scale 71, thus can detect a position of the frame, and can output the position for the control unit 9. When the imaging frame 24 comes to a position in vicinity of a right end of the linear guide rail 25 in the drawing of FIG. 5 which position is a right end position, in the drawing, of the range of the slide movement after the images of all the electronic components 1 are captured, the running drive of the drive motor 28 in the slide drive unit 27 and the slide movement of the imaging frame 24 are stopped. Each image captured by the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and the component thickness image-pickup device 30 in this manner is sequentially outputted as image data as an example of capture result information for the control unit 9 in the slide movement of the imaging frame 24 or after completion of the movement, and position data on a position of the imaging frame 24 on the linear guide rail 25 in each time of the image capture is sequentially outputted for the control unit 9. The control unit 9 sequentially executes recognition processing of each of the inputted image data, verifies each of the image data against the position data on a position of the imaging frame 24 which data has been inputted from the position reading head 72, and recognizes which electronic component 1 held by a suction nozzle 11 corresponds to each of the image data. Thus the control unit 9 recognizes a suction holding posture of an electronic component 1 on each suction nozzle 11 with respect to the direction generally orthogonal to the central axis of the suction nozzle 11, on basis of the image of each electronic component 1 captured by the component placement surface image-pickup device 20, and recognizes a suction holding posture of an electronic component 1 on each suction nozzle 11 with respect to the direction along the central axis of the suction nozzle 11, on basis of the image of each electronic component 1 captured by the component thickness image-pickup device 30 (that is, the image obtained by the interruption of the light). The suction holding posture, recognized in this manner, of each electronic component 1 with respect to each direction and a placement posture of the electronic component 1 inputted previously into the control unit 9 are compared in the control unit 9, so that an offset between both the postures is recognized. After that, the head 100 moved by the XY robot moves to above the circuit board to align an electronic component 1 sucked and held by a suction nozzle 11 that is to be operated for placement at the first, with a placement position on the circuit board. In the alignment, a rotating device 54 of the head 100 corrects an offset with respect to a rotational direction around the central axis of the suction nozzle 11, for example, on basis of a quantity of the offset recognized in the control unit 9, and the XY robot corrects an offset with respect to directions parallel to a placement surface of the circuit board. Subsequently, the elevating device 53 of the head 100 lowers the suction nozzle 11 to place the electronic component 1 on the placement position and, in the lowering, the elevating device 53 corrects an offset with respect to the direction of the central axis of the suction nozzle 11. For the other suction nozzles 11, each electronic component 1 is placed on the circuit board while the corrections are performed in combination on basis of the offsets in accordance with the same steps. Some of electronic components 1 sucked and held by the suction nozzles 11 of the head 100 may have an abnormal suction holding posture and may thus cause faulty placement on the circuit board even if the corrections are performed. Such a problem becomes remarkable with miniaturization of electronic components 1. In the head 100 shown in FIG. 5, for example, an electronic component 1 is sucked and held by the fifth suction nozzle 11-5, with a large tilt of a placement surface thereof that is to be positioned along a direction generally orthogonal to the central axis of the fifth suction nozzle 11-5. Another electronic component 1 is sucked and held by the eighth suction nozzle 11-8, with a placement surface thereof being generally parallel to the direction along the central axis of the eighth suction nozzle 11-8, that is, with a side surface of the electronic component 1 sucked and held by the holding surface 11a. It may be difficult for the control unit 9 to recognize abnormality in the suction holding posture of the electronic component 1 sucked and held in such a status, only from an image of the electronic component 1 captured from underside thereof by the component placement surface image-pickup device 20, and thus such an electronic component 1 may be placed without correction of the posture and may cause faulty placement. The capture of an image of an electronic component 1 from lateral side thereof by the component thickness image-pickup device 30 in addition to that from the underside by the component placement surface image-pickup device 20, however, makes it possible for the control unit 9 to recognize a suction holding posture of the electronic component 1 on basis of the images from two directions, i.e., from underside and lateral side. On condition that there is any abnormality in either of the images from the two directions (and that the suction holding posture cannot be corrected), this arrangement makes it possible for the control unit 9 to judge presence of abnormality in the suction holding posture of the electronic component 1 and to prevent the faulty placement by cancellation of the placement operation of the electronic component 1 or the like in such a case. When abnormality or the like is detected in a suction holding posture of an electronic component 1, an alarm may be outputted for an operator of the electronic component placing apparatus by the control unit 9. The head 100 is provided with board image-pickup devices that capture an image of a board mark (as an example of a specified position on a circuit board) or the like as a reference for determination of placement positions for electronic components 1 on the circuit board and that are capable of recognizing the placement positions on basis of the captured image of the board mark. The provision of such board image-pickup devices in the head 100 makes it possible to reliably recognize the board mark on the circuit board and to reliably place on the placement positions electronic components 1 of which suction holding postures on the suction nozzles 11 have been recognized. FIG. 6 shows a fragmentary enlarged schematic diagram of the head 100 provided with such board image-pickup devices. FIG. 6 is mainly intended for illustrating a configuration of the board image-pickup devices and is therefore made a schematic diagram in which the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and the component thickness image-pickup device 30 provided in the head 100 are omitted. In the schematic diagram of the head 100 of FIG. 1, the board image-pickup devices are omitted similarly. As shown in FIG. 6, a first board image-pickup camera 41 that is an example of a first board image-pickup unit and a second board image-pickup camera 42 that is an example of a second board image-pickup unit, as the board image-pickup-devices, are fixed to and mounted at both left and right ends in the drawing of the head frame 52 of the head 100. The first board image-pickup camera 41 and the second board image-pickup camera 42 are mounted on the head frame 52 so as to have optical axes generally parallel to the central axes of the suction nozzles 11 provided in the head 100, i.e., generally orthogonal to the placement surfaces of the circuit boards held on the stage of the electronic component placing apparatus and so as to be capable of capturing images of the circuit boards provided to lower side in the drawing. The first board image-pickup camera 41 mounted on the head frame 52 on left side in FIG. 6 has a narrower field of view for image capture and a higher resolving power than the second board image-pickup camera 42 mounted on the head frame on right side in the drawing has. Conversely, the second board image-pickup camera 42 has a wider field of view for image capture and a lower resolving power than the first board image-pickup camera 41 has. That is, the first board image-pickup camera 41 is preferably used for the image capture from a circuit board that requires a high placement accuracy (e.g., a placement accuracy within the order of ±25 μm) for electronic components 1 to be placed, with use of performance thereof of the narrow field of view and of the high resolving power. The first board image-pickup camera 41 may be used, for example, for image capture for recognition or the like of the board mark on a circuit board to be subjected to narrow interval mounting of electronic components as high-density mounting with narrow placement (mounting) pitches of electronic components 1 to be placed, so-called C4 mounting that is a flip chip mounting method in which bumps are formed on electrodes of electronic components 1 with high melting solder and in which the bumps are bonded with eutectic solder onto electrodes on the circuit board, or the like. The second board image-pickup camera 42 is used for the image capture from a circuit board that does not require the high placement accuracy for electronic components 1 to be placed and that does not have high accuracy in manufacture thereof, with use of performance thereof of the wide field of view and of the low resolving power. That is, the second board image-pickup camera 42 is preferably used on condition that stability in recognition processing of placement positions on a circuit board or the like is preferred to the accuracy in placement of electronic components 1. The second board image-pickup camera 42 is used, for example, for conventional circuit boards or the like that are not subjected to such high-accuracy mounting (placement) as the narrow interval mounting and the C4 mounting. Though such a conventional circuit board of which manufacturing accuracy is not so high may be held with a tilted posture or with a hold position thereof being offset in the electronic component placing apparatus, the wide field of view of the second board image-pickup camera 42 makes it possible to recognize the board mark or the like by the image capture in such a case. As shown in FIG. 6, image capture operations of the first board image-pickup camera 41 and the second board image-pickup camera 42 can be controlled by the control unit 9. Such data as a placement accuracy of electronic components-1 required of a circuit board that is to be fed into the electronic component placing apparatus provided with the head 100 is inputted into the control unit 9 previously or simultaneously with the feeding, and either the first board image-pickup camera 41 or the second board image-pickup camera 42 is chosen on basis of the data so that control is performed over the image capture operation in the chosen board image-pickup camera. The control unit 9 is capable of recognizing an actual hold position of the circuit board on the electronic component placing apparatus on basis of an image of the board mark captured by the first board image-pickup camera 41.or the second board image-pickup camera 42, and recognizing a placement position of each electronic component 1 on the circuit board on basis of a result of the recognition. In the head 100 provided with the first board image-pickup camera 41 and the second board image-pickup camera 42, an accuracy in recognition of a board mark on basis of an image captured by the first board image-pickup camera 41 is on the order of ±4 μm, and an accuracy in recognition of a board mark on basis of an image captured by the second board image-pickup camera 42 is on the order of ±10 μm. In a modification of the embodiment, for example, the component thickness image-pickup device 30 may have a camera similar to the camera 23 of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20, in place of the line sensor 33 composed of the phototransmitter 31 and the photoreceiver 32. That is because the modification still allows the camera to be moved in the direction of the C arrangement of the suction nozzles 11 by the slide movement of the imaging frame 24 and because an image of each electronic component 1 can be captured in process of the movement. In this modification, preferably, an optical axis of the camera is generally orthogonal to the central axes of the suction nozzles 11 and to the direction of the arrangement thereof, and a height of the optical axis is generally the same as a height at which each electronic component 1 is sucked and held. The camera 23 and the line sensor 33 may be slid respectively by separate drive motors, for example, instead of being slid by the same drive motor 28. This configuration increases a number of provided drive motors but has an effect of enhancing flexibility in arrangement and design of components in the head 100. In accordance with the first embodiment, various effects can be obtained as follows. With the head 100 having the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 that captures an image of an electronic component 1 sucked and held by each suction nozzle 11 from a direction along the central axis of the suction nozzle 11 and further having the component thickness image-pickup device 30 that captures an image of each electronic component 1 from a direction generally orthogonal to the central axis of the suction nozzle 11 and to the direction of the arrangement thereof, an image of each electronic component 1 can be captured from the two directions generally orthogonal to each other, and a suction holding posture of each electronic component 1 on a suction nozzle 11 can be recognized reliably on basis of the images captured from the directions. On condition that an image of each electronic component 1 sucked and held is captured from the direction along the central axis, i.e., from downside of the electronic component 1 for recognition of a suction holding posture thereof, in the same manner as in conventional heads, it is difficult to recognize a suction holding posture of an electronic component 1 that is such a minute electronic component as a small chip component and that is sucked and held with a posture diagonal to an extremity of a suction nozzle (such a case often occurs), for example, on basis of an image captured from the downside. In the head 100 of the embodiment, by contrast, images of each electronic component 1 are captured from a direction generally orthogonal to the direction along the central axis (i.e., from a lateral direction) as well as from the direction along the central axis and a suction holding posture of the electronic component 1 is recognized also on basis of the image from the lateral direction, so that the suction holding posture of the electronic component 1 sucked and held with the diagonal posture can be recognized reliably. Consequently, a suction holding posture of an electronic component 1 on each suction nozzle 11 can be recognized reliably and accurately, each electronic component 1 can be placed on a circuit board on basis of a result of the recognition, and high-accuracy placement of electronic components can be addressed. The component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and the component thickness image-pickup device 30 are supported by the lower frame 52a through the imaging frame 24 and the linear guide rails 25 and are provided in the head 100 so as to be capable of moving in the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11 provided in the head 100. Accordingly, the movement of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and the component thickness image-pickup device 30 in the direction of the arrangement makes it possible to capture from the directions images of an electronic component 1 sucked and held by each suction nozzle 11. Such image capture operations can be performed simultaneously with the movement of the head 100 caused by the XY robot from above the electronic component feeding section to above circuit boards in the process of the movement of the head 100 after electronic components 1 are sucked and picked up by the suction nozzles 11 of the head 100 in the electronic component feeding section. As a result, an influence of the image capture operations on the operations for placing electronic components can be reduced, and efficient placement of electronic components can be achieved. With use of the line sensor 33, as the component thickness image-pickup device 30, composed of the phototransmitter 31 and the photoreceiver 32 that are arranged so as to face each other with interposition of the electronic component 1 held by the suction nozzle 11 and that are fixed to the imaging frame 24, light cast from the phototransmitter 31 toward the photoreceiver 32 can be received by the photoreceiver 32 for the capture of the image of the electronic component 1 with a portion of the light interrupted by the electronic component 1, and therefore a suction holding posture of the electronic component 1 can be recognized reliably and accurately from the lateral direction on basis of a condition of the interruption of the light as a result of the image capture. The use of the line sensor 33 allows the component thickness image-pickup device 30 to be configured simply and at a low cost. In the head 100 in which the camera 23 of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and the line sensor 33 of the component thickness image-pickup device 30 are fixed together to one imaging frame 24, the camera 23 and the line sensor 33 can integrally be moved with the slide movement of the imaging frame 24, and images of an electronic component 1 sucked and held by each suction nozzle 11 can be captured almost simultaneously in general by the camera 23 and the line sensor 33. This decreases a time span required for the image capture so as to provide efficient image capture, and makes it possible to capture images of one electronic component 1 simultaneously in general from two different directions so that the suction holding posture of the electronic component 1 can be recognized more reliably. In the capture of the images, a position in the slide movement of the imaging frame 24 is detected with use of the linear scale 71 and the position reading head 72, a result of the detection is outputted for the control unit 9, an electronic component 1 of which the suction holding posture has been recognized can thereby be identified by the control unit 9, and thus a suction holding posture of each electronic component 1 can be recognized reliably. The position reading head 72 capable of detecting such a position in the slide movement is provided in neighborhood of the camera 23 of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20, and therefore a position of the camera 23 can be detected with a high accuracy. The cable bearer 55 containing cables between the control unit 9 and the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and between the control unit 9 and the component thickness image-pickup device 30 has a larger weight than the contained cables have. Provision of such a heavy object in a position opposite to the camera 23 with respect to the suction nozzle 11 as shown in FIG. 3 makes a satisfactory weight balance in the imaging frame 24, stabilizes the slide movement of, the imaging frame 24, and makes it possible to reliably capture images of suction holding postures of electronic components 1. In the head 100, the drive motor 28 of the slide drive unit 27 for sliding the imaging frame 24 to which the camera 23 of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 is fixed is not provided in vicinity of the camera 23 but provided in a position that is opposite to the camera 23 with respect to the suction nozzles 11, and the drive motor 28 is installed on the head frame 52 in a position far from the camera 23. As for vibrations in the drive motor 28 caused in the capture of images of electronic components 1, i.e., in the slide movement of the imaging frame 24, the above configuration can resist transmitting the vibrations to the camera 23 and can reduce the vibrations that are transmitted. As a result, an influence of the vibrations on the capture of images of electronic components 1 by the camera 23 can be reduced, the images of the electronic components 1 can be captured with a high accuracy, and suction holding-postures of the electronic components 1 can be recognized with a high accuracy. For example a repeatability accuracy (so-called 3a) in the image capture by the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 is on the order of 5 μm, which is improved significantly in comparison with repeatability accuracy in the image capture by conventional image-pickup devices on the order of 30 μm. In the component thickness image-pickup device 30 having a camera similar to the camera 23 of the component placement surface image pickup device 20 in place of the line sensor 33 composed of the phototransmitter 31 and the photoreceiver 32, for example, provision of the camera of the component thickness image-pickup device 30 that is spaced from the drive motor 28 and that is opposite to the motor with respect to the suction nozzles 11 achieves the effect of vibration reduction also in the component thickness image-pickup device 30 and improves an accuracy in recognizing suction holding postures of electronic components 1 in the head 100. Instead of having one board image-pickup camera capable of imaging and recognizing a board mark on a circuit board the head 100 has two units of the board image-pickup cameras having different performance, thus either of the two cameras can be used selectively in accordance with a characteristic (such as accuracy in placement of electronic components) of a circuit board fed into the electronic component placing apparatus, and efficient recognition can be performed without deteriorating an accuracy in recognizing the board mark. Specifically, the head 100 is provided with the first board image-pickup camera 41 having the narrow field of view and the high resolving power and the second board image-pickup camera 42 having the wide field of view and the low resolving power, the control unit 9 judges which board image-pickup camera is to be used, on basis of board data on circuit boards or the like inputted previously, to select a board image-pickup camera optimum for a fed circuit board, and an image of the board mark on the circuit board can be captured reliably and efficiently by the selected board image-pickup camera. That is, for a circuit board that requires a high recognition accuracy, the first board image-pickup camera 41 may be selected in order to capture an image of the board mark with a high accuracy for recognition. For a circuit board that requires reliable and stable recognition rather than recognition accuracy, the second board image-pickup camera 42 may be selected in order to capture an image of the board mark stably with the wider field of view for recognition. In the recognition of the board mark, thus the recognition processing according to recognition accuracy can be executed efficiently. The head 100 is capable of placing electronic components 1 more accurately and more efficiently with combination of the efficient and reliable recognition of the board mark according to recognition accuracy with use of the first board image-pickup camera 41 and the second board image-pickup camera 42, and of the high-accuracy recognition of suction holding postures of the electronic components 1 with use of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 and the component thickness image-pickup device 30. In the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 having the horizontal light casting units-61 that cast generally horizontal rays of light onto a placement surface Q of an electronic component 1 sucked and held by a suction nozzle 11, the vertical light casting unit 60 that casts generally vertical rays of light onto the placement surface Q, and the main casting unit 62 that cast rays of light inclined generally at 45 degrees onto the placement surface Q, the image capture is performed by the camera 23 with the casting units casting rays of light on the placement surface Q of the electronic component 1, so that an image of the placement surface Q can be captured clearly. For miniaturized electronic components, electronic components with diversified shapes or the like, in particular, the casting of rays of light from the various directions on a placement surfaces Q having a miniaturized shape, a special shape or the like of such a component prevents occurrence of non-uniform illuminance. In the main casting unit 62 and the horizontal light casting units 61 that are provided in neighborhood of an electronic component 1 sucked and held by a suction nozzle 11, the illuminating sections 62a and 61a are opposed to each other and are alternately positioned with the angle pitch generally of 45 degrees in the plane extending along the placement surface Q. Thus light from various directions can be cast uniformly on the placement surface Q of the electronic component 1 and occurrence of non-uniform illuminance can be prevented more reliably. Besides, configurations of the main casting unit 62 and the horizontal light casting unit 61 can be made compact, and efficient placement of components can be performed with a decrease in a vertical travel of each suction nozzle 11. The vertical light casting unit 60 has the shade plate 63 that is provided on the imaginary straight line V connecting the vertical light casting unit 60 and the placement surface Q of an electronic component 1 and that interrupts light cast from the vertical light casting unit 60 along the imaginary straight line V. Thus the light leaking and being cast from the vertical light casting unit 60 along the imaginary straight line V can be interrupted by the shade plate 63 so that irradiation with the light of the placement surface Q of the electronic component 1 and the resultant unevenness in casting of light can be prevented. In capture of an image of each electronic component by a conventional image-pickup device (an image-pickup device corresponding to the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 of the first embodiment), the conventional image-pickup device is moved relative to the suction nozzles 11 in the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles, and a ball screw mechanism using a ball screw shaft and nuts screwed thereon is used as a moving device causing such a movement. With heat transfer to the ball screw shaft from the drive motor that drives and rotates the ball screw shaft, however, thermal expansion of the ball screw shaft may occur and may hinder accurate detection of positions of the nuts on the ball screw shaft, i.e., a position of the image-pickup device. Such a situation causes a problem in that accurate capture and recognition of an image of each component cannot be performed by the conventional image-pickup device and in that high-accuracy placement of components cannot be addressed. By contrast, the slide drive unit 27 for moving the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 of the first embodiment causes the movement of the imaging frame 24 through the driving belt 29 having hard rubber or the like as main material thereof, and therefore transfer of heat from the drive motor 28 through the driving belt 29 to the imaging frame 24 can be impeded. Accordingly, influence of the heat on the camera 23 and the like can be prevented. In the configuration in which the mechanism using the driving belt 29 is employed as the slide drive unit 27, the linear scale 71 and the position reading head 72 facing the scale are provided on the lower frame 52a so as to extend along the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11 and so as to ensure reliable detection of positions of the imaging frame 24, and thus reliable and accurate image capture can be performed on a condition of reduced influence of the heat. Second Embodiment The invention is not limited to the above embodiment but may be embodied in other various manners. As an example, FIG. 11 shows a schematic side view (partly in section) of a head 300 that is an example of a component placing head in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the head 300 has a component placement surface image-pickup device 320 with a structure different from that in the head 100 of the first embodiment, and other structures are similar to those of the head 100. In the following description, accordingly, only the different structure will be described. For elements of the head 300 that are similar to those of the head 100 of the first embodiment, the same reference characters will be used to facilitate understanding of description of the elements. FIG. 12 shows a sectional view of the head 300 taken along a plane orthogonal to directions of arrangement of suction nozzles 11. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the head 300 has eight suction nozzles 11 arranged in a row. On a lower frame 52a at a bottom of a head frame 52 is provided a component placement surface image-pickup device 320 as an example of a first component image-pickup unit that captures an image of a placement surface of an electronic component 1 held by a suction nozzle 11. The component placement surface image-pickup device 320 has eight cameras 323 as an example of a plurality of image-pickup elements fixed to the lower frame 52a, in one-to-one correspondence to the eight suction nozzles 11, instead of having one camera 23 on the imaging frame 24 as in the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 of the first embodiment. The cameras 323 are arranged in a row in parallel with the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11. An imaging frame 3-24 that is supported by the lower frame 52a so as to be capable of moving in the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11 as is the case with the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 of the first embodiment has the same structure as that of the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 except that the camera 23 is omitted. That is, reflecting mirrors 321 and 322, as an example of reflectors, and illuminating sections 325 (horizontal light casting unit, main casting unit, and a vertical light casting unit are collectively referred to as illuminating sections 325) are fixed to and supported by the imaging frame 324 while keeping the same relations among positions thereof as those in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the component placement surface image-pickup device 320 has a slide drive unit 27 that slides the imaging frame 324 in the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 11, and the reflecting mirrors 321 and 322 and the illuminating sections 325 together with the imaging frame 324 can be slid with the slide movement relative to the cameras 323 as well as the suction nozzles 11. When a generally central part of the reflecting mirror 322 fixed to the imaging frame 324 comes to a position on a central axis of a suction nozzle 11 by the slide movement of the imaging frame 324 caused by the slide drive unit 27, the central axis of the suction nozzle 11 can be reflected and refracted by the reflecting mirrors 322 and 321 so as to coincide with an optical axis of a camera 323 corresponding to the suction nozzle 11. That is, such a position produces a positional relation similar to the relation among the positions of the camera 23, the reflecting mirrors 21 and 22, and the like in the component placement surface image-pickup device 20 of the first embodiment. Thus the reflecting mirror 322 can be positioned sequentially on a central axis of each suction nozzle 11 by the slide movement of the imaging frame 324 caused by the slide drive unit 27, so that an image of an electronic component 1 sucked and held by each suction nozzle 11 can be captured sequentially by each camera 323. The imaging frame 324 that is moved with the slide movement and each camera 323 fixed to the lower frame 52a are provided so as not to interfere with each other. By an X axis beam 13a formed of rigid members and extending in a direction of an X axis in which the suction nozzles 11 are arranged as shown in FIG. 12, the head 300 is supported through the head frame 52 so as to be capable of moving in the X axis direction. The head 300 can be reciprocated in the X axis direction by an X axis robot 13 that is a mechanism using a ball screw shaft and nuts screwed thereon. Hereinbelow, image, capture operations by the component placement surface image-pickup device 320 will be described with use of FIG. 13 showing a fragmentary schematic plan view of a component placing apparatus 400 having the head 300 configured as described the above. As shown in FIG. 13, the component placing apparatus 400 has the X axis beam 13a by which the head 300 is supported so as to be capable of moving in an X axis direction in the drawing, the X axis robot 13 which moves the head 300 in the X axis direction in the drawing, and a Y axis robot 14 (not shown) which move's the X axis beam 13a in a Y axis direction in the drawing. The component placing apparatus 400 has a component feeding section 6 that contains a plurality of electronic components 1 so as to be capable of feeding the components, and a stage 15 that releasably holds circuit boards 3 on which the electronic components 1 are to be placed. In FIG. 13, each suction nozzle 11 of the head 306 is initially moved to above the component feeding section 6 by the X axis robot 13 and the Y axis robot. After the movement, each suction nozzle 11 is lowered to suck and hold an electronic component 1, and is then elevated to take out the electronic component 1 from the component feeding section 6. As shown in FIG. 13, subsequently, movement of the head 300 from the component feeding section 6 to above the circuit boards 3 held on the stage 15 is started by the X axis robot 13′ and the Y axis robot. With the start of the movement, the imaging frame 324 to left of the head 300 in the drawing starts sliding rightward in the X axis direction in the drawing, by action of the slide drive unit 27. With the start of the slide movement, illuminating sections 325 fixed to the imaging frame 324 are lighted. When the generally central part of the reflecting mirror 322 fixed to the imaging frame 324 thereafter comes to a position on a central axis of a suction nozzle 11 provided at a left end in the drawing, an image of a placement surface of an electronic component 1 that is sucked and held by the suction nozzle 11 and that has the placement surface irradiated with light from the illuminating sections 325 is made incident through the reflecting mirrors 322 and 321 on a camera 323 corresponding to the suction nozzle 11, so as to be captured with use of an electronic shutter or the like. With the slide movement of the imaging frame, the reflecting mirror 322 is sequentially positioned on a central axis of each suction nozzle 11, and an image of each electronic component 1 is thereby captured by each corresponding camera 323. Image data captured by each camera 323 is sequentially outputted for a control unit 9 immediately after each image capture operation, and recognition processing of each image is executed simultaneously in the control unit 9. When the imaging frame 324 comes to a position to right of the head 300 in the drawing after the capture of images of all the electronic components 1 is completed, the movement of the imaging frame 324 caused by the slide drive unit 27 is stopped. When the head 300 thereafter reaches the above the circuit board 3, a suction nozzle 11 that is to perform an initial placement is aligned with a mounting position on the circuit board 3 and placement of the electronic components 1 is sequentially performed on-basis of a result of the recognition processing in the control unit 9. Though description has been omitted in the above, the imaging frame 324 is provided with a component thickness image-pickup device 30, as is the case with the first embodiment, and a suction holding posture of each electronic component 1 is recognized by 2 the component thickness image-pickup device 30 also, with the capture of an image of a placement surface of each electronic component 1. For each camera 323 may be used so-called shutter camera characterized in that a time span required for capture of an image thereby is short. Among such shutter cameras is a CCD camera according to NTSC specifications, for example. In such a shutter camera in which an electronic shutter is used a period of time during which an image is captured in a CCD is electrically controlled, and the CCD is exposed to light only for the period of time for the image capture. A quantity of light required for the exposure is an integral of emission intensities of LEDs used in the illuminating sections 325 and of emission time. Movement of an object for image capture relative to the camera during the exposure blurs the captured image by a quantity of the movement. On condition that an electronic component 1 as an object for image capture moves relatively at 950 mm/s as in the first embodiment, for example, the exposure for 50 μs blurs the captured image by approximately 50 μm. As seen in experiences, however, it has been found that the image capture with blur of the image on the order of 50 μm does not influence on an accuracy in placement of electronic components 1. In the first embodiment, light is emitted from the LEDs for periods of time preceding and following the exposure also, for allowances, in order that the quantity of light for the exposure may be ensured reliably, and the light emission from the LEDs lasts on the order of 100 μs as a result. With use of the electronic shutter, the exposure time can be reduced by momentary illumination of an object with a large quantity of light, for accurate image capture; however, emission intensities of such LEDs are inversely proportional to life spans of the LED. In the second embodiment, by contrast, relative positions between each suction nozzle 11 and each camera 323 are fixed, so that the exposure time is allowed to be extended with a decrease in the emission intensity of the LEDs in the illuminating sections 325. Thus life spans of the LEDs can be extended. For example, each image can be captured on a condition of an exposure time of 200 μs, an emission intensity of the LEDs reduced to a quarter that in the first embodiment, and an illuminating time of 300 μs. In place of such a configuration as described the above, other conventional cameras may be used. The use of such cameras has advantages in that a cost of such a camera is smaller than that of a shutter camera and in that a conventional camera does not require such a high momentary illuminance for image capture as a flash-type camera requires, allows further reduction in the emission intensity of the LEDs, and thus extends the life span of the illuminating sections 325. In accordance with the second embodiment in which the cameras 323 are fixed to the lower frame 52a of the head 300, the cameras 323 are stationary without moving during the image capture. Accordingly, influences, such as vibrations, of the movement of the cameras 323 can be prevented from occurring, and high-accuracy image capture can be achieved. The cameras 323 are provided in one-to-one correspondence to the suction nozzles 11 provided in the head 300, and therefore positional relations between the suction nozzles 11 and the cameras 323 can be secured stably at all times, so that stable image capture can be achieved. The positional relations between the suction nozzles 11 and the cameras 323 are fixed, and thus the image capture can be performed if only a generally central part of the reflecting mirror 322 fixed to the imaging frame 324 is positioned on a central axis of a suction nozzle 11. Accordingly, the high-accuracy slide movement of the imaging frame 324 by the slide drive unit 27 may be unnecessary, and the necessity of the high-accuracy linear scale 71 can be obviated. For example, the linear scale or the like may have only to have an accuracy on such order as ensures position detection to some extent or the linear scale itself may be omitted. With the cameras 323 provided in one-to-one correspondence, relevant image data can be outputted for the control unit 9 and recognition processing can be started immediately after the image capture operation is completed in each camera 323. Accordingly, recognition processing of the images can be started in the control unit 9 before completion of the capture of all the images, so that a time span from the image capture to completion of the recognition processing can be shortened. As a result, efficient placement of electronic components can be achieved. Besides, the cameras 323 that do not move eliminate necessity to move control cables and the like connected to the cameras 323. In particular, heavy and thick cables called as shielding wires are used as such control cables for EMC (electromagnetic compatibility), and the elimination of the movement of the cables allows a power of the slide drive unit 27 to be reduced. The removal of the cameras 323 from the imaging frame 324 that is slid by the slide drive unit 27 allows a power of the slide drive unit 27 to be reduced and allows a velocity of the frame to be increased for efficient image capture. Appropriate combinations of arbitrary embodiments out of the various embodiments described the above are capable of achieving the effects which the combined embodiments have. Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>In recent years, markets have been increasing their demands for miniaturization, high performance, and reduction in cost of electronic equipment that contains electronic circuits formed by placement of electronic components as a plurality of components on circuit boards. In an electronic component placing apparatus having a head as an example of a component placing head, the plurality of electronic components are placed by the head on the circuit boards held on a stage and such electronic circuits are thereby manufactured. In such an electronic component placing apparatus, holding postures of the electronic components held by the head, placement positions of the electronic components on the circuit board, and the like are recognized with use of image-pickup devices provided on the stage or on the head or the like, and the electronic components are placed on the circuit board on basis of a result of the recognition (see Japanese unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-307297, for example). In order to meet the demands from the markets, on the other hand, such electronic component placing apparatus have been desired to cope with persistent miniaturization of the electronic components and the circuit boards and to perform placement with high density and high accuracy of the electronic components on the circuit boards and have been desired to achieve decrease in time span required for the placement so as to fulfill efficient placement and reduction in manufacturing cost of electronic circuits. Hereinbelow, an image-pickup device 210 provided in a head 200 in such a conventional electronic component placing apparatus will be described with reference to a fragmentary enlarged schematic explanatory view of the head 200 shown in FIG. 7 . The head 200 has eight suction nozzles 201 , as an example of the component holding members, arranged in a row, and FIG. 7 shows a section of the head 200 taken along a plane orthogonal to a direction of the arrangement. As shown in FIG. 7 , the head 200 has the eight suction nozzles 201 capable of sucking and holding electronic components 1 at extremities of the nozzles, and each suction nozzle 201 is supported by a head frame 202 so as to be capable of moving up and down along a central axis of the nozzle (in vertical directions in FIG. 7 ) and capable of rotating about the central axis. As shown in FIG. 7 , the image-pickup device 210 has a camera 211 that is provided to the left of the suction nozzle 201 in the drawing and that is capable of capturing an image of the electronic component 1 sucked and held by the suction nozzle 201 , from downside of the electronic component in the drawing through medium of two reflecting mirrors 212 and 213 placed on an optical axis of the camera. The image-pickup device 210 also has a linear guide rail 214 that is provided along the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 201 to the upper left of the suction nozzle 201 in the drawing and that is fixed to the head frame 202 , and the camera 211 is supported by the head frame 202 through medium of the linear guide rail 214 so as to be capable of sliding along the linear guide rail 214 , i.e., along the direction of the arrangement of the suction nozzles 201 . A sliding device 215 for sliding the camera 211 along the linear guide rail 214 is fixed to the head frame 202 in neighborhood of a location where the linear guide rail 214 is installed. When images of the electronic components 1 held by the suction nozzles 201 are captured by the image-pickup device 210 , an image of the electronic component 1 held by each suction nozzle 201 is sequentially captured from the downside through the reflecting mirrors 212 and 213 while the camera 211 is slid by the sliding device 215 along the linear guide rail 214 . Each image captured in this manner is subjected to recognition processing in a control unit or the like provided in the head 200 and is recognized as a suction holding posture of each electronic component 1 relative to each suction nozzle 201 . The suction holding posture is then corrected with the rotating of the suction nozzle 201 or the like so that the recognized suction holding posture coincides with a placement posture relative to a circuit board, and the electronic component 1 is thereafter placed on the circuit board. In the head 200 having the above structure, however, an image of the electronic component 1 held by the suction nozzle 201 is captured from the downside of the electronic component 1 , and it is therefore impossible to recognize a suction holding posture of the electronic component 1 with respect to the direction along the central axis of the suction nozzle 201 (i.e., the vertical direction in FIG. 7 ) For example, an electronic component 1 that is such a minute electronic component as a chip component is prone to be sucked and held in a position diagonal to the extremity of a suction nozzle 201 (what is called a diagonal position), it is difficult to recognize such a position on basis of an image captured from the downside, and placement on a circuit board with such a position unrecognized may cause an error in placement of the electronic component 1 on the circuit board or may cause a problem in that high-accuracy placement of electronic components cannot be addressed even if the placement error is avoided. In the head 200 , the sliding device 215 is provided on the head frame 202 in neighborhood of the linear guide rail 214 and of the camera 211 , vibrations accompanying operation of the sliding device 215 are therefore prone to be transmitted through the linear guide rail 214 to the camera 211 , and this causes a problem in that the camera 211 influenced by the vibrations cannot capture a high-accuracy image of an electronic component 1 . An increase in sliding velocity of the camera 211 slid by the sliding device 215 , for purpose of a decrease in a time span required for the placement of an electronic component 1 by the head 200 , strengthens the transmitted vibrations and makes the above problem more noticeable, while a decrease in the sliding velocity for purpose of reduction in the vibrations fails to cause the decrease in the time span required for the placement and fails to allow efficient operation for placing electronic components. In the head 200 provided with a board recognizing device for recognizing placement positions or the like for electronic components 1 on a circuit board, for example, the electronic components 1 can be placed with reliable recognition of the placement positions on the circuit board; however, recognition accuracy required of the board recognizing device differ with accuracy in placement of electronic components 1 that are placed. Though the head 200 that is provided with the board recognizing device having a high recognizing accuracy so as to address the high-accuracy placement of electronic components is capable of addressing the high-accuracy placement, a narrowed recognizable field of view of the device causes a problem, for example, in that placement of an electronic components 1 which does not require the high-accuracy placement may rather increase a time span required for recognition and may lower a placing efficiency. In order to address such high-accuracy placement of electronic components, it is necessary to capture a clear image of a placement surface of a component sucked and held by a suction nozzle. Though simple capture of the image with illumination of the placement surface of the component may address capture of images of conventional general-purpose components, the simple capture for miniaturized components, components with diversified shapes, and the like may cause non-uniform illuminance or the like on their placement surfaces having miniaturized shapes, special shapes and the like and may thereby cause a problem in that images of the components cannot be captured clearly and in that such electronic components cannot be placed with a high accuracy. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a component placing head and a component placing method that have a plurality of component holding members, capture an image of a component held by each component holding member, recognize a holding posture of the component, and place the component on a circuit board on basis of a result of the recognition, the component placing head and the component placing method capable of performing the recognition with a high efficiency and a high accuracy.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>These and other aspects and features of the present invention will become clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic side sectional view of a head in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the head of FIG. 1 , taken along a plane orthogonal to directions of arrangement of suction nozzles; FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged schematic sectional view of a component placement surface image-pickup device in the head; FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a component thickness image-pickup device in the head; FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the component thickness image-pickup device moving in the directions of arrangement of the suction nozzles in the head; FIG. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged schematic diagram of the head provided with a first board image-pickup camera and a second board image-pickup camera; FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram of an image-pickup device in a conventional head; FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged side view of the component placement surface image-pickup device; FIG. 9 is a view of horizontal light casting units and main casting units of the component placement surface image-pickup device as looking in accordance with arrows A-A in FIG. 8 ; FIG. 10 is a view of a vertical light casting unit of the component placement surface image-pickup device as looking in accordance with arrows B-B in FIG. 8 ; FIG. 11 is a schematic side sectional view of a head in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of the head of FIG. 11 , taken along a plane orthogonal to directions of arrangement of suction nozzles; and FIG. 13 is a fragmentary schematic plan view of a component placing apparatus having the head of FIG. 11 . detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050218

20091117

20051027

73531.0

NGUYEN, DONGHAI D

COMPONENT PLACING METHOD

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine

An exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine comprises a turbine in the exhaust line and a compressor, which is driven by the turbine and which is located inside the intake tract of the internal combustion engine. The turbine comprises a flow duct having a radial flow entrance cross-section, and a flow ring is provided that delimits the flow entrance cross-section. An adjustable vane is placed in the radial flow entrance cross-section for variably adjusting this flow entrance cross-section. The flow ring inside the housing of the exhaust gas turbine can be axially displaced between a contact position toward the vane and a position that frees a gap toward the vane.

1-10. (canceled) 11. An exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine, with a turbine adapted for receiving the engine exhaust gas flow, and with a turbine driven compressor for providing intake flow to the internal combustion engine, wherein the turbine (1) has a flow channel (3) with a radial flow entry section (3a) and a further flow entry section, wherein a flow ring (7) separates the flow entry cross-section (3a) and the further flow entry section and borders the flow entry cross-section (3a), wherein an adjustable ring of guide vanes (5) is provided in the radial flow entry cross-section (3a) for variably adjusting the flow entry cross-section (3a), wherein the flow ring (7) is axially displaceable in the housing of the exhaust gas turbine (1) between a position contacting the ring of guide vanes (5) and a position exposing a gap between the flow ring (7) and the ring of guide vanes (5), and wherein axial relief boreholes are provided in the flow ring (7) extending between the axial faces of the flow ring for trimming of forces acting on the flow ring (7) when lying against the radial ring of guide vanes (5) in such a manner, that as a result of the reduction in static pressure in the ring of guide vanes (5) the flow ring (7) experiences a resulting pressure in the direction of the radial ring of guide vanes (5). 12. The exhaust gas turbocharger according to claim 11, wherein abutments or end stops (18, 19) are provided fixed relative to the housing for limiting the axial displaceability of the flow ring (7). 13. The exhaust gas turbocharger according to claim 11, wherein spacer sleeves (14) are provided in the radial flow cross-section (3a), which determine the minimum axial breadth of the radial flow entry cross-section (3a). 14. The exhaust gas turbocharger according to claim 11, wherein a seal ring (11) is provided on the radial inner-lying side of the flow ring (7) for sealing against a housing fixed component (13). 15. The exhaust gas turbocharger according to claim 11, wherein the radial ring of guide vanes (5) includes adjustable guide vanes (6), which include cover discs (16, 17) on at least one axial end face. 16. The exhaust gas turbocharger according to claim 11, wherein adjustable guide vanes (6) of the radial ring of guide vanes (5) are mounted in the turbocharger housing via an axial shaft (15a). 17. The exhaust gas turbocharger according to claim 11, wherein adjustable guide vanes (6) of the radial ring of guide vanes (5) are mounted in the flow ring (7) via an axial shaft (15b).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention concerns an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine according to the precharacterizing portion of claim 1. 2. Related Art of the Invention From the publication DE 196 15 237 C2 an exhaust gas turbocharger of this general type is known, having a turbine with a radial and a semi-axial flow intake cross-section in the exhaust flow area of the turbine. The flow intake profiles, between which a flow promoting contoured flow ring is provided in the flow intake area of the turbine, makes possible both a radial and also a semi-axial impinging onto the turbine wheel. In the radial flow entry cross-section a variable geometry arrangement is provided with adjustable guide vanes, via which the flow entry cross-section can be varied. By adjustment of the guide vanes the gas pressure, as well as the type and manner of the flow of the exhaust gas onto the turbine wheel, can be influenced, whereby the performance of the turbine and the output of the compressor can be adjusted depending upon the requirements and operating condition of the internal combustion engine. This type of exhaust gas turbocharger, having variable turbine geometry, is employed also in braking operation of the internal combustion engine. In the braking operation the guide vanes are adjusted into a blocking or choking position, in which the intake cross-section is significantly reduced, whereupon an elevated exhaust pressure builds up in the conduit upstream of the turbine, which brings about, that the exhaust gas flows with increased velocity through the channels between the guide vanes, whereupon the turbine wheel is impinged with a stronger impulse. This brings about an elevated compressor output, so that the fresh or combustible air reaching the motor is also placed under an elevated charge pressure. The cylinder is acted on with increased charge pressure on the inlet side, at the same time the exhaust side is experiencing elevated exhaust gas pressure, which opposes the evacuation or exhausting of the compressed air via the brake value in the exhaust gas conduit. During motor operation the piston in the compression and exhaust stroke must perform compression work against the high overpressure in the exhaust side, whereby a strong brake effect is achieved. The desired high brake power can however only be achieved when a desired pressure distribution exists within the turbine and when the exhaust gas flows through the turbine in the intended manner. It is a problem herein that leakages occur on the axial sides of the adjustable guide vanes, which can occur due to construction and manufacturing tolerances, however also due to wear and thermal expansion, and can strongly compromise the desired pressure relationship within the turbine, which negatively influences the motor brake power, and however also negatively influences the motor power in the combustion drive mode. This type of guide vane leakage results also from gaps inherently required in construction to enable movement of the guide vanes of the guide vane ring of the variable turbine geometry in the flow entry cross-section. Similarly, from the publication DE 39 41 399 C1 an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine is known, which is equipped with a twin flow spiral channel with radial and semi-axial flow entry cross-section in the turbine housing, wherein the two flow channels are separated by a fixed separating wall. Between the radial and the semi-axial flow entry cross-section of the two flow channels there is, in the area of the end surface of the separating wall separating the two flow channels, an axially adjustable slider, which is adjustable between a position blocking the radial inflow cross-section and a position blocking the semi-axial inflow cross-section. The slider assumes the function of a variable geometry turbine part, via which the flow behavior of the flow onto the turbine wheel is to be influenced. Even with this turbocharger design, flow leakage or by-pass cannot be prevented. The publication DE 35 41 508 C1 discloses an exhaust gas turbocharger with radial flow entry cross-section towards the turbine wheel, wherein in the flow entry cross-section a guide ring with adjustable guide vanes is provided. Two holder- or mount-rings engaging the guide vanes on their end surfaces are connected to each other via multiple screws distributed about the circumference. The screws are within spacer sleeves, which ensure a minimal separation of the two mounting rings. An axial relative movement of the outer support rings relative to the inner support ring is not possible on the basis of the screw connection, and namely neither in the direction of a larger separation of the support rings nor in the direction of a coming together of the support rings. This has only the consequence, that the gap between the axial end surfaces of the vanes of the guide vane assembly and the two support rings are arranged with fixed, non-changeable dimensions. Therein a compromise is entered into between having a sufficiently large degree of movement for the blades and a sufficiently small gap for avoidance of by-pass flows. Thermal expansion in the construction components can lead within the turbocharger to an enlargement of the gaps and thereby bring about undesired increase in leakage with correspondingly smaller compressor output. The publication DE 100 29 640 A1 discloses an exhaust gas turbocharger with semi-axial and with radial flow entry cross-section to the turbine wheel which are separated by an axially displaceable flow ring. In the radial flow entry cross-section a guide vane ring with adjustable guide vanes and in the semi-axial cross-section a grid with fixed geometry are provided. If the guide vane ring in the radial cross-section is moved into the choke or blocking position, then a larger proportion of the exhaust gas flows through the semi-axial cross-section. Aerodynamic effects can be caused by the displacement of the flow ring in the direction of the radial ring of guide vanes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is concerned with the task of increasing the degree of effectiveness of exhaust gas turbochargers having a radial flow entry cross-section and a variable turbine geometry. In particular, during motor braking operation, and in certain cases however also during combustion drive operation, the turbine output should be improved. This problem is inventively solved by the characteristics of claim 1. According to the design of the new exhaust gas turbocharger, it is provided that the position of the flow ring in the housing of the turbocharger is variably adjustable. According to the state of the art this flow ring is always provided as a component fixed with the turbocharger housing, in contrast to which in accordance with new claim 1 the flow ring is moveable. By making the flow ring moveable, the possibility is created to reduce or even completely eliminate the gap dimension which is inherently required in construction to provide freedom of movement to the parts, or is created by wear or thermal expansion or by other causes. Leakages or flow-by at the end surface of the adjustable guide vanes can be substantially or completely excluded, and a desired pressure relationship can be adjusted within the turbine, which imparts a desired gas flow to the turbine wheel. In order to be able to adjust the radial guide vanes, a minimal gap at the axial end surface of the radial guide vanes is necessary; for adjusting the radial guide vanes the adjustable flow ring can be axially displaced in a position further distant from the radial ring of guide vanes. Subsequently, for closing of air gaps, the flow ring is advanced until contact with the end surface of the radial guide vanes or, as the case may be, another component of the radial guide grid or to a spacer provided for this purpose. The flow ring is designed to be axially displaceable, whereby in particular guide vane gaps at the radial guide grid can be reduced. Alternatively, or additionally, it can be useful to provide a radial adjustability of the flow ring, which can be accomplished for example by an eccentric displacement of the flow ring and/or by a radial widening or narrowing of the flow ring. In the case of an axially displaceable flow ring the displacement movement is preferably limited by abutments or end stops, which limit in particular the opening of the guide vane gap of the radial guide grid to a predetermined dimension. This permitted axial movement, which is identical with the axial play of the flow ring, corresponds preferably to approximately 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm. This comparatively small dimension shall ensure that the maximal play of the flow ring is limited to a predetermined dimension or measure, which ensures a functionality of the exhaust gas turbocharger both in the motor brake operation as well as in the combustion propulsion mode. The flow ring can, in certain cases, also be mounted floating without being acted upon by an actuator. In any case, with increasing closure of the radial guide grid the static pressure on the guide grid side of the flow ring is strongly reduced, in comparison to which on the opposite lying side, due to the relatively low flow velocities in this area, the pressure remains at a high level. From this pressure differential there results a force, which presses the axially moveable flow ring at its end against the radial guide grid, whereby the guide grid gaps are reduced. Axial relief bores can be provided in the flow ring, which extend between the axial surfaces of the flow ring, whereby a pressure equalization is made possible and the pressure force acting on the flow ring when lying against the the radial guide grid can be trimmed. In the case of a radial guide grid with adjustable guide vanes these are preferably mounted, via an axial shaft, preferably on the turbocharger housing, preferably however also in the displaceable flow ring. In the case that the guide vanes are mounted double-sided also in the flow ring, the flow ring preferably includes recesses for receiving the associated vane shafts, wherein the depth of the recesses is preferably adapted to the axial length of the vane shafts, in order to be able to receive the vane shafts also in the case of a complete closure of the guide vane gap. It can, in certain cases, also be useful to provide, in certain operating conditions of the internal combustion engine in motor braking operation and/or in the combustion drive mode, a desired measure of gap, with which the flow and pressure relationship within the charger housing in the turbine can, in a predetermined manner, be specifically and purposefully influenced. Besides this, it can be useful to provide supplemental criteria for the adjustment of the flow ring, for example in the manner, that the flow entry cross-section for the radial inflow should not exceed a maximum. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further advantages and useful embodiments can be found in the further claims, the description of the figures and the drawings. There is shown: FIG. 1 a section through a turbine of an exhaust gas turbocharger with variable turbine geometry and axially adjustable flow ring, FIG. 2 a representation according to FIG. 1, however with modification in the area of the radial array of guide vanes, FIG. 3 a representation corresponding to FIG. 1 or, as the case may be, FIG. 2, however with a further modification in the area of the radial ring of guide vanes. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 the same components are indicated with the same reference numbers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The turbine 1 of an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine shown in FIG. 1, for example for a diesel internal combustion engine or an otto-motor for a utility vehicle or a passenger vehicle, includes a turbine wheel 2 which is powered by exhaust gas under pressure from the internal combustion engine and which drives, via a connecting shaft, a not shown compressor of the exhaust gas turbocharger, which compressor draws in fresh air and compresses this to an elevated charge pressure, which is conveyed to the cylinder inlets of the internal combustion engine. The turbine 1 further includes a flow entry channel 3, which radially encompasses the turbine wheel 2 and includes a radial flow entry cross-section 3a going to the turbine wheel 2. In the radial flow entry cross-section 3a there is a radial ring of guide vanes 5 with adjustable guide vanes 6; this radial ring of guide vanes 5 constitutes a variable turbine geometry. Depending upon the mode of operation of the internal combustion engine the variable turbine geometry can be adjusted in its position by an associated actuation element, whereby the corresponding flow entry cross-section is varied. In the illustrated embodiment it is provided that in the combusting drive mode the guide vanes 6 of the radial ring of guide vanes 5 are adjusted for example in an open position, in order to allow the greatest possible mass flow through-put through the turbine 1 and to produce a high charger power. For achieving a motor brake power, in contrast, the radial ring of guide vanes 5 is moved into a blocking position with reduced cross-section by an appropriate adjustment of the guide vanes 6. On the basis of the reduced flow total cross-section, in comparison to the combustion operation mode, an elevated exhaust gas pressure builds up in the exhaust channel upstream of the turbine, simultaneously an over-pressurization is produced in the intake stroke. In the motor brake operation brake valves are opened in the cylinder outlet of the internal combustion engine, the air compressed in the cylinder must work against the elevated exhaust gas pressure in the exhaust pipe to be pushed out. In the flow channel 3 of the turbine 1 a flow ring 7 is provided, which borders the radial flow entry profile or cross-section 3a. The flow ring 7 is axially displaceable in the exhaust gas turbocharger; the axial displaceability is indicated with the double arrow 8. On the radial inner lying side of the flow ring 7 a sealing ring 11 is seated in a groove of a housing component, which is associated with the bearing housing 12, to provide a seal. Preferably the seal ring is held against a heat shield 13, which is connected fixed with the bearing housing 12. The housing-fixed heat shield 13 exhibits two steps on the side facing the flow ring 7, which form abutments for the axially displaceable flow ring 7, which exhibits a contour conforming to these steps. In FIG. 1 the flow ring 7 is shown in a position lying gap-free against radial ring of guide vanes 5; the axial displacement out of this position is limited by the abutments on the housing-fixed component 13, against which the flow ring 7 abuts. The sealing ring 11 prevents leakage bypass flows between the flow ring 7 and the radially inwardly lying, housing-fixed component 13, upon which the flow ring 7 is radially seated in the contact position. In the position shown in FIG. 1 the flow ring 7 lies axially tight or sealingly against the face of the radial ring of guide vanes 5, no radial gap is formed, whereby radial leakage bypass is prevented. In the radial flow entry cross-section 3a spacer sleeves 14 can also be provided in addition to the radial ring of guide vanes 5, which limit the axial displaceability of the flow ring 7 in the direction of the radial ring of guide vanes 5. The adjustable guide vanes 6 of the radial ring of guide vanes 5 are rotatably mounted in shafts 15a and 15b, wherein the two shafts 15a and 15b extend out from axially oppositely lying sides of the guide vanes and wherein the first shaft 15a is received in the housing and the second shaft 15b on the other hand is received in the displaceable flow ring 7. The second shaft 15b is received in a recess in the flow ring 7, wherein the depth of the recess corresponds at least to the shaft length, so that in the case of the axially contacting position of the flow ring 7 against the radial ring of guide vanes 5 a flush or gap-free axial lying-against is ensured. The adjustable guide vanes 6 are bordered axially on both sides by cover discs 16 and 17, which are received in correspondingly shaped recesses in the receiving housing side component or, as the case may be, in the wall the flow ring 7 facing the guide vanes 6. The illustrative embodiment shown in FIG. 2 corresponds essentially to that of FIG. 1, however with the difference that the adjustable guide vanes 6 of the radial ring of guide vanes 5 only exhibit a single shaft 15a on the housing side. This embodiment provides the advantage, that it becomes possible to dispense with the recesses in the flow ring 7 on the guide-vane 6 facing side for receiving the corresponding shaft pieces. Also in the embodiment in FIG. 2, two cover discs 16 and 17 are provided for the two axial sides of the guide vanes 6. In the illustrative embodiment according to FIG. 3 the guide vane 6 of the radial ring of guide vanes 5 essentially exhibits one shaft 15a on the housing side and also only one cover disc 16 on the housing side. Preferably the flow ring 7 and/or the radial ring of guide vanes 5 are designed in an aerodynamic manner or, as the case may be, constructed for flow efficiency, such that the flow ring 7 experiences, due to the inflow over the flow channel 3, a resulting pressure force in the axial direction of the turbine shaft. The resulting pressure force impinges upon the flow ring 7 preferably in the direction of the radial ring of guide vanes 5 in the radial flow entry cross-section 3a, so that the axial end face gap between the end face side of the radial ring of guide vanes 5 and the flow ring 7 is closed. The aerodynamic design of the radial ring of guide vanes 5 is preferably achieved by the design of the position of the guide vanes on the radial ring of guide vanes. It could however also be advantageous that the flow ring is moved in the direction of an increasing axial gap, in order to prevent over-rotation.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The invention concerns an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine according to the precharacterizing portion of claim 1 . 2. Related Art of the Invention From the publication DE 196 15 237 C2 an exhaust gas turbocharger of this general type is known, having a turbine with a radial and a semi-axial flow intake cross-section in the exhaust flow area of the turbine. The flow intake profiles, between which a flow promoting contoured flow ring is provided in the flow intake area of the turbine, makes possible both a radial and also a semi-axial impinging onto the turbine wheel. In the radial flow entry cross-section a variable geometry arrangement is provided with adjustable guide vanes, via which the flow entry cross-section can be varied. By adjustment of the guide vanes the gas pressure, as well as the type and manner of the flow of the exhaust gas onto the turbine wheel, can be influenced, whereby the performance of the turbine and the output of the compressor can be adjusted depending upon the requirements and operating condition of the internal combustion engine. This type of exhaust gas turbocharger, having variable turbine geometry, is employed also in braking operation of the internal combustion engine. In the braking operation the guide vanes are adjusted into a blocking or choking position, in which the intake cross-section is significantly reduced, whereupon an elevated exhaust pressure builds up in the conduit upstream of the turbine, which brings about, that the exhaust gas flows with increased velocity through the channels between the guide vanes, whereupon the turbine wheel is impinged with a stronger impulse. This brings about an elevated compressor output, so that the fresh or combustible air reaching the motor is also placed under an elevated charge pressure. The cylinder is acted on with increased charge pressure on the inlet side, at the same time the exhaust side is experiencing elevated exhaust gas pressure, which opposes the evacuation or exhausting of the compressed air via the brake value in the exhaust gas conduit. During motor operation the piston in the compression and exhaust stroke must perform compression work against the high overpressure in the exhaust side, whereby a strong brake effect is achieved. The desired high brake power can however only be achieved when a desired pressure distribution exists within the turbine and when the exhaust gas flows through the turbine in the intended manner. It is a problem herein that leakages occur on the axial sides of the adjustable guide vanes, which can occur due to construction and manufacturing tolerances, however also due to wear and thermal expansion, and can strongly compromise the desired pressure relationship within the turbine, which negatively influences the motor brake power, and however also negatively influences the motor power in the combustion drive mode. This type of guide vane leakage results also from gaps inherently required in construction to enable movement of the guide vanes of the guide vane ring of the variable turbine geometry in the flow entry cross-section. Similarly, from the publication DE 39 41 399 C1 an exhaust gas turbocharger for an internal combustion engine is known, which is equipped with a twin flow spiral channel with radial and semi-axial flow entry cross-section in the turbine housing, wherein the two flow channels are separated by a fixed separating wall. Between the radial and the semi-axial flow entry cross-section of the two flow channels there is, in the area of the end surface of the separating wall separating the two flow channels, an axially adjustable slider, which is adjustable between a position blocking the radial inflow cross-section and a position blocking the semi-axial inflow cross-section. The slider assumes the function of a variable geometry turbine part, via which the flow behavior of the flow onto the turbine wheel is to be influenced. Even with this turbocharger design, flow leakage or by-pass cannot be prevented. The publication DE 35 41 508 C1 discloses an exhaust gas turbocharger with radial flow entry cross-section towards the turbine wheel, wherein in the flow entry cross-section a guide ring with adjustable guide vanes is provided. Two holder- or mount-rings engaging the guide vanes on their end surfaces are connected to each other via multiple screws distributed about the circumference. The screws are within spacer sleeves, which ensure a minimal separation of the two mounting rings. An axial relative movement of the outer support rings relative to the inner support ring is not possible on the basis of the screw connection, and namely neither in the direction of a larger separation of the support rings nor in the direction of a coming together of the support rings. This has only the consequence, that the gap between the axial end surfaces of the vanes of the guide vane assembly and the two support rings are arranged with fixed, non-changeable dimensions. Therein a compromise is entered into between having a sufficiently large degree of movement for the blades and a sufficiently small gap for avoidance of by-pass flows. Thermal expansion in the construction components can lead within the turbocharger to an enlargement of the gaps and thereby bring about undesired increase in leakage with correspondingly smaller compressor output. The publication DE 100 29 640 A1 discloses an exhaust gas turbocharger with semi-axial and with radial flow entry cross-section to the turbine wheel which are separated by an axially displaceable flow ring. In the radial flow entry cross-section a guide vane ring with adjustable guide vanes and in the semi-axial cross-section a grid with fixed geometry are provided. If the guide vane ring in the radial cross-section is moved into the choke or blocking position, then a larger proportion of the exhaust gas flows through the semi-axial cross-section. Aerodynamic effects can be caused by the displacement of the flow ring in the direction of the radial ring of guide vanes.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention is concerned with the task of increasing the degree of effectiveness of exhaust gas turbochargers having a radial flow entry cross-section and a variable turbine geometry. In particular, during motor braking operation, and in certain cases however also during combustion drive operation, the turbine output should be improved. This problem is inventively solved by the characteristics of claim 1 . According to the design of the new exhaust gas turbocharger, it is provided that the position of the flow ring in the housing of the turbocharger is variably adjustable. According to the state of the art this flow ring is always provided as a component fixed with the turbocharger housing, in contrast to which in accordance with new claim 1 the flow ring is moveable. By making the flow ring moveable, the possibility is created to reduce or even completely eliminate the gap dimension which is inherently required in construction to provide freedom of movement to the parts, or is created by wear or thermal expansion or by other causes. Leakages or flow-by at the end surface of the adjustable guide vanes can be substantially or completely excluded, and a desired pressure relationship can be adjusted within the turbine, which imparts a desired gas flow to the turbine wheel. In order to be able to adjust the radial guide vanes, a minimal gap at the axial end surface of the radial guide vanes is necessary; for adjusting the radial guide vanes the adjustable flow ring can be axially displaced in a position further distant from the radial ring of guide vanes. Subsequently, for closing of air gaps, the flow ring is advanced until contact with the end surface of the radial guide vanes or, as the case may be, another component of the radial guide grid or to a spacer provided for this purpose. The flow ring is designed to be axially displaceable, whereby in particular guide vane gaps at the radial guide grid can be reduced. Alternatively, or additionally, it can be useful to provide a radial adjustability of the flow ring, which can be accomplished for example by an eccentric displacement of the flow ring and/or by a radial widening or narrowing of the flow ring. In the case of an axially displaceable flow ring the displacement movement is preferably limited by abutments or end stops, which limit in particular the opening of the guide vane gap of the radial guide grid to a predetermined dimension. This permitted axial movement, which is identical with the axial play of the flow ring, corresponds preferably to approximately 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm. This comparatively small dimension shall ensure that the maximal play of the flow ring is limited to a predetermined dimension or measure, which ensures a functionality of the exhaust gas turbocharger both in the motor brake operation as well as in the combustion propulsion mode. The flow ring can, in certain cases, also be mounted floating without being acted upon by an actuator. In any case, with increasing closure of the radial guide grid the static pressure on the guide grid side of the flow ring is strongly reduced, in comparison to which on the opposite lying side, due to the relatively low flow velocities in this area, the pressure remains at a high level. From this pressure differential there results a force, which presses the axially moveable flow ring at its end against the radial guide grid, whereby the guide grid gaps are reduced. Axial relief bores can be provided in the flow ring, which extend between the axial surfaces of the flow ring, whereby a pressure equalization is made possible and the pressure force acting on the flow ring when lying against the the radial guide grid can be trimmed. In the case of a radial guide grid with adjustable guide vanes these are preferably mounted, via an axial shaft, preferably on the turbocharger housing, preferably however also in the displaceable flow ring. In the case that the guide vanes are mounted double-sided also in the flow ring, the flow ring preferably includes recesses for receiving the associated vane shafts, wherein the depth of the recesses is preferably adapted to the axial length of the vane shafts, in order to be able to receive the vane shafts also in the case of a complete closure of the guide vane gap. It can, in certain cases, also be useful to provide, in certain operating conditions of the internal combustion engine in motor braking operation and/or in the combustion drive mode, a desired measure of gap, with which the flow and pressure relationship within the charger housing in the turbine can, in a predetermined manner, be specifically and purposefully influenced. Besides this, it can be useful to provide supplemental criteria for the adjustment of the flow ring, for example in the manner, that the flow entry cross-section for the radial inflow should not exceed a maximum.

20050216

20061017

20051208

57535.0

KERSHTEYN, IGOR

EXHAUST GAS TURBOCHARGER FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Method and system of calculating focus on an item

There are presented a method and system of calculating focus applied to an item (102) among a group of items (101). In embodiments of the invention a focus measurement is decayed from all items (101) and added to the focus item (102). In some embodiments, the focus applied to a focus item is diffused among other items related to the focus item. In some embodiments a display of a focus item and its related items (104) visually reflects their context measurements relative to other items.

1. A method comprising: recording a quantity of focus applied to a focus item; deriving a focus decay value from said quantity; decaying a focus measurement of said focus item and a focus measurements of at least one other item by said focus decay value; and adding amounts decayed from said focus measurement of said focus item and from said focus measurement of said at least one other item to said focus measurement of said focus item. 2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising displaying said focus item in a graphical format that visually reflects said focus measurement of said focus item. 3. A method as in claim 1, further comprising diffusing said focus measurement of said focus item among at least one related item. 4. A method as in claim 3, wherein said diffusing comprises calculating a context measurement for said at least one related item. 5. A method as in claim 4, wherein said calculating includes at least: reducing said context measurement of said at least one related item by a context decay value; deriving a related item contribution amount for said at least one related item; and adding the product of said context decay value times said related item contribution amount to said reduced context measurement for said at least one related item. 6. A method as in claim 5, wherein said deriving a related item contribution amount for said at least one related item comprises adding, for all other related items that are related to said at least one related item, the dividend of the context measurement of said other related items divided by the number of said other related items that are related to said at least one related item. 7. A method as in claim 4, further comprising filtering out items whose context measurement is below a threshold context value. 8. A method as in claim 4, further comprising displaying said at least one related item in a graphical format that visually reflects context measurements of said at least one related item relative to the display of other items, 9. A method as in claim 8, wherein said displaying said at least one related item relative to the display of other items comprises displaying said related item and said other items such that indications of context are expressed using one or more of size, color, boldness brightness, hue, detail and organic value. 10. A method as in claim 1, wherein said recording comprises recording a quantity of time during which focus is applied to said focus item. 11. A method as in claim 1, wherein said recording comprises recording a quantity of time during which a pointing symbol indicated focus on said focus item. 12. A method as in claim 11, wherein said pointing symbol is controlled by a device that is operably connected to a computer. 13. A method as in claim 1 wherein said recording comprises recording a discreet number of focus units. 14. A method comprising: reducing a focus measurement of at least one item related to a focus item by a context decay value; calculating a related item contribution amount for said at least one related item; and adding the product of said context decay value times said related item contribution amount to said reduced focus measurement for said at least one related item. 15. A method as in claim 14, wherein said calculating a related item contribution amount for said at least one related item includes at least adding, for all other related items that are related to said at least one related item, the dividend of the context measurement of said other related items divided by the number of said other related items. 16. A method as in claim 14, further comprising filtering out items whose context measurement is below a threshold context value. 17. A method as in claim 14, further comprising displaying said at least one related item in a format that reflects the context measurements of said at least one related item. 18. A method as in claim 17, comprising adjusting a size of a display of said at least one related item to reflect the context measurement of said at least one related item relative to the context measurements of other items. 19. A computing system comprising: a data storage unit to store at least focus measurements; and a processor: to record a quantity of focus applied to a focus item, to calculate a focus decay value from said quantity of focus, to reduce said focus measurements of said focus item and focus measurements of other items by said decay value, and to add the amounts reduced from said focus measurements to said focus measure of said focus item. 20. A computing system as in claim 19, wherein said processor is to diffuse said focus measurement of said focus item among at least one related item. 21. A computing system as in claim 20, wherein said processor is to calculate a context measurement of said at least one related item. 22. A computing system as in claim 21, comprising a display to display said at least one related item in a manner that visually reflects said context measurement of said at least one related item relative to other items. 23. A computing system as in claim 22, wherein displaying in a manner that visually reflects said context measurements includes at least displaying using one or more of size, color, boldness brightness, hue, detail and organic value. 24. A computing system as in claim 21, wherein said processor is to filter out related items whose context measurements is below a threshold context value. 25. A computing system as in claim 19, comprising a display to display said focus item in a manner that visually reflects said focus measurement of said focus items relative to other items. 26. A computing system as in claim 19, wherein said processor is to record a quantity of time during which focus is applied to said focus item. 27. A computing system as in claim 19, comprising a pointing device to apply said quantity of focus. 28. A computing system comprising: a data storage means for storing at least focus measurements; and a processor means for: recording a quantity of focus applied to a focus item, calculating a focus decay value from said quantity of focus, reducing said focus measurements of said focus item and focus measurements of other items by said decay value, and adding the amounts reduced from said focus measurements to said focus measure of said focus item.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and system of calculating focus or attention that is applied to an item among a set of items, and of diffusing focus or attention among items that are related to such item. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An individual that observes an item within a set of items may primarily focus on, or apply attention to, a single item or a group of items at one time. Such items or groups may be deemed a focus item. Other items in the set of items that may be related to such focus item may receive some focus or attention as such focus is diffused among the focus item and the items related to it. There is a need for a method and system for calculating focus on an item and on items related to it. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:. FIG. 1 depicts a set of items including a focus item and other items that may be; related to such focus item, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;. FIG. 2 sets forth certain functions employed in calculating focus measurements and context measurements in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 3 depicts a system for calculating and displaying focus and context measurements in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 4 depicts certain operations employed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following description, various aspects of the present invention will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details presented herein. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the present invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the specification, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or the like, may refer to the action and/or processes of a processor, computer or computing system or similar electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. The processes and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer, communication device, article or other apparatus. The desired structure for a variety of these systems will appear from the description below. In addition, embodiments of the present invention are not described with reference to any particular programming language, machine code, etc. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages, machine codes, etc. may be used to implement the teachings of the invention as described herein. Reference is made to FIG. 1, which depicts a set of items including a focus item and other items that may be related to such focus item, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The set of items 101 in FIG. 1 are representations of data fields arranged in a graph 100. In other embodiments, the set of items 101 may be, for example, representations of or the names of files or folders in a computer memory, company names in a list of companies, representations (e.g., names, icons) of people such as workers or customers, representations of products, documents, keywords, cities listed on a map, texts, numbers, pictures, sound or video streams, television shows in a programming schedule or any other set of physical, virtual or abstract items. Items may be represented on a display in graphical, textual or other formats or manners. Items may be arranged or represented differently than as shown in FIG. 1. For example, a nested directory or file folder listing may include lists of items, which may be, for example, directory or folder names, or file or other object names or representations (e.g., icons, etc.). At a point in time, an observer (not shown) may focus or apply attention to a particular item or group of items among the set of items 101. Such item, that is the subject of focus or attention may be deemed a focus item 102. A focus item 102 may be a single item or, in some embodiments, a group of items. At a different time, the focus of an observer may shift to a different item in the set of items 101, and such different item may then become the focus item 102. The various operations, computations, calculations, etc. performed on individual items according to embodiments of the invention may be performed on groups of items, which may for some purposes be treated as items. Thus a focus item or other items may be groups of items. Focus or attention may in some embodiments be applied by for example, looking at an item, pointing to an item, mentioning an item in a conversation or in any other fashion that may be measured either in discreet or continuous units. In some embodiments, focus may be the amount of time that a cursor 106 or other computer pointing device, indicator, symbol or pointing manifestation rests on, clicks on or points to a focus item. Such cursor or other pointing device, indicator, symbol or pointing manifestation may be controlled by, for example, a joystick, mouse, keyboard, touch-screen interface etc. In some embodiments, focus may be the relative strength with which an observer presses on a joystick or other instrument that points to an item. Other ways of expressing or indicating focus and of measuring focus are also possible. In some embodiments, there may be a relationship between a focus item and other items in a set of items 101. In some embodiments, such relationship may be expressed as a graph with nodes that represent items and (possibly directed) edges that represents relationships. Each pair of nodes may or may not be linked by one or more edges. For example, in FIG. 1, related items 104 may be collections of data that are related to the data base of focus item 102. In other embodiments, the relationship may be one of proximity on a table, chart, map or other display medium between the focus item 102 and related items 104. In an embodiment where representations of directories or folders of items are used, the hierarchical structure of such folders or files may be an example of such a relationship, such as for example, a relationship of files that are sub-files of a parent file. In still other embodiments the relationship between a focus item 102 and related items 104 may be some other characteristic shared by the focus item 102 and related items 104, such as for example, all comedy shows listed in a schedule of television programs. In some embodiments, items within a set of items 101 may be queried to find related items using for example a querying specification (such as SQL) or another information access method such as an object oriented data base. In some embodiments, lines 108 may be displayed as connecting related items 104 to a focus item 102 or to each other. FIG. 1 depicts a cursor 106, which may in some embodiments, be used as an indicator to an observer of where he is applying focus. FIG. 1 also depicts secondary related items 107 that are related to a focus item 102 through another related item 104. Lines 108 connecting items may in some embodiments be displayed as an indication of relations among items. In an embodiment of the invention, an observer may impart or apply a quantity of focus or attention to a focus item 102 and such quantity of focus may be recorded. In some embodiments, the recording may for example be in the form of recording the quantity of time that the focus was applied to the focus item 102, such as the amount of time a viewer watched a TV program, worked on a computer file, or touched an item on a touch screen. In other embodiments, such recording may be counting the number of mouse clicks on a focus item on a computer display, the length of time that a mouse, keyboard, trackball or other pointer pointed to or was pressing on an item, the number of shares of a particular stock purchased by a trader, the amount of material processed be a manufacturing machine, the severity of a malfunction of a device, or the calls being made to a software function, etc. In some embodiments recording may be done with a microphone that may measure for example focus words used in a conversation, or other words or sounds. In some embodiments a recording device may be an eye motion tracker that may for example measure the frequency of an observer's looking at an object. Such recording may be performed manually, mechanically, electronically or by other means. In some embodiments, a long application of focus may be broken into a number of sequential shorter events, and in yet another embodiment sequential shorter events may be combined into one long event. In some embodiments, a focus measurement may be stored for one or more of the items in the set of items 101. In some embodiments, such measurements may be stored in a database or memory, as described below, that is associated with the item. In some embodiments, one or more units of memory may be allocated for some of, or for each of, the items in the set of items 101 so that focus measurements may be stored for such items as they are recorded or calculated. In some embodiments, such allocated memory may be in the form of an array or in another type of data structure such as for example, non-linear arrays, hash-tables, balanced trees, or other key value or data structures. In some embodiments, the focus measurement for each item in a set of items 101 may be, for example a single or double precision floating-point number or an integer, and may be implemented by continuous or discrete variables. The number of entries in the array may be the same as the number of items in the set of items 101, with a floating-point number associated with the node number i stored in the entry number i of the array. Other data storage and memory allocation systems are possible. In some embodiments, in an initial state, a focus value or focus measurement, whether 0 or greater may be stored in an array node for an item in a set of items 101. Other initial focus measurements may be used. An item may retain a focus measurement even if such item is not a focus item 102. Reference is, made to FIG. 2, which sets forth certain functions employed in calculating focus measurements and context measurements in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. A focus measurement may in some embodiments be the degree of relevance of an item to a user. In some embodiments, the focus measurement may be used in the determination of the graphical display of an item among a set of items 101 so that an item is recognizable as particularly relevant. In some embodiments, function F( ) 200 may be used to calculate the focus measurement for a focus item 102 Xi that results from the focus recorded on such focus item 102 Xi. In operation, F( ) 200 simulates an exponential decay of focus measurements with a half-life time of tau τ. In some embodiments tau may be measured in twits of time such as seconds. In other embodiments, tau may be measured in other units. In some embodiments, fractional units other than half-life may be used, such as quarter-life, tenth life, etc. In some embodiments, focus decay value P may be derived using the quantity of focus Δt as an input, where P is exp(In(0.5)*(Δt/τ)). Focus decay value P may be the amount of reduction of focus measurements that is applied to items in set of items 101 in response to a quantity of focus applied to a focus item 102. F( ) 200 may be used to decay the focus measurements of focus item 102 Xi and other items Xj in a set of items 101. In some embodiments, such decayed focus measurements may be calculated by multiplying P by the focus measurement stored for each focus item 102 Xi and other items Xj in a set of items 101. The amounts decayed from each focus measurement of focus item 102 Xi and other items Xj may in some embodiments be stored in an interim storage area of, for example a memory storage unit. Such amounts as were decayed from focus measurement of focus item 102 Xi and other items Xj may be added to the focus measurement of the focus item 102 Xi. The focus measurements of focus item 102 Xi and other items Xj, as altered, may in some embodiments be re-stored in the respective nodes of an array or other memory structure corresponding to each such item. As such, function F( ) 200 may in some embodiments determine the new focus measurement for focus item 102 Xi and other items Xj (such new measurements denoted as Zi) after giving effect to the application of a focus quantity on focus item Xi. The illustration of function F( ) 200 in FIG. 2 expresses the addition of decayed focus amounts to the focus measurement of focus item 102 Xi using an identity function I(i,j) that results in 1 if i is identical to j and 0 otherwise. Other methods of determining changes in focus measurements are possible. In some embodiments the sum of all focus measurements of items in set of items 101 may be 1 such that the focus measurement attributable to each item in a set is calculated as a percentage or fraction of a whole amount of focus. In other embodiments, focus amounts may be designated in other units such as for example, total number of shares traded, total viewers of a given program, etc. In some embodiments, the focus, or a portion of the focus, of a focus item 102 Xi may be diffused over relationships or distributed among items that are related to focus item 102 Xi. In some embodiments, the calculation of diffusion of focus among focus item 102 Xi and its related items 104 Xr may be performed using Function D( ) 202 as is set forth in FIG. 2 or another suitable function, and may be deemed to yield a context measurement. A context measurement may in some embodiments be the relevance to a user of items that are related to a focus item 102. In some embodiments, the context measurement may be used in determining the graphical display of items that are related to a focus so that such related items are recognizable as particularly relevant. Function D( ) 202, may in some embodiments take as an input the focus measurements for items in a set of items 101 as such focus measurements may in some embodiments have been calculated or altered by function F( ) 200 above, or as such focus measurements may have been provided from another source. The portion or rate of context diffusion to be spread among related items 104 Xr may in some embodiments be predetermined and may be designated as a context decay value (q). In function D( ) 202, a related item contribution amount may be calculated for each related item 104 Xr, by, for example, adding, for other related items Yj that are related to said related item 104 Xr, the dividend of the context measurement of such other items Yj divided by the number dim(j) of such other items Yj that are related to such related item 104 Xr. For purposes of function D( ) 202, a focus item 102 Xi and each related item 104 Xr is deemed to be related to itself. Other methods of determining changes in context measurements are possible. Function D( ) 202 may reduce the context measurement of related item Xr by multiplying the existing context measurements for such item by (1-q), and adds to the context measurement of related item Xr the product of the context decay value q, times the related item contribution amount of all items related to Xr, as is described above. Function D( ) 202 may be performed on all related items 104 Xr that are related to related item 104 Xr. In some embodiments, the results of an endlessly looping of function D( ) may converge towards a final state of context, with smaller and smaller changes of context in each iteration. In some embodiments such a loop may be terminated when the context values that remain to be diffused reach a pre-designated minimum level. Function D( ) 202 determines for each related item 104 Xr the new context measurement, denoted as Zr. In some embodiments, the sum of all context measurements and focus measurements may be, for example, 1, such that the context measurement attributable to each item in a set of items 101 is calculated as a percentage of a whole amount of focus and context. In other embodiments, context amounts may be designated in other units such as dollars, survivability of a device, etc. In some embodiments, calculations of focus or context measurements may be performed each time a quantity of focus is applied or recorded, on a periodic, variable or fixed basis. In other embodiments, a user may dictate when or with what frequency such calculations are performed. Reference is made to FIG. 3, a conceptual illustration of a system for calculating and displaying focus and context measurements in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In some embodiments, a system for calculating and displaying focus and context measurements may include a computer 310 that may have a processor or processing unit 312 and one or more memories 311, such as random access memory, read only memory and/or other mass data storage capabilities. Computer 310 may include or be connected to a focus application device 320 such as for example, a mouse connected to a cursor that appears on a display, an electronic pointer, a touch screen, a joystick or other such device. Computer 310 may also include or be connected to a display 330, such as for example a standard cathode ray tube monitor, a flat screen display, a large screen display, a projector, etc. Displays on for example paper or other physical mediums are also possible. Computer 310 may be or include, for example, a personal computer, workstation, microprocessor, handheld device or other computing device. In one embodiment of the invention, a set of items 101, or for example graphical or textual representations thereof, may be stored in computer 310 or in a memory 311. connected thereto. Computer 310 or memory 311 may also store in an array or other data structure, focus measurements for items. Processor of processor unit 312 may calculate function F( ) 200 and function D( ) 202 based on focus measurements or context measurements stored in arrays or other data structures in memory 311. Such measurements may in some embodiments be stored or retrieved or used in the calculations of a display of such items as is described below. Referring back to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the display of a focus item 102 or related items 104 may visually reflect the focus or context measurements of such items relative to other items. For example, a focus item 102 may in some embodiments be displayed on a computer monitor or other display 330 unit in the center or at some other point of the display 330, as a bold or large sized font or in a different color than other items or in a larger size. By way of example, in FIG. 1, focus item 102 is displayed as large and bolded while related items 104 are smaller and less bolded. Such bolding or size may vary with, for example, the context measurements attributed to such related items 104. Secondary related items 107 may be displayed as even smaller or less bolded than related items 104. In other embodiments related items may be displayed in different colors or hues of colors depending on the relative size of the focus or context measurements with which they are associated. In some embodiments, a group of secondary related items 107 that are related to a focus item 102 through a particular related item 104 may be displayed in hues of a single color to indicate their grouping as part of a unit of related item 104. In some embodiments, such hues may vary with the context measurements of such related item 104. In some embodiments, lines 108 connecting items, such as thickness, brightness, highlighting, shadow, blinking or size may be altered to reflect the organic value or content represented by the item, the relationship of the item to other items or the context or focus measurements of the item. In some embodiments, the display format that reflects the context of focus items or related items may be updated on such display each time that focus or context measurements are updated, or at other intervals. In some embodiments, related items 104 whose focus or context measurement is below a designated context threshold value may be filtered out and not displayed, such that a viewer sees only items whose focus or context measurements are above a context threshold value. Reference is made to FIG. 4, that depicts operations employed in accordance with an embodiment of a method of the present invention. In operation 400 a quantity of focus may be recorded. In operation 402 a focus decay value may be derived based on the recorded quantity of focus. In operation 404 the existing focus measurements of items in a set of items 101 may decayed by the decay value. In operation 406 the amounts of focus that had been decayed from all items is added to the focus measurement of focus item 102. In operation 408, focus values of a focus item 10S Xi and other items Xj may be updated. In operation 410, focus measurements are diffused among related items 104, and context measurements may be generated. In operation 412, context measurements may be updated among a focus item 102 Xi and related items 104 Xr. In operation 414 items whose context measurements are below a context threshold value are filtered out so that they will not be displayed. In operation 416 focus item 102 and related items 104 are displayed to reflect the focus measurement and context measurements of such items relative to the context measurements of other items. Other steps or series of steps may be used. In some embodiments related items 104 may be those in proximity to a focus item 102. Proximity may mean, for example that an item is related to another item by way of a hierarchical relationship among items. For example, a focus item may be a sub-file of a related item 104, which may be a parent file in a hierarchy of files. Similarly, a focus item may be a particular node in, for example a telephone network. Related items might be for example nodes that are directly connected to such node in such telephone network. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that embodiments of the invention are not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of at least one embodiment of the invention is defined by the claims below.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>An individual that observes an item within a set of items may primarily focus on, or apply attention to, a single item or a group of items at one time. Such items or groups may be deemed a focus item. Other items in the set of items that may be related to such focus item may receive some focus or attention as such focus is diffused among the focus item and the items related to it. There is a need for a method and system for calculating focus on an item and on items related to it.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>Embodiments of the invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:. FIG. 1 depicts a set of items including a focus item and other items that may be; related to such focus item, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;. FIG. 2 sets forth certain functions employed in calculating focus measurements and context measurements in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 3 depicts a system for calculating and displaying focus and context measurements in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and FIG. 4 depicts certain operations employed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050217

20090324

20060112

99481.0

G06F300

KEATON, SHERROD L

METHOD AND SYSTEM OF CALCULATING FOCUS ON AN ITEM

SMALL

ACCEPTED

G06F

ACCEPTED

Electric steaming device

The invention relates to an electric steaming device, such as a steam iron or a facial sauna, having a steam generator (5) with a heatable base (12). According to the invention, water is sprayed onto the heatable base (12) via a nozzle (10) to generate steam (22). Some of the sprayed water (23) is mixed with the steam and taken along with the steam towards the steam outlet opening (16). The advantage is a high wet steam or vapor (24) production rate.

1. Electric steaming device comprising a housing, a steam generator (5;105) having a base (12;112), heating means (19;119) for heating said base of the steam generator, a water reservoir (4;104), at least one steam outlet opening (16;116), means (6,10;106,110) for feeding water from the water reservoir into the steam generator, and at least one passageway (17,117) for conveying steam from the steam generator (5;105) toward the at least one steam outlet opening (16;116), characterized in that the means for feeding water into the steam generator comprises a spray nozzle (10;110) for spraying water onto the base (12;112) of the steam generator (5;105). 2. Electric steaming device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the heating means for heating the base (12;112) of the steam generator (5;105) comprises a resistive track (19;119) of a thick-film printed circuit. 3. Electric steaming device as claimed in claim 1 A, characterized in that the means for feeding water into the steam generator (5;105) comprises an electric pump (6;106). 4. Electric steaming device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the device is a steam iron with a soleplate (2), heating means (3) for heating the soleplate (2), and a plurality of steam outlet openings (16) provided in the soleplate (2), and in that the passageway (17) for conveying the generated steam to the steam outlet openings (16) comprises at least one steam distribution channel (18) provided in the heatable soleplate (2). 5. Electric steaming device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the device is a facial sauna.

The invention relates to an electric steaming device comprising a housing, a steam generator having a base, heating means for heating said base of the steam generator, a water reservoir, at least one steam outlet opening, means for feeding water from the water reservoir into the steam generator, and at least one passageway for conveying steam from the steam generator towards the at least one steam outlet opening. Such a steaming device is known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 3,263,350 which describes an electric steam iron. In this iron the means for feeding water from the water reservoir into the steam generator comprises a valve which permits controlled amounts of water in the form of droplets to enter the chamber of the steam generator by gravity flow. The actually delivered quantities of steam depend on the one hand on the amounts of water released by the valve and thus depend on the extent of the valve opening which can be controlled by the user, and on the other hand on the temperature of the base which is thermostatically controlled. Water released by the valve drips on the base in one location, and from this location it flows by gravity along the base for evaporation. Steam generated in this way is generally rather dry. For an easy removal of wrinkles, a garment should be moistened efficiently, which means that a good ironing result requires the steam discharged from the outlet openings of an iron to contain more water than obtained by the usual steam generation. From U.S. Pat. No. 2,762,143 it is known to insert water into the generated steam in order to obtain such a wet steam. The water is introduced into a steam passage outside the steam generator. It is desirable to generate wet steam or water vapor also for a device like a facial sauna as described in WO 00/66063. It is an object of the invention to increase the steam production rate. It is another object of the invention to generate a wet steam. According to the invention, these objects are achieved in that the means for feeding water into the steam generator comprises at least one spray nozzle for spraying water onto the base of the steam generator. The advantage of this arrangement is that water is sprayed over a relatively large surface area of the base with very fine water droplets, and thus steam is continuously generated over a large surface. The result is that the steam production is much higher per unit time than obtained by the known devices. Some of the sprayed water in the form of very fine droplets is mixed with and taken along with the generated steam. In this way a kind of wet steam, also referred to as mist, is obtained which is, for example, favorable for moistening garments in an ironing process or for obtaining vapor for a facial treatment or for steam cleaning. Contrary to known devices (U.S. Pat. No. 2,762,143), wet steam is already generated inside the steam generator. Another advantage is that steaming starts almost immediately after the spray of water has been introduced into the steam generator. In a preferred embodiment of the steaming device, the heating means for heating the base of the steam generator comprises a resistive track of a thick-film printed circuit. A uniform heating of the base is obtained with a thick-film heating track applied to the base. The heated base reaches the desired temperature for steaming very rapidly. Moreover, the construction of the steam generator can be made lightweight. In a further preferred embodiment, the means for feeding water into the steam generator comprises an electric pump. Dosing of the amount of water to the nozzle and thus the amount of water spray can be easily adjusted by means of an electric pump. Also the location of the water reservoir relative to the steam generator can be freely chosen and is not dependent on gravity. An example of the steaming device according to the invention is a steam iron having a soleplate, heating means for heating the soleplate, a plurality of steam outlet openings provided in the soleplate, wherein the passageway for conveying the generated steam to the steam outlet openings comprises at least one steam distribution channel provided in the heatable soleplate. Such a steam iron has a separate heating means, preferably also a resistive track of a thick-film printed circuit, while the temperature can be controlled independently of the heating means for heating the base of the steam generator. Another example of the steaming device is a facial sauna. These and other aspects of the invention will now be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of an iron according to a first embodiment of the electric steaming device, and FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a facial sauna according to a second embodiment of the electric steaming device. The iron shown in FIG. 1 comprises a housing 1, a soleplate 2 attached to the lower side of the housing, an electric heating element 3 for heating the soleplate 2, a water reservoir 4, a steam generator 5, an electric pump 6, and a control device 7. A duct 8 connects the water reservoir 4 to the pump 6 and a duct 9 connects the pump 6 to the steam generator 5. A spray nozzle 10 is provided at the outlet of the duct 9. The steam generator 5 is roof-shaped with sloping sidewalls 11 and a base 12. Edges 13 of the sidewalls 11 are connected to the base 12. The sidewalls may be made of high temperature resistant plastics or composite material. The base may be made of aluminum. The edges are thermally insulated from the base by means of a gasket 14. The spray nozzle 10 is provided in the apex of the roof-shaped steam generator 5. The steam generator 5 is provided with an outlet 14, which is arranged in a sidewall 11 at a distance above the base 12. The soleplate 2 is provided with a plurality of steam outlet openings 16. A passageway 17 connects the outlet 15 of the steam generator to the steam outlet openings in the soleplate. Part of this passageway is arranged in the soleplate so as to form a steam distribution channel 18. The lower side of the base 12 is provided with one or more resistive tracks 19 of a thick-film printed circuit. The track 19 is electrically insulated from the base 12. Heating of the tracks can be controlled by the control device 7. A heat shield 20 separates the water reservoir 4 and pump 6 from the steam generator 5 and the soleplate 2. In operation, after powering the iron, the user can start the pump 6 by means of an operating knob 21. Water is pumped from the water reservoir 4 to the nozzle 10. A spray of water 22 is injected onto the heated base 12 of the steam generator 5 for a continuous and instantaneous generation of steam 23. Some of the sprayed water in the form of very fine droplets is mixed with and taken along with the generated steam towards the outlet 16. In this way wet steam 24 is obtained which flows through the passageway 17 and the distribution channel 18 to the steam outlet openings 16. The amount of sprayed water 22 can be controlled by means of the operating knob 21 (or another operating knob) and the control device 7, for example through pulse or duty cycle control of the pump 6. The outlet 15 of the steam generator 5 is arranged at a distance above the base 14 to avoid any dripping of water through the steam outlet openings 16. Tests have shown that, with a thick-film heating element of 1500 W and a surface area of the base 12 of about 42 cm2, the steam production rate is 48 gram per minute, which is much higher than can be obtained by the existing household irons. A second embodiment of an electric steaming device is shown in FIG. 2 and relates to a facial sauna. The facial sauna is constructed for generating and delivering water vapor for treatment of the facial skin. The facial sauna comprises an upper housing part 101 and a base part 102. The upper housing part 101 can be mounted on or removed from the base part 102. A button 103 can be operated for locking or unlocking these parts. A water reservoir 104 and a pump 106 are accommodated in the base part 102. A steam generator 105 is arranged in the housing 101, above the base part 102. A heat shield 120 separates the water reservoir 104 and the pump 106 from the steam generator. A duct 108 connects the water reservoir 104 to the pump 106 and a duct 109 connects the pump 106 to the steam generator 105. A spray nozzle ,110 is provided at the outlet of the duct 109. The steam generator 105 has a construction similar to that of the steam generator 5 described in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1. A base 112 of the steam generator 105 is heated by means of a resistive track 119 of a thick-fin printed circuit. The steam generator is provided with two outlets 115. Passageways 117 connect the outlets 115 to a chamber 118. The housing 101 is provided with a vapor delivery nozzle 116a having a vapor (steam) outlet opening 116, which communicates with the chamber 118. A condensate receptacle 125 is provided inside the chamber 118. Reference numeral 126 indicates a removable additive cartridge for containing aromatic substances. Aromatic odor escapes through passages 127 in the upper wall of the cartridge and enters the chamber 118 to be mixed with the vapor. The operation of the facial sauna is similar to that of the steam iron in the previous embodiment. A spray of water 122 is injected onto the heated base 112 of the steam generator 105 to generate steam 123 instantaneously. Some of the sprayed water is mixed with and taken along with the steam towards the outlets 115. The obtained wet steam or water vapor 124 enters the chamber 118 and flows to the outlet opening 116 of the vapor delivery nozzle 116a. The amount of vapor and how much water is mixed with the steam depends on the power of the heating track 119 and on amount of water sprayed 122 onto the base 112. It might happen that vapor condenses in the chamber 118. This condensate is collected in the receptacle 125. This receptacle can be emptied when the upper housing part 101 is removed.

20050222

20060627

20060112

87385.0

D06F7514

IZAGUIRRE, ISMAEL

ELECTRIC STEAMING DEVICE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

D06F

ACCEPTED

Modified nucleotides

The invention provides modified nucleotide or nucleoside molecule comprising a purine or pyrimidine base and a ribose or deoxyribose sugar moiety having a removable 3′-OH blocking group covalently attached thereto, such that the 3′ carbon atom has attached a group of the structure —O-Z wherein Z is any of —C(R′)2-O—R″, —C(R′)2-N(R″)2, —C(R′)2-N(H)R″, —C(R′)2-S—R″ and —C(R′)2-F, wherein each R″ is or is part of a removable protecting group; each R′ is independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, substituted alkyl, arylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, acyl, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy or amido group, or a detectable label attached through a linking group; or (R′)2 represents an alkylidene group of formula ═C(R′″)2 wherein each R′″ may be the same or different and is selected from the group comprising hydrogen and halogen atoms and alkyl groups; and wherein said molecule may be reacted to yield an intermediate in which each R″ is exchanged for H or, where Z is —C(R′)2-F, the F is exchanged for OH, SH or NH2, preferably OH, which intermediate dissociates under aqueous conditions to afford a molecule with a free 3′OH; with the proviso that where Z is —C(R′)2-S—R″, both R′ groups are not H.

1. A modified nucleotide or nucleoside molecule comprising a purine or pyrimidine base and a ribose or deoxyribose sugar moiety having a removable 3′-OH blocking group covalently attached thereto, such that the 3′ carbon atom has attached a group of the structure —O-Z wherein Z is any of —C(RIV)2—O—R″, —C(R′)2—N(R″)2, —C(R′)2—N(H)R″, —C(RIV)2—S—R″ and —C(R″)2—F, wherein —C(RIV)2—O—R″ is of the formula —CR4(R5)—O—CR4(R5)—OR6 or of the formula —CR4(R5)—O—CR4(R5)—SR6; and wherein —C(RIV)2—S—R″ is of the formula —CR4(R5)—S—CR4(R5)—OR6 or of the formula —CR4(R5)—S—CR4(R5)—SR6; wherein each R″ is or is part of a removable protecting group; each R′ is independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, substituted alkyl, arylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, acyl, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy or amido group, or a detectable label attached through a linking group; or (R′)2 represents an alkylidene group of formula ═C(R′″)2 wherein each R′″ may be the same or different and is selected from the group comprising hydrogen and halogen atoms and alkyl groups; each R4 and R5 is independently a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R6 is alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl or benzyl; and wherein said molecule may be reacted to yield an intermediate in which each R″ is exchanged for H or, where Z is —C(R′)2—F, the F is exchanged for OH, SH or NH2, preferably OH, which intermediate dissociates under aqueous conditions to afford a molecule with a free 3′OH; with the proviso that where Z is —C(RIV)2—S—R″, both RIV groups are not H. 2. A molecule according to claim 1 wherein R′ is an alkyl or substituted alkyl. 3. A molecule according to claim 1 wherein -Z is of formula —C(R′)2—N3. 4. A molecule according to claim 1 wherein Z is an azidomethyl group. 5. A molecule according to claim 1 wherein R″ is a benzyl or substituted benzyl group. 6. A molecule according to claim 1 wherein said base is linked to a detectable label via a cleavable linker or a non-cleavable linker. 7. A molecule according to claim 6 wherein said linker is cleavable. 8. A molecule according to claim 1 wherein a detectable label is linked to the molecule through the blocking group by a cleavable or non-cleavable linker. 9. A molecule according to claim 6 wherein said detectable label is a fluorophore. 10. A molecule according to claim 6 wherein said linker is acid labile, photolabile or contains a disulfide linkage. 11. A modified nucleotide molecule as claimed in claim 1 which comprises one or more 32P atoms in its phosphate portion. 12. A nucleoside, nucleotide or polynucleotide molecule of formula PN—O-allyl, wherein PN is said nucleoside or nucleotide or is a 3′terminal nucleotide of said polynucleotide; and said nucleoside or nucleotide further comprises in addition to the allyl blocking group a detectable label linked to the base thereof by a cleavable or non-cleavable linker. 13. A molecule according to claim 12 wherein said linker is cleavable. 14. A molecule according to claim 12 wherein said detectable label is a fluorophore. 15. A molecule according to claim 12 wherein said linker is acid labile, photolabile or contains a disulfide linkage. 16. A method of converting a compound of formula R—O-allyl, R2N(allyl), RNH(allyl), RN(allyl)2 or R—S-allyl to a corresponding compound in which the allyl group is removed and replaced by hydrogen, said method comprising the steps of reacting a compound of formula R—O-allyl, R2N(allyl), RNH(allyl), RN(allyl)2 or R—S-allyl in aqueous solution with a transition metal comprising a transition metal and one or more ligands selected from the group comprising water-soluble phosphine and water-soluble nitrogen-containing phosphine ligands, wherein the or each R is a water-soluble biological molecule. 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said compound is of formula R—O-allyl. 18. The method of claim 16 wherein said R is part of a nucleoside, a nucleotide or a polynucleotide molecule. 19. The method of claim 18 wherein said nucleoside, nucleotide or polynucleotide further comprises a detectable label linked to the base thereof by a cleavable or non-cleavable linker. 20. A molecule according to claim 19 wherein said linker is cleavable. 21. The method of claim 19, wherein said detectable label is a fluorophore. 22. The method of claim 19 wherein said linker is acid labile, photolabile or contains a disulfide linkage. 23. The method of claim 19 wherein said allyl group and said label are removed in a single step. 24. The method of claim 16 wherein said transition metal is selected from the group comprising platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium and iridium. 25. The method of claim 16 wherein said transition metal is palladium. 26. The method of claim 16 wherein said group of ligands comprise derivatised triaryl phosphine ligands or derivatised trialkyl phosphine ligands. 27. The method of claim 16 wherein said group of ligands are derivatised with one or more functionalities selected from the group comprising amino, hydroxyl, carboxyl and sulfonate groups. 28. The method of claim 16 wherein the group of ligands comprises 3,3′,3″-phosphinidynetris(benzenesulfonic acid) and tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphines and their salts. 29. A method of controlling the incorporation of a nucleotide as defined in claim 6 and complementary to a second nucleotide in a target single-stranded polynucleotide in a synthesis or sequencing reaction comprising incorporating into the growing complementary polynucleotide said nucleotide, the incorporation of said nucleotide preventing or blocking introduction of subsequent nucleoside or nucleotide molecules into said growing complementary polynucleotide. 30. The method of claim 29, wherein the incorporation of said nucleotide is accomplished by a terminal transferase or polymerase or a reverse transcriptase. 31. The method of claim 30 wherein the polymerase is a Thermococcus sp. 32. The method of claim 31 wherein the Thermococcus sp is 9° N or a single mutant or double mutant thereof. 33. The method of claim 32 wherein the double mutant is −Y409V A485L. 34. A method for determining the sequence of a target single-stranded polynucleotide, comprising monitoring the sequential incorporation of complementary nucleotides, wherein at least one incorporation is of a nucleotide as defined in claim 6 and wherein the identity of the nucleotide incorporated is determined by detecting the label linked to the base, and the blocking group and said label are removed prior to introduction of the next complementary nucleotide. 35. The method of claim 34 wherein the label of the nucleotide and the blocking group are removed in a single chemical treatment step. 36. A method for determining the sequence of a target single-stranded polynucleotide, comprising: (a) providing a plurality of different nucleotides wherein said plurality of different nucleotides are as defined in claim 6 and wherein the detectable label linked to each type of nucleotide can be distinguished upon detection from the detectable label used for other types of nucleotides; (b) incorporating the nucleotide into the complement of the target single-stranded polynucleotide; (c) detecting the label of the nucleotide of (b), thereby determining the type of nucleotide incorporated; (d) removing the label of the nucleotide of (b) and the blocking group; and (e) optionally repeating steps (b)-(d) one or more times; thereby determining the sequence of a target single-stranded polynucleotide. 37. The method of claim 36 wherein said incorporating step is accomplished by a Thermococcus sp. 38. The method of claim 37 wherein the Thermococcus sp is 9° N or a single mutant or double mutant thereof. 39. The method of claim 38 wherein the double mutant is −Y409V A485L. 40. The method of claim 36 wherein the label of the nucleotide and the blocking group are removed in a single chemical treatment step. 41. A method according to claim 36, wherein each of the nucleotides are brought into contact with the target sequentially, with removal of non-incorporated nucleotides prior to addition of the next nucleotide, and wherein detection and removal of the label and the blocking group is carried out either after addition of each nucleotide, or after addition of all four nucleotides. 42. The method according to claim 36, wherein each of the nucleotides are brought into contact with the target together simultaneously, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and the blocking group. 43. The method according to claim 36, comprising a first step and a second step, wherein in the first step, a first composition comprising two of the four nucleotides is brought into contact with the target and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label, and wherein in the second step, a second composition comprising the two nucleotides not included in the first composition is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and blocking group, and wherein the first and second steps are optionally repeated one or more times. 44. The method according to claim 36, comprising a first step and a second step, wherein in the first step, a composition comprising one of the four nucleotides is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and blocking group and wherein in the second step, a second composition comprising the three nucleotides not included in the first composition is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and blocking group and wherein the first steps and the second step are optionally repeated one or more times. 45. The method according to claim 36, comprising a first step and a second step, wherein in the first step, a first composition comprising three of the four nucleotides is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and blocking group and wherein in the second step, a composition comprising the nucleotide not included in the first composition is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and blocking group and wherein the first steps and the second step are optionally repeated one or more times. 46. A kit, comprising: (a) a plurality of different nucleotides wherein said plurality of different nucleotides are as defined in claim 6; and (b) packaging materials therefor. 47. A kit according to claim 46, wherein the detectable label in each nucleotide can be distinguished upon detection from the detectable label used for any of the other three types of nucleotide. 48. The kit of claim 46, further comprising an enzyme and buffers appropriate for the action of the enzyme. 49. (canceled) 50. A method of using a nucleotide of claim 1 wherein said method includes a Sanger or Sanger-type sequencing method. 51. A method of controlling the incorporation of a nucleotide as defined in claim 12 and complementary to a second nucleotide in a target single-stranded polynucleotide in a synthesis or sequencing reaction comprising incorporating into the growing complementary polynucleotide said nucleotide, the incorporation of said nucleotide preventing or blocking introduction of subsequent nucleoside or nucleotide molecules into said growing complementary polynucleotide. 52. A method for determining the sequence of a target single-stranded polynucleotide, comprising monitoring the sequential incorporation of complementary nucleotides, wherein at least one incorporation is of a nucleotide as defined in claim 12 and wherein the identity of the nucleotide incorporated is determined by detecting the label linked to the base, and the blocking group and said label are removed prior to introduction of the next complementary nucleotide. 53. A method for determining the sequence of a target single-stranded polynucleotide, comprising: (a) providing a plurality of different nucleotides wherein said plurality of different nucleotides are as defined in claim 12 and wherein the detectable label linked to each type of nucleotide can be distinguished upon detection from the detectable label used for other types of nucleotides; (b) incorporating the nucleotide into the complement of the target single-stranded polynucleotide; (c) detecting the label of the nucleotide of (b), thereby determining the type of nucleotide incorporated; (d) removing the label of the nucleotide of (b) and the blocking group; and (e) optionally repeating steps (b)-(d) one or more times; thereby determining the sequence of a target single-stranded polynucleotide. 54. A kit, comprising: (a) a plurality of different nucleotides wherein said plurality of different nucleotides are as defined in claim 12; and (b) packaging materials therefor. 55. (canceled)

The invention relates to modified nucleotides. In particular, this invention discloses nucleotides having a removable protecting group, their use in polynucleotide sequencing methods and a method for chemical deprotection of the protecting group. Advances in the study of molecules have been led, in part, by improvement in technologies used to characterise the molecules or their biological reactions. In particular, the study of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA has benefited from developing technologies used for sequence analysis and the study of hybridisation events. An example of the technologies that have improved the study of nucleic acids is the development of fabricated arrays of immobilised nucleic acids. These arrays consist typically of a high-density matrix of polynucleotides immobilised onto a solid support material. See, e.g., Fodor et al., Trends Biotech. 12:19-26, 1994, which describes ways of assembling the nucleic acids using a chemically sensitized glass surface protected by a mask, but exposed at defined areas to allow attachment of suitably modified nucleotide phosphoramidites. Fabricated arrays can also be manufactured by the technique of “spotting” known polynucleotides onto a solid support at predetermined positions (e.g., Stimpson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:6379-6383, 1995). Sequencing by synthesis of DNA ideally requires the controlled (i.e. one at a time) incorporation of the correct complementary nucleotide opposite the oligonucleotide being sequenced. This allows for accurate sequencing by adding nucleotides in multiple cycles as each nucleotide residue is sequenced one at a time, thus preventing an uncontrolled series of incorporations occurring. The incorporated nucleotide is read using an appropriate label attached thereto before removal of the label moiety and the subsequent next round of sequencing. In order to ensure only a single incorporation occurs, a structural modification (“blocking group”) of the sequencing nucleotides is required to ensure a single nucleotide incorporation but which then prevents any further nucleotide incorporation into the polynucleotide chain. The blocking group must then be removable, under reaction conditions which do not interfere with the integrity of the DNA being sequenced. The sequencing cycle can then continue with the incorporation of the next blocked, labelled nucleotide. In order to be of practical use, the entire process should consist of high yielding, highly specific chemical and enzymatic steps to facilitate multiple cycles of sequencing. To be useful in DNA sequencing, nucleotide, and more usually nucleotide triphosphates, generally require a 3′OH-blocking group so as to prevent the polymerase used to incorporate it into a polynucleotide chain from continuing to replicate once the base on the nucleotide is added. There are many limitations on the suitability of a molecule as a blocking group. It must be such that it prevents additional nucleotide molecules from being added to the polynucleotide chain whilst simultaneously being easily removable from the sugar moiety without causing damage to the polynucleotide chain. Furthermore, the modified nucleotide must be tolerated by the polymerase or other appropriate enzyme used to incorporate it into the polynucleotide chain. The ideal blocking group will therefore exhibit long term stability, be efficiently incorporated by the polymerase enzyme, cause total blocking of secondary or further incorporation and have the ability to be removed under mild conditions that do not cause damage to the polynucleotide structure, preferably under aqueous conditions. These stringent requirements are formidable obstacles to the design and synthesis of the requisite modified nucleotides. Reversible blocking groups for this purpose have been described previously but none of them generally meet the above criteria for polynucleotide, e.g. DNA-compatible, chemistry. Metzker et al., (Nucleic Acids Research, 22(20): 4259-4267, 1994) discloses the synthesis and use of eight 3′-modified 2-deoxyribonucleoside 5′-triphosphates (3′-modified dNTPs) and testing in two DNA template assays for incorporation activity. The 3′-modified dNTPs included 3′allyl deoxyriboadenosine 5′-triphosphate (3′-allyl dATP). However, the 3′allyl blocked compound was not used to demonstrate a complete cycle of termination, deprotection and reinitiation of DNA synthesis: the only test results presented were those which showed the ability of this compound to terminate DNA synthesis in a single termination assay, out of eight such assays conducted, each conducted with a different DNA polymerase. WO02/29003 (The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York) describes a sequencing method which may include the use of an allyl protecting group to cap the 3′-OH group on a growing strand of DNA in a polymerase reaction. The allyl group is introduced according to the procedure of Metzker (infra) and is said to be removed by using methodology reported by Kamal et al (Tet. Let, 40, 371-372, 1999). The Kamal deprotection methodology employs sodium iodide and chlorotrimethylsilane so as to generate in situ iodotrimethylsilane, in acetonitrile solvent, quenching with sodium thiosulfate. After extraction into ethyl acetate and drying (sodium sulfate), then concentration under reduced pressure and column chromatography (ethyl acetate:hexane; 2:3 as eluant), free alcohols were obtained in 90-98% yield. In WO02/29003, the Kamal allyl deprotection is suggested as being directly applicable in DNA sequencing without modification, the Kamal conditions being mild and specific. While Metzker reports on the preparation of a 3′allyl-blocked nucleotide or nucleoside and WO02/29003 suggests the use of the allyl functionality as a 3′-OH cap during sequencing, neither of these documents actually teaches the deprotection of 3′-allylated hydroxyl group in the context of a sequencing protocol. Whilst the use of an allyl group as a hydroxyl protecting group is well known—it is easy to introduce and is stable across the whole pH range and to elevated temperatures—there is to date, no concrete embodiment of the successful cleavage of a 3′-allyl group under DNA compatible conditions, i.e. conditions under which the integrity of the DNA is not wholly or partially destroyed. In other words, it has not been possible hitherto to conduct DNA sequencing using 3′OH allyl-blocked nucleotides. The Kamal methodology is inappropriate to conduct in aqueous media since the TMS chloride will hydrolyse preventing the in situ generation of TMS iodide. Attempts to carry out the Kamal deprotection (in acetonitrile) in sequencing have proven unsuccessful in our hands. The present invention is based on the surprising development of a number of reversible blocking groups and methods of deprotecting them under DNA compatible conditions. Some of these blocking groups are novel per se; others have been disclosed in the prior art but, as noted above, it has not proved possible to utilised these blocking groups in DNA sequencing. One feature of the invention derives from the development of a completely new method of allyl deprotection. Our procedure is of broad applicability to the deprotection of virtually all allyl-protected hydroxyl functionality and may be effected in aqueous solution, in contrast to the methodology of Kamal et al. (which is effected in acetonitrile) and to the other methods known generally in the prior art which are highly oxygen-and moisture-sensitive. A further feature of the invention derives from the development of a new class of protecting groups. These are based upon acetals and related protecting groups but do not suffer from some of the disadvantages of acetal deprotection known in the prior art. The allyl deprotection methodology makes use of a water-soluble transition metal catalyst formed from a transition metal and at least partially water-soluble ligands. In aqueous solution these form at least partially water-soluble transition metal complexes. By aqueous solution herein is meant a liquid comprising at least 20 vol %, preferably at least 50%, for example at least 75 vol %, particularly at least 95 vol % and especially greater than above 98 vol %, ideally 100 vol % of water as the continuous phase. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the allyl group may be used to protect not only the hydroxyl group but also thiol and amine functionalities. Moreover allylic esters may be formed from the reaction between carboxylic acids and allyl halides, for example. Primary or secondary amides may also be protected using methods known in the art. The novel deprotection methodology described herein may be used in the deprotection of all these allylated compounds, e.g. allyl esters and mono- or bisallylated primary amines or allylated amides, or in the deprotection of allylated secondary amines. The method is also suitable in the deprotection of allyl esters and thioethers. Protecting groups which comprise the acetal functionality have been used previously as blocking groups. However, removal of such groups and ethers requires strongly acidic deprotections detrimental to DNA molecules. The hydrolysis of an acetal however, results in the formation of an unstable hemiacetal intermediate which hydrolyses under aqueous conditions to the natural hydroxyl group. The inventors have utilised this concept and applied it further such that this feature of the invention resides in utilising blocking groups that include protecting groups to protect intermediate molecules that would normally hydrolyse under aqueous conditions. These protecting groups comprise a second functional group that stabilises the structure of the intermediate but which can be removed at a later stage following incorporation into the polynucleotide. Protecting groups have been used in organic synthesis reactions to temporarily mask the characteristic chemistry of a functional group because it interferes with another reaction. Therefore, according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a modified nucleotide or nucleoside molecule comprising a purine or pyrimidine base and a ribose or deoxyribose sugar moiety having a removable 3′-OH blocking group covalently attached thereto, such that the 3′ carbon atom has attached a group of the structure —O-Z wherein Z is any of —C(R′)2—O—R″, —C(R′)2—N(R″)2, —C(R′)2—N(H)R″, —C(R′)2—S—R″ and —C(R′)2—F, wherein each R″ is or is part of a removable protecting group; each R′ is independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl, substituted alkyl, arylalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclic, acyl, cyano, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy or amido group, or a detectable label attached through a linking group; or (R′)2 represents an alkylidene group of formula ═C(R′″)2 wherein each R′″ may be the same or different and is selected from the group comprising hydrogen and halogen atoms and alkyl groups; and wherein said molecule may be reacted to yield an intermediate in which each R″ is exchanged for H or, where Z is —C(R′)2—F, the F is exchanged for OH, SH or NH2, preferably OH, which intermediate dissociates under aqueous conditions to afford a molecule with a free 3′OH; with the proviso that where Z is —C(R′)2—S—R″, both R′ groups are not H. Viewed from another aspect, the invention provides a 3′-O-allyl nucleotide or nucleoside which nucleotide or nucleoside comprises a detectable label linked to the base of the nucleoside or nucleotide, preferably by a cleavable linker. In a further aspect, the invention provides a polynucleotide comprising a 3′-O-allyl nucleotide or nucleoside which nucleotide or nucleoside comprises a detectable label linked to the base of the nucleoside or nucleotide, preferably by a cleavable linker. Viewed from a still further aspect, the invention provides a method of converting a compound of formula R—O-allyl, R2N(allyl), RNH(allyl), RN(allyl) 2 or R—S-allyl to a corresponding compound in which the allyl group is removed and replaced by hydrogen, said method comprising the steps of reacting a compound of formula R—O-allyl, R2N(allyl), RNH(allyl), RN(allyl)2 or R—S-allyl in aqueous solution with a transition metal comprising a transition metal and one or more ligands selected from the group comprising water-soluble phosphine and water-soluble nitrogen-containing phosphine ligands, wherein the or each R is a water-soluble biological molecule. In a further aspect the invention provides a method of controlling the incorporation of a nucleotide molecule complementary to the nucleotide in a target single-stranded polynucleotide in a synthesis or sequencing reaction comprising incorporating into the growing complementary polynucleotide a molecule according to the invention, the incorporation of said molecule preventing or blocking introduction of subsequent nucleoside or nucleotide molecules into said growing complementary polynucleotide. In a further aspect, the invention provides a method for determining the sequence of a target single-stranded polynucleotide, comprising monitoring the sequential incorporation of complementary nucleotides, wherein at least one incorporation, and preferably all of the incorporations is of a nucleotide according to the invention as hereinbefore described which preferably comprises a detectable label linked to the base of the nucleoside or nucleotide by a cleavable linker and wherein the identity of the nucleotide incorporated is determined by detecting the label, said blocking group and said label being removed prior to introduction of the next complementary nucleotide. From a further aspect, the invention provides a method for determining the sequence of a target single-stranded polynucleotide, comprising: (a) providing a plurality of different nucleotides according to the hereinbefore described invention which nucleotides are preferably linked from the base to a detectable label by a cleavable linker and wherein the detectable label linked to each type of nucleotide can be distinguished upon detection from the detectable label used for other types of nucleotides; (b) incorporating the nucleotide into the complement of the target single-stranded polynucleotide; (c) detecting the label of the nucleotide of (b), thereby determining the type of nucleotide incorporated; (d) removing the label of the nucleotide of (b) and the blocking group; and (e) optionally repeating steps (b)-(d) one or more times; thereby determining the sequence of a target single-stranded polynucleotide. Additionally, in another aspect, the invention provides a kit, comprising: (a) a plurality of different individual nucleotides of the invention; and (b) packaging materials therefor. The nucleosides or nucleotides according to or used in the methods of the present invention comprise a purine or pyrimidine base and a ribose or deoxyribose sugar moiety which has a blocking group covalently attached thereto, preferably at the 3′O position, which renders the molecules useful in techniques requiring blocking of the 3′-OH group to prevent incorporation of additional nucleotides, such as for example in sequencing reactions, polynucleotide synthesis, nucleic acid amplification, nucleic acid hybridisation assays, single nucleotide polymorphism studies, and other such techniques. Where the term “blocking group” is used herein in the context of the invention, this embraces both the allyl and “Z” blocking groups described herein. However, it will be appreciated that, in the methods of the invention as described and claimed herein, where mixtures of nucleotides are used, these very preferably each comprise the same type of blocking, i.e. allyl-blocked or “Z”-blocked. Where “Z”-blocked nucleotides are used, each “Z” group will generally be the same group, except in those cases where the detectable label forms part of the “Z” group, i.e. is not attached to the base. Once the blocking group has been removed, it is possible to incorporate another nucleotide to the free 3′-OH group. The molecule can be linked via the base to a detectable label by a desirable linker, which label may be a fluorophore, for example. The detectable label may instead, if desirable, be incorporated into the blocking groups of formula “Z”. The linker can be acid labile, photolabile or contain a disulfide linkage. Other linkages, in particular phosphine-cleavable azide-containing linkers, may be employed in the invention as described in greater detail. Preferred labels and linkages included those disclosed in WO 03/048387. In the methods where nucleotides are incorporated, e.g. where the incorporation of a nucleotide molecule complementary to the nucleotide in a target single stranded polynucleotide is controlled in a synthesis or sequencing reaction of the invention, the incorporation of the molecule may be accomplished via a terminal transferase, a polymerase or a reverse transcriptase. Preferably, the molecule is incorporated by a polymerase and particularly from Thermococcus sp., such as 9° N. Even more preferably, the polymerase is a mutant 9° N A485L and even more preferably is a double mutant Y409V and A485L. In the methods for determining the sequence of a target single-stranded polynucleotide comprising monitoring the sequential incorporation of complementary nucleotides of the invention, it is preferred that the blocking group and the label may be removed in a single chemical treatment step. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the blocking group is cleaved simultaneously with the label. This will of course be a feature inherent to those blocking groups of formula Z which incorporate a detectable label. Furthermore, preferably the blocked and labelled modified nucleotide constructs of the nucleotide bases A, T, C and G are recognised as substrates by the same polymerase enzyme. In the methods described herein, each of the nucleotides can be brought into contact with the target sequentially, with removal of non-incorporated nucleotides prior to addition of the next nucleotide, where detection and removal of the label and the blocking group is carried out either after addition of each nucleotide, or after addition of all four nucleotides. In the methods, all of the nucleotides can be brought into contact with the target simultaneously, i.e., a composition comprising all of the different nucleotides is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and the blocking group. The methods can comprise a first step and a second step, where in the first step, a first composition comprising two of the four types of modified nucleotides is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and the blocking group, and where in the second step, a second composition comprising the two nucleotides not included in the first composition is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and blocking group, and where the first steps and the second step can be optionally repeated one or more times. The methods described herein can also comprise a first step and a second step, where in the first step, a composition comprising one of the four nucleotides is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and blocking group, and where in the second step, a second composition, comprising the three nucleotides not included in the first composition is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and blocking group, and where the first steps and the second step can be optionally repeated one or more times. The methods described herein can also comprise a first step and a second step, where in the first step, a first composition comprising three of the four nucleotides is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and blocking group and where in the second step, a composition comprising the nucleotide not included in the first composition is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides are removed prior to detection and subsequent to removal of the label and blocking group, and where the first steps and the second step can be optionally repeated one or more times. The incorporating step in the methods of the invention can be accomplished via a terminal transferase, a polymerase or a reverse transcriptase as hereinbefore defined. The detectable label and/or the cleavable linker can be of a size sufficient to prevent the incorporation of a second nucleotide or nucleoside into the nucleic acid molecule. In certain methods described herein for determining the sequence of a target single-stranded polynucleotide, each of the four nucleotides, one of which will be complementary to the first unpaired base in the target polynucleotide, can be brought into contact with the target sequentially, optionally with removal of non-incorporated nucleotides prior to addition of the next nucleotide. Determination of the success of the incorporation may be carried out either after provision of each nucleotide, or after the addition of all of the nucleotides added. If it is determined after addition of fewer than four nucleotides that one has been incorporated, it is not necessary to provide further nucleotides in order to detect the nucleotides complementary to the incorporated nucleotide. Alternatively, all of the nucleotides can be brought into contact with the target simultaneously, i.e., a composition comprising all of the different nucleotide (i.e. A, T, C and G or A, U, C and G) is brought into contact with the target, and non-incorporated nucleotides removed prior to detection and removal of the label(s). The methods involving sequential addition of nucleotides may comprise a first substep and optionally one or more subsequent substeps. In the first substep a composition comprising one, two or three of the four possible nucleotides is provided, i.e. brought into contact with, the target. Thereafter any unincorporated nucleotides may be removed and a detecting step may be conducted to determine whether one of the nucleotides has been incorporated. If one has been incorporated, the cleavage of the linker may be effected. In this way the identity of a nucleotide in the target polynucleotide may be determined. The nascent polynucleotide may then be extended to determine the identity of the next unpaired nucleotide in the target oligonucleotide. If the first substep above does not lead to incorporation of a nucleotide, or if this is not known, since the presence of incorporated nucleotides is not sought immediately after the first substep, one or more subsequent substeps may be conducted in which some or all, of those nucleotides not provided in the first substep are provided either, as appropriate, simultaneously or subsequently. Thereafter any unincorporated nucleotides may be removed and a detecting step conducted to determine whether one of the classes of nucleotide has been incorporated. If one has been incorporated, cleavage of the linker may be effected. In this way the identity of a nucleotide in the target polynucleotide may be determined. The nascent polynucleotide may then be extended to determine the identity of the next unpaired nucleotide in the target oligonucleotide. If necessary, a third and optionally a fourth substep may be effected in a similar manner to the second substep. Obviously, once four substeps have been effected, all four possible nucleotides will have been provided and one will have been incorporated. It is desirable to determine whether a type or class of nucleotide has been incorporated after any particular combination comprising one, two or three nucleotides has been provided. In this way the unnecessary cost and time expended in providing the other nucleotide(s) is obviated. This is not a required feature of the invention, however. It is also desirable, where the method for sequencing comprises one or more substeps, to remove any unincorporated nucleotides before further nucleotide are provided. Again, this is not a required feature of the invention. Obviously, it is necessary that at least some and preferably as many as practicable of the unincorporated nucleotides are removed prior to the detection of the incorporated nucleotide. The kits of the invention include: (a) individual nucleotides according to the hereinbefore described invention, where each nucleotide has a base that is linked to a detectable label via a cleavable linker, or a detectable label linked via an optionally cleavable liner to a blocking group of formula Z, and where the detectable label linked to each nucleotide can be distinguished upon detection from the detectable label used for other three nucleotides; and (b) packaging materials therefor. The kit can further include an enzyme for incorporating the nucleotide into the complementary nucleotide chain and buffers appropriate for the action of the enzyme in addition to appropriate chemicals for removal of the blocking group and the detectable label, which can preferably be removed by the same chemical treatment step. The nucleotides/nucleosides are suitable for use in many different DNA-based methodologies, including DNA synthesis and DNA sequencing protocols. The invention may be understood with reference to the attached drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows exemplary nucleotide structures useful in the invention. For each structure, X can be H, phosphate, diphosphate or triphosphate. R1 and R2 can be the same or different, and can be selected from H, OH, or any group which can be transformed into an OH, including, but not limited to, a carbonyl. Some suitable functional groups for R1 and R2 include the structures shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. FIG. 2 shows structures of linkers useful in certain aspects of the invention, including (1) disulfide linkers and acid labile linkers, (2) dialkoxybenzyl linkers, (3) Sieber linkers, (4) indole linkers and (5) t-butyl Sieber linkers. FIG. 3 shows some functional molecules useful in the invention, including some cleavable linkers and some suitable hydroxyl protecting groups. In these structures, R1 and R2 may be the same of different, and can be H, OH, or any group which can be transformed into an OH group, including a carbonyl. R3 represents one or more substituents independently selected from alkyl, alkoxyl, amino or halogen groups. R4 and R5 can be H or alkyl, and R6 can be alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl or benzyl. X can be H, phosphate, diphosphate or triphosphate. FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of some of the Z blocking groups that can be used according to the invention. FIG. 5 shows two cycles of incorporation of labelled and blocked DGTP, DCTP and DATP respectively (compounds 18, 24 and 32). FIG. 6 shows six cycles of incorporation of labelled and blocked DTTP (compound 6). FIG. 7 shows the effective blocking by compound 38 (a 3′-0allyl nucleotide of the invention). The present invention relates to nucleotide or nucleoside molecules that are modified by the reversible covalent attachment of a 3′-OH blocking groups thereto, and which molecules may be used in reactions where blocked nucleotide or nucleoside molecules are required, such as in sequencing reactions, polynucleotide synthesis and the like. Where the blocking group is an allyl group, it may be introduced into the 3′-position using standard literature procedures such as that used by Metzker (infra). The allyl groups are removed by reacting in aqueous solution a compound of formula R—O-allyl, R2N(allyl), RNH(allyl), RN(allyl)2 or R—S-allyl (wherein R is a water-soluble biological molecule) with a transition metal, wherein said transition metal is capable of forming a metal allyl complex, in the presence of one or more ligands selected from the group comprising water-soluble phosphine and water-soluble mixed nitrogen-phosphine ligands. The water-soluble biological molecule is not particularly restricted provided, of course, it contains one or more hydroxyl, acid, amino, amide or thiol functionalities protected with an allyl group. Allyl esters are examples of compounds of formula R—O-allyl. Preferred functionalities are hydroxyl and amino. As used herein the term biological molecule is used to embrace any molecules or class of molecule which performs a biological role. Such molecules include for example, polynucleotides such as DNA and RNA, oligonucleotides and single nucleotides. In addition, peptides and peptide mimetics, such as enzymes and hormones etc., are embraced by the invention. Compounds which comprise a secondary amide linkage, such as peptides, or a secondary amine, where such compounds are allylated on the nitrogen atom of the secondary amine or amide, are examples of compounds of formula R2N(allyl) in which both R groups belong to the same biological molecule. Particularly preferred compounds however are polynucleotides, (including oligonucleotides) and nucleotides and nucleosides, preferably those which contain one base to which is attached a detectable label linked through a cleavable linker. Such compounds are useful in the determination of sequences of oligonucleotides as described herein. Transition metals of use in the invention are any which may form metal allyl complexes, for example platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium and iridium. Palladium is preferred. The transition metal, e.g. palladium, is conveniently introduced as a salt, e.g. as a halide. Mixed salts such as Na2PdCl4 may also be used. Other appropriate salts and compounds will be readily determined by the skilled person and are commercially available, e.g. from Aldrich Chemical Company. Suitable ligands are any phosphine or mixed nitrogen-phosphine ligands known to those skilled in the art, characterised in that the ligands are derivatised so as to render them water-soluble, e.g. by introducing one or more sulfonate, amine, hydroxyl (preferably a plurality of hydroxyl) or carboxylate residues. Where amine residues are present, formation of amine salts may assist the solublisation of the ligand and thus the metal-allyl complex. Examples of appropriate ligands are triaryl phosphines, e.g. triphenyl phosphine, derivatised so as to make them water-soluble. Also preferred are trialkyl phosphines, e.g. tri-C1-6-alkyl phosphines such as triethyl phosphines; such trialkyl phosphines are likewise derivatised so as to make them water-soluble. Sulfonate-containing and carboxylate-containing phosphines are particularly preferred; an example of the former 3,3′,3″-phosphinidynetris (benzenesulfonic acid) which is commercially available from Aldrich Chemical Company as the trisodium salt; and a preferred example of the latter is tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphine which is available from Aldrich as the hydrochloride salt. The derivatised water-soluble phosphines and nitrogen-containing phosphines described herein may be used as their salts (e.g. as the hydrochloride or sodium salts) or, for example, in the case of the sulfonic and carboxylic acid-containing phosphines described herein, as the free acids. Thus 3,3′,3″-phosphinidynetris (benzenesulfonic acid) and tris(2-carboxyethyl)phosphines may be introduced either as the triacids or the trisodium salts. Other appropriate salts will be evident to those skilled in the art. The existence in salt form is not particularly important provided the phosphines are soluble in aqueous solution. Other ligands which may be used to include the following: The skilled person will be aware that the atoms chelated to the transition metal in the water soluble complex may be part of mono- or polydentate ligands. Some such polydentate ligands are shown above. Whilst monodentate ligands are preferred, the invention thus also embraces methods which use water-soluble bi-, tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexadentate water-soluble phosphine and water-soluble nitrogen-containing phosphine ligands The various aspects of the invention relating to allyl blocking groups are of particular utility in sequencing polynucleotides wherein the 3′-OH is allylated. However, when present, the 2′-OH is equally amenable to allylation, and to deprotection according to the method of the invention if necessary. In fact any allylated alcohol may be deprotected according to the method of the invention. Preferred allylated alcohols, however, are those derived from primary and secondary alcohols. Particularly preferred are allylated nucleosides and nucleotides as described herein. It is possible to deprotect tertiary allylated alcohols—the reaction is simply slower (although deprotection may be in such, and other deprotections of this invention, accelerated if necessary by heating the solution, e.g. to 40° C., preferably 50° C. or higher such as approximately 60° C. or even up to 80° C.). It is also possible to deprotect allylated primary or secondary amines and allylated thiols. As noted earlier, the aqueous solution in which allyl deprotection is effected need not be 100% (as the continuous phase). However, substantially pure water (e.g. at least 98 vol % preferably about 100 vol %) is preferred. Cosolvents are generally not required although they can assist in the solublisation of the allylated substrate for the deallylation. Generally, biomolecules are readily soluble in water (e.g. pure water) in which the deprotection reaction described herein may be effected. If desirable, one or more water-miscible cosolvents may be employed. Appropriate solvents include acetonitrile or dimethylsulfoxide, methanol, ethanol and acetone, methanol being preferred. Less preferred solvents include tetrahydrofuran (THF) and dioxane. In the method of allyl deprotection according to the invention, a soluble metal complex is formed comprising a transition metal and one or more water-soluble phosphine and water-soluble nitrogen-containing phosphine ligands. More than one type of water-soluble phosphine/nitrogen-containing phosphine ligand may be used in a deallylation reaction although generally only one type of these classes of ligand will be used in a given reaction. We believe the deallylation reaction to be catalytic. Accordingly, the quantity of transition metal, e.g. palladium, may be less than 1 mol % (calculated relative to the allyl-protected compound to be deprotected). Advantageously the amount of catalyst may be much less than 1 mol %, e.g. <0.50 mol %, preferably <0.10 mol %, particularly <0.05mol %. Even lower quantities of metal may be used, for example <0.03 or even <0.01 mol %. As those skilled in the art will be aware, however, as quantity of catalyst is reduced, so too is the speed of the reaction. The skilled person will be able to judge, in any instance, the precise quantity of transition metal and thus catalyst most optimally suited to any particular deallylation reaction. In contrast to the amount of metal required in forming the active catalyst, the quantity of water-soluble phosphorus-containing ligand(s) used must be greater than 1 molar equivalent (again calculated relative to the allyl-protected compound to be deprotected). Preferably greater than 4, e.g. greater than 6, for example 8-12 molar equivalents of ligand may be used. Even higher quantities of ligand e.g. >20 mole equivalents may be used if desired. The skilled person will be able to determine the quantity of ligand best suited to any individual reaction. Where the blocking group is any of —C(R′)2—O—R″, —C(R′)2—N (R″)2, —C(R′)2—N(H)R″, —C(R′)2—S—R″ and —C(R′)2—F, i.e. of formula Z, each R′ may be independently H or an alkyl The intermediates produced advantageously spontaneously dissociate under aqueous conditions back to the natural 3′ hydroxy structure, which permits further incorporation of another nucleotide. Any appropriate protecting group may be used, as discussed herein. Preferably, Z is of formula —C(R′)2—O—R″, —C(R′)2—N(R″)2, —C(R′)2—N(H)R″ and —C(R′)2—R″. Particularly preferably, Z is of the formula —C(R′)2—O—R″, —C(R′)2—N(R″)2, and —C(R′)2—SR″. R″ may be a benzyl group or a substituted benzyl group. One example of groups of structure —O-Z wherein Z is —C(R′)2—N(R″)2 are those in which —N(R″)2 is azido (—N3). One preferred such example is azidomethyl wherein each R′ is H. Alternatively, R′ in Z groups of formula —C(R′))2—N3 and other Z groups may be any of the other groups discussed herein. Examples of typical R′ groups include C1-6 alkyl, particularly methyl and ethyl, and the following (in which each structure shows the bond which connects the R′ moiety to the carbon atom to which it is attached in the Z groups; the asterisks (*) indicate the points of attachment): (wherein each R is an optionally substituted C1-10 alkyl group, an optionally substituted alkoxy group, a halogen atom or functional group such as hydroxyl, amino, cyano, nitro, carboxyl and the like) and “Het” is a heterocyclic (which may for example be a heteroaryl group). These R′ groups shown above are preferred where the other R′ group is the same as the first or is hydrogen. Preferred Z groups are of formula C(R′)2N3 in which the R′ groups are selected from the structures given above and hydrogen; or in which (R′)2 represents an alkylidene group of formula ═C(R′″)2, e.g. ═C(Me)2. Where molecules contain Z groups of formula C(R′)2N3, the azido group may be converted to amino by contacting such molecules with the phosphine or nitrogen-containing phosphines ligands described in detail in connection with the transition metal complexes which serve to cleave the allyl groups from compounds of formula PN—O-allyl, formula R—O-allyl, R2N(allyl), RNH(allyl), RN(allyl) 2 and R—S-allyl. When transforming azido to amino, however, no transition metal is necessary. Alternatively, the azido group in Z groups of formula C(R′)2N3 may be converted to amino by contacting such molecules with the thiols, in particular water-soluble thiols such as dithiothreitol (DTT). Where an R′ group represents a detectable label attached through a linking group, the other R′ group or any other part of “Z” will generally not contain a detectable label, nor will the base of the nucleoside or nucleotide contain a detectable label. Appropriate linking groups for connecting the detectable label to the 3′blocking group will be known to the skilled person and examples of such groups are described in greater detail hereinafter. Exemplary of linkages in R′ groups containing detectable labels are those which contain one or more amide bonds. Such linkers may also contain an arylene, e.g. phenylene, group in the chain (i.e. a linking moiety —Ar— where the phenyl ring is part of the linker by way of its 1,4-disposed carbon atoms). The phenyl ring may be substituted at its non-bonded position with one or more substituents such as alkyl, hydroxyl, alkyloxy, halide, nitro, carboxyl or cyano and the like, particularly electron-withdrawing groups, which electron-withdrawing is either by induction or resonance. The linkage in the R′ group may also include moieties such a —O—, S(O)q, wherein q is 0, 1 or 2 or NH or Nalkyl. Examples of such Z groups are as follows: (wherein EWG stands for electron-withdrawing group; n is an integer of from 1 to 50, preferably 2-20, e.g. 3 to 10; and fluor indicates a fluorophore). An example of an electron-withdrawing group by resonance is nitro; a group which acts through induction is fluoro. The skilled person will be aware of other appropriate electron-withdrawing groups. In addition, it will be understood that whilst a fluorophore is indicated as being the detectable label present, other detectable groups as discussed in greater detail hereinafter may be included instead. Where a detectable label is attached to a nucleotide at the 3′-blocking position, the linker need not be cleavable to have utility in those reactions, such as DNA sequencing, described herein which require the label to be “read” and removed before the next step of the reaction. This is because the label, when attached to the 3′block, will become separated from the nucleotide when the intermediate compounds described herein collapse so as to replace the “Z” group with a hydrogen atom. As noted above, each R″ is or is part of a removable protecting group. R″ may be a benzyl group or is substituted benzyl group is an alternative embodiment. It will be appreciated that where it is possible to incorporate a detectable label onto a group R″, the invention embraces this possibility. Thus, where R″ is a benzyl group, the phenyl ring may bear a linker group to which is attached a fluorophore or other detectable group. Introduction of such groups does not prevent the ability to remove such R″s and they do not prevent the generation of the desired unstable intermediates during deprotection of blocking groups of formula Z. As is known in the art, a “nucleotide” consists of a nitrogenous base, a sugar, and one or more phosphate groups. They are monomeric units of a nucleic acid sequence. In RNA, the sugar is a ribose, and in DNA a deoxyribose, i.e. a sugar lacking a hydroxyl group that is present in ribose. The nitrogenous base is a derivative of purine or pyrimidine. The purines are adenine (A) and guanine (G), and the pyrimidines are cytosine (C) and thymine (T) (or in the context of RNA, uracil (U)). The C-1 atom of deoxyribose is bonded to N-1 of a pyrimidine or N-9 of a purine. A nucleotide is also a phosphate ester or a nucleoside, with esterification occurring on the hydroxyl group attached to C-5 of the sugar. Nucleotides are usually mono, di- or triphosphates. A “nucleoside” is structurally similar to a nucleotide, but is missing the phosphate moieties. An example of a nucleoside analogue would be one in which the label is linked to the base and there is no phosphate group attached to the sugar molecule. Although the base is usually referred to as a purine or pyrimidine, the skilled person will appreciate that derivatives and analogues are available which do not alter the capability of the nucleotide or nucleoside to undergo Watson-Crick base pairing. “Derivative” or “analogue” means a compound or molecule whose core structure is the same as, or closely resembles that of, a parent compound, but which has a chemical or physical modification, such as a different or additional side group, or 2′ and or 3′ blocking groups, which allows the derivative nucleotide or nucleoside to be linked to another molecule. For example, the base can be a deazapurine. The derivatives should be capable of undergoing Watson-Crick pairing. “Derivative” and “analogue” also mean a synthetic nucleotide or nucleoside derivative having modified base moieties and/or modified sugar moieties. Such derivatives and analogs are discussed in, e.g., Scheit, Nucleotide Analogs (John Wiley & Son, 1980) and Uhlman et al., Chemical Reviews 90:543-584, 1990. Nucleotide analogs can also comprise modified phosphodiester linkages, including phosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, alkyl-phosphonate, phosphoranilidate and phosphoramidate linkages. The analogs should be capable of undergoing Watson-Crick base pairing. “Derivative”, “analog” and “modified” as used herein, may be used interchangeably, and are encompassed by the terms “nucleotide” and “nucleoside” defined herein. In the context of the present invention, the term “incorporating” means becoming part of a nucleic acid (eg DNA) molecule or oligonucleotide or primer. An oligonucleotide refers to a synthetic or natural molecule comprising a covalently linked sequence of nucleotides which are formed by a phosphodiester or modified phosphodiester bond between the 3′ position of the pentose on one nucleotide and the 5′ position of the pentose on an adjacent nucleotide. The term “alkyl” covers straight chain, branched chain and cycloalkyl groups. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the term “alkyl” refers to groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, for example 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and typically from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, for example from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples of alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, 2-pentyl, 3-pentyl, 2-methyl butyl, 3-methyl butyl, and n-hexyl and its isomers. Examples of cycloalkyl groups are those having from 3 to 10 ring atoms, particular examples including those derived from cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane, cyclohexane and cycloheptane, bicycloheptane and decalin. Where alkyl (including cycloalkyl) groups are substituted, particularly where these form either both of the R′ groups of the molecules of the invention, examples of appropriate substituents include halogen substituents or functional groups such as hydroxyl, amino, cyano, nitro, carboxyl and the like. Such groups may also be substituents, where appropriate, of the other R′ groups in the molecules of the invention. The term amino refers to groups of type NR*R**, wherein R* and R** are independently selected from hydrogen, a C1-6 alkyl group (also referred to as C1-6 alkylamino or di-C1-6 alkylamino). The term “halogen” as used herein includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. The nucleotide molecules of the present invention are suitable for use in many different methods where the detection of nucleotides is required. DNA sequencing methods, such as those outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,509 can be carried out using the nucleotides. The present invention can make use of conventional detectable labels. Detection can be carried out by any suitable method, including fluorescence spectroscopy or by other optical means. The preferred label is a fluorophore, which, after absorption of energy, emits radiation at a defined wavelength. Many suitable fluorescent labels are known. For example, Welch et al. (Chem. Eur. J. 5(3):951-960, 1999) discloses dansyl-functionalised fluorescent moieties that can be used in the present invention. Zhu et al. (Cytometry 28:206-211, 1997) describes the use of the fluorescent labels Cy3 and Cy5, which can also be used in the present invention. Labels suitable for use are also disclosed in Prober et al. (Science 238:336-341, 1987); Connell et al. (BioTechniques 5(4):342-384, 1987), Ansorge et al. (Nucl. Acids Res. 15(11):4593-4602, 1987) and Smith et al. (Nature 321:674, 1986). Other commercially available fluorescent labels include, but are not limited to, fluorescein, rhodamine (including TMR, texas red and Rox), alexa, bodipy, acridine, coumarin, pyrene, benzanthracene and the cyanins. Multiple labels can also be used in the invention. For example, bi-fluorophore FRET cassettes (Tet. Let. 46:8867-8871, 2000) are well known in the art and can be utilised in the present invention. Multi-fluor dendrimeric systems (J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 123:8101-8108, 2001) can also be used. Although fluorescent labels are preferred, other forms of detectable labels will be apparent as useful to those of ordinary skill. For example, microparticles, including quantum dots (Empodocles et al., Nature 399:126-130, 1999), gold nanoparticles (Reichert et al., Anal. Chem. 72:6025-6029, 2000) and microbeads (Lacoste et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 97(17):9461-9466, 2000) can all be used. Multi-component labels can also be used in the invention. A multi-component label is one which is dependent on the interaction with a further compound for detection. The most common multi-component label used in biology is the biotin-streptavidin system. Biotin is used as the label attached to the nucleotide base. Streptavidin is then added separately to enable detection to occur. Other multi-component systems are available. For example, dinitrophenol has a commercially available fluorescent antibody that can be used for detection. The invention has been and will be further described with reference to nucleotides. However, unless indicated otherwise, the reference to nucleotides is also intended to be applicable to nucleosides. The invention will also be further described with reference to DNA, although the description will also be applicable to RNA, PNA, and other nucleic acids, unless otherwise indicated. The modified nucleotides of the invention may use a cleavable linker to attach the label to the nucleotide. The use of a cleavable linker ensures that the label can, if required, be removed after detection, avoiding any interfering signal with any labelled nucleotide incorporated subsequently. Generally, the use of cleavable linkers is preferable, particularly in the methods of the invention hereinbefore described except where the detectable label is attached to the nucleotide by forming part of the “Z” group. Those skilled in the art will be aware of the utility of dideoxynucleoside triphosphates in so-called Sanger sequencing methods, and related protocols (Sanger-type), which rely upon randomised chain-termination at a particular type of nucleotide. An example of a Sanger-type sequencing protocol is the BASS method described by Metzker (infra). Other Sanger-type sequencing methods will be known to those skilled in the art. Sanger and Sanger-type methods generally operate by the conducting of an experiment in which eight types of nucleotides are provided, four of which contain a 3′OH group; and four of which omit the OH group and which are labeled differently from each other. The nucleotides used which omit the 3′OH group—dideoxy nucleotides—are conventially abbreviated to ddNTPs. As is known by the skilled person, since the ddNTPs are labeled differently, by determining the positions of the terminal nucleotides incorporated, and combining this information, the sequence of the target oligonucleotide may be determined. The nucleotides of the present invention, it will be recognized, may be of utility in Sanger methods and related protocols since the same effect achieved by using ddNTPs may be achieved by using the novel 3′-OH blocking groups described herein: both prevent incorporation of subsequent nucleotides. The use of the nucleotides according to the present invention in Sanger and Sanger-type sequencing methods, wherein the linker connecting the detectable label to the nucleotide may or may not be cleavable, forms a still further aspect of this invention. Viewed from this aspect, the invention provides the use of such nucleotides in a Sanger or a Sanger-type sequencing method. Where 3′-OH Z-blocked nucleotides according to the present invention are used, it will be appreciated that the detectable labels attached to the nucleotides need not be connected via cleavable linkers, since in each instance where a labelled nucleotide of the invention is incorporated, no nucleotides need to be subsequently incorporated and thus the label need not be removed from the nucleotide. Moreover, it will be appreciated that monitoring of the incorporation of 3′OH blocked nucleotides may be determined by use of radioactive 32P in the phosphate groups attached. These may be present in either the ddNTPs themselves or in the primers used for extension. Where the blocking groups are of formula “Z”, this represents a further aspect of the invention. Viewed from this aspect, the invention provides the use of a nucleotide having a 3′OH group blocked with a “Z” group in a Sanger or a Sanger-type sequencing method. In this embodiment, a 32P detectable label may be present in either the ddNTPs used in the primer used for extension. Cleavable linkers are known in the art, and conventional chemistry can be applied to attach a linker to a nucleotide base and a label. The linker can be cleaved by any suitable method, including exposure to acids, bases, nucleophiles, electrophiles, radicals, metals, reducing or oxidising agents, light, temperature, enzymes etc. The linker as discussed herein may also be cleaved with the same catalyst used to cleave the 3′O-blocking group bond. Suitable linkers can be adapted from standard chemical blocking groups, as disclosed in Greene & Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons. Further suitable cleavable linkers used in solid-phase synthesis are disclosed in Guillier et al. (Chem. Rev. 100:2092-2157, 2000). The use of the term “cleavable linker” is not meant to imply that the whole linker is required to be removed from e.g., the nucleotide base. Where the detectable label is attached to the base, the nucleoside cleavage site can be located at a position on the linker that ensures that part of the linker remains attached to the nucleotide base after cleavage. Where the detectable label is attached to the base, the linker can be attached at any position on the nucleotide base provided that Watson-Crick base pairing can still be carried out. In the context of purine bases, it is preferred if the linker is attached via the 7-position of the purine or the preferred deazapurine analogue, via an 8-modified purine, via an N-6 modified adenosine or an N-2 modified guanine. For pyrimidines, attachment is preferably via the 5-position on cytosine, thymidine or uracil and the N-4 position on cytosine. Suitable nucleotide structures are shown in FIG. 1. For each structure in FIG. 1 X can be H, phosphate, diphosphate or triphosphate. R1 and R2 can be the same or different, and are selected from H, OH, O-allyl, or formula Z as described herein or any other group which can be transformed into an OH, including, but not limited to, a carbonyl, provided that at least one of R1 and R2 is O-allyl or formula Z as described herein. Some suitable functional groups for R1 and R2 include the structures shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Suitable linkers are shown in FIG. 3 and include, but are not limited to, disulfide linkers (1), acid labile linkers (2, 3, 4 and 5; including dialkoxybenzyl linkers (e.g., 2), Sieber linkers (e.g., 3), indole linkers (e.g., 4), t-butyl Sieber linkers (e.g., 5)), electrophilically cleavable linkers, nucleophilically cleavable linkers, photocleavable linkers, cleavage under reductive conditions, oxidative conditions, cleavage via use of safety-catch linkers, and cleavage by elimination mechanisms. A. Electrophilically Cleaved Linkers. Electrophilically cleaved linkers are typically cleaved by protons and include cleavages sensitive to acids. Suitable linkers include the modified benzylic systems such as trityl, p-alkoxybenzyl esters and p-alkoxybenzyl amides. Other suitable linkers include tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) groups and the acetal system. The use of thiophilic metals, such as nickel, silver or mercury, in the cleavage of thioacetal or other sulfur-containing protecting groups can also be considered for the preparation of suitable linker molecules. B. Nucleophilically Cleaved Linkers. Nucleophilic cleavage is also a well recognised method in the preparation of linker molecules. Groups such as esters that are labile in water (i.e., can be cleaved simply at basic pH) and groups that are labile to non-aqueous nucleophiles, can be used. Fluoride ions can be used to cleave silicon-oxygen bonds in groups such as triisopropyl silane (TIPS) or t-butyldimethyl silane (TBDMS). C. Photocleavable Linkers. Photocleavable linkers have been used widely in carbohydrate chemistry. It is preferable that the light required to activate cleavage does not affect the other components of the modified nucleotides. For example, if a fluorophore is used as the label, it is preferable if this absorbs light of a different wavelength to that required to cleave the linker molecule. Suitable linkers include those based on O-nitrobenzyl compounds and nitroveratryl compounds. Linkers based on benzoin chemistry can also be used (Lee et al., J. Org. Chem. 64:3454-3460, 1999). D. Cleavage Under Reductive Conditions There are many linkers known that are susceptible to reductive cleavage. Catalytic hydrogenation using palladium-based catalysts has been used to cleave benzyl and benzyloxycarbonyl groups. Disulfide bond reduction is also known in the art. E. Cleavage Under Oxidative Conditions Oxidation-based approaches are well known in the art. These include oxidation of p-alkoxybenzyl groups and the oxidation of sulfur and selenium linkers. The use of aqueous iodine to cleave disulfides and other sulfur or selenium-based linkers is also within the scope of the invention. F. Safety-Catch Linkers Safety-catch linkers are those that cleave in two steps. In a preferred system the first step is the generation of a reactive nucleophilic center followed by a second step involving an intra-molecular cyclization that results in cleavage. For example, levulinic ester linkages can be treated with hydrazine or photochemistry to release an active amine, which can then be cyclised to cleave an ester elsewhere in the molecule (Burgess et al., J. Org. Chem. 62:5165-5168, 1997). G. Cleavage by Elimination Mechanisms Elimination reactions can also be used. For example, the base-catalysed elimination of groups such as Fmoc and cyanoethyl, and palladium-catalysed reductive elimination of allylic systems, can be used. As well as the cleavage site, the linker can comprise a spacer unit. The spacer distances e.g., the nucleotide base from the cleavage site or label. The length of the linker is unimportant provided that the label is held a sufficient distance from the nucleotide so as not to interfere with any interaction between the nucleotide and an enzyme. In a preferred embodiment the linker may consist of the same functionality as the block. This will make the deprotection and deblocking process more efficient, as only a single treatment will be required to remove both the label and the block. Particularly preferred linkers are phosphine-cleavable azide containing linkers. A method for determining the sequence of a target polynucleotide can be carried out by contacting the target polynucleotide separately with the different nucleotides to form the complement to that of the target polynucleotide, and detecting the incorporation of the nucleotides. Such a method makes use of polymerisation, whereby a polymerase enzyme extends the complementary strand by incorporating the correct nucleotide complementary to that on the target. The polymerisation reaction also requires a specific primer to initiate polymerisation. For each cycle, the incorporation of the modified nucleotide is carried out by the polymerase enzyme, and the incorporation event is then determined. Many different polymerase enzymes exist, and it will be evident to the person of ordinary skill which is most appropriate to use. Preferred enzymes include DNA polymerase I, the Klenow fragment, DNA polymerase III, T4 or T7 DNA polymerase, Taq polymerase or Vent polymerase. Polymerases engineered to have specific properties can also be used. As noted earlier, the molecule is preferably incorporated by a polymerase and particularly from Thermococcus sp., such as 9° N. Even more preferably, the polymerase is a mutant 9° N A485L and even more preferably is a double mutant Y409V and A485L. An example of one such preferred enzyme is Thermococcus sp. 9° N exo −Y409V A485L available from New England Biolabs. Examples of such appropriate polymerases are disclosed in Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1996(93), pp 5281-5285, Nucleic Acids Research, 1999(27), pp 2454-2553 and Acids Research, 2002(30), pp 605-613. The sequencing methods are preferably carried out with the target polynucleotide arrayed on a solid support. Multiple target polynucleotides can be immobilised on the solid support through linker molecules, or can be attached to particles, e.g., microspheres, which can also be attached to a solid support material. The polynucleotides can be attached to the solid support by a number of means, including the use of biotin-avidin interactions. Methods for immobilizing polynucleotides on a solid support are well known in the art, and include lithographic techniques and “spotting” individual polynucleotides in defined positions on a solid support. Suitable solid supports are known in the art, and include glass slides and beads, ceramic and silicon surfaces and plastic materials. The support is usually a flat surface although microscopic beads (microspheres) can also be used and can in turn be attached to another solid support by known means. The microspheres can be of any suitable size, typically in the range of from 10 nm to 100 nm in diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the polynucleotides are attached directly onto a planar surface, preferably a planar glass surface. Attachment will preferably be by means of a covalent linkage. Preferably, the arrays that are used are single molecule arrays that comprise polynucleotides in distinct optically resolvable areas, e.g., as disclosed in International Application No. WO00/06770. The sequencing method can be carried out on both single polynucleotide molecule and multi-polynucleotide molecule arrays, i.e., arrays of distinct individual polynucleotide molecules and arrays of distinct regions comprising multiple copies of one individual polynucleotide molecule. Single molecule arrays allow each individual polynucleotide to be resolved separately. The use of single molecule arrays is preferred. Sequencing single molecule arrays non-destructively allows a spatially addressable array to be formed. The method makes use of the polymerisation reaction to generate the complementary sequence of the target. Conditions compatible with polymerization reactions will be apparent to the skilled person. To carry out the polymerase reaction it will usually be necessary to first anneal a primer sequence to the target polynucleotide, the primer sequence being recognised by the polymerase enzyme and acting as an initiation site for the subsequent extension of the complementary strand. The primer sequence may be added as a separate component with respect to the target polynucleotide. Alternatively, the primer and the target polynucleotide may each be part of one single stranded molecule, with the primer portion forming an intramolecular duplex with a part of the target, i.e., a hairpin loop structure. This structure may be immobilised to the solid support at any point on the molecule. Other conditions necessary for carrying out the polymerase reaction, including temperature, pH, buffer compositions etc., will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The modified nucleotides of the invention are then brought into contact with the target polynucleotide, to allow polymerisation to occur. The nucleotides may be added sequentially, i.e., separate addition of each nucleotide type (A, T, G or C), or added together. If they are added together, it is preferable for each nucleotide type to be labelled with a different label. This polymerisation step is allowed to proceed for a time sufficient to allow incorporation of a nucleotide. Nucleotides that are not incorporated are then removed, for example, by subjecting the array to a washing step, and detection of the incorporated labels may then be carried out. Detection may be by conventional means, for example if the label is a fluorescent moiety, detection of an incorporated base may be carried out by using a confocal scanning microscope to scan the surface of the array with a laser, to image a fluorophore bound directly to the incorporated base. Alternatively, a sensitive 2-D detector, such as a charge-coupled detector (CCD), can be used to visualise the individual signals generated. However, other techniques such as scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM) are available and may be used when imaging dense arrays. For example, using SNOM, individual polynucleotides may be distinguished when separated by a distance of less than 100 nm, e.g., 10 nm to 10 μm. For a description of scanning near-field optical microscopy, see Moyer et al., Laser Focus World 29:10, 1993. Suitable apparatus used for imaging polynucleotide arrays are known and the technical set-up will be apparent to the skilled person. After detection, the label may be removed using suitable conditions that cleave the linker and the 3′OH block to allow for incorporation of further modified nucleotides of the invention. Appropriate conditions may be those described herein for allyl group and for “Z” group deprotections. These conditions can serve to deprotect both the linker (if cleavable) and the blocking group. Alternatively, the linker may be deprotected separately from the allyl group by employing methods of cleaving the linker known in the art (which do not sever the 0-blocking group bond) followed by deprotection. This invention may be further understood with reference to the following examples which serve to illustrate the invention and not to limit its scope. 3′-OH Protected With an Azidomethyl Group as a Protected Form of a Hemiaminal Nucleotides bearing this blocking group at the 3′position have been synthesised, shown to be successfully incorporated by DNA polymerases, block efficiently and may be subsequently removed under neutral, aqueous conditions using water soluble phosphines or thiols allowing further extension: 5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyuridine (1) To a solution of 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (1.05 g, 2.96 mmol) and CuI (114 mg, 0.60 mmol) in dry DMF (21 ml) was added triethylamine (0.9 ml). After stirring for 5 min trifluoro-N-prop-2-ynyl-acetamide (1.35 g, 9.0 mmol) and Pd(PPh3)4 (330 mg, 0.29 mmol) were added to the mixture and the reaction was stirred at room temperature in the dark for 16 h. Metanol (MeOH) (40 ml) and bicarbonate dowex added to the reaction mixture and stirred for 45 min. The mixture was filtered and the filtrate washed with MeOH and the solvent was removed under vacuum. The crude mixture was purified by chromatography on silica (ethyl acetate (EtOAc) to EtOAc:MeOH 95:5) to give slightly yellow crystals (794 mg, 71%). 1H NMR (d6 dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)) δ 2.13-2.17 (m, 2H, H−2′), 3.57-3.65 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.81-3.84 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.23-4.27 (m, 3H, H−3′, CH2N), 5.13 (t, J=5.0 Hz, 1H, OH), 5.20 (d, J=4.3 Hz, 1H, OH), 6.13 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 8.23 (s, 1H, H−6), 10.11 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 1H, NH), 11.70 (br s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C14H14F3N3O6 377.08, found 376. 5′-O-(tert-butydimethylsilyl)-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyuridine (2) To a solution of (1) (656 mg, 1.74 mmol) in dry DMF (15 ml) was added t-butyldimethylsilylchloride (288 mg, 1.91 mmol) in small portions, followed by imidazole (130 mg, 1.91 mmol). The reaction was followed by TLC and was completed after stirring for 8 h at room temperature. The reaction was quenched with sat. aq. NaCl solution. EtOAc (25 ml) was added to the reaction mixture and the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc three times. After drying the combined organics (MgSO4), the solvent was removed under vacuum. Purification by chromatography on silica (EtOAc:petroleum ether 8:2) gave (2) as slightly yellow crystals (676 mg, 83%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 0.00 (s, 6H, CH3), 0.79 (s, 9H, tBu), 1.93-2.00 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.06-2.11 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.63-3.75 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.79-3.80 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.12-4.14 (m, 3H, H−3′, CH2N), 5.22 (d, J=4.1 Hz, 1H, OH), 6.03 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 7.86 (s, 1H, H−6), 9.95 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 1H, NH), 11.61 (br s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C20H28F3N3O6Si 491.17, found 490. 5′-O-(tert-Butydimethylsilyl)-3′-O-methylthiomethyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyuridine (3) To a solution of (2) (1.84 g, 3.7 mmol) in dry DMSO (7 ml) was added acetic acid (3.2 ml) and acetic anhydride (10.2 ml). The mixture was stirred for 2 days at room temperature, before it was quenched with sat. aq. NaHCO3. EtOAc (50 ml) was added and the aqueous layer was extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic layers were washed with sat. aq. NaHCO3 solution and dried (MgSO4). After removing the solvent under reduced pressure, the product (3) was purified by chromatography on silica (EtOAc:petroleum ether 8:2) yielding a clear sticky oil (1.83 g, 89%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO): δ 0.00 (s, 6H, CH3), 0.79 (s, 9H, tBu), 1.96-2.06 (m, 1H, H−2′), 1.99 (s, 3H, SCH3), 2.20-2.26 (m, 1H, H−2′-), 3.63-3.74 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.92-3.95 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.11-4.13 (m, 2H, CH2), 4.28-4.30 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.59 (br s, 2H, CH2), 5.97 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 7.85 (s, 1H, H−6), 9.95 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H, NH), 11.64 (s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C22H32F3N3O6SSi 551.17, found 550. 3′-O-Azidomethyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyuridine (4) To a solution of (3) (348 mg, 0.63 mmol) and cyclohexene (0.32 ml, 3.2 mmol) in dry CH2Cl2 (5 ml) at 4° C., sulfurylchoride (1M in CH2Cl2, 0.76 ml, 0.76 mmol) was added drop wise under N2. After 10 min TLC indicated the full consumption of the nucleoside (3). The solvent was evaporated and the residue was subjected to high vacuum for 20 min. It was then redissolved in dry DMF (3 ml) and treated with NaN3 (205 mg, 3.15 mmol). The resulting suspension was stirred under room temperature for 2 h. The reaction was quenched with CH2Cl2 and the organic layers were washed with sat aq. NaCl solution. After removing the solvent, the resulting yellow gum was redissolved in THF (2 ml) and treated with TBAF (1 M in THF, 0.5 ml) at room temperature for 30 min. The solvent was removed and the reaction worked up with CH2Cl2 and sat. aq. NaHCO3 solution. The aqueous layer was extracted three times with CH2Cl2. Purification by chromatography on silica (EtOAc:petroleum ether 1:1 to EtOAc) gave (4) (100 mg, 37%) as a pale yellow foam. 1H NMR (d6DMSO) δ 2.15-2.26 (m, 2H, H−2′), 3.47-3.57 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.88-3.90 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.14 (d, J=4.7 Hz, 2H, CH2NH), 4.24-4.27 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.75 (s, 2H, CH2N3), 5.14 (t, J=5.2 Hz, 1H, OH), 5.96-6.00 (m, 1H, H−1′), 8.10 (s, 1H, H−6), 10.00 (s, 1H, NHCOCF3)), 11.26 (s, 1H, NH). Preparation of bis(tri-n-butylammonium)pyrophosphate (0.5 M Solution in DMF) Tetrasodium diphosphate decahydrate (1.5 g, 3.4 mmol) was dissolved in water (34 ml) and the solution was applied to a column of dowex in the H+ form. The column was eluted with water. The eluent dropped directly into a cooled (ice bath) and stirred solution of tri-n-butylamine (1.6 ml, 6.8 mmol) in EtOH (14 ml). The column was washed until the pH of the eluent increased to 6. The aq. ethanol solution was evaporated to dryness and then co-evaporated twice with ethanol and twice with anhydrous DMF. The residue was dissolved in DMF (6.7 ml). The pale yellow solution was stored over 4 Å molecular sieves. 3′-O-Azidomethyl-5-(3-amino-prop-1-ynyl)-2′-deoxyuridine 5′-O-nucleoside triphosphate (5) The nucleoside (4) and proton sponge was dried over P2O5 under vacuum overnight. A solution of (4) (92 mg, 0.21 mmol) and proton sponge (90 mg, 0.42 mmol) in trimethylphosphate (0.5 ml) was stirred with 4 Å molecular sieves for 1 h. Freshly distilled POCl3 (24 μl, 0.26 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred at 4° C. for 2 h. The mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and bis (tri-n-butyl ammonium) pyrophosphate (1.7 ml, 0.85 mmol) and anhydrous tri-n-butyl amine (0.4 ml, 1.7 mmol) was added. After 3 min, the reaction was quenched with 0.1 M TEAB (triethylammonium bicarbonate) buffer (15 ml) and stirred for 3 h. The water was removed under reduced pressure and the resulting residue dissolved in concentrated ammonia (ρ0.88, 15 ml) and stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction mixture was then evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in water and the solution applied to a DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column. MPLC was performed with a linear gradient of TEAB. The triphosphate was eluted between 0.7 M and 0.8 M buffer. Fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in water and further purified by HPLC. HPLC: tr(5): 18.8 min (Zorbax C18 preparative column, gradient: 5% to 35% B in 30 min, buffer A 0.1M TEAB, buffer B MeCN) The product was isolated as a white foam (76 O.D., 7.6 μmol, 3.8%, ε280=10000). 1H NMR (D2O) δ 1.79 (s, CH2), 2.23-2.30; 2.44-2.50 (2×m, 2H, H−2′), 3.85 (m, CH2NH), 4.10-4.18 (m, 2H, H−5′), 4.27 (br s, H−4′), 4.48-4.50 (m, H−3′), 4.70-4.77 (m, CH2N3), 6.21 (t, J=6.6 Hz, H−1′), 8.32 (s, 1H, H−6). 31P NMR (D2O) δ −6.6 (m, 1P, Pγ), −10.3 (d, J=18.4 Hz, 1P, Pα), −21.1 (m, 1P, Pβ). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C13H19N6O14P3 576.02, found 575. Cy-3disulfide Linker The starting disulfide (4.0 mg, 13.1 μmol) was dissolved in DMF (300 μL) and diisopropylethylamine (4 μL) was slowly added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature and a solution of Cy-3 dye (5 mg, 6.53 μmol) in DMF (300 μL) was added over 10 min. After 3.5 h, on complete reaction, the volatiles were evaporated under reduced pressure and the crude residue was HPLC purified on a Zorbax analytical column SB-C18 with a flow rate of 1 ml/min in 0.1M triethylammonium bicarbonate buffer (buffer A) and CH3CN (buffer B) using the following gradient: 0.5 min 2% B; 0.31 min 55% B; 33 min 95% B; 0.37 min 95%; 0.39 min 2% B; 0.44 min. 2% B. The expected Cy3-disulfide linker was eluted with a tr: 21.8 min. in 70% yield (based on a UV measurement; ε550 150,000 cm−1 M−1 in H2O) as a hygroscopic solid. 1H NMR (D2O) δ 1.31-1.20 (m+t, J=7.2 Hz, 5H, CH2+CH3), 1.56-1.47 (m, 2H, CH2), 1.67 (s, 12H, 4 CH3), 1.79-1.74 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.11 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.37 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.60 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.67 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.27 (t, J=6.1 Hz, 2H, CH2), 4.10-4.00 (m, 4H, 2CH2), 6.29 (dd, J=13.1, 8.1 Hz, 2H, 2 ═CH), 7.29 (dd, 2H, J=8.4, 6.1 Hz, 2 ═CH), 7.75-7.71 (m, 2H, 2 ═CH), 7.78 (s, 2H, ═CH), 8.42 (t, J=12.8 Hz, 1H, ═CH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C36H47N3O9S4 793.22, found 792 (M−H), 396 [M/2]. A mixture of Cy3 disulphide linker (2.5 μmol), disuccinimidyl carbonate (0.96 mg, 3.75 μmol) and DMAP (0.46 mg, 3.75 μmol) were dissolved in dry DMF (0.5 ml) and stirred at room temperature for 10 min. The reaction was monitored by TLC (MeOH:CH2Cl2 3:7) until all the dye linker was consumed. Then a solution of (5) (7.5 μmol) and n-Bu3N (30 μl, 125 μmol) in DMF (0.2 ml) was added to the reaction mixture and stirred at room temperature for 1 h. TLC (MeOH:CH2Cl2 4:6) showed complete consumption of the activated ester and a dark red spot appeared on the baseline. The reaction was quenched with TEAB buffer (0.1M, 10 ml) and loaded on a DEAE Sephadex column (2×5 cm). The column was first eluted with 0.1 M TEAB buffer (100 ml) to wash off organic residues and then 1 M TEAB buffer (100 ml). The desired triphosphate-analogue (6) was eluted out with 1 M TEAB buffer. The fraction containing the product were combined, evaporated and purified by HPLC. HPLC conditions: tr(6): 16.1 min (Zorbax C18 preparative column, gradient: 2% to 55% B in 30 min, buffer A 0.1M TEAB, buffer B MeCN). The product was isolated as dark red solid (1.35 μmol, 54%, ε550=150000). 1H NMR (D2O) δ 1.17-1.28 (m, 6H 3×CH2), 1.41-1.48 (m, 3 H, CH3), 1.64 (s, 12H, 4×CH3), 1.68-1.71 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.07-2.10 (m, 3H, H−2′, CH2), 2.31-2.35 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.50-2.54 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.65 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.76 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.26-3.31 (m, 2H, CH2), 3.88-3.91 (m, 2H CH2), 3.94-4.06 (m, 3H, CH2N, H−5′), 4.16 (br s, 1H, H−4′), 4.42-4.43 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.72-4.78 (m, 2H, CH2N3), 6.24 (dd, J=5.8, 8.2 Hz, H−1′), 6.25 (dd, J=3.5, 8.5 Hz, 2H, HAr), 7.24, 7.25 (2d, J=14.8 Hz, 2×═CH), 7.69-7.86 (m, 4H, HAr, H−6), 8.42 (t, J=13.4 Hz, ═CH). 31P NMR (D2O) δ −4.85 (m, 1P, Pγ), −9.86 (m, 1P, Pα), −20.40 (m, 1P, Pβ). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C49H64N9O22P3S4 1351.23, found 1372 (M−2H+Na), 1270 [M−80], 1190 [M−160]. 5-[3-(2,2,2-Trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxycytidine (7) To a solution of 5-iodo-2′-deoxycytidine (10 g, 28.32 mmol) in DMF (200 ml) in a light protected round bottom flask under Argon atmosphere, was added CuI (1.08 g, 5.67 mmol), triethylamine (7.80 ml, 55.60 mmol), 2,2,2-trifluoro-N-prop-2-ynyl-acetamide (12.8 g, 84.76 mmol) and at last Pd(PPh)3)4 (3.27 g, 2.83 mmol). After 18 hours at room temperature, dowex bicarbonate (20 mg) was added and the mixture was stirred for a further 1 h. Filtration and evaporation of the volatiles under reduced pressure gave a residue that was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (CH2Cl2, CH2Cl2:EtOAc 1:1, EtOAc:MeOH 9:1) The expected product (7) was obtained as a beige solid in quantitative yield. 1H NMR (D2O) δ 2.24-2.17 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.41-2.37 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.68 (dd, J=12.5, 5.0 Hz, 1H, H−5′), 3.77 (dd, J=12.5, 3.2 Hz, 1H, H−5′), 3.99 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.27 (s, 2H, CH2N), 4.34 (m, 1H, H−3′), 6.11 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 8.1 (br s, 1H, NH); MS (ES): m/z (%) (M−H) 375 (100). 5′-O-(tert-Butyldimethylsilyl)-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxycytidine (8) To a solution of the starting material (7) (1.0 g, 2.66 mmol) and imidazole (200 mg, 2.93 mmol) in DMF (3.0 ml) at 0° C., was slowly added TBDMSCl (442 mg, 2.93 mmol) in four portions over 1 h. After 2 h, the volatiles were evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was adsorbed on silica gel and purified by flash chromatography (EtOAc, EtOAc:MeOH 9.5:0.5). The expected product (8) was isolated as a crystalline solid (826 mg, 64%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 0.00 (s, 1H, CH3); 0.01 (s, 1H, CH3), 0.79 (s, 9 H, tBu), 1.87-1.80 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.12 (ddd, J=13.0, 5.8 and 3.0 Hz, 1H, H−2′), 3.65 (dd, J=11.5, 2.9 Hz, 1H, H−5′), 3.74 (dd, J=11.5, 2.5 Hz, 1H, H−5′), 3.81-3.80 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.10-4.09 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.17 (d, 2H, J=5.1 Hz, NCH2), 5.19 (d, 1H, J=4.0 Hz, 3′ —OH), 6.04 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 6.83 (br s, 1H, NHH), 7.78 (br s, 1H, NHH), 7.90 (s, 1H, H−6), 9.86 (t, J=5.1 Hz, 1H, —H2CNH); MS (ES): m/z (%) (MH)+ 491 (40%). 4-N-Acetyl-5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-31-O-(methylthiolmethyl)-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxycytidine (9) To a solution of the starting material (8) (825 mg, 1.68 mmol) in DMSO (6.3 ml) and N2 atmosphere, was slowly added acetic acid (AcOH) (1.3 ml, 23.60 mmol) followed by acetic anhydride (Ac2O) (4.8 ml, 50.50 mmol). The solution was stirred at room temperature for 18 h and quenched at 0° C. by addition of saturated NaHCO3 (20 ml). The product was extracted into EtOAc (3×30 ml), organic extracts combined, dried (MgSO4), filtered and the volatiles evaporated. The crude residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc:petroleum ether 1:1) to give the expected product as a colourless oil (9) (573 mg, 62%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 0.00 (s, 6H, 2×CH3), 0.78 (s, 9H, tBu), 2.01 (s, 3H, SCH3), 2.19-1.97 (m, 2H, 2×H2′), 2.25 (s, 3H, COCH3), 3.67 (dd, 1H, J=11.5 Hz, H−5′), 3.78 (dd, 1H, J=11.5, 3.3 Hz, H−5′), 4.06-4.05 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.17 (d, 2H, J=5.1 Hz, N—CH2), 4.30-4.28 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.63 (s, 2H, CH2—S), 5.94 (t, 1H, J=6.5 Hz, H−1′), 8.17 (s, 1H, H−6), 9.32 (s, 1H, NHCO), 9.91 (t, 1H, J=5.4 Hz, NHCH2); MS (ES): m/z (%) (MH)+ 593. 4-N-Acetyl-3′-O-(azidomethyl)-5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxycytidine (10) To a solution of the starting material (9) (470 mg, 0.85 mmol) in dicloromethane (DCM) (8 ml) under N2 atmosphere and cooled to 0° C., was added cyclohexene (430 μl, 4.27 mmol) followed by SO2Cl2 (1 M in DCM, 1.0 ml, 1.02 mmol). The solution was stirred for 30 minutes at 0° C., and the volatiles were evaporated. Residue immediately dissolved in DMF (8 ml) stirred under N2 and sodium azide (275 mg, 4.27 mmol) slowly added. After 18 h, the crude product was evaporated to dryness, dissolved in EtOAc (30 ml) and washed with Na2CO3 (3×5 ml). The combined organic layer was kept separately. A second extraction of the product from the aqueous layer was performed with DCM (3×10 ml). All the combined organic layers were dried (MgSO4), filtered and the volatiles evaporated under reduced pressure to give an oil identified as the expected product (10) (471 mg, 94% yield). This was used without any further purification. 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 0.11 (s, 3H, CH3), 0.11 (s, 3H, CH3), 0.88 (s, 9H, tBu), 2.16-2.25 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.35 (s, 3H, COCH3), 2.47-2.58 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.79 (dd, J=11.6, 3.2 Hz, 1H, H−5′), 3.90 (dd, J=11.6, 3.0 Hz, 1H, H−5′), 4.17-4.19 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.28 (s, 2H, NCH2), 4.32-4.35 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.89 (dd, J=14.4, 6.0 Hz, 2H, CH2—N3), 6.05 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 8.25 (s, 1H, H−6), 9.46 (br s, 1H, NHH), 10.01 (br s, 1H, NHH). 4-N-Acetyl-3′-O-(azidomethyl)-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxycytidine and 3′-O-(Azidomethyl)-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxycytidine (11) To a solution of the starting material (11) (440 mg, 0.75 mmol) in THF (20 ml) at 0° C. and N2 atmosphere, was added TBAF in THF 1.0 M (0.82 ml, 0.82 mmol). After 1.5 h, the volatiles were evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc:petroleum ether 8:2 to EtOAc 100% to EtOAc:MeOH 8:2). Two compounds were isolated and identified as above described. The first eluted 4-N-Acetyl (11), (53 mg, 15%) and, the second one 4-NH2 (12) (271 mg, 84%). Compound 4-N-Acetyl (11): 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 1.98 (s, 3H, CH3CO), 2.14-2.20 (m, 2H, HH-2′), 3.48-3.55 (m, 1H, H−5′), 3.57-3.63 (m, 1H, H−5′), 3.96-4.00 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.19 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 2H, CH2—NH), 4.23-4.28 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.77 (s, 2H, CH2—N3), 5.2 (t,1H, J=5.1 Hz, 5′-OH), 5.95 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 8.43 (s, 1H, H−6), 9.34 (s, 1H, CONH), 9.95 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H, NHCH2). Compound 4-NH2 (12): 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 1.98-2.07(2H, CHH-2′), 3.50-3.63 (m, 2H, CHH-5′), 3.96-4.00 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.09 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 2H, CH2—NH), 4.24-4.28 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.76 (s, 2H, CH2—N3), 5.13 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H, 5′-OH), 5.91 (br s, 1H, NHH), 6.11 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 8.20 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H, NCH2), 8.45 (s, 1H, H−6), 11.04 (br s, 1H, NHH). 4-N-Benzoyl-5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxycytidine (13) The starting material (8) (10 g, 20.43 mmol) was azeotroped in dry pyridine (2×100 ml) then dissolved in dry pyridine (160 ml) under N2 atmosphere. Chlorotrimethylsilane (10 ml, 79.07 mmol) added drop wise to the solution and stirred for 2 hours at room temperature. Benzoyl chloride (2.6 ml, 22.40 mmol) was then added to solution and stirred for one further hour. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0° C., distilled water (50 ml) added slowly to the solution and stirred for 30 minutes. Pyridine and water were evaporated from mixture under high vacuum to yield a brown gel that was portioned between 100 ml of sat. aq. NaHCO3 (100 ml) solution DCM. The organic phase was separated and the aqueous phase extracted with a further (2×100 ml) of DCM. The organic layers were combined, dried (MgSO4), filtered and the volatiles evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting brown oil was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (DCM:MeOH 99:1 to 95:5) to yield a light yellow crystalline solid (13) (8.92 g, 74%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO): δ 0.00 (s, 6H, CH3), 0.78 (s, 9H, tBu), 1.94 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.27 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.64 (d, 1H, J=11.6 Hz, H−5′), 3.75 (d, 1H, J=11.6 Hz, H−5′), 3.91 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.09 (br m, 3H, CH2NH, H−3′), 5.24 (s, 1H, 3′-OH), 6.00 (m, 1H, H−1′), 7.39 (m, 2H, Ph), 7.52 (m, 2H, Ph), 7.86 (m, 1H, Ph), 8.0 (s, 1H, H−6), 9.79 (t, 1H, J=5.4 Hz, NHCH2), 12.67 (br s, 1H, NH). Mass (+ve electrospray) calcd for C27H33F3N4O6Si 594.67, found 595. 4-N-Benzoyl-51-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-3′-O-methylthiomethyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxycytidine (14) The starting material (13) (2.85 g, 4.79 mmol) was dissolved in dry DMSO (40 ml) under N2 atmosphere. Acetic acid (2.7 ml, 47.9 mmol) and acetic anhydride (14.4 ml, 143.7 mmol) were added sequentially and slowly to the starting material, which was then stirred for 18 h at room temperature. Saturated NaHCO3 (150 ml) solution was carefully added to the reaction mixture. The aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (3×150 ml). The organic layers were combined, dried (MgSO4), filtered and evaporated to yield an orange liquid that was subsequently azeotroped with toluene (4×150 ml) until material solidified. Crude residue purified on silica gel (petroleum ether:EtOAc 3:1 to 2:1) to yield a yellow crystalline solid (14) (1.58 g, 50%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO): δ 0.00 (s, 6H, CH3), 0.78 (s, 9H, tBu), 1.99 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.09 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.28 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.66 (d, 1H, J=11.5, 2.9 Hz, H−5′), 3.74 (dd, 1H, J=11.3, 2.9 Hz, H−5′), 3.99 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.09 (m, 1H, CH2NH), 4.29 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.61 (s, 2H, CH2S), 6.00 (m, 1H, H−1′), 7.37 (m, 2H, Ph), 7.50 (m, 2H, Ph), 7.80 (d, 1H, J=7.55 Hz, HAr), 7.97 (s, 1H, H−6), 9.79 (br t, 1H, NHCH2), 12.64 (br s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C29H37F3N4O6SSi 654.79, found 653.2. 4-N-Benzoyl-5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-3′-O-azidomethyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxycytidine (15) The starting material (14) (1.65 g, 2.99 mmol) was dissolved in DCM (18 ml) and cooled to 0° C. Cyclohexene (1.5 ml, 14.95 mmol) and SO2Cl2 (0.72 ml, 8.97 mmol) were added and stirred 1 h in ice bath. TLC indicated starting material still to be present whereupon a further aliquot of SO2Cl2 (0.24 ml) was added and the mixture stirred for 1 h at 0° C. Volatiles were removed by evaporation to yield a light brown solid that was redissolved in 18 ml of dry DMF (18 ml) under N2. Sodium azide (0.97 g, 14.95 mmol) was then added to the solution and stirred for 2.5 h at room temperature. The reaction mixture was passed through a pad of silica and eluted with EtOAc and the volatiles removed by high vacuum evaporation. The resulting brown gel was purified by flash chromatography (petroleum ether:EtOAc 4:1 to 2:1) to yield the desired product as a white crystalline solid (15) (0.9 g, 55%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO): δ 0.00 (s, 6H, CH3), 0.78 (s, 9H, tBu), 2.16 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.22 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.70 (d, 1H, J=11.5 Hz, H−5′), 3.75 (d, 1H, J=11.3 Hz, H−5′), 4.01 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.10 (m, 1H, CH2NH), 4.23 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.76 (s, 2H, CH2S), 5.99 (m, 1H, H−1′), 7.37 (m, 2H, Ph), 7.50 (m, 2H, Ph), 7.81 (d, 1H, J=7.4 Hz, Ph), 7.95 (s, 1H, H−6), 9.78 (br s, 1H, NHCH2), 12.64 (br s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd. for C28H34F3N7O6Si 649.71, found 648.2 4-N-Benzoyl-3′-O-azidomethyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxycytidine (16) The starting material (15) (140 mg, 0.22 mmol) was dissolved in THF (7.5 ml). TBAF (1M soln. in THF, 0.25 ml) was added slowly and stirred for 2 h at room temperature. Volatile material removed under reduced pressure to yield a brown gel that was purified by flash chromatography (EtOAc:DCM 7:3) to yield the desired product (16) as a light coloured crystalline solid (0.9 g, 76%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO): δ 2.16 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.22 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.70 (d, 1H, J=11.5 Hz, H−5′), 3.75 (d, 1H, J=11.3 Hz, H−5′), 4.01 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.10 (m, 1H, CH2NH), 4.23 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.76 (s, 2H, CH2S), 5.32 (s, 1H, 5′ OH), 5.99 (m, 1H, H−1′), 7.37 (m, 2H, Ph), 7.50 (m, 2H, Ph), 7.81 (d, 1H, J=7.35 Hz, Ph), 7.95 (s, 1H, H−6), 9.78 (br s, 1H, NHCH2), 12.64 (br s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C22H20F3N7O6 535.44, found 534. 5-(3-Amino-prop-1-ynyl)-3′-O-azidomethyl-2′-deoxycytidine 5′-O-nucleoside triphosphate (17) To a solution of (11) and (12) (290 mg, 0.67 mmol) and proton sponge (175 mg, 0.82 mmol) (both previously dried under P2O5 for at least 24 h) in PO(OMe)3 (600 μl), at 0° C. under Argon atmosphere, was slowly added POCl3 (freshly distilled) (82 μl, 0.88 mmol). The solution was vigorously stirred for 3 h at 0° C. and then quenched by addition of tetra-tributylammonium diphosphate (0.5 M) in DMF (5.2 ml, 2.60 mmol), followed by nBu3N (1.23 ml, 5.20 mmol) and triethylammonium bicarbonate (TEAB) 0.1 M (20 ml). After 1 h at room temperature aqueous ammonia solution (ρ0.88, 20 ml) was added to the mixture. Solution stirred at room temperature for 15 h, volatiles evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by MPLC with a gradient of TEAB from 0.05M to 0.7M. The expected triphosphate was eluted from the column at approx. 0.60 M TEAB. A second purification was done by HPLC in a Zorbax SB-C18 column (21.2 mm i.d.×25 cm) eluted with 0.1M TEAB (pump A) and 30% CH3CN in 0.1M TEAB (pump B) using a gradient as follows: 0-5 min 5% B, Φ0.2 ml; 5-25 min 80% B, Φ0.8 ml; 25-27 min 95% B, Φ0.8 ml; 27-30 min 95% B, Φ0.8 ml; 30-32 min 5% B, Φ0.8 ml; 32-35 min 95% B, Φ0.2 ml, affording the product described above with a rt(17): 20.8 (14.5 μmols, 2.5% yield); 31P NMR (D2O, 162 MHz) δ −5.59 (d, J=20.1 Hz, Pχ), −10.25 (d, J=19.3 Hz, 1P, Pα), −20.96 (t, J=19.5 Hz, 1P, Pβ); 1H NMR (D2O) δ 2.47-2.54 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.20-2.27 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.88 (s, 2H, CH2N), 4.04-4.12 (m, 1H, HH-5′), 4.16-4.22 (m, 1H, HH-5′), 4.24-4.30 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.44-4.48 (m, 1H, H−3′), 6.13 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 10 8.35 (s, 1H, H−6); MS (ES): m/z (%) (M−H) 574 (73%), 494 (100%) Alexa488 Disulfide Linker Commercial available Alexa Fluor 488-NHS (35 mg, 54 μmol) was dissolved in DMF (700 μL) and, to ensure full activation, 4-DMAP (7 mg, 59 μmol) and N,N′-disuccinimidyl carbonate (15 mg, 59 μmol) were sequentially added. After 15 min on complete activation, a solution of the starting disulfide (32.0 mg, 108 μmol) in DMF (300 μL) containing diisopropylethylamine (4 μL) was added over the solution of the activated dye. Further addition of diisopropylethylamine (20 μL) to the final mixture was done, ultrasonicated for 5 min and reacted for 18 h at room temperature in the darkness. The volatiles were evaporated under reduced pressure and the crude residue was first purified passing it through a short ion exchange resin Sephadex-DEAE A-25 (40-120μ) column, first eluted with TEAB 0.1 M (25 ml) then 1.0 M TEAB (75 ml). The latest containing the two final compounds was concentrated and the residue was HPLC purified in a Zorbax SB-C18 column (21.2 mm i.d.×25 cm) eluted with 0.1M TEAB (pump A) and CH3CN (pump B) using a gradient as follows: 0-2 min 2% B, Φ0.2 ml; 2-4 min 2% B, Φ0.8 ml; 4-15 min 23% B, Φ0.8 ml; 15-24 min 23% B, Φ0.8 ml; 24-26 min 95% B, Φ0.8 ml; 26-28 min 95% B, Φ0.8 ml, 28-30 min 2% B, Φ0.8 ml, 30-33 min 2% B, Φ0.2 ml affording both compounds detailed above with tr: 19.0 (left regioisomer) and tr: 19.5 (right regioisomer). Both regioisomers were respectively passed through a dowex ion exchange resin column, affording respectively 16.2 μmol and 10.0 μmol, 62% total yield (based in commercial available Alexa Fluor 488-NHS of 76% purity); ε493=71,000 cm−1 M−1 in H2O. 1H NMR (D2O) (left regioisomer) δ 2.51 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.66 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.71 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.43 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H, CH2), 6.64 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 2H, HAr), 6.77 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 2H, HAr), 7.46 (s, 1H, HAr), 7.90 (dd, J=8.1 and 1.5 Hz, 1H, HAr), 8.20 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H, HAr). 1H NMR (D2O) (right regioisomer) δ 2.67 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.82 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.93 (t, J=6.1 Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.68 (t, J=6.1 Hz, 2H, CH2), 6.72 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 2H, HAr), 6.90 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 2H, HAr), 7.32 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 1H, HAr), 8.03 (dd, J=7.9, 1.7 Hz, 1H, HAr), 8.50 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1H, HAr) Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C26H23N3O12S4 697.02, found 692 (M−H), 347 [M/2]. To a solution of Alexa Fluor 488 disulfide linker (3.4 μmol, 2.37mg) in DMF (200 μL) was added 4-DMAP (0.75 mg, 5.1 μmol) and N,N-disuccinimidyl carbonate (1.70 mg, 5.1 μmol). The mixture was stirred for 15 to full activation of the acid, then it was added into the solution of the nucleotide (17) (3.45 mg, 6.0 μmol) in DMF (0.3 ml) containing nBu3N (40 μL) at 0° C. The mixture was sonicated for 3 min and then continuously stirred for 16 h in the absence of light. The volatiles were evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was firstly purified by filtration through a short ion exchange resin Sephadex-DEAE A-25 column, first eluted with TEAB 0.1 M (50 ml) removing the unreacted dye-linker, then 1.0 M TEAB (100 ml) to collect the expected product (18). After concentration and the residue was HPLC purified in a Zorbax SB-C18 column (21.2 mm i.d.×25 cm) eluted with 0.1M TEAB (pump A) and CH3CN (pump B) using a gradient as follows: 0-2 min 2% B, Φ0.2 ml; 2-4 min 2% B, Φ0.8 ml; 4-15 min 23% B, Φ0.8 ml; 15-24 min 23% B, Φ0.8 ml; 24-26 min 95% B, Φ0.8 ml; 26-28 min 95% B, Φ0.8 ml, 28-30 min 2% B, Φ0.8 ml, 30-33 min 2% B, Φ0.2 ml affording the product detailed above with a rt(18): 19.8 (0.26 μmols, 12% yield based on UV measurement); λmax=493 nm, ε 71,000 cm−1 M−1 in H2O); 31P NMR (D2O, 162 MHz) δ −5.06 (d, J=20.6 Hz, 1P, Pχ), −10.25 (d, J=19.3 Hz, 1P, Pα), −21.21 (t, J=19.5 Hz, 1P, Pβ) 1H NMR (D2O) δ −2.09-2.17 (m, 1H, HH-2′), 2.43-2.50 (m, 1H, HH-2′), 2.61 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 2H, H2C—S), 2.83 (2H, S—CH2), 3.68 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H, ArCONCH2), 4.06 (s, 2H, CH2N), 4.08-4.17 (m, 4H, HH-5′), 4.25-4.29 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.46-4.50 (m, 1H, H−3′), 6.09 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 6.88 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H, HAr), 6.89 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H, HAr), 7.15 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H, HAr), 7.17 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H, HAr), 7.64 (br s, 1H, HAr), 8.00-7.94. (m, 2H, HAr), 8.04 (s, 1H, H−6); MS (ES): m/z (%) (M−H) 1253 (46%), (M−H+Na) 1275 (100%). 7-Deaza-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyguanosine (19) Under N2, a suspension of 7-deaza-7-iodo-guanosine (2 g, 2.75 mmol), Pd(PPh3)4 (582 mg, 0.55 mmol), CuI (210 mg, 1.1 mmol), Et3N (1.52 ml, 11 mmol) and the propagylamine (2.5 g, 16.5 mmol) in DMF (40 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 15 h under N2. The reaction was protected from light with aluminium foil. After TLC indicating the full consumption of starting material, the reaction mixture was concentrated. The residue was diluted with MeOH (20 ml) and treated with dowex-HCO3−. The mixture was stirring for 30 min and filtered. The solution was concentrated and purified by silica gel chromatography (petroleum ether:EtOAc 50:50 to petroleum ether: EtOAc:MeOH 40:40:20), giving (19) as a yellow powder (2.1 g, 92%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 2.07-2.11 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.31-2.33 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.49-3.53 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.77 (br s, 1H, H−4′), 4.25 (d, J=4.3 Hz, 2H, ≡CCH2), 4.30 (br s, 1H, H−3′), 4.95 (t, J=5.2 Hz, 1H, 5′-OH), 5.25 (d, J=3.4 Hz, 1H, 3′-OH), 6.27-6.31 (m, 1H, H−1′), 6.37 (s, 2H, NH2), 7.31 (s, 1H, H−8), 10.10 (br s, 1H, NHCOCF3), 10.55 (s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C16H16F3N5O5 415, found 414. 5′-O-(tert-Butyldiphenyl)-7-deaza-7-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyguanosine (20) A solution of (19) (2.4 g, 5.8 mmol) in pyridine (50 ml) was treated with tert-butyldiphenylsilyl chloride (TBDPSCl) (1.65 ml, 6.3 mmol) drop wise at 0° C. The reaction mixture was then warmed to room temperature. After 4 h, another portion of TBDPSCl (260 μL, 1 mmol) was added. The reaction was monitored by TLC, until full consumption of the starting material. The reaction was quenched with MeOH (˜5 ml) and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in DCM and aq. sat. NaHCO3 was added. The aqueous layer was extracted with DCM three times. The combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under vacuum. Purification by chromatography on silica (EtOAc to EtOAc:MeOH 85:15) gave (20) a yellow foam (3.1 g, 82%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 1.07 (s, 9H, CH3), 2.19-2.23 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.38-2.43 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.73-3.93 (m, 2H, H−5′), 4.29 (d, J=5.0 Hz, 2H, CH2N), 4.42-4.43 (m, 1H, H−3′), 5.41 (br s, 1H, OH), 6.37 (t, J=6.5 Hz, H−1′), 6.45 (br s, 2H, NH2), 7.24-7.71 (m, 11H, H−8, HAr), 10.12 (t, J=3.6 Hz, 1H, NH), 10.62 (s, 1H, H−3). Mass (+ve electrospray) calcd for C32H34F3N5O5Si 653, found 654. 5′-O-(tert-Butyldiphenyl)-7-deaza-3′-O-methylthiolmethyl-7-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyguanosine (21) A solution of (20) (1.97 g, 3.0 mmol) in DMSO (15 ml) was treated with Ac2O (8.5 ml, 90 mmol), and AcOH (2.4 ml, 42 mmol) and stirred at room temperature for 15 h, then 2 h at 40° C. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc (200 ml) and stirred with sat, aq. NaHCO3 (200 ml) for 1 h. The aqueous layer was washed with EtOAc twice. The organic layer was combined, dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under vacuum. Purification by chromatography on silica (EtOAc:Hexane 1:1 to EtOAc:Hexane:MeOH 10:10:1) gave (21) as a yellow foam (1.3 g, 60%). 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ 1.04 (s, 9H, CH3), 2.08 (s, 3H, SCH3), 2.19-2.35 (m, 2H, H−2), 3.67-3.71 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.97-3.99 (m, 2H, H−4′, H−3′), 4.23 (br s, 2H, CH2N), 4.58 (s, 2H, CH2S), 6.31 (dd, J=5.7, 7.9 Hz, H−1′), 7.19-7.62 (m, 11H, H8, HAr). Mass (+ve electrospray) calcd for C34H38F3N5O5SSi 713, found: 714. 3′-O-Azidomethyl-7-deaza-7-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyguanosine (22) To a solution of (21) (1.3 mg, 1.8 mmol), cyclohexene (0.91 ml, 9 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (10 ml) in 4° C., sulfurylchloride (1M in CH2Cl2) (1.1 ml, 1.1 mmol) was added drop wise under N2. After 30 min., TLC indicated the full consumption of the nucleoside (22). After evaporation to remove the solvent, the residue was then subjected to high vacuum for 20 min, and then treated with NaN3 (585 mmol, 9 mmol) and DMF (10 ml). The resulted suspension was stirred under room temperature for 2 h. Extraction with CH2Cl2/NaCl (10%) gave a yellow gum, which was treated with TBAF in THF (1 M, 3 ml) and THF (3 ml) at room temperature for 20 min. Evaporation to remove solvents, extraction with EtOAc/sat. aq. NaHCO3, followed by purification by chromatography on silica (EtOAc to EtOAc:MeOH 9:1) gave (22) as a yellow foam (420 mg, 50%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO): δ 2.36-2.42 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.49-2.55 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.57-3.59 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.97-4.00 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.29 (m, 2H, CH2N), 4.46-4.48 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.92-4.96 (m, 2H, CH2N3), 5.14 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 1H, 5′-OH), 5.96-6.00 (dd, J=5.7, 8.7 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 6.46 (br s, 2H, NH2), 7.39 (s, 1H, H−6), 10.14 (8, 1H, NH), 10.63 (s, 1H, H−3) 3′-O-Azidomethyl-7-deaza-7-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyguanosine 5′-O-nucleoside triphosphate (23) Tetrasodium diphosphate decahydrate (1.5 g, 3.4 mmol) was dissolved in water (34 ml) and the solution was applied to a column of dowex 50 in the H+ form. The column was washed with water. The eluent dropped directly into a cooled (ice bath) and stirred solution of tri-n-butyl amine (1.6 ml, 6.8 mmol) in EtOH (14 ml). The column was washed until the pH of the eluent increased to 6. The aqueous ethanol solution was evaporated to dryness and then co-evaporated twice with ethanol and twice with anhydrous DMF. The residue was dissolved in DMF (6.7 ml). The pale yellow solution was stored over 4 Å molecular sieves. The nucleoside (22) and proton sponge was dried over P2O5 under vacuum overnight. A solution of (22) (104 mg, 0.22 mmol) and proton sponge (71 mg, 0.33 mmol) in trimethylphosphate (0.4 ml) was stirred with 4 Å molecular sieves for 1 h. Freshly distilled POCl3 (25 μl, 0.26 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred at 4° C. for 2 h. The mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and bis (tri-n-butyl ammonium) pyrophosphate (1.76 ml, 0.88 mmol) and anhydrous tri-n-butyl amine (0.42 ml, 1.76 mmol) were added. After 5 min, the reaction was quenched with 0.1 M TEAB (triethylammonium bicarbonate) buffer (15 ml) and stirred for 3 h. The water was removed under reduced pressure and the resulting residue dissolved in concentrated ammonia (ρ0.88, 10 ml) and stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction mixture was then evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in water and the solution applied to a DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column. MPLC was performed with a linear gradient of 2 L each of 0.05 M and 1 M TEAB. The triphosphate was eluted between 0.7 M and 0.8 M buffer. Fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in water and further purified by HPLC. tr(23)=20.5 min (Zorbax C18 preparative column, gradient: 5% to 35% B in 30 min, buffer A 0.1M TEAB, buffer B MeCN). The product was isolated as a white foam (225 O.D., 29.6 μmol, 13.4%, ε260=7,600). 1H NMR (D2O) δ 2.43-2.5 (m, 2H, H−2′), 3.85 (m, 2H, CH2N), 3.97-4.07 (m, 2H, H−5′), 4.25 (br s, 1H, H−4′), 4.57 (br s, 1H, H−3′), 4.74-4.78 (m, 2H, CH2N3), 6.26-6.29 (m; 1H, H−1′), 7.41 (s, 1H, H−8). 31P-NMR (D2O) δ −8.6 (m, 1P, Pγ), −10.1 (d, J=19.4 Hz, 1P, Pα), −21.8 (t, J=19.4 Hz, 1P, Pβ). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C15H21N8O13P3 614, found 613. A mixture of disulphide linkered-Cy3 (2.5 μmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) (0.95 mg, 5 μmol), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) (0.68 mg, 5 μmol) and N-methyl-morpholine (0.55 μL, 5 μmol) in DMF (0.9 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. A solution of (23) (44 O.D., 3.75 μmol) in 0.1 ml water was added to the reaction mixture at 4° C., and left at room temperature for 3 h. The reaction was quenched with TEAB buffer (0.1M, 10 ml) and loaded on a DEAE Sephadex column (2×5 cm). The column was first eluted with 0.1 M TEAB buffer (100 ml) and then 1 M TEAB buffer (100 ml). The desired triphosphate product was eluted out with 1 M TEAB buffer. Concentrating the fraction containing the product and applied to HPLC. tr(24)=23.8 min (Zorbax C18 preparative column, gradient: 5% to 55% B in 30 min, buffer A 0.1M TEAB, buffer B MeCN). The product was isolated as a red foam (0.5 μmol, 20%, εmax=150,000). 1H NMR (D2O) δ 1.17-1.71 (m, 20H, 4×CH2, 4×CH3), 2.07-2.15 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.21-2.30 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.52-2.58 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.66-2.68 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.72-2.76 (m, 2H, CH2), 3.08-3.19 (m, 2H, CH2), 3.81-3.93 (m, 6H, CH2, H−5′), 4.08-4.16 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.45-4.47 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.70-4.79 (m, 2H, CH2N3), 6.05-6.08 (m, 2H, HAr), 6.15-6.18 (m, 1H, H−1′), 7.11 (s, 1H, H−8), 7.09-7.18 (m, 2H, CH), 7.63-7.72 (m, 4H, HAr), 8.27-8.29 (m, 1H, CH). 31P NMR (D2O) δ −4.7 (m, 1P, Pγ), −9.8 (m, 1P, Pα), −19.7 (m, 1P, Pβ). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C51H66N11O21P3S41389.25, found 1388 (M−H), 694 [M−2H], 462 [M−3H]. 7-Deaza-7-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyadenosine (25) To a suspension of 7-deaza-7-iodo-2′-deoxyadenosine (1 g, 2.65 mmol) and CuI (100 mg, 0.53 mmol) in dry DMF (20 ml) was added triethylamine (740 μl, 5.3 mmol). After stirring for 5 min trifluoro-N-prop-2-ynyl-acetamide (1.2 g, 7.95 mmol) and Pd(PPh3)4 (308 mg, 0.26 mmol) were added to the mixture and the reaction was stirred at room temperature in the dark for 16 h. MeOH (40 ml) and bicarbonate dowex was added to the reaction mixture and stirred for 45 min. The mixture was filtered. The filtrate washed with MeOH and the solvent was removed under vacuum. The crude mixture was purified by chromatography on silica (EtOAc to EtOAc:MeOH 95:20) to give slightly yellow powder (25) (1.0 9, 95%-). 1H NMR (d6, DMSO) δ 2.11-2.19 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.40-2.46 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.44-3.58 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.80 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.29 (m, 3H, H−3′, CH2N), 5.07 (t, J=5.5 Hz, 1H, OH), 5.26 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 1H, OH), 6.45 (dd, J=6.1, 8.1 Hz, 1H, H−1′) 7.74 (s, 1H, H−8), 8.09 (s, 1H, H−2), 10.09 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H, NH). 5′-O-(tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl)-7-deaza-7-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyadenosine (26) The nucleoside (25) (1.13 g, 2.82 mmol) was coevaporated twice in dry pyridine (2×10 ml) and dissolved in dry pyridine (18 ml). To this solution was added t-butyldiphenylsilylchloride (748 μl, 2.87 mmol) in small portions at 0° C. The reaction mixture was let to warm up at room temperature and left stirring overnight. The reaction was quenched with sat. aq. NaCl solution. EtOAc (25 ml) was added to reaction mixture and the aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc three times. After drying the combined organic extracts (MgSO4) the solvent was removed under vacuum. Purification by chromatography on silica (DCM then EtOAc to EtOAc:MeOH 85:15) gave (26) as a slightly yellow powder (1.76 g, 97%). 1H NMR (d6DMSO) δ 1.03 (s, 9H, tBu), 2.25-2.32 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.06-2.47 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.71-3.90 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.90-3.96 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.32 (m, 2H, CH2N), 4.46 (m, 1H, H−3′), 5.42 (br s, 1H, OH), 6.53 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 7.38-7.64 (m, 11H, H−8 and HAr), 8.16 (s, 1H, H−2), 10.12 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H, NH). 5′-O-(tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl)-7-deaza-4-N,N-dimethylformadin-7-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyadenosine (27) A solution of the nucleoside (26) (831 mg, 1.30 mmol) was dissolved in a mixture of MeOH:N,N-dimethylacetal (30 ml:3 ml) and stirred at 40° C. The reaction monitored by TLC, was complete after 1 h. The solvent was removed under vacuum. Purification by chromatography on silica (EtOAc:MeOH 95:5) gave (27) as a slightly brown powder (777 mg, 86%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 0.99 (s, 9H, tBu), 2.22-2.29 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.50-2.59 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.13 (s. 3H, CH3), 3.18 (s. 3H, CH3), 3.68-3.87 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.88-3.92 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.25 (m, 2H, CH2N), 4.43 (m, 1H, H−3′), 6.56 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 7.36-7.65 (m, 10H, HAr), 7.71 (s, 1H, H−8), 8.33 (s, 1H, CH), 8.8 (s, 1H, H−2), 10.12 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H, NH). 5′-O-(tert-Butyldiphenylsilyl)-7-deaza-4-N,N-dimethylformadin-3′-O-methylthiomethoxy-7-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyadenosine (28) To a solution of (27) (623 mg, 0.89 mmol) in dry DMSO (8 ml) was added acetic acid (775 μl, 13.35 mmol) and acetic anhydride (2.54 ml, 26.7 mmol). The mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction was then poured into EtOAc and sat. aq. NaHCO3 (1:1) solution and stirred vigorously. The organic layer was washed one more time with sat. aq. NaHCO3 and dried over MgSO4. After removing the solvent under reduced pressure, the product (28) was purified by chromatography on silica (EtOAc:petroleum ether 1:2, then EtOAc) yielding (28) (350 mg, 52%) 1H NMR (d6 DMSO): δ 1.0 (s, 9H, tBu), 2.09 (s, 3H, SCH3), 2.41-2.48 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.64-2.72 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.12 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.17 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.66-3.89 (m, 2H, H−5′), 4.04 (m, 1H, H−41), 4.26 (m, J=5.6 Hz, 2H, CH2), 4.67 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.74 (br s, 2H, CH2), 6.49 (t, J=6.1, 8.1 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 7.37-7.48 (m, 5H, HAr), 7.58-7.67 (m, 5H, HAr), 7.76 (s, 1H, H−8), 8.30 (s, 1H, CH), 8.79 (s, 1H, H−2), 10.05 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 1H, NH). 3′-O-Azidomethyl-5′-O-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)-7-deaza-4-N,N-dimethylformadin-7-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyadenosine (29) To a solution of (28) (200 mg, 0.26 mmol) and cyclohexene (0.135 ml, 1.3 mmol) in dry CH2Cl2 (5 ml) at 0° C., sulfurylchoride (32 μl, 0.39 mmol) was added under N2. After 10 min, TLC indicated the full consumption of the nucleoside (28). The solvent was evaporated and the residue was subjected to high vacuum for 20 min. It was then redissolved in dry DMF (3 ml), cooled to 0° C. and treated with NaN3 (86 mg, 1.3 mmol). The resulting suspension was stirred under room temperature for 3 h. The reaction was partitioned between EtOAc and water. The aqueous phases were extracted with EtOAc. The combined organic extracts were combined and dried over MgSO4. After removing the solvent under reduced pressure, the mixture was purified by chromatography on silica (EtOAc) yielding an oil (29) (155 mg, 80%) 1H NMR (d6 DMSO): δ 0.99 (s, 9H, tBu), 2.45-2.50 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.69-2.78 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.12 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.17 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.67-3.88 (m, 2H, H−5′), 4.06 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.25 (m, 2H, CH2), 4.61 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.84-4.97 (m, 2H, CH2), 6.58 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 7.35-7.47 (m, 5H, HAr), 7.58-7.65 (m, 5H, HAr), 7.77 (s, 1H, H−8), 8.30 (s, 1H, CH), 8.79 (s, 1H, H−2), 10.05 (br s, 1H, NH). 3′-O-Azidomethyl-7-deaza-4-N,N-dimethylformadin-7-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyadenosine (30) A solution of (29) (155 mg, 0.207 mmol) in solution in tetrahydrofuran (THF) (3 ml) was treated with TBAF (1 M in THF, 228 μl) at 0° C. The ice-bath was then removed and the reaction mixture stirred at room temperature. After 2 h—TLC indicated the full consumption of the nucleoside. The solvent was removed. Purification by chromatography on silica (EtOAc:MeOH 95:5) gave (30) (86 mg, 82%) as a pale brown oil. 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 2.40-2.48 (dd, J=8.1, 13.6 Hz, 1H, H−2′), 2.59-2.68 (dd, J=8.3, 14 Hz, 1H, H−2′), 3.12 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.17 (s, 3H, CH3), 3.52-3.62 (m, 2H, H−5′), 4.02 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.28 (d, J=5.6 Hz, 2H, CH2NH), 4.47 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.89 (s, 2H, CH2N3), 5.19 (t, J=5.6 Hz, 1H, OH), 6.49 (dd, J=8.1, 8.7 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 7.88 (s, 1H, H−8), 8.34 (s, 1H, CH), 8.80 (s, 1H, H−2), 10.08 (s, 1H, NH). 7-(3-Aminoprop-1-ynyl)-3′-O-azidomethyl -7-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine 5′-O-nucleoside triphosphate (31) The nucleoside (30) and proton sponge was dried over P2O5 under vacuum overnight. A solution of (30) (150 mg, 0.294 mmol) and proton sponge (126 mg, 0.588 mmol) in trimethylphosphate (980 μl) was stirred with 4 Å molecular sieves for 1 h. Freshly distilled POCl3 (36 μl, 0.388 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred at 4° C. for 2 h. The mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and bis (tri-n-butyl ammonium) pyrophosphate 0.5 M solution in DMF (2.35 ml, 1.17 mmol) and anhydrous tri-n-butyl amine (560 μl, 2.35 mmol) was added. After 5 min, the reaction was quenched with 0.1 M TEAB (triethylammonium bicarbonate) buffer (15 ml) and stirred for 3 h. The water was removed under reduced pressure and the resulting residue dissolved in concentrated ammonia (ρ0.88, 15 ml) and stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction mixture was then evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in water and the solution applied to a DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column. MPLC was performed with a linear gradient of 0.05 M to 1 M TEAB. Fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in water and further purified by HPLC. HPLC: tr(31): 19.94 min (Zorbax C18 preparative column, gradient: 5% to 35% B in 20 min, buffer A 0.1M TEAB, buffer B MeCN). The product (31) was isolated as a white foam (17.5 μmol, 5.9%, ε228=15000). 1H NMR (D2O) δ 2.67-2.84 (2m, 2H, H−2′), 4.14 (m, 2H, CH2NH), 4.17-4.36 (m, 2H, H−5′), 4.52 (br s, H−4′), 6.73 (t, J=6.6 Hz, H−1′), 8.06 (s, 1H, H−8), 8.19 (s, 1H, H−2). 31P NMR (D2O) δ −5.07 (d, J=21.8 Hz, 1P, Pγ), −10.19 (d, J=19.8 Hz, 1P, Pα), −21.32 (t, J=19.8 Hz, 1P, Pβ). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C15H21N8O12P3 598.05, found 596. To the Cy3 disulphide linker (1.3 μmol) in solution in DMF (450 μl) is added at 0° C. 50 μl of a mixture of 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride, 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate and N-methylmorpholine (26 μM each) in DMF. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction was monitored by TLC (MeOH:CH2Cl2 3:7) until all the dye linker was consumed. Then DMF (400 μl) was added at 0° C., followed by the nucleotide (31) (1.2 μmol) in solution in water (100 μl) and the reaction mixture and stirred at room temperature overnight. TLC (MeOH:CH2Cl2 4:6) showed complete consumption of the activated ester and a dark red spot appeared on the baseline. The reaction was quenched with TEAB buffer (0.1M, 10 ml) and loaded on a DEAE Sephadex column (2×5 cm). The column was first eluted with 0.1 M TEAB buffer (100 ml) to wash off organic residues and then 1 M TEAB buffer (100 ml). The desired triphosphate (32) was eluted out with 1 M TEAB buffer. The fraction containing the product were combined, evaporated and purified by HPLC. HPLC conditions: tr(32): 22.44 min (Zorbax C18 preparative column, gradient: 5% to 35% B in 20 min, buffer A 0.1M TEAB, buffer B MeCN). The product was isolated as dark pink solid (0.15 μmol, 12.5%, ε550=150000). 1H NMR (D2O) δ 2.03 (t, 2H, CH2), 2.25 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.43 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.50 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.66 (m, 2H, CH2), 3.79 (m, 2H CH2), 3.99 (m, 4H, CH2N, H−5′), 4.18 (br s, 1H, H−4′), 6.02, 6.17 (2d, J=13.64 Hz, 2H, HAr), 6.30 (dd, J=6.06, 8.58 Hz, H−1′), 7.08, 7.22 (2d, 2H, 2×═CH), 7.58-7.82 (m, 5H, HAr, H−2, H−8), 8.29 (m, ═CH). 31P NMR (D2O) δ −4.83 (m, 1P, Pγ), −10.06 (m, 1P, Pα), −20.72 (m, 1P, Pβ). Enzyme Incorporation of 3′-Azidomethyl dNTPs To a 100 nM DNA primer/template (primer previously labelled with P32 and T4 polynucleotide kinase) in Tris-HCl pH 8.8 50 mM, Tween-20 0.01%, and MgSO4 4 mM, add 2 μM compound 6 and 100 nM polymerase (Thermococcus sp. 9° N exo −Y409V A485L supplied by New England Biolabs). The template consists of a run of 10 adenine bases to show the effect of the block. The reaction is heated to 65 C for 10 mins. To show complete blocking, a chase is performed with the four native, unblocked nucleoside triphosphates. Quantitative incorporation of a single azidomethyl blocked dTTP can be observed and thus the azidomethyl group can be seen to act as an effective block to further incorporation. By attaching a hairpin DNA (covalently attached self complementary primer/template) to a streptavidin bead The reaction can be performed over multiple cycles as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Preparation of the Streptavidin Beads Remove the storage buffer and wash the beads 3 times with TE buffer (Tris-HCl pH 8, 10 mM and EDTA, 1 mM). Resuspend in B & W buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.5, 1 mM EDTA and 2.0 M NaCl), add biotinylated 32P labelled hairpin DNA with appropriate overhanging template sequence. Allow to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Remove buffer and wash beads 3 times TE buffer. Incorporation of the Fully Functional Nucleoside Triphosphate (FFN) To a solution of Tris-HCl pH 8.8 50 mM, Tween-20 0.01%, MgSO4 4 mM, MnCl2 0.4 mM (except cycle 1, 0.2 mM), add 2 μM FFN and 100 nM polymerase. This solution is then added to the beads and mixed thoroughly and incubated at 65° C. for 10-15 minutes. The reaction mixture is removed and the beads washed 3 times with TE buffer. Deblocking Step Tris-(2-carboxyethyl)phosphines trisodium salt (TCEP) (0.1M) is added to the beads and mixed thoroughly. The mixture was then incubated at 65° C. for 15 minutes. The deblocking solution is removed and the beads washed 3 times with TE buffer. Capping Step Iodoacetamide (431 mM) in 0.1 mM phosphate pH 6.5 is added to the beads and mixed thoroughly, this is then left at room temperature for 5 minutes. The capping solution is removed and the beads washed 3 times with TE buffer. Repeat as Required The reaction products can be analysed by placing the bead solution in the well of a standard 12% polyacrylamide DNA sequencing gel in 40% formamide loading buffer. Running the gel under denaturing conditions causes the DNA to be released from the beads and onto the gel. The DNA band shifts are affected by both the presence of dye and the addition of extra nucleotides and thus the cleavage of the dye (and block) with the phosphine cause a mobility shift on the gel. Two cycles of incorporation with compounds 18 (C), 24 (G) and 32 (A) and six cycles with compound 6 can be seen in figures FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. 3′-OH Protected with an Allyl Group: Nucleotides bearing this blocking group at the 3′position have been synthesised, shown to be successfully incorporated by DNA polymerases, block efficiently and may be subsequently removed under neutral, aqueous conditions using water soluble phosphines or thiols allowing further extension. 5′-O-(t-Butyldimethylsilyl)-5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (33) To a solution of 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (5.0 g, 14 mmol) in 70 ml in dry N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) was added imidazole (1.09 g, 16 mmol), followed by (2.41 g, 16 mmol) TBDMSCl at 0° C. The mixture was left in the ice bath and stirred overnight. The reaction was quenched with sat. aq. NaCl solution and extracted with EtOAc. After drying (MgSO4), the solvent was removed and the crude mixture was purified by chromatography on silica (EtOAc:petroleum ether 3:7). The product (33) (5.9 g, 90%) was obtained as a colourless solid. 1H NMR (d6DMSO) δ 0.00 (s, 3H, CH3), 0.79 (s, 9H, tBu), 1.88-1.97 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.00-2.05 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.59-3.71 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.75 (br s, 1H, H−4′), 4.06 (br s, 1H, H−3′), 5.18 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 1H, OH), 5.98 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 7.89 (s, 1H, H−6), 11.62 (s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C15H25IN2O5Si 468.06 found 467. 3′-O-Allyl-5′-O-t-butyldimethylsilyl-5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (34) To a suspension of NaH (497 mg, 12.4 mmol, 60% in mineral oil) in dry THF (20 ml) a solution of 5′-TBDMS protected 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (2.8 g, 5.9 mmol) in dry THF (50 ml) was added drop wise. After the gas evolution had stopped the mixture was stirred for another 10 min and then allylbromide (561 μl, 6.5 mmol) was added drop wise. After the complete addition the milky reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction was quenched by addition of sat. aq. NaCl solution (30 ml). The aqueous layer was extracted three times using EtOAc and after washing with sat. aq. NaCl solution the organic phase was dried (MgSO4). After removing of the solvents the crude product was purified by chromatography (EtOAc:petroleum ether 1:1). The allylated product (2.39 g, 80%) was obtained as a colourless foam. 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ −0.01 (s, 3H, CH3), 0.78 (s, 9H, tBu), 1.94-2.01 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.16-2.21 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.61-3.71 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.87-3.94 (m, 4H, H−3′, H−4′, OCH2), 5.04 (dd, J=1.6, 10.4 Hz, 1H, ═CH2), 5.15 (dd, J=1.8, 17.3 Hz, 1H, ═CH2), 5.72-5.81 (m, 1H, CH═), 5.92 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 7.88 (s, 1H, 6-H), 11.6 (s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C18H29IN2O5Si 508.09, found 507. 3′-O-Allyl-5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine (35) To a solution of (34) (2.34 g, 4.71 mmol) in dry THF (40 ml) was added at 0° C. TBAF (5.2 ml, 5.2 mmol, 1 M solution in THF). The reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to room temperature and was then stirred for 16 h. The reaction was quenched by adding sat. NaCl solution (20 ml) and extracted with EtOAc three times. The combined organic layers were dried over MgSO4. The crude mixture was purified by chromatography on silica (EtOAc:petrol 7:3). Product (35) (1.4 g, 75%) was isolated as a colourless solid. 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 2.02-2.39 (m, 2H, H−2′), 3.42-3.52 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.84-3.88 (m, 3H, H−4′, CH2], 3.97-4.00 (m, 1H, H−3′), 5.02-5.09 (m, 2H, OH, ═CH2), (dd, J=1.9, 17.3 Hz, 1H, ═CH2), 5.73-5.82 (m, 1H, CH═), 5.94 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 8.24 (s, 1H, H−6), 11.56 (s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C12H16IN2O5 394.0 found 393. 3′-O-Allyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyuridine To a solution of (35) (400 mg, 1.0 mmol) in dry DMF (10 ml) was added CuI (38 mg, 20 μmol) and triethylamine (300 μl, 2.0 mmol). The propargyltrifluoroacetamide (453 mg, 3.0 mmol) was added drop wise, followed by Pd(PPh3)4 (110 mg, 9.5 μmol). The reaction was stirred for 16 h in the dark. The reaction was quenched by adding MeOH (10 ml), DCM (10 ml) and bicarbonate dowex. The mixture was stirred for 30 min and then filtered. The solvents were removed under vacuum and the crude product was purified by chromatography on silica (EtOAc:petrol 3:7 to 7:3). The product was isolated as slightly yellow crystals (398 mg, 95%) 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 2.25-2.43 (m, 2H, H−2′), 3.65-3.76 (m, 2H, H−5′), 4.07-4.17 (m, 3H, H−4′, CH2), 4.21-4.23 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.34 (d, J=5.5 Hz, 2H, CH2N), 5.25-5.27 (m, 2H, ═CH2, OH), 5.38 (dd, J=1.83, 17.3 Hz, 1H, ═CH2), 5.96-6.06 (m, 1H, ═CH), 6.17 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 8.29 (8, 1H, H−6), 10.17 (t, J=5.5 Hz, 1H, NHTFA), 11.78 (s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C17H18F3N3O6 417.11, found 416. 3′-O-Allyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyuridine 5′-O-nucleoside triphosphate (37) Under nitrogen (36) (100 mg, 0.24 mmol) and proton sponge (61.5 mg, 0.28 mmol), both dried under vacuum over P2O5 for 24 h, were dissolved in OP(OMe)3 (225 μl). At 0° C. freshly distilled POCl3 was added drop wise and the mixture was stirred for 1.5 h. Then pyrophosphate (1.44 ml, 0.72 μmol, 0.5 M in DMF) and nBu3N (0.36 ml, 1.5 mmol) were added and the resulting mixture stirred for another 1.5 h. Triethylammonium IS bicarbonate solution (4.5 ml, 0.1 M solution, TEAB) was added and the reaction mixture was left stirring for 2 h. Then ag. NH3 (4.5 ml) was added and the mixture was stirred for 16 h. After removing the solvents to dryness, the residue was redissolved in water, filtered and purified by MPLC, followed by HPLC purification. The desired triphosphate (37) (10.2 μmol, 4%, ε280=10000) was isolated as a colourless foam. MPLC conditions: a gradient was run from 0.05M TEAB to 0.7 M TEAB using 2 l of each on a DEAE sephadex column. The product containing fractions came off with ˜0.4 M TEAB. After removing the solvent, the product was HPLC purified. HPLC conditions: tr(triphosphate): 21.9 min (Zorbax C-18 preparative column, buffer A 0.1 M TEAB, buffer B 0.1 M TEAB+30% Acetonitrile, gradient 5-35% buffer B in 35 min). 1H NMR (D2O) δ 2.17-2.23 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.40-2.45 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.67 (s, 2H, CH2N), 3.99 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 2H, OCH2), 4.02-4.17 (m, 2H, H−5′), 4.25 (br s, 1H, H−4′), 4.32-4.33 (m, 1H, H−3′), 5.13 (d, J=10.3 Hz, 1H, ═CH2), 5.23 (d, J=17.2 Hz, 1H, ═CH2), 5.78-5.88 (m. 1H, ═CH), 6.16 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 8.33 (s, 1H, H−6). 31P NMR (161.9 MHz, D2O) δ −21.3 (t, J=19.5 Hz, 1P, Pγ), −10.3 (d, J.=19 Hz, 1P, Pα), −7.1 (d, J=15.5 Hz, 1P, Pβ). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C15H22N3O14P3 561.03, found 560, 480 [M-phosphate], 401 [M−2×phosphate]. To a solution of Cy3 disulfide linker (2.5 μmol) in DMF (0.2 ml) at 0° C. was added. Disuccinimidyl carbonate (0.96 mg 3.75 μmol) and 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) (0.46 mg 3.75 μmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 10 min and then checked by TLC (MeOH:DCM 3:7) (activated ester rf=0.5). In a separate flask the 3′-O-allyl thymidine triphosphate (37) (532 μl, 14.1 mM in water, 7.5 μmol) were mixed with BU3N (143 μl) and evaporated to dryness. After this the triphosphate (37) was dissolved in dry DMF (0.2 ml). To the triphosphate (37) solution at 0° C. was added the activated dye and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and then stirred for 16 h. The solvent was removed and the residue was dissolved in water. The reaction mixture was passed through a small DEAE sephadex column (2×5 cm) using 0.1 M TEAB (100 ml) to remove the coupling reagents and unreacted linker. With 1 M TEAB (100 ml) the triphosphate (38) was eluted. The mixture was then separated by HPLC. Yield: 1.41 μmol (56%, ε550=150000) product as a dark red solid were isolated. HPLC conditions: tr (38): 19.6 min (Zorbax C-18 preparative column, buffer A 0.1 M TEAB, buffer B Acetonitrile, gradient: 2-58% buffer B in 29 min). 1H (d6 DMSO) δ 0.75-0.79 (m, 3H, CH3), 1.17-1.28 (m, 2H, CH2), 1.48-1.55 (m, 2H, CH2), 1.64 (s, 12H, 4×CH3), 1.70-1.77 (m, 2H, CH2), 1.96-2.02 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.07-2.11 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.25-2.30 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.51-2.55 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.64-2.68 (m, 2H, CH2), 2.75-2.81 (m, 2H, CH2), 3.27-3.31 (m, 2H, CH2), 3.91-4.05 (m, 9H, H−5′, OCH2, NCH2, 2×NCH2-dye), 4.13 (s, 1H, H−4′), 4.22-4.24 (m, 1H, H−3′), 5.06 (d, J=10.5 Hz, 1H, ═CH2), 5.15 (dd, J=1.4 Hz, 17.3 Hz, 1H, ═CH2), 5.72-5.82 (m, 1H, ═CH), 6.03-6.06 (m, 1H, H−1′), 6.20-6.29 (m, 2H, αH), 7.23-7.31 (m, 2H, HAr), 7.63-7.79 (m, 5H, H−6, 4×HAr), 8.31-8.45 (m, 1H, βH). 31P (161.9 MHz, d6 DMSO) δ −20.2 (m, 1P, Pβ), −10.0 (d, J 18.5 Hz, 1P, Pα), −4.8 (d, J 19.5 Hz, 1P, Pγ) Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C51H67S4N6O22P3 1336.24, found 1335.1, 688.1 [cleaved disulfide (dye), 647.9 [cleaved disulfide (nucleotide)]. Enzyme Incorporation of Compound 38 To a 100 nM DNA primer/template (primer previously labelled with P32 and T4 polynucleotide kinase) in Tris-HCl pH 8.8 50 mM, Tween-20 0.01%, and MgSO4 4 mM, add 2 μM compound 38 and 100 nM polymerase (Thermococcus sp. 9° N exo −Y409V A485L supplied by New England Biolabs). The template consists of a run of 10 adenine bases to show the effect of the block. The reaction is heated to 65 C for 10 mins. To show complete blocking, a chase is performed with the four native, unblocked nucleoside triphosphates. Quantitative incorporation of the allyl block can be observed (see FIG. 7) and this can be seen to act as an effective block to further incorporation. 5′-O-(tert-Butyldimethylsilyl)-5-iodo-2′-deoxycytidine (39) To a solution of 5-iodo-2′-deoxycytidine (2.2 g, 6.23 mmol) in DMF (130 ml) was added imidazole (467 mg, 6.85 mmol). The mixture was cooled at 0° C. and tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride (TBDMSCl) (1.33 g, 6.85 mmol) added over 5 minutes. After 18 h at room temperature, the volatiles were evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with EtOAc:MeOH (95:5 to 90:10) to give the expected product (39) (2.10 g, 72%) together with unreacted starting material (490 mg). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 0.11 (s, 3H, CH3), 0.12 (s, 3H, CH3), 0.89 (s, 9H, 3CH3), 1.90 (ddd, J=13.2, 7.7 and 5.7 Hz, 1H, HH-2′), 2.18 (ddd, J=13.2, 5.7 and 2.3 Hz, 1H, HH-2′), 3.72 (dd, J=11.5, 3.6 Hz, 1H, HH-5′), 3.80 (dd, J=11.5, 2.8 Hz, 1H, HH-5′), 3.86-3.89 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.14-4.18 (m, 1H, H−3′), 5.22 (1H, d, J=4.1 Hz, OH), 6.09 (1H, dd, J=7.8, 5.8 Hz, H−1′), 6.60 (br s, 1H, NHH), 7.81 (br s, 1H, NHH), 7.94 (s, 1H, H−6); MS (ES): m/z (%) (M+H) 468 (90%). 3′-O-Allyl-5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-5-iodo-2′-deoxycytidine (40) To a solution of NaH (60%, 113 mg, 2.84 mmol) in THF (26 ml) under N2 atmosphere, was slowly added a solution of the starting nucleoside (39) (669 mg, 1.43 mmol) in THF (6 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 45 minutes, cooled at 0° C. and allyl bromide (134 μL, 1.58 mmol) was slowly added. After 15 h at room temperature, the solution was cooled to 0° C. and quenched by addition of H2O (5 ml). THF evaporated under reduced pressure and the product extracted into EtOAc (3×25 ml). Combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO4) filtered and the volatiles evaporated under reduced pressure to give a residue that was purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with EtOAc affording the expected 3′-O-allyl product (40) (323 mg, 44%) as a colourless oil, together with some unreacted starting material (170 mg); 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 0.00 (s, 3H, CH3), 0.01 (s, 3H, CH3), 0.79 (s, 9H, 3CH3), 1.84 (ddd, J=13.3, 8.2 and 5.5 Hz, 1H, H−2′), 2.20-2.25 (m, 1H, H−2′), 3.62-3.72 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.88-3.93 (m, 4H, H−3′,4′, HHC—CH═), 5.1 (dd, J=8.5, 1.7 Hz, 1H, CH═CHH), 5.16 (dd, J=17.2, 1.7 Hz, 1H, CH═CHH), 5.75-5.83 (m, 1H, CH═CHH), 5.94 (dd, J=8.4, 5.6 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 6.53 (br s, 1H, NHH), 7.74 (br s, 1H, NHH), 7.83 (s, 1H, H−6); MS (ES): m/z (%) (M−H) 506 (100%). 3′-O-Allyl-5-iodo-2′-deoxycytidine (41) To a solution of the starting nucleoside (40) (323 mg, 0.64 mmol) in THF (15 ml) under N2 protected atmosphere was added at room temperature tetrabutylammonium fluoride (TBAF) 1M in THF (0.7 ml, 0.7 mmol). Mixture stirred for one hour and then quenched by addition of H2O (5 ml). THF was evaporated and aqueous residue extracted into EtOAc (3×25 ml). Combined organic extracts were dried (MgSO4), filtered and the volatiles evaporated under reduced pressure giving a crude material which was purified by flash chromatography on a pre-packed silica column eluted with EtOAc. The product (41) was obtained as a white solid (233 mg, 93%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 1.96-2.05 (m, 1H, H−2′) 2.24 (ddd, J=13.5, 5.8 and 2.8 Hz, 1H, H−2′), 3.50-3.62 (m, 2H, H5′), 3.91-3.97 (m, 2H, H3′,H4′), 4.03-4.07 (m, 2H, HHC—CH═), 5.11-5.16 (m, 2H, OH, CH═CHH), 5.24 (dd, J=17.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H, CH═CHH), 5.82-5.91 (m, 1H, CH═CHH), 6.02 (dd, J=7.6, 6.0 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 6.60 (s, 1H, NHH), 7.79 (s, 1H, NHH), 8.21 (s, 1H, H−6). MS (ES): m/z (%) (M−H) 392 (100%). 3′-O-Allyl-5-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxycytidine (42) To a solution of the starting nucleoside (41) (200 mg, 0.51 mmol) in dry DMF (8.5 ml) at room temperature and Argon atmosphere, was slowly added CuI (19 mg, 0.10 mmol), NEt3 (148 μl, 1.02 mmol), 2,2,2-trifluoro-N-prop-2-ynyl-acetamide (230 mg, 1.53 mmol) and Pd(PPh3) 4 (58 mg, 0.05 mmol). The mixture was stirred at room temperature and protected from light during four hours, quenched by addition of dowex bicarbonate and stirred for a 1 h, then filtered and the volatiles evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was further evaporated from MeOH (15 ml) and then purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (CH2Cl2, CH2Cl2:EtOAc 1:1, EtOAc:MeOH 97.5:2.5). The expected product (42) was obtained as a beige solid (180 mg, 85%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 1.90 (ddd, J=13.6, 7.7 and 6.0 Hz, 1H, H−2′), 2.16 (ddd, J=13.6, 5.7 and 2.4 Hz, 1H, H−2′), 3.42-3.50 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.84-3.87 (m, 3H, H−4′, OHHC—CH═), 3.94-3.96 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.16 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 2H, H2C—N), 4.98-5.05 (m, 2H, OH, CH═CHH), 5.14 (dd, J=17.3, 1.7 Hz, 1H, CH═CHH), 5.72-5.82 (m, 1H, CH═CHH), 5.95 (dd, J=7.7, 5.8 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 6.74 (br s, 1H, NHH), 7.72 (br s, 1H, NHH), 8.01 (1H, s, H−6), 9.82 (br t, 1H, HN—CH2). MS (ES): m/z (%) (M−H) 415 (100%). 3′-O-Allyl-5-(3-amino-prop-1-ynyl)-5′-O-triphosphate-2′-deoxycytidine (43) To a solution of the nucleoside (42) (170 mg, 0.41 mmol) and proton sponge (105 mg, 0.50 mmol) (both previously dried under P2O5 for at least 24 h) in PO(OMe)3 (360 μl), at 0° C. under Argon atmosphere, was slowly added POCl3 (freshly distilled) (50 μl, 0.54 mmol). The solution was vigorously stirred for 3 h at 0° C. and then quenched by addition of tetra-tributylammonium diphosphate 0.5 M in DMF (3.20 ml, 1.60 mmol), followed by nBu3N (0.75 ml, 3.2 mmol) and triethylammonium bicarbonate (TEAB) 0.1 M (12 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 h and then an aqueous ammonia solution (ρ0.88 1.0 ml) (12 ml) was added. The solution was stirred at room temperature for 15 h, volatiles evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by MPLC with a gradient of TEAB from 0.05M to 0.7M. The expected triphosphate (43) was eluted from the column at approx. 0.51 M TEAB. A second purification was done by HPLC in a Zorbax SB-C18 column (21.2 mm i.d.×25 cm) eluted with 0.1M TEAB (pump A) and 30% CH3CN in 0.1M TEAB (pump B) using a gradient as follows: 0-5 min 5% B, Φ0.2 ml; 5-25 min 80% B, Φ0.8 ml; 25-27 min 95% B, Φ0.8 ml; 27-30 min 95% B, Φ0.8 ml; 30-32 min 5 % B, Φ0.8 ml; 32-35 min 95% B, Φ0.2 ml, affording the product (43) detailed above with a tr(43): 20.5 (20 μmols, 5% yield); 31P NMR (D2O) δ −6.01 (d, J=19.9 Hz, 1P, Pγ), −10.24 (d, J=19.3 Hz, 1P, Pα), −21.00 (t, J=19.6 Hz, 1P, Pβ); 1H NMR (D2O) δ 2.19-2.26 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.51 (1H, ddd, J=14.2, 6.1 and 3.2 Hz, H−21), 3.96-4.07 (m, 4H, NCH2, OHHC—CH═), 4.09-4.14 (m, 1H, 1H, H−5′) 4.22-4.26 (m, 1H, H−5′), 4.30-4.37 (m, 2H, H−3′, 4′), 5.20 (d, J=10.4 Hz, 1H, CH═CHH), 5.30 (1H, dd, J=17.3, 1.5 Hz, CH═CHH), 5.85-5.95 (m, 1H, CH═CHH), 6.18 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 8.40 (s, 1H, H−6); MS (ES): m/z (%) (M−H) 559 (100%) To a solution of Alexa Fluor 488 disulfide linker (2.37mg, 3.4 μmol) in DMF (500 μl) was added N,N-disuccinimidyl carbonate (1.3 mg, 5.1 μmol) and 4-DMAP (0.6 mg, 5.1 μmol). The mixture was stirred for 10 minutes, then it was added into the solution of the nucleotide (43) (3.23 mg, 5.8 μmol) in DMF (100 μl) containing nBu3N (30 μl). The mixture was continuously stirred for 16 h at room temperature. The volatiles were evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue was firstly purified by passing it through a short ion exchange resin Sephadex-DEAE A-25 (40-120μ)-column, first eluted with TEAB 0.1 M (70 ml) then 1.0 M TEAB (100 ml). The latest containing the expected product (44) was concentrated and the residue was HPLC purified in a Zorbax SB-C18 column (21.2 mm i.d.×25 cm) eluted with 0.1M TEAB (pump A) and CH3CN (pump B) using a gradient as follows: 0-2 min 2% B, Φ0.2 ml; 2-4 min 2% B, Φ0.8 ml; 4-15 min 23% B, Φ0.8 ml; 15-24 min 23% B, Φ0.8 ml; 24-26 min 95% B, Φ0.8 ml; 26-28 min 95 % B, Φ0.8 ml, 28-30 min 2% B, Φ0.8 ml, 30-33 min 2% B, Φ0.2 ml affording the product detailed above with a rt(44): 19.9 (0.56 μmols, 17% yield based on UV measurement); λmax=493 nm, ε 71,000 cm−1 M−1 in H2O); 31P NMR (D2O) δ −5.07 (d, J=22.2 Hz, 1P, Pχ), −10.26 (d, J=19.4 Hz, 1P, Pα), −21.09 (t, J=19.7 Hz, 1P, Pβ); 1H NMR (D2O) δ 2.44-2.26 (m, 2H, HH-2′), 2.50 (t, J=6.7 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.83 (4H, CH2, CH2), 3.58 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H, CH2), 4.07-3.91 (m, 6H, HH-5′, NCH2, OHHC—CH═),4.16-4.12 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.23-4.17 (m, 1H, H−3′), 5.24-5.09 (m, 2H, CH═CHH, CH═CHH), 5.84-5.74 (m, 1H, CH═CHH), 5.98 (t, J=8.1 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 6.79 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H, HAr), 6.80 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H, HAr), 7.06 (t, J=8.8 Hz, 2H, HAr), 7.55 (br s, 1H, HAr), 7.90-7.85 (m, 2H, HAr), 7.94 (s, 1H, H−6); MS (ES): m/z (%) (M−H)− 1239 (27%). 5′-O-(tert-Butyldimethylsilyl)-7-deaza-7-iodo-2′-deoxyguanosine (45) A solution of (44) (0.55 g, 1.4 mmol) in DMF (10 ml) was treated with imidazole (190 mg, 2.8 mmol) and TBDMSCl (274 mg, 1.82 mmol) at r.t. for 15 h. The reaction was quenched with MeOH (˜5 ml). The mixture was evaporated to dryness. Water (˜300 ml) was added to the residue and stirred for at least 1 h to fully dissolve imidazole. Filtration gave a brown solid, which was dried and purified by silica gel chromatography (DCM to DCM: MeOH 90:10), giving (45) as pale yellow powder (394 mg , 56%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 0.00, 0.01 (2s, 6H, CH3), 0.82 (s, 9H, CH3), 1.99-2.05, 2.16-2.22 (2m, 2H, H−2′), 3.58-3.66 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.72-3.74 (m, 1H, H−4′), 4.18-4.19 (m, 1H, H−3′), 5.16 (d, J=3.0 Hz, 1H, OH), 6.20 (dd, J=6.0, 8.0 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 6.25 (br s, 2H, NH2), 7.58 (s, 1H, H−8), 10.37 (s, 1H, HN). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C17H27IN4O4Si 506, found 505. 3′-O-Allyl-5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-7-deaza-7-iodo-2′-deoxyguanosine (46) A solution of (45) (354 mg, 0.7 mmol) in THF (25 ml) was treated with NaH (42 mg, 1.75 mmol) at r.t. for 1 h. Allyl bromide was added and the suspension was stirred at r.t. for 2 days. −60% of the starting material (45) was converted to the product (46). The reaction was quenched with sat. aq. NaCl and extracted with DCM three times. The combined organic layer were dried (MgSO4) and concentrated under vacuum. The residue was treated with TBAF in THF (1 ml) and THF (1 ml) for 30 min. Evaporation to remove of THF. The residue was dissolved in DCM and aqueous NaHCO3 (sat.) was added. The aqueous layer was extracted with DCM three times. The combined organics was dried over MgSO4 and concentrated under vacuum. Purification by chromatography on silica (EtOAc to EtOAc:MeOH 85:15) gave (46) as a yellow foam (101 mg, 35%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 2.15-2.31 (m, 2H, H−2′), 3.41-3.45 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.82-3.85 (m, 1H, H−4′), 3.93 (d, J=2.6 Hz, 2H, OCH2), 4.04-4.06 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.99 (t, J=5.4 Hz, OH), 5.08-5.24 (m, 2H, ═CH2), 5.79-5.89 (m, 1H, CH═), 6.15 (dd, J=5.9, 9.1 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 6.27 (br s, 2H, NH2), 7.07 (s, H−8), 10.39 (s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C14H17IN4O4 432, found 431. 3′-O-Allyl-5′-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-7-deaza-7-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamido)-prop-1-ynyl]-2′-deoxyguanosine (47) Under N2, a suspension of (46) (104 mg, 0.24 mmol), Pd(PPh3)4 (24 mg, 0.024 mmol), CuI (9.1 mg, 0.048 mmol), Et3N (66 μL, 0.48 mmol) and CH≡CCH2NHCOCF3 (89 μL, 0.72 mmol) in DMF (2 ml) was stirred at r.t. for 15 h. The reaction was protected from light with aluminium foil. After TLC indicating the full consumption of starting material, the reaction mixture was concentrated. The residue was diluted with MeOH (20 ml) and treated with dowex-HCO3−. The mixture was stirring for 30 min and filtered. The solution was concentrated and purified by silica gel chromatography (petroleum ether:EtOAc 50:50 to petroleum ether:EtOAc:MeOH 40:40:20) giving (47) as a yellow powder (74 mg, 70%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 2.15-2.39 (m, 2H, H−2′), 3.42-3.44 (m, 2H, H−5′), 3.83-3.87 (m, 1H, H−4′), 3.93-3.95 (m, 2H, OCH2), 4.0-4.07 (m, 1H, H−3′), 4.15 (d, J=5.3 Hz, 2H, ≡CCH2), 4.91 (t, J=5.4 Hz, OH), 5.08-5.24 (m, 2H, ═CH2), 5.80-5.89 (m, 1H, CH═), 6.15 (dd, J=5.6, 8.9 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 6.28 (br s, 2H, NH2), 7.24 (s, H−8), 9.98 (t, J=5.3 Hz, 1H, NH), 10.44 (s, 1H, NH). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C19H20F3N5O5 455, found 454. The nucleoside (47) and proton sponge was dried over P2O5 under vacuum overnight. A solution of (47) (73 mg, 0.16 mmol) and proton sponge (69 mg, 0.32 mmol) trimethylphosphate (0.5 ml) was stirred with 4 Å molecular sieves for 1 h. Freshly distilled POCl3 (18 μl, 0.19 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred at 4° C. for 2 h. The mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and bis (tri-n-butyl ammonium) pyrophosphate (1.3 ml, 0.88 mmol) and anhydrous tri-n-butyl amine (0.3 ml, 1.28 mmol) was added. After 5 min, the reaction was quenched with 0.1 M TEAB (triethylammonium bicarbonate) buffer (10 ml) and stirred for 3 h. The water was removed under reduced pressure and the resulting residue dissolved in concentrated ammonia (ρ0.88, 10 ml) and stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction mixture was then evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in water and the solution applied to a DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column. MPLC was performed with a linear gradient of 2 L each of 0.05 M and 1 M TEAB. The triphosphate was eluted between 0.7 M and 0.8 M buffer. Fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in water and further purified by HPLC. tr(48)=20.3 min (Zorbax C18 preparative column, gradient: 5% to 35% B in 30 min, buffer A 0.1 M TEAB, buffer B MeCN). The product (48) was isolated as a white foam (147 O.D., 19.3 μmol, 12%, ε260=7,600). 1H NMR (D2O) δ 2.38-2.46 (m, 2H, H−2′), 3.91 (m, 2H, ≡CCH2), 3.98-4.07 (m, 4H, H−5′, 2H, OCH2), 4.25 (br s, 1H, H−4′), 4.40 (br s, 1H, H−3′), 5.16-5.30 (m, 1H, ═CH2), 5.83-5.91 (m, 1H, ═CH), 6.23-6.27 (m, 1H, H−1′), 7.44 (s, 1H, H−8). 31P NMR δ −7.1 (d, J=16.5 Hz, 1P, Pγ), −10.1 (d, J=19.9 Hz, 1P, Pα), −21.5 (t, J=18.0 Hz, 1P, Pβ). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C17H24N5O13P3 599, found 598. 7-Deaza-5′-O-diphenylsilyl-7-iodo-2′-deoxyadenosine (49) TBDPSCl (0.87 g, 2.78 mmol) was added to a stirred solution of 7-deaza-7-iodo-2′-deoxyadenosine (1.05 g, 2.78 mmol) in dry pyridine (19 ml) at 5° C. under N2. After 10 min the solution was allowed to rise to room temperature and stirred for 18 h. The solution was evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue purified by flash chromatography on silica (DCM to DCM:MeOH 19:1). This gave the desired product (49) (1.6 g, 83%). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 1.07 (s, 9H), 2.31-2.36 (m, 1H), 3.76-3.80 (dd, 1H, J=11.1, 4.7 Hz), 3.88-3.92 (dd, 1H, J=11.2, 3.9 Hz), 3.97-4.00 (m, 1H), 4.49-4.50 (m, 1H), 5.83 (s, 1H), 6.58-6.61 (t, 1H, J=6.7 Hz), 7.44-7.55 (m, 6H), 7.68-7.70 (m, 5H), 8.28 (s, 1H). Mass (electrospray) calcd for C27H31IN4O3Si 614.12, found 613. 7-Deaza-6-N,N-dimethylformadine-5′-O-diphenylsilyl-7-iodo-2′-deoxyadenosine (50) A solution of (49) (1.6g, 2.61 mmol) in MeOH (70 ml) containing dimethylformamide dimethylacetal (6.3 g, 53 mmol) was heated at 45° C. for 18 h. The solution was cooled, evaporated under reduced pressure and purified by flash chromatography on silica gel (EtOAc to EtOAc:MeOH 98:2). This resulted in 1.52 g (87%) of the desired product (50). 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 0.85 (s, 9H), 2.05-2.11 (m, 1H), 3.03 (s, 3H), 3.06 (s, 3H), 3.53-3.57 (dd, 1H, J=11.1, 4.8 Hz), 3.65-3.69 (dd, 1H, J=11.1, 4 Hz), 3.73-3.76 (q, 1H, J=4 Hz), 4.26-4.28 (m, 1H), 5.21-5.22 (d, 1H, J=4.3 Hz), 6.39-6.42 (t, 1H, J=6.8 Hz), 7.21-7.32 (m, 6H), 7.46 (s, 1H), 7.45-7.48 (m, 4H), 8.15 (s, 1H), 8.68 (s, 1H). Mass (+ve electrospray) calcd for C30H36IN5O3Si 669.16, found 670. 3′-O-Allyl-7-deaza-6-N,N-dimethylformadine-5′-O-diphenylsilyl-7-iodo-2′-deoxyadenosine (51) A solution of (50) (1.52 g, 2.28 mmol) in dry THF (5 ml) was added drop wise at room temperature to a stirred suspension of sodium hydride (60%, 109 mg, 2.73 mmol) in dry THF (35 ml). After 45 min the yellow solution was cooled to 5° C. and allyl bromide (0.413 g, 3.41 mmol) added. The solution was allowed to rise to room temperature and stirred for 18 h. After adding isopropanol (10 drops) the solution was partitioned between water (5 ml) and EtOAc (50 ml). The organic layer was separated and the aqueous solution extracted further with EtOAc (2×50 ml). The combined organic solutions were dried (MgSO4) and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue was purified by flash chromatography on silica (petroleum ether:EtOAc 1:3 to EtOAc) to give 1.2 g (74%) of the desired product (51) as a gum. 1H NMR (d6DMSO) δ 1.03 (s, 9H), 2.39-2.45 (m, 1H), 2.60-2.67 (m, 1H), 3.2 (s, 3H), 3.23 (s, 3H), 3.70-3.74 (dd, 1H, J=11.2, 4.6 Hz), 3.83-3.87 (dd, 1H, J=11, 5.4 Hz), 4.03-4.08 (m, 3H), 4.30-4.31 (m, 1H), 5.18-5.21 (m, 1H), 5.28-5.33 (m, 1H), 5.89-5.98 (m, 1H), 6.49-6.53 (dd, 1H, J=8.4, 5.8 Hz), 7.41-7.51 (m, 6H), 7.62-7.66 (m, 5H), 8.31 (s, 1H), 8.85 (s, 1H). Mass (+ve electrospray) calcd for C33H40IN5O3Si 709.19, found 710. 3′-O-Allyl-7-deaza-6-N,N-dimethylformadine-7-iodo-21-deoxyadenosine (52) A 1M solution of TBAF in THF (4.4 ml, 4.4 mmol) was added to a solution of (51) (1.2 g, 1.69 mmol) in THF (100 ml) at 50° C. under N2. The solution was allowed to rise to room temperature and stirred for 2 d. The solution was evaporated under reduced pressure and purified by flash chromatography on silica (EtOAc to EtOAc:MeOH 97:3). This gave 593 mg (77%) of the desired product (52). 1H NMR (d6DMSO) δ 2.54 (m, 2H), 3.40 (s, 3H), 3.44 (s, 3H), 3.72-3.8 (m, 2H), 4.18-4.21 (m, 1H), 4.23-4.27 (m, 3H), 4.4-4.42 (d, 1H, J=5.7 Hz), 5.35-5.41 (m, 2H), 5.49-5.5 (q, 1H, J=1.7 Hz), 5.53-5.55 (q, 1H, J=1.7 Hz), 6.1-6.2 (m, 1H), 6.67-6.70 (dd, 1H, J=8.8, 5.5 Hz), 7.96 (s, 1H), 8.53 (s, 1H), 9.06 (s, 1H). Mass (+ve electrospray) calcd for C17H22IN5O3 471.08, found 472. 3′-O-Allyl-7-deaza-7-iodo-2′-deoxyadenosine (53) A solution of (52) (593mg, 1.3 mmol) in MeOH (20 ml) containing 35% aqueous ammonia (20 ml) was heated at 50° C. for 2 d. After cooling the solution was evaporated under reduced pressure and then azeotroped with toluene (3×10 ml). This resulted in 530mg (98%) of the desired product (53) as a solid. 1H NMR (d6 DMSO) δ 2.39 (m, 1H), 3.56-3.65 (m, 2H), 4.03-4.05 (m, 1H), 4.09-4.11 (m, 2H), 5.23-5.25 (d, 1H, J=10.6 Hz), 5.35-5.4 (d, 1H, J=15.4 Hz), 5.95-6.05 (m, 1H), 6.48-6.51 (dd, 1H, J=8.9, 5.5 Hz), 6.6-6.95 (s, 1H), 7.75 (s, 1H), 8.16 (s, 1H). Mass (+ve electrospray) calcd for C14H17IN4O3 4-16.03, found 417. 3′-O-Allyl-7-deaza-7-[3-(2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide)]-2′-deoxyadenosine (54) To a solution of (53) (494 mg, 1.19 mmol) in dry DMF (17 ml) was added sequentially copper (I) iodide (45.1 mg, 0.24 mmol), N-2,2,2-trifluoro-N-prop-2-ynylacetamide (538 mg, 3.56 mmol), Et3N (240 mg, 2.38 mmol) and Pd(Ph3P)4 (137 mg, 0.12 mmol) at room temperature. The flask was wrapped in foil to exclude light and stirred under N2 for 18 h. Then MeOH (10 ml) and a small spatula of dowex bicarbonate H+ form were added and the mixture stirred for 30 min. The mixture was filtered, evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue triturated with MeOH to remove palladium salts. The filtrate was evaporated under reduced pressure and purified by flash chromatography on silica (DCM to DCM:MeOH 97:3). The desired product (54) was obtained as brown solid (490 mg, 94%). 1H NMR (d6DMSO) δ 2.25-2.31 (m, 1H), 2.98-3.04 (m, 1H), 3.41-3.49 (m, 2H), 3.88-3.95 (m, 3H), 4.10-4.12 (d, 1H, J=5.2 Hz), 4.22-4.23 (d, 2H, J=5.3 Hz), 5.07-5.12 (m, 2H), 5.19-5.24 (dd, 1H, J=17.3, 1.9 Hz), 5.79-5.89 (m, 1H), 6.31-6.35 (dd, 1H, J=8.6, 5.6 Hz), 7.69 (s, 1H), 8.02 (S, 1H). Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C19H20F3N5O4 439.15 , found 438. 3′-O-Allyl-7-[3-aminoprop-1-ynyl]-7-deaza-2′-deoxyadenosine 5′-O-nucleoside triphosphate (55) The nucleoside (54) and proton sponge was dried over P2O5 under vacuum overnight. A solution of (54) (84 mg, 0.191 mmol) and proton sponge (49 mg, 0.382 mmol) in trimethylphosphate (600 μl) was stirred with 4 Å molecular sieves for 1 h. Freshly distilled POCl3 (36 μl, 0.388 mmol) was added and the solution was stirred at 4° C. for 2 h. The mixture was slowly warmed up to room temperature and bis (tri-n-butyl ammonium) pyrophosphate 0.5 M in solution in DMF (1.52 ml, 0.764 mmol) and anhydrous tri-n-butyl amine (364 μl, 1.52 mmol) was added. After 5 min, the reaction was quenched with 0.1 M TEAB (triethylammonium bicarbonate) buffer (5 ml) and stirred for 3 h. The water was removed under reduced pressure and the resulting residue dissolved in concentrated ammonia (ρ0.88, 5 ml) and stirred at room temperature for 16 h. The reaction mixture was then evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in water and the solution applied to a DEAE-Sephadex A-25 column. MPLC was performed with a linear gradient of 0.05 M to 1 M TEAB. Fractions containing the product were combined and evaporated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in water and further purified by HPLC. HPLC: tr(55)=: 22.60 min (Zorbax C18 preparative column, gradient: 5% to 35% B in 20 min, buffer A O.1M TEAB, buffer B MeCN) The product was isolated as a white foam (17.5 μmol, 5.9%, ε280=15000). 1H NMR (D2O) δ 2.67-2.84 (2m, 2H, H−2′), 4.14 (br s, 2H, CH2NH), 4.17-4.36 (m, 2H, H−5′), 4.52 (br s, 1H, H−4′), 6.73 (t, J=6.6 Hz, 1H, H−1′), 8.06 (s, 1H, H−8), 8.19 (s, 1H, H−2). 31P NMR (D2O) δ −5.07 (d, J=21.8 Hz, 1P, Pγ), −10.19 (d, J=19.8 Hz, 1P, Pα), −21.32 (t, J 19.8 Hz, 1P, Pβ) Mass (−ve electrospray) calcd for C15H21N8O12P3 598.05, found 596 To the Cy3 disulphide linker (2.6 μmol) in solution in DMF (450 μl) is added at 0° C. 100 μl of a mixture of 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride, 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate and N-methylmorpholine (26 μM each) in DMF. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction was monitored by TLC (MeOH:CH2Cl2 4:6) until all the dye linker was consumed. Then 400 μl of DMF are added at 0° C., followed by the nucleotide (55) (3.9 μmol), in solution in water (100 μl) and the reaction mixture and stirred at room temperature overnight. TLC (MeOH:CH2Cl2 4:6) showed complete consumption of the activated ester and a dark red spot appeared on the baseline. The reaction was quenched with TEAB buffer (0.1M, 10 ml) and loaded on a DEAE Sephadex column (2×5 cm). The column was first eluted with 0.1 M TEAB buffer (100 ml) to wash off organic residues and then 1 M TEAB buffer (100 ml). The desired triphosphate (56) was eluted out with 1 M TEAB buffer. The fraction containing the product were combined, evaporated and purified by HPLC. HPLC conditions: tr(56)=: 21.38 min (Zorbax C18 preparative column, gradient: 5% to 15% B in 1 min, then 4 min at 15% B, then 15 to 35% B in 15 min, buffer A 0.1M TEAB, buffer B MeCN). The product was isolated as dark pink solid (0.15 μmol, 12.5%, ε550=15000). 1H NMR (D2O) δ 2.03 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.21-2.33 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.37-2.49 (m, 1H, H−2′), 2.50 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H, CH2), 2.66 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 2H, CH2), 3.79 (t, J=6.4 Hz, 2H CH2), 3.99 (m, 4H, CH2N, H−5′), 4.18 (br s, 1H, H−4′), 6.02, 6.17 (2d, J=13.6 Hz, 2H, Har), 6.30 (dd, J=6.1, 8.6 Hz, H−1′), 7.08, 7.22 (2d, J=7.8, 8.6 Hz, 2H, 2×═CH), 7.58-7.82 (m, 6H, 2HAr, H−2, H−8), 8.29 (t, J=13.6 Hz, ═CH) 31P NMR (D2O) δ −4.83 (m, 1P, Pγ), −10.06 (m, 1P, Pα), −20.72 (m, 1P, Pβ). Cleavage of 3′-Allyl Group in Aqueous Conditions The following shows a typical deblocking procedure for a 3′blocked nucleoside in which approximately 0.5 equivalents of Na2PdCl4 and 4 equivalents of the water-soluble phosphine ligand L were employed, in water, at 50° C. Tfa stands for trifluoracetyl: To a solution of Ligand L (7.8 mg, 13.7 μmol) in degassed H2O (225 μl) was added a solution of Na2PdCl4 (0.5 mg, 1.6 μmol) in degassed H2O (25 μl) in an eppendorff vial. The two solutions were mixed well and after 5 min a solution of B (1 mg, 2.3 μmol) in H2O (250 μl) was added. The reaction mixture was then placed in a heating block at 50° C. The reaction could be followed by HPLC. Aliquots of 50 μl were taken from the reaction mixture and filtered through an eppendorff filter vial (porosity 0.2 μm); 22 μl of the solution were injected in the HPLC to monitor the reaction. The reaction was purified by HPLC. In a typical experiment the cleavage was finished (i.e. >98% cleavage had occurred after 30 min). 3′-OH Protected with a 3,4 dimethoxybenzyloxymethyl Group as a Protected Form of a Hemiacetal Nucleotides bearing this blocking group have similar properties to the allyl example, though incorporate less rapidly. Deblocking can be achieved efficiently by the use of aqueous buffered cerium ammonium nitrate or DDQ, both conditions initially liberating the hemiacetal (1) which decomposes to the required (2) prior to further extension: The 3′-OH may also be protected with benzyl groups where the phenyl group is unsubstituted, e.g. with benzyloxymethyl, as well as benzyl groups where the phenyl group bears electron-donating substituents; an example of such an electron-rich benzylic protecting group is 3,4-dimethoxybenzyloxymethyl. In contrast, electron-poor benzylic protecting groups, such as those in which the phenyl ring is substituted with one or more nitro groups, are less preferred since the conditions required to form the intermediate groups of formulae —C(R′)2—OH, —C(R′)2—NH2, and —C(R′)2—SH are sufficiently harsh that the integrity of the polynucleotide can be affected by the conditions needed to deprotect such electron-poor benzylic protecting groups. 3′-OH Protected with a Fluoromethyloxymethyl Group as a Protected Form of a Hemiacetal —O—CH2—F Nucleotides bearing this blocking group may be converted to the intermediate hemiacetal using catalytic reactions known to those skilled in the art such as, for example, those using heavy metal ions such as silver.

20060601

20090602

20070719

90773.0

C12Q168

RILEY, JEZIA

MODIFIED NUCLEOTIDES

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

C12Q

ACCEPTED

Flow control device for an injection pipe string

An injection pipe string (4) in a well (2) for the injection of a fluid into at least one reservoir (6) intersected by the string (4), in which at least parts of the injection string (4) opposite the at least one reservoir (6) are provided with one or more outflow positions/-zones. At least one pressure-loss-promoting flow control device is provided to each outflow position/-zone. In position of use, the flow control device(s) control(s) the outflow rate of the injection fluid to a reservoir rock opposite said position/zone. The flow control device(s) is (are) disposed between an internal flow space (18) of the injection string (4) and the reservoir rock opposite said position/zone, and said device(s) is (are) hydraulically connected to at least one through-going pipe wall opening (28, 86) in the injection string (4), and to said reservoir rock. By using such flow control devices, the outflow profile of the injection fluid may be appropriately controlled along the injection string (4).

1. A well injection string (4) for injection of a fluid into at least one reservoir (6) intersected by the string (4), in which at least a part of the injection string (4) includes at least one fluid outflow zone provided with one or more through-going pipe wall openings (28, 87) located opposite the reservoir (6) when placed therein, and in which at least one pressure-loss-promoting flow control device in the form of a flow restriction is provided to at least one of said pipe wall openings (28, 87) in the injection string (4), the flow control device controlling the injection fluid outflow rate therethrough and onwards into the reservoir (6) when placed therein, characterized in that said flow restriction is selected from the following types of flow restrictions: a nozzle; an orifice in the form of a slot or a hole; and a sealing plug. 2. The well injection string (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that said flow restriction is provided as a removable and replaceable insert (12). 3. The well injection string (4) according to claim 2. characterized in that the insert (12) is disposed in an insert bore (28) in the pipe wall of the string (4), the bore (28) comprising said pipe wall opening in the injection string (4), whereby said outflow zone may be provided with several insert bores (28), each bore (28) containing a removable insert (12). 4. The well injection string (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that the insert (12) is disposed in an axially through-going insert bore (32, 92) in an annular collar (34, 90) disposed pressure-sealingly around the injection string (4) so as to project outwardly therefrom; and wherein the collar (34, 90) also is disposed pressure-sealingly against an external and removable housing (36, 42, 86) pressure-sealingly enclosing said at least one pipe wall opening (28, 87) in the injection string (4), thereby providing a through going flow channel (38, 88) between the collar (34) and the at least one pipe wall opening (28, 87), whereby the collar (34, 90) may be provided with several insert bores (32, 92) around the circumference thereof, each bore (32, 92) containing a removable insert (12). 5. The well injection string (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that an outflow zone having two or more inserts (12) arranged thereto, is provided with a mixture of said types of flow restrictions. 6. The well injection string (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that an outflow zone arranged with two or more inserts (12) containing a nozzle or an orifice each, is provided with nozzles or orifices of similar or dissimilar internal opening sizes. 7. The well injection string (4) according to claim 2, characterized in that the inserts (12) in the string (4) are of identical external size and shape. 8. The well injection string (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that the downstream side of said housing (36, 42, 86) is extended axially and past said collar (34, 90), said extension of the housing (36, 42, 86) thereby forming a through-going and annular fluid collision chamber (48, 100) within which the injection fluid is subjected to a pressure-reducing energy loss. 9. The well injection string (4) according to claim 8, characterized in that a flow-through grid plate or perforated plate (50) of erosion-resistant material is disposed in said fluid collision chamber (48, 100). 10. The well injection string (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that the downstream side of the housing (36, 42, 54, 86) is connected to a sand screen (44, 98). 11. A method of controlling an injection fluid outflow rate from at least one fluid outflow zone of a well injection string (4) intersecting at least one reservoir (6), the at least one fluid outflow zone being provided with one or more through-going pipe wall openings (28, 87) located opposite the reservoir (6) when placed therein, said method being initiated by injecting said fluid from a surface via the injection string (4) and then through at least one pressure-loss-promoting flow control device in the form of a flow restriction provided to at least one of said pipe wall openings (28, 87) in the injection string (4), after which the injection fluid flows onwards into the surrounding reservoir (6), characterized in that the method further comprises selecting said flow restriction from the following types of flow restrictions: a nozzle; an orifice in the form of a slot or a hole; and a sealing plug. 12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that the method further comprises: forming said flow restriction as a removable and replaceable insert (12). 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the method further comprises: disposing the insert (12) in an insert bore (28) in the pipe wall of the string (4), the bore (28) comprising said pipe wall opening in the injection string (4), whereby said outflow zone may be provided with several insert bores (28), each bore (28) containing a removable insert (12). 14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the method further comprises: disposing the insert (12) in an axially through-going insert bore (32, 92) in an annular collar (34, 90) disposed pressure-sealingly around the injection string (4) so as to project outwardly therefrom, the collar (34, 90) also being disposed pressure-sealingly against an external and removable housing (36, 42, 86) pressure-sealingly enclosing said at least one pipe wall opening (28, 87) in the injection string (4), thereby providing a through-going flow channel (38, 88) between the collar (34) and the at least one pipe wall opening (28, 87), whereby the collar (34, 90) may be provided with several insert bores (32, 92) around the circumference thereof, and a removable insert (12) being disposed in each bore (32, 92). 15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the method further comprises: providing an outflow zone having two or more inserts (12) arranged thereto, with a mixture of said types of flow restrictions. 16. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the method further comprises: providing an outflow zone having two or more inserts (12) arranged thereto, with nozzles or orifices of similar or dissimilar internal opening sizes. 17. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the method further comprises: providing the string (4) with inserts (12) of identical external size and shape. 18. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the method further comprises: extending the downstream side of said housing (36, 42, 86) axially and past said collar (34, 90), the extension of the housing (36, 42, 86) thereby forming a through-going and annular fluid collision chamber (48, 100) within which the injection fluid is subjected to a pressure-reducing energy loss. 19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the method further comprises: disposing a flow-through grid plate or perforated plate (50) of erosion-resistant material in said fluid collision chamber (48, 100). 20. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the method further comprises: connecting the downstream side of the housing (36, 42, 54, 86) to a sand screen (44, 98). 21. A well injection string (4) for injection of a fluid into at least one reservoir (6) intersected by the string (4), in which at least a part of the injection string (4) includes at least one fluid outflow zone provided with one or more through-going pipe wall openings (28) located opposite the reservoir (6) when placed therein, and in which at least one pressure-loss-promoting flow control device is provided to at least one of said pipe wall openings (28) in the injection string (4), the flow control device controlling the injection fluid outflow rate therethrough and onwards into the reservoir (6) when placed therein, characterized in that the flow control device comprises an annular collar (56) provided with at least one axially through-going bore (58); wherein the collar (56) is disposed pressure-sealingly around the injection string (4) so as to project outwardly therefrom; and wherein the collar (56) also is disposed pressure-sealingly against an external and removable housing (54) pressure-sealingly enclosing said at least one pipe wall opening (28) in the injection string (4), thereby providing a through-going flow channel (38) between the collar (56) and the at least one pipe wall opening (28). 22. The well injection string (4) according to claim 21, characterized in that two or more collars (56) are connected in series when placing two or more flow control devices within one fluid outflow zone along the injection string (4). 23. The well injection string (4) according to claim 21, characterized in that a collar (56) having two or more axial bores (58), is provided with bores (58) of similar or dissimilar diameters. 24. The well injection string (4) according to claim 21, characterized in that at least one bore (58) is provided with a sealing plug. 25. The well injection string (4) according to claim 21, characterized in that the collar (56) is removably, pivotally or adjustably disposed around the injection string (4). 26. The well injection string (4) according to claim 21, characterized in that said housing (54), or a cover provided thereto, is removably disposed around the injection string (4). 27. The well injection string (4) according to claim 21, characterized in that the downstream side of the housing (54) is connected to a sand screen (44). 28. A method of controlling an injection fluid outflow rate from at least one fluid outflow zone of a well injection string (4) intersecting at least one reservoir (6), the at least one fluid outflow zone being provided with one or more through-going pipe wall openings (28) located opposite the reservoir (6) when placed therein, said method being initiated by injecting said fluid from surface via the injection string (4) and then through at least one pressure-loss-promoting flow control device provided to at least one of said pipe wall openings (28) in the injection string (4), after which the injection fluid flows onwards into the surrounding reservoir (6), characterized in that the method further comprises: using an annular collar (56) provided with at least one axially through-going bore (58) as a flow control device; disposing the collar (56) pressure-sealingly around the injection string (4) so as to project outwardly therefrom; and disposing the collar (56) pressure-sealingly against an external and removable housing (54) pressure-sealingly enclosing said at least one pipe wall opening (28) in the injection string (4), thereby providing a through-going flow channel (38) between the collar (56) and the at least one pipe wall opening (28). 29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the method further comprises: connecting two or more collars (56) in series when placing two or more flow control devices within one fluid outflow zone along the injection string (4). 30. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the method further comprises: providing a collar (56) having two or more axial bores (58), with bores (58) of similar or dissimilar diameters. 31. The method according to claim 28, 29 or 30, characterized in that the method further comprises: providing at least one bore (58) with a sealing plug. 32. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the method further comprises: disposing the collar (56) removably, pivotally or adjustably around the injection string (4). 33. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the method further comprises: removably disposing said housing (54), or a cover provided thereto, around the injection string (4). 34. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the method further comprises: connecting the downstream side of the housing (54) to a sand screen (44).

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a flow control device for controlling the outflow rate of an injection fluid from an injection pipe string of a well in connection with stimulated recovery, preferably petroleum recovery. The fluid is injected from surface through well pipes extending i.a. through permeable rocks of one or more underground reservoirs, hereinafter referred to as one reservoir. Hereinafter, the pipe string through the reservoir is referred to as an injection string. The injection fluid may consist of liquid and/or gas. In stimulated petroleum recovery, it is most common to inject water. The invention is particularly useful in a horizontal, or approximately horizontal, injection well, and particularly when the injection string is of long horizontal extent within the reservoir. Hereinafter, such a well is referred to as a horizontal well. However, the invention may just as well be used in non-horizontal wells, such as vertical wells and deviated wells. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The background of the invention is related to injection-technical problems associated with fluid injection, preferably water injection, into a reservoir via a well. Such injection-technical problems are particularly prevalent when injecting from a horizontal well. These problems often result in downstream reservoir-technical and/or production-technical problems. During fluid injection, the injection fluid flows out radially through openings or perforations in the injection string. Depending on the nature of the reservoir rock in question, the injection string is either fixed through cementation or disposed loosely in a borehole through the reservoir. The injection string may also be provided with filters, or so-called sand screens, preventing formation particles from flowing back into the injection string during a temporary break in the injection. When the injection fluid is flowing through the injection string, the fluid is subjected to flow friction, which results in a frictional pressure loss, particularly when flowing through a horizontal section of an injection string. This pressure loss normally exhibits a non-linear and greatly increasing pressure loss progression along the injection string. Thus the outflow rate of the injection fluid to the reservoir will also be non-linear and greatly decreasing in the downstream direction of the injection string. At any position along a horizontal injection string, for example, the driving pressure difference (differential pressure) between the fluid pressure within the injection string and the fluid pressure within the reservoir rock therefore will exhibit a non-linear and greatly decreasing pressure progression. Thereby, the radial outflow rate of the injection fluid per unit of horizontal length will be substantially greater at the upstream “heel” of the horizontal section than that of the downstream “toe” of the well, and the fluid injection rate along the injection string thereby becomes irregular and decreasing. This causes substantially larger amounts of fluid being pumped into the reservoir at the “heel” of the well than that of its “toe”. Thereby, the injection fluid will flow out of the horizontal section of the well and spread out within the reservoir as an irregular, non-uniform (inhomogeneous) and partly unpredictable flood front, inasmuch as the flood front drives reservoir fluids towards one or more production wells. Normally, such an irregular, non-uniform and partially unpredictable flood front is unfavourable with respect to achieving optimal recovery of the fluids of the reservoir. An uneven injection rate may also occur as a result of inhomogeneity within the reservoir. The part of the reservoir having the highest permeability will receive most fluid. This creates an irregular flood front, and the fluid injection thus becomes non-optimal with respect to downstream recovery from production wells. To prevent or reduce such an irregular injection rate profile along the injection string, it is desirable to pump the injection fluid into the reservoir at a predictable radial outflow rate per unit of length of a horizontal injection string, for example. Normally, it is desirable to pump the injection fluid at equal or approximately equal radial outflow rate per unit of length of the injection string. Thereby, a uniform and relatively straight-line flood front is achieved, moving through the reservoir and pushing the reservoir fluid in front of it. This may be achieved by appropriately adjusting, and thereby controlling, the energy loss (pressure loss) of the injection fluid as it flows radially out from the injection string and into the reservoir. The energy loss is adjusted relative to the ambient pressure conditions of the string and of the reservoir, and also to the reservoir-technical properties at the outflow position/-zone in question. In connection with a horizontal well, it may also be desirable to create a flood front having a geometric shape that, for example, is curvilinear, arched or askew. Thereby, it is possible for a reservoir to better adjust, control or shape the flood front relative to the specific reservoir conditions and -properties, and relative to other well locations. Such adaptations, however, are difficult to carry out by means of known injection methods and -equipment. An irregular, non-uniform and partly unpredictable flood front may also emanate from a non-horizontal well. The above-mentioned fluid injection problems therefore are relevant to non-horizontal wells, too. Principally, this invention seeks to remove or limit this unpredictability and lack of control of the injection flow, this resulting in a better shape and movement of the fluid front within the reservoir. PRIOR ART AND ITS DISADVANTAGES Depending on the nature of the reservoir rock in question, the injection string is either fixed through cementation or disposed loosely in a borehole through the reservoir. According to the prior art, and in order to control the injection rate profile along the injection string, so-called selective perforation may be carried out in the injection string. This method is normally employed when the injection string is fixed through cementation in the borehole. In this connection, explosive charges are lowered into the well, after which they are detonated inside the string and blast holes in it. At a desired perforation density, the charges are detonated in the relevant zone(s) of the string. A substantial disadvantage of this detonation method is that it is not possible, even in a successful perforation operation, to control the geometric shape and flow section of the individual perforation. Moreover, uncertainty often prevails as to how many charges have detonated in the well and/or whether the charges have detonated in the correct locations. Furthermore, uncertainty exists as to whether the perforations provide sufficient quality as outflow openings. Hence, predictable and precise control of the injection fluid energy loss, and thus its outflow rate, is not possible between the injection string and the reservoir. The perforation operation may also cause formation-damage effects affecting the subsequent fluid injection into the reservoir. Formation particles, for examples may dislodge from the borehole wall of the well and then flow into the injection string during a potential break in the fluid injection. This additional to the formation-damage effects often occurring, and is caused by the injection pressure of the fluid. The perforation operation may also compress soft rocks to a degree greatly reducing the flow properties of the rock. Moreover, a certain safety risk will always be related to transport, use and storage of such explosive charges. When using a non-cemented injection string in the wellbore, it is common in the art to provide the string with a prefabricated, and thereby predetermined, number of holes that are placed at suitable positions along the string. To ensure sufficient fluid outflow from said positions along the string, it is common to provide the string with an excess of holes. It is also normal to provide a non-cemented injection string with external packer elements that prevent fluid flow along the annulus between the string and the surrounding rock. To prevent backflow of formation particles during injection breaks, it is also common to provide the string with sand screens located between the reservoir and the holes in the string. As the hole configuration in the string is prefabricated and thereby predetermined, this method has little flexibility with respect to making subsequent changes to said hole configuration. This provides little possibility for making such changes to the hole configuration immediately prior to inserting the string into the well. The fact that Normally provided the string with an excess of holes also reduces the possibility of gaining optimal control of injection rates along the string. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide an injection pipe string that, during fluid injection into a reservoir, is arranged to provide a better and more predictable control of the injection flow along the string. This causes a better and more predictable shape and movement of the resulting flood front in the reservoir, whereby an optimal stimulated reservoir recovery may be achieved. Another objective of the invention is to provide an injection string being provided with a flexibility of use that allows the length of the string to be adapted with an optimal pressure choking profile immediately prior to being lowered into the well and being installed in the reservoir. ACHIEVING THE OBJECT The object is achieved by providing at least parts of the injection string being located opposite one or more reservoirs, with at least one pressure-loss-promoting flow control device of the types presented herein. The at least one flow control device is used to control the outflow rate of the injection fluid to the at least one reservoir. Said device is placed between the internal flow space of the injection string and the reservoir rock opposite the injection string. With the exception of sealing plugs or similar devices, each flow control device is hydraulically connected to both the at least one through-going wall opening of the injection pipe string, and to said reservoir rock. The at least one through-going wall opening of the pipe string may consist, for example, of a bore or a slot opening. The at least one flow control device is placed in one or more outflow position(s)/-zone(s) along the relevant part of the injection string. When using the present invention, the injection string may be placed either in a cemented and perforated well, or it may be completed in an open wellbore. In the first case, the injection string is placed in a completion string existing already. Thereby, fluid communication between the injection string and the reservoir rock does not have to occur directly against an open wellbore. When used in an open wellbore, an annulus initially will exist between the injection string and the borehole wall of the well. As mentioned, unfavourable cross- or transverse flows of the injection fluid may occur in this annulus during injection. In some cases, it may therefore be necessary to place zone-isolating sealing elements within the annulus, thus preventing such flows. This may also be necessary when placing the injection string in an existing completion string. In the open borehole, if no great fluid pressure differences are planned along the injection string, it is not always necessary to use such sealing elements in the annulus. In some cases, however, the reservoir rock may collapse about the string, thereby creating a natural flow restriction in the annulus. Hydraulic communication along the injection string may also be prevented by carrying out so-called gravel-packing in this annulus. In yet other cases, for example in a horizontal injection well, the reservoir rock is sufficiently permeable for the injection fluid to flow easily into the rock at the different outflow rates used along the injection string, thereby preventing problematic flows from occurring in said annulus. In such cases, it is unnecessary to use sealing elements in the annulus. When flow-through flow control devices of the present types are used, the injection fluid is forced to flow through the at least one flow control device and into the reservoir rock. By using at least one flow control device according to the invention, the injection string thus may be arranged to produce a predictable and adapted energy loss/pressure loss, hence a predictable and adapted outflow rate, in the respective fluid outflows therefrom. The present flow control devices may be arranged in accordance with two different rheological principles of inflicting an energy loss in a flowing fluid. One principle is based on energy loss in the form of flow friction occurring in flows through pipes or channels, in which the pressure loss substantially is proportional to the geometric shape, i.e. length and flow section, of the pipe/channel. Through suitable adjustment of the length and/or flow section of the pipe/channel, the flow friction (pressure loss) and fluid flow rate therethrough may be controlled. The second principle is based on energy loss in the form of an impact loss resulting from fluids of different velocities colliding. This energy loss assumes fluid flow through a flow restriction in the form of a nozzle or an orifice. The orifice is in the form of a slot or a hole. A nozzle or an orifice is a velocity-increasing element formed with the aim of rapidly converting the pressure energy of the fluid into velocity energy without inflicting a substantial energy loss in the fluid during its through-put. Consequently, the fluid exits at great velocity and collides with relatively slow-flowing fluids at the downstream side of the nozzle or orifice. Preferably, collision of fluids is effected within a collision chamber at the downstream side of the nozzle or orifice, the collision chamber being formed, for example, between the injection string and a surrounding sleeve or housing. To prevent/reduce flow erosion of the sleeve/housing, but also to smooth out the downstream flow profile of the fluid, the collision chamber preferably is provided with a grid plate or a perforated plate made of erosion-resistant material. For example, the plate may be formed of tungsten carbide or a ceramic material. Such continuous energy losses in the form of fluid impact losses reduce the pressure energy of the fluid flowing through, hence reduces the fluid flow rate therethrough. Thus, the fluid flow rate therethrough may be controlled. Thereby, and according to the invention, a specific outflow position/-zone of the injection string may be provided with a flow control device in the form of at least one pipe or channel, cf. said first flow principle. Either the pipe or channel may exist as a separate unit on the outside of the injection string, or it may be integrated in a collar, sleeve or housing enclosing the injection string. Preferably, the collar, sleeve or housing is removable, pivotal or possibly adjustable. Moreover, and according to the invention, an outflow position/-zone of the injection string may, in addition to or instead of, be provided with at least one nozzle or at least one orifice, possibly a mixture of nozzles and orifices, cf. said second flow principle. The outflow position/-zone may also be provided with nozzles and/or orifices of different internal diameters. In addition, or instead of, the outflow position/-zone may also be provided with one or more sealing plugs. According to the invention, the nozzle, orifice or sealing plug is provided in a removable, and therefore replaceable, insert. The insert is placed in an adapted opening associated with the injection string, said opening hereinafter being referred to as an insert opening. Each insert is placed in an adapted insert opening, for example a bore or a punch hole. The insert opening may be formed in the injection string. Alternatively, the insert opening may be formed in a collar located between the injection string and said surrounding housing, the collar being placed in a pressure-sealing manner against both the string and the housing. Each insert may be removably attached in its insert opening by means of a thread connection, a locking ring, for example a snap ring, a clamping plate, a locking sleeve or locking screws. Furthermore, inserts should be manufactured having identical external size fitting into insert openings of identical internal size. Thereby, an insert provided with one type of flow restriction may be easily replaced with an insert provided with another type of flow restriction. Consequently, each outflow position/-zone along the injection string may easily and quickly be provided with a suitable configuration of inserts producing the desired energy loss in the injection fluid when flowing out to the reservoir. Also, such inserts may possibly be used in combination with said separate and/or integrated flow pipes/channels in one or more outflow positions/-zones of the injection string. Thus, each individual outflow position/-zone may be provided with one or more flow control devices of the types mentioned, which devices work in accordance with one or both rheological principle(s), and which devices may consist of any suitable combination thereof, including types, numbers and/or dimensions of flow control devices. If appropriate, parts of the injection string may also be arranged without any flow control devices of the present types, or parts of the string may be arranged in a known injection-technical manner, or parts of the string may not be perforated. To protect against damage, the at least one flow control device is preferably disposed in a housing enclosing the injection string at the outside thereof. Thereby, the housing forms an internal flow channel, one end thereof being connected in a manner allowing through-put to the interior of the injection string via at least one opening in the string, the other and opposite end thereof being connected in a manner allowing through-put to the reservoir, preferably through a sand screen. The housing, or a cover provided is thereto, may also be removably arranged relative to the injection string, which provides easy access to the flow control device(s). To prevent a possible influx of formation particles at an injection break, the injection string may also be provided with a sand screen. In position of use, the sand screen is placed between the reservoir rock and the at least one flow control device, possibly between the reservoir rock and said other end of the surrounding housing. Along its outside, the injection string preferably is installed with external packer elements preventing fluid flow along the annulus between the string and the reservoir. However, such packer elements are not essential for the present flow control devices to be used in an injection string. By means of the present invention, each outflow position/-zone of the injection string thereby may be provided with a suitable configuration of such replaceable and/or adjustable flow control devices causing an adapted and predictable energy loss in the injection fluid when flowing out therefrom. The total energy loss at the individual outflow position/-zone is the sum of the energy loss caused by each individual flow control device associated with that position/zone. Thereby, an adapted and predictable injection rate from the individual outflow position/-zone may be achieved, thereby collectively achieving a desired outflow profile along the injection string. By means of the present invention, each outflow position/-zone also may be provided with an adapted configuration of flow control devices immediately prior to lowering and installing the string in the well. Thus, the adaptation may be carried out at a well location. This is a great advantage, inasmuch as further reservoir- and well information often is acquired immediately prior to completing or re-completing an injection well. On the basis of this and other information, an optimal pressure choking profile for the injection fluid along the injection string may be calculated immediately prior to installing the string in the well. The present invention makes it possible to arrange the string in accordance with such an optimal pressure choking profile, which is not possible according to the prior art. Different flow control devices in accordance with the invention will be shown in further detail in the following exemplary embodiments. DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a horizontal injection well 2 with its injection pipe string 4 extending through a reservoir 6 in connection with water injection into the reservoir 6. In this exemplary embodiment, and by means of external packer elements 8, the string 4 is divided into five longitudinal sections 10, thereby being pressure-sealingly separated from each other. Most longitudinal sections 10 are provided with pressure-loss-promoting flow control devices according to the invention, these consisting of, in this example, inserts 12 provided with internal nozzles. In the figure, the most upstream-located longitudinal section 10′, at the heel 14 of the well 2, is provided with fewer nozzle inserts 12 than that of the downstream sections 10, whereby the injection water from section 10′ is pressure choked to a greater degree than downstream sections thereof. However, the most downstream section 10″, at the toe 16 of the well 2, is not provided with any flow control devices according to the invention, section 10″ being provided with ordinary perforations (not shown) and also being open at its downstream end. Via an internal flow space 18 of the injection string 4, the injection water is pumped down from surface and out into the individual longitudinal section 10 opposite the reservoir 6. FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view of a horizontal water injection well 20 being completed in the reservoir 6 by means of conventional cementation and perforation (not shown). The figure shows a schematic water flood profile associated with this type of conventional well completion. In the figure, the resulting water flood profile is indicated by an irregularly shaped water flood front 22 within the reservoir 6. This example shows that the water outflow at the heel 14 of the well 20 is substantially greater than that at its toe 16. Such a water flood profile normally produces undesirable and non-optimal water-flooding of the reservoir 6. Such a profile may also result from inhomogeneity (heterogeneity) in the rocks of the reservoir 6. In contrast, FIG. 3 shows a schematic plan view of the horizontal water injection well 2 of FIG. 1 provided with an uncemented injection string 4 having flow control devices according to the invention. Here, the injection string 4 is suitably arranged with nozzle inserts 12 that provide optimal pressure-choking of the injection water flowing out at the pertinent outflow positions along the string 4. In the figure, the resulting water flood profile is indicated by a water flood front 24 of a regular shape within the reservoir 6. Here, the water flood profile is optimally shaped to drive the reservoir fluids out of the reservoir 6 for increased recovery. FIG. 4 shows a schematic, half longitudinal section through an injection string 4 placed in the reservoir 6, injection string 4 being provided with removable nozzle inserts 12 according to the invention. The nozzle inserts 12 are provided with internal through-going openings 26, and the inserts 12 are disposed radially within bores 28 in the pipe wall of the injection string 4. The bores 28 are provided with internal threads matching external threads on the inserts 12 (threads not shown in the figure). FIG. 5 also shows a schematic, half longitudinal section through an injection string 4 placed in the reservoir 6. In this figure, however, the injection string 4 is provided with removable, thin pipes 30 according to the invention. Mainly, the pipes 30 extend axially along the string 4. At its upstream end, however, each pipe 30 is bent and extend radially into through-going bores 28 in the pipe wall of the injection string 4. Also the bores 28 are provided with internal threads matching external threads on the pipes 30 (threads not shown in the figure). When water is flowing through the pipes 30, a frictional pressure loss arises in the water. By adapting the cross-section and/or length of one or more of the pipes 30, the frictional pressure loss may be adjusted further. This may be done, for example, by initially allowing all pipes 30 connected to the injection string 4, to be of relatively great length. Thereafter, each pipe 30 may be adapted to a desired length, and thereby with an adjusted pressure loss, by cutting it to the correct length immediately prior to inserting the string 4 into the well 2 and installing it in the reservoir 6. FIG. 6 shows a corresponding schematic longitudinal section through an injection string 4 in the reservoir 6. In this figure also, the injection string 4 is provided with removable nozzle inserts 12 according to the invention, but here the inserts 12 are placed in axial and through-going bores 32 in an annular collar 34 projecting from and around the string 4. The collar 34 is disposed pressure-sealingly against a removable, external housing 36, which pressure-sealingly encloses through-going pipe wall openings in the string 4, and which is open at its downstream end. In this exemplary embodiment, the pipe wall openings consist of radial bores 28, but they may also consist of through-going slots in the string 4. Said axial bores 32 in the collar 34 are provided with internal threads matching external threads of the inserts 12 (threads not shown in the figure). A through-going annular flow channel 38 exists between the collar 34 and the pipe wall openings 28. The flow section of the flow channel 38 is much larger than the flow section of the nozzles, thereby causing the injection water to flow slowly at the upstream side of the collar 34 during the injection, wherein the inherent energy of the water consists of pressure energy. When the water then flows through the nozzle openings 26, this pressure energy is converted into velocity energy. Hence, the water exits the nozzle openings 26 at a high velocity and collides with slow-flowing water at the downstream side of the collar 34. A liquid impact loss giving rise to a liquid pressure loss thus is inflicted on the water, cf. said second flow principle of fluid energy loss. Similar to the pipes 30 in FIG. 5, the collar 34 may be adapted with nozzle inserts 12 with nozzle openings 26 of a suitable internal size. For example, the collar 34 may be provided with a suitable number of nozzle inserts 12 having different internal opening diameters, or possibly that some inserts 12 consist of sealing plugs and/or orifices (not shown in the figure). Immediately prior to inserting the string 4 into the well 2 and installing it in the reservoir 6, each collar 34 along the string 4 thus may be arranged to cause an individually adapted pressure loss, which produces an optimal water outflow rate therefrom. FIG. 7 shows a further schematic longitudinal section through the injection string 4 in the reservoir 6, in which the same removable, thin pipes 30 according to FIG. 5 are shown. In this exemplary embodiment, however, the pipes 30 are pressure-sealingly enclosed by a protective, removable housing 40 being open at its downstream end. FIG. 8 also shows a schematic longitudinal section through the injection string 4. The figure shows the same nozzle inserts 12 in the collar 34 as those of FIG. 6, in which the collar 34 also here is placed pressure-sealingly against an external, removable housing 42 pressure-sealingly enclosing radial bores 28 in the string 4, and being open at its downstream end. In this exemplary embodiment, however, the housing 42 is connected to a downstream sand screen 44 formed of wire wraps 46 wound around the injection string 4. The invention does not require use of a sand screen 44, but experience goes to show that sand control is appropriate in connection with injection. At its downstream side, the housing 42 is extended axially and past the collar 34, thereby providing an annular liquid collision chamber 48 in this longitudinal interval, in which chamber 48 said liquid impact loss is inflicted. This extension may also be provided by connecting an extension sleeve (not shown) to the housing 42. When water exits the nozzle openings 26 at a high velocity, components located downstream in the injection system may be subjected to erosion. The risk of erosion may be reduced considerably by placing an annular grid plate or a perforated plate in the liquid collision chamber 48 downstream of the nozzle inserts 12. Such a perforated plate 50 provided with several through-going holes 52 is shown in FIG. 8. Flow through several such holes 52 smoothes out the liquid flow profile due to friction against their hole walls. FIG. 9 shows a schematic radial section along the section line IX-IX, cf. FIG. 8, the figure showing only a segment of the perforated plate 50. FIG. 10 shows a further schematic embodiment of the invention. Here also, a removable housing 54 is used that pressure-sealingly encloses radial bores 28 in the string 4, and that is open at its downstream end. An annular collar 56 is provided between the housing 54 and the injection string 4. In this exemplary embodiment, the collar 56 is formed as a projecting collar at the inside of the housing 54, the collar 56 surrounding the string 4 in a pressure-sealing manner. However, the collar 56 may just as well be provided as a separate collar disposed in a pressure-sealing manner against both the housing 54 and the string 4. The collar 56 is provided with axial, through-going bores 58. During liquid through-put, the bores 58 act as flow channels causing flow friction, and thereby a pressure loss, in the water injected therethrough. Thus, the collar 56 may be provided with a suitable number of such flow channels/bores 58 of suitable cross-sections and lengths. Moreover, one or more flow channels/bores 58 may be provided with sealing plugs (not shown). In this way, the collar 56 may be provided with flow channels/bores 58 of a desired configuration, thereby causing a desired frictional pressure loss during liquid through-put, immediately prior to inserting the string 4 into the well 2 for installation. In this exemplary embodiment, the downstream side of the bores 58 opens into an annular flow chamber 60 connected to a sand screen 44 located downstream thereof. FIG. 11 shows a schematic radial section along section line XI-XI, cf. FIG. 10, the figure showing several axial, through-going bores 58. FIG. 12 shows a further schematic embodiment of the invention. Here also, a removable housing 62 is used that pressure-sealingly and concentrically encloses radial bores 28 in the string 4, and that is open at its downstream end towards a sand screen 44. In principle, the housing 62 may also lead directly out to the surrounding reservoir 6. The housing 62 is arranged with a first upstream longitudinal portion 64 and a second downstream longitudinal portion 66. The first upstream longitudinal portion 64 is provided with internal threads 68. The second downstream longitudinal portion 66 of the housing 62 is not threaded and is formed with an internal diameter larger than the internal diameter of the first longitudinal portion 64. The threads 68 of the first longitudinal portion 64 are connected to an axially displaceable and externally threaded flow control sleeve 70. The external threads 72 of the sleeve 70 are complementary to the threads 68 of the housing 62, but the external threads 72 are of a different thread depth than the thread depth of the internal threads 68. The threaded connection is of such arrangement that there is no substantial leakage flow across the thread profiles. When assembling the sleeve 70 and housing 62, continuously open helical flow channels 74 thereby are formed between them. FIG. 12 shows an inlet opening 76 and an outlet opening 78 of the channels 74. However, the external threads 72 of the flow control sleeve 70 are separated from the housing 62 at the second downstream longitudinal portion 66, thereby allowing the injection fluid in this portion 66 to flow freely between the sleeve 70 and the housing 62. The length of the flow channels 74, however, may be adjusted by rotating and axially displacing the sleeve 70, thereby uncovering and disengaging a larger or smaller portion of the sleeve threads 72 from the internal threads 68 of the housing 62. Thereby, the effective length of the flow channels 74 may be adjusted in a simple way. The flow friction in the channels 74 thus may be adjusted immediately prior to inserting the string 4 into the well 2 and installing it in the reservoir 6. The sleeve 70 may also be displaced axially until it covers the bores 28 in the string 4, thereby closing the outflow openings to water outflow. FIG. 13 shows the same schematic embodiment as that of FIG. 12, but without a section through the flow control sleeve 70 and its external threads 72. FIG. 14 shows a work embodiment of the present invention. With the exception of said perforated plate 50, this work embodiment is essentially identical to the embodiment according to FIG. 8. In this work embodiment, two base pipes 80, 82 of the injection string 4 are connected via a sub 84. The base pipe 80 is provided with an enclosing, removable housing 86 that pressure-sealingly encloses radial and conically shaped outlet bores 86 in the base pipe 80. The bores 86 lead into an annular flow channel 88 upstream of an annular collar 90 also being pressure-sealingly enclosed by the housing 86. Nozzle inserts 12 are disposed in axial, through-going insert bores 92 in the collar 90. An outer sleeve 94 is connected around the downstream end of the collar 90 and extends downstream thereof and overlaps the base pipe 82 and said sub 84. At its downstream end, the sleeve 94 is connected to a conical connecting sub 96 that connects the sleeve 94 to a sand screen 98, through which the injection fluid may exit. Between the sleeve 94 and the injection string 4 there is an annular liquid collision chamber 100, in which the above-mentioned liquid impact loss is inflicted. FIG. 15 shows a segment XV of the work embodiment according to FIG. 14. The segment shows structural details on a larger scale, in which a locking ring 102 and an associated access bore 104 of the housing 86 are shown, among other things. The figure also shows a ring gasket 106 between the collar 90 and the housing 86, and also a ring gasket 108 between the collar 90 and the base pipe 80.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The background of the invention is related to injection-technical problems associated with fluid injection, preferably water injection, into a reservoir via a well. Such injection-technical problems are particularly prevalent when injecting from a horizontal well. These problems often result in downstream reservoir-technical and/or production-technical problems. During fluid injection, the injection fluid flows out radially through openings or perforations in the injection string. Depending on the nature of the reservoir rock in question, the injection string is either fixed through cementation or disposed loosely in a borehole through the reservoir. The injection string may also be provided with filters, or so-called sand screens, preventing formation particles from flowing back into the injection string during a temporary break in the injection. When the injection fluid is flowing through the injection string, the fluid is subjected to flow friction, which results in a frictional pressure loss, particularly when flowing through a horizontal section of an injection string. This pressure loss normally exhibits a non-linear and greatly increasing pressure loss progression along the injection string. Thus the outflow rate of the injection fluid to the reservoir will also be non-linear and greatly decreasing in the downstream direction of the injection string. At any position along a horizontal injection string, for example, the driving pressure difference (differential pressure) between the fluid pressure within the injection string and the fluid pressure within the reservoir rock therefore will exhibit a non-linear and greatly decreasing pressure progression. Thereby, the radial outflow rate of the injection fluid per unit of horizontal length will be substantially greater at the upstream “heel” of the horizontal section than that of the downstream “toe” of the well, and the fluid injection rate along the injection string thereby becomes irregular and decreasing. This causes substantially larger amounts of fluid being pumped into the reservoir at the “heel” of the well than that of its “toe”. Thereby, the injection fluid will flow out of the horizontal section of the well and spread out within the reservoir as an irregular, non-uniform (inhomogeneous) and partly unpredictable flood front, inasmuch as the flood front drives reservoir fluids towards one or more production wells. Normally, such an irregular, non-uniform and partially unpredictable flood front is unfavourable with respect to achieving optimal recovery of the fluids of the reservoir. An uneven injection rate may also occur as a result of inhomogeneity within the reservoir. The part of the reservoir having the highest permeability will receive most fluid. This creates an irregular flood front, and the fluid injection thus becomes non-optimal with respect to downstream recovery from production wells. To prevent or reduce such an irregular injection rate profile along the injection string, it is desirable to pump the injection fluid into the reservoir at a predictable radial outflow rate per unit of length of a horizontal injection string, for example. Normally, it is desirable to pump the injection fluid at equal or approximately equal radial outflow rate per unit of length of the injection string. Thereby, a uniform and relatively straight-line flood front is achieved, moving through the reservoir and pushing the reservoir fluid in front of it. This may be achieved by appropriately adjusting, and thereby controlling, the energy loss (pressure loss) of the injection fluid as it flows radially out from the injection string and into the reservoir. The energy loss is adjusted relative to the ambient pressure conditions of the string and of the reservoir, and also to the reservoir-technical properties at the outflow position/-zone in question. In connection with a horizontal well, it may also be desirable to create a flood front having a geometric shape that, for example, is curvilinear, arched or askew. Thereby, it is possible for a reservoir to better adjust, control or shape the flood front relative to the specific reservoir conditions and -properties, and relative to other well locations. Such adaptations, however, are difficult to carry out by means of known injection methods and -equipment. An irregular, non-uniform and partly unpredictable flood front may also emanate from a non-horizontal well. The above-mentioned fluid injection problems therefore are relevant to non-horizontal wells, too. Principally, this invention seeks to remove or limit this unpredictability and lack of control of the injection flow, this resulting in a better shape and movement of the fluid front within the reservoir.

20050726

20080923

20060309

94563.0

E21B3406

GAY, JENNIFER HAWKINS

FLOW CONTROL DEVICE FOR AN INJECTION PIPE STRING

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

E21B

ACCEPTED

Temperature management in ring topology networks

The invention relates to a method for temperature management in a network (1) with ring topology, wherein control devices (2) exchange data via the network (1) by means of transmitting/receiving units. The object of the present invention is to find a method and a data bus system which increases the fail safety of a network (1) with ring topology. For this purpose, the temperature near to the transmitting/measuring unit of at least one control device (2) is measured. As soon as the temperature at the transmitting/receiving unit (2) of the control device exceeds a predefined critical temperature Tkrit, the transmitting/receiving unit is switched off and wakeup requests put onto the network (1) by the control devices (2) are blocked.

1-14. (canceled) 15. A method for temperature management in a network, wherein control devices exchange data via the network using transmitting/receiving units and the temperature is measured at at least one control device, the method comprising the acts of: measuring the temperature at the transmitting/receiving unit of at least one control device; switching off the transmitting/receiving unit as soon as the temperature at the transmitting/receiving unit of the control device exceeds a predefined critical temperature Tkrit; blocking wakeup requests put onto the network via the control devices as soon as the temperature at the transmitting/receiving unit of the control device exceeds a predefined critical temperature Tkrit; canceling the blocking of the wakeup requests as soon as the temperature of the transmitting/receiving unit has dropped to a temperature below the predefined critical temperature Tkrit and below a predefined threshold value temperature Tth within a predefined time period, wherein the threshold value temperature Tth lies below the critical temperature Tkrit; and placing the at least one control device in an energy saving mode as soon as the temperature of the transmitting/receiving unit exceeds the predefined critical temperature Tkrit. 16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one control device is placed in an energy saving mode in which the wakeup standby mode of the control device and the temperature measurement at the transmitting/receiving unit of the at least one control device are ensured. 17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein when a predefined temperature Tkrit, which lies below the predefined critical temperature Tkrit and above a predefined threshold valve temperature Tth is reached, a driver external service points and the control devices are informed about possible overheating and/or preventive protective measures are taken. 18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the preventive protective measures include activation of an automatic air conditioning system; deactivation of heat sources; activation of heat protection means; or activation of an emergency operating function of a control device which can be used without a network functionality. 19. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control device is placed in a standby mode, or switched off, if the temperature of the transmitting/receiving unit is above the critical temperature Tkrit or equal to the critical temperature Tkrit during a predefined time period. 20. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the network is configured as an optical data bus network with an electric wakeup line, and the wakeup requests are blocked by connecting the wakeup line to ground. 21. A method for temperature management in a network, wherein control devices exchange data via the network using transmitting/receiving units and the temperature is measured at at least one control device, the method comprising the acts of: measuring the temperature at the transmitting/receiving unit of at least one control device; switching off the transmitting/receiving unit as soon as the temperature at the transmitting/receiving unit of the control device exceeds a predefined critical temperature Tkrit; blocking wakeup requests put onto the network via the control devices as soon as the temperature at the transmitting/receiving unit of the control device exceeds a predefined critical temperature Tkrit; canceling the blocking of the wakeup requests as soon as the temperature of the transmitting/receiving unit has dropped to a temperature below the predefined critical temperature Tkrit and below a predefined threshold value temperature Tth within a predefined time period, wherein the threshold value temperature Tth lies below the critical temperature Tkrit; and storing a fault code for diagnostic purpose when the critical temperature Tkrit is reached. 22. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the critical temperature Tkrit corresponds to the maximum operating temperature of the transmitting/receiving units. 23. The use of the method as claimed in claim 15 in a data bus system using ring topology.

The invention relates to a method for temperature management and its use in a network. Data buses for telecommunications and audio systems in means of transportation are often configured using ring topology. The data is transmitted here in a ring shape by means of each device which is connected to the data bus. Each device which is connected to the data bus has a receiver, a transmitter, and possibly an amplifier. Since the signal passes through each device, the failure of a single device can shut down the entire network (Grundlagen des Netzwerkbetriebs Fundamentals of Network Operation, 2nd edition, Microsoft Press 1997, pages 44, 45, 801, 808). Failure of components which are used for transmitting data has particularly severe consequences in a network with ring topology. A faulty component causes the data communication of all the network users to fail. Electronic components which are used for communication in networks with ring topology thus have to be protected particularly against damage or destruction. Optoelectronic transmitting and receiving units in networks with ring topology are in use in industrial and medical applications and in means of transportation. A particularly significant role is played by optoelectronic transmitting and receiving units in particular in the multimedia networking of vehicles in conjunction with optical bus systems with ring topology. Optoelectronic systems are used in multimedia networking technology MOST (Media Oriented System Transport). This technology was developed by various automobile manufacturers and suppliers on the basis of an optical bus system which was conceived specially for use in the infotainment area of a vehicle. Further information on the subject of MOST can be found, for example, in the periodical Electronik Electronics, 14/2000, page 54 et seq. and at http://www.mostnet.de. Optoelectronic transmitter and receiver units are susceptible to damage or destruction because of overheating since optoelectronic units are limited to a maximum operating temperature for technical reasons. Particularly in conditions of use in which the ambient temperature of optoelectronic units rises to values above the permitted operating temperature owing to the environmental conditions, a total failure of the component, and thus of the network may occur. When data bus systems are used in vehicles, that is to say control devices which are connected to a data bus via transmitting/receiving units are used, the ambient temperature may rise for various reasons. For example, as a result of the vehicle being used in regions with extreme temperatures such as Death Valley in the USA or the positioning of a control device connected to the data bus at a location in the vehicle where high temperatures are generated, such as for example the engine or exhaust system. In addition, a control device itself may generate a high power loss owing to its method of operation, such as is the case, for example, in a sound amplifier, which also causes the temperature of the control device to increase. If the temperature of the control device rises, the temperature of the corresponding transmitting/receiving unit also rises. When the maximum temperature of the transmitting/receiving unit is exceeded, said unit is irreversibly destroyed and the network communication collapses owing to the ring topology. As a result, the reliability of the network is determined by the transmitting/receiving unit. WO 99/33294 discloses a method and a device for temperature management in cableless telecommunications networks. Here, when the temperature measured in a base station rises the transceiver in the base station is switched off by means of the corresponding mobile units. After the base station has cooled, the transceivers in the base station are switched on again by the mobile units. The method permits the operating temperature to be reduced when the base station overheats. The probability of failure of the base station is reduced. DE 100 12 270 A1 discloses an optical header for components which are connected to an optical data bus with ring topology and which have a bypass which connects the input and output ports of the header. The optical header controls the connected components and is used to permit data to be exchanged between the data bus and the components which are connected to the header. DE 197 26 763 A1 discloses a coupling arrangement for a master/slave bus system with ring topology which permits reaction-free coupling or decoupling of each slave user. In this context the rapid and direct actuation without user addresses is briefly interrupted in such a way that the control systems or computer systems which are connected via the bus system are not affected. U.S. Pat. No. 6,014,304 discloses a networked control circuit for different functions in the vehicle. In this context, the temperature in the individual actuators is sensed and a control signal is generated if the temperature exceeds a threshold value. The object of the present invention is to develop a method for a data bus system which increases the failsafety of a network with ring topology. This object is achieved according to the invention by means of the features of claim 1. Accordingly, the temperature near to the transmitting/receiving unit of at least one control device is measured and as soon as the temperature at the transmitting/receiving unit of the control device exceeds a predefined critical temperature Tkrit, the transmitting/receiving unit is switched off and wakeup requests put onto the network via the control devices are blocked and the blocking of the wakeup requests is cancelled as soon as the temperature of the transmitting/receiving unit has dropped to a temperature below the predefined critical temperature Tkrit and below a predefined threshold value temperature Tth within a predefined time period, wherein the threshold value temperature Tth lies below the critical temperature Tkrit. The transmitting/receiving units may be electronic, optoelectronic or else optical transmitting/receiving units. The transmitting/receiving units are often also referred to as bus drivers, transceivers or simply only network components. The method has the advantage that no irreversible destruction of the transmitting/receiving units occurs since the transmitting/receiving units are switched off before the destruction by overheating. In one development of the method according to the method, the control devices which are not affected by the overheating are informed so that they can initiate corresponding safety-related or preventative processes before the network is switched off. Ideally, when there is a risk of overheating of the control device the generation of heat in the control device is minimized by maintaining only the device functions which are necessary for further monitoring. These are the wakeup standby mode of the control device and the measurement of the temperature of the transmitting/receiving unit of the control device. This is carried out by a quiescent current supply to the corresponding components. In order to avoid further generation of heat it is tested whether the activation of the automatic air conditioning system or of a blower can reduce the temperature at the respective location in the vehicle. In addition, heat protection means such as sun visors or heat reflectors can be used. The preventative safety measures include in particular reducing or switching off the vehicle's own heat sources: for example engine control devices can ensure that the engine can only continue to operate at low rotational speeds in order to avoid heat being generated. Control devices with a high power loss are switched off. Furthermore, the overheating data, that is to say the control device and temperature, can be transmitted to an external control center for data collection. As a result, the corresponding control device and its environment can be examined for possible errors when the vehicle visits the workshop. Since the time of the functional failure of the network is limited to a minimum time period, the failure of the network can be made reversible. By optimizing the predefined time period it is possible to keep the failure period of the network to a minimum. The method is ideally suited for use in data bus systems in means of transportation. In the data bus system, the sensor is a temperature sensor which is positioned near to the transmitting/receiving unit. In addition, wakeup means for the data bus and transmitting/receiving unit switch-off means are present. In addition, a means is provided which interacts with the wakeup means and the transmitting/receiving unit switch-off means and the digital temperature signal in order to switch off the transmitting/receiving unit when a predefined critical temperature Tkrit is exceeded and to block the wakeup means. The positioning of the temperature sensor near to the transmitting/receiving unit permits optimum temperature control of the transmitting/receiving units. The interaction of the wakeup means, of the switch-off means and of the digital temperature signals is ideally carried out by using a means which is embodied by means of software or hardware. This direct interaction using a means permits optimum implementation of the method according to the invention. There are various possible ways of advantageously configuring and developing the teaching of the present invention. In this respect, reference is made on the one hand to the subordinate claims and on the other hand to the subsequent explanation of an embodiment. The advantageous refinements, which result from any desired combination of the subclaims, are also to be included. An embodiment of the method according to the invention and a corresponding device are illustrated in the drawing, in which, in each case in a schematic view, FIG. 1 shows a network structure with ring topology, FIG. 2 shows a temperature profile in a transmitting/receiving unit with and without an energy saving mode, and FIG. 3 shows a control device. The method according to the invention for temperature management is embodied using the multimedia network technology MOST, that is to say as an optimum ring bus system 1 for infotainment applications in a vehicle. The control devices 2 exchange data via the bus system 1 by means of transmitting/receiving units 5. The temperature is measured at the transmitting/receiving units 5. As soon as the temperature at a transmitting/receiving unit 5 of a control device 2 exceeds a predefined critical temperature, the transmitting/receiving unit 5 is switched off and the wakeup requests put onto the bus system 1 by the further control devices 2 are blocked. FIG. 1 shows the network structure of a MOST network 1. The latter comprises a ring topology which is embodied as a closed loop. The network 1 is embodied as an optical bus system which uses polymer optical waveguides as the transmission medium. A plurality of control devices 2, which exchange data via the network 1, are connected to the network 1 in FIG. 1. The control devices 2 are what are referred to as MOST devices. These can be connected to a MOST network 1. Exemplary control devices 2 in the exemplary embodiment of infotainment applications in a vehicle are a Man/Machine interface, voice-operated control system, navigation system, Internet, PC interface, sound system, mobile phone, headset, telemast applications, media disk drives such as CD, MD, DVD etc. FIG. 3 shows a control device 2 with a temperature control unit which is integrated into the control device 2. The control device 2 contains not only the device function unit 10 specified above by way of example but also the temperature control unit, a microcontroller 9 of a MOST transceiver with optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5, for communication in the MOST network 1. The conversion of the electrical signals into optical signals and vice versa is carried out by means of optoelectronic or fiber-optical transmitting/receiving units 5, referred to as FOTs (fiber optical transceivers). Each control unit 2 is connected via a standardized plug to the transmission medium, the optical bus system 1. The bus communication is performed by the MOST transceiver composed of the microcontroller 9 and of the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5. The MOST transceiver makes available the basic functions of the network management at the lower level. These functions include, inter alia, the mechanisms for transporting the individual services. Above these there is the level of “NetServices” which run on the microcontroller, said level already counting as part of the network. The “NetServices” are composed of the mechanisms and routines for operating and managing the network. In addition, the temperature control unit contained in the control device 2 is shown in FIG. 3. Said unit is composed of a temperature sensor 6, an A/D converter 7, a power supply unit 11 and a microcontroller 8 which monitors the temperature values and brings about the interaction between the control device function unit 10 and the communication with the bus system 1. The temperature sensor 6 is capable of measuring the temperature with a precision of ±1 degree Kelvin. The temperature measurement is carried out in the direct vicinity of the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5. A distance of approximately 10 mm is usually selected between the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 to be measured and the temperature sensor 6. Alternatively, the temperature sensor 6 can also be mounted at another position in the device 2 provided the temperature values are correlated between the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 and the actual measuring point. The temperature control unit is equipped with a program which is implemented by means of software and which runs on the microcontroller 8, in order to carry out the method steps according to the invention. When a maximum temperature of the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 is exceeded, said unit is irreversibly destroyed and the network communication collapses owing to the ring topology of the network 1. In order to avoid this, the temperature control unit is integrated in each control device 2. This temperature control unit is capable of detecting a rise in temperature and taking corresponding protective measures. The temperature in the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 is continuously measured by means of the temperature sensor 6 and processed by the microcontroller 8. If the temperature rises above a value Tinf, all the further users 2 of the ring 1 are informed about the rise in temperature and the resulting possible overheating by the temperature control unit by means of the “NetServices”. In this context the variable “temperature” is set to the value “warning”. For the provision of information by the temperature control unit it is irrelevant whether the rise in temperature takes place during the ongoing operation or directly after the system starts. The provision of information is carried out by means of the “NetServices” mentioned above. With this provision of information further preventative protective measures are initiated. Thus, for example the control device 2, which forms the interface with the mobile telephone, automatically activates the mailbox of the mobile telephone in the provider. This is necessary since when overheating has occurred this switching over can no longer take place and in addition calls can no longer be received. The Tele-Aid service, which requests help via an external control center in an emergency using SMS (Short Message Services) messages is also switched to the minimum mode, which is defined by the fact that the network functionality is no longer required. The control device 2 therefore no longer needs to access the bus system 1. When the network users 2 are provided with information by the temperature control unit, information is also provided to the driver. This is done by a Man/Machine Interface control device 2 (MMI controller) outputting a corresponding item of information to the driver as soon as the variable “temperature” is set to the value “warning” or the message about the switching off of the optical data bus 1 is output. In particular, the driver must use information that the infotainment will possibly be switched off owing to overheating, and that for example his mobile telephone has been switched over to the mailbox. If the temperature in the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 drops again to a temperature below a threshold value Tth, the rise in temperature has been overcome. The temperature control unit informs all the users of the ring 1 by means of the “NetServices” by the temperature control unit setting the variable “temperature” to the value “normal”. In FIG. 2, the corresponding temperature profile 3 of the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 is plotted as a function of the time. In contrast, if the temperature in the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 rises further and exceeds a temperature threshold “Tkrit” which is critical for the operating state of the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5, the voltage supply of the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit is switched off and the wakeup standby mode for the network 1 is blocked. Before the overheated optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 is switched off, the temperature control unit informs the further network users 2 of the imminent switching off of the optical bus system 1. The further network users 2 then switch into a standby mode. The standby mode is characterized by the fact that sufficient quiescent current for the standby function is made available to the control devices 2. For example, in the case of a remote-controlled radio-operated lock system for a vehicle, the control device 2 with the radio sensor is in the standby mode when the vehicle is switched off. This means that the radio sensor receives sufficient quiescent current for it to be able to sense a radio signal of the remote control system when it occurs. In response, the control device 2 wakes the bus 1. The control devices 2 are also in the standby mode with respect to signals from the bus system 1. A further network user 2 can also only switch off the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 if it can also function without bus communication. In addition, a fault code DTC (Detected Trouble Code) is stored for later diagnostic purposes. In the exemplary embodiment, after the network users 2 have been informed the fault code together with the environment data “kilometer reading” is stored in the diagnostic memory of a control device 2 specially provided for that purpose, in the following format: Dd dd ss hh yy km km km (Dd dd=“fault code for critical transmitting/receiving unit temperature”, ss=status “active/passive”, hh=“fault counter”, yy=“MainFBlockID”, km km km=“kilometer reading with hi-mid-low-byte”). This fault code can only be read out and deleted by a special diagnostic program. In order to cool the overheated optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5, the control device 2 is placed in an energy saving mode in which applications which are not required are powered down, the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 is switched off and the temperature control unit remains activated. With this measure the generation of heat is reduced to a minimum. The energy saving mode of a control device 2 thus corresponds to the standby mode of a control device 2 with the difference that in the energy saving mode the temperature control unit has to be additionally supplied with power. The consumption of power should also be as low as possible in the energy saving mode in order to avoid unnecessarily loading the battery of the vehicle. As a result, the energy saving mode generally exceeds the quiescent current requirement of the standby mode. In this energy saving mode, the temperature control unit blocks the wakeup line of the optical data bus 1 in order to prevent the wakeup standby mode of the network 1. In the exemplary embodiment, the wakeup line of the optical data bus 1 is implemented as an electric line. The blocking is carried out by connecting the electric line to ground. As a result, no further control device 2 can transmit a message via the ring 1. The energy saving mode is maintained only over a maximum predefined time period in order to avoid emptying the battery of the vehicle. In MOST systems in vehicles with average batteries the time period is usually restricted to a maximum of 30 minutes. Provided that the overheated optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 cools to a temperature below the threshold value Tth in this predefined time period, the wakeup standby mode of the network 1 is enabled again by disconnecting the wakeup line from ground. Wakeup requests from the network users 2 can thus power up the ring 1 into the normal state. FIG. 2 shows by way of example the temperature profile 4 in an optoelectronic transmitter/receiver unit 5 with energy saving mode as a function of time. The energy saving mode starts in the course of the curve 4 at the time at which the temperature in the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit exceeds the value Tkrit and ends at the time at which the temperature in the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit has dropped to the first value underneath the threshold value Tth. This time period must not exceed the predefined period of time until cooling occurs, 30 minutes here. If the overheated optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 of the device 2 does not cool in the predefined period of time of 30 minutes to a temperature below the threshold value Tth, the energy saving mode is exceeded. The control device 2 is switched off into the standby mode. When switching off takes place, the connection of the wakeup line to ground is also cancelled. The device 2 can draw its quiescent current. The temperature monitoring unit does not need any current any more. In this state, the MOST network 1 can be activated again by the further network users 2 by means of wakeup requests. If the overheated optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5 of the control device 2 has not cooled by the next wakeup process by a network user 2, the respective device 2 would be switched into the energy saving mode again by means of the method according to the invention. Usually, the following values are used in MOST systems in vehicles for the defined temperature sections Tth+75° C. Tinf+80° C. Tkrit+85° C. As already stated, the temperature values are determined by the operating temperature properties of the transmitting/receiving units 5 which are used in the network with ring topology 1. In the exemplary embodiment here, this corresponds to the temperature properties of the optoelectronic transmitting/receiving unit 5. However, in the exemplary embodiment the control device 2 could also be any control device such as is used as a sensor, actuator or for controlling, in means of transportation, industrial applications or medicine. In the exemplary embodiment, the network 1 is a MOST network. However, the method can also be used in other bus systems such as CAN, D2B, FlexRay etc. The transmitting/receiving unit 5 does not need to have an optical component. The method and the device can also be applied to an electrical transmitting/receiving unit or to an optical transmitting/receiving unit. The temperature control unit is implemented in the control device for technical reasons associated with cost. However, it is also possible to mount it as an independent unit outside the control device depending on the respective application. Only the positioning of the temperature sensor 6 is a restriction here.

20050912

20080610

20060518

65759.0

H02J110

JARRETT, RYAN A

TEMPERATURE MANAGEMENT IN RING TOPOLOGY NETWORKS

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H02J

ACCEPTED

Wall roll-up screen

The device relates to a wall roll-up screen of which the upper and the lower are attached with the upper short rod and the lower short rod, respectively, wherein the screen is constituted to be rolled up when not in use and to be unrolled when used, by the lower short rod; and the left and the right end of the upper short rod are mounted with steel structure of groove shaped ringscapable of coupling magnets and the left and the right end of the lower short rod are mounted with magnets to allow them to be coupled with the groove shaped rings of the left end and the right end of the upper short rod, upon rolling up the screen by the lower short rod and, if necessary, separating the magnets from the groove shape rings, thereby to obtain good portability and mobility of the screen, to prevent the screen from being twisted from side to side upon fixing the screen, and to improve aesthetic value of product.

1. A wall roll-up screen wherein a screen is attached between upper and lower rods and the screen can be rolled up by the lower rod, wherein groove shaped rings processed with a magnetic material such as steel are attached on left and right ends of the upper rod of the screen and magnets is coupled on left and right ends of the lower rod of the screen, so that the screen is rolled up and then the magnets of the left and right of the lower rod are coupled with the groove shaped rings of the upper rod when the screen is carried, and the magnets and the groove shaped rings are separated when the screen is used. 2. The screen according to claim 1, wherein the groove shaped rings have grooves where the magnets can be coupled with the inner part of the groove shaped rings. 3. The screen according to claim 1, wherein separate attachment units are attached on the wall in the rear part of the upper and lower rods, and the attachment units are coupled with the upper and lower rods of the screen so that the screen is stably and fixedly attached to the wall. 4. The screen according to claim 1, wherein the groove shaped rings of the upper rod and the magnets of the lower rod can be exchanged in their positions.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a track type wall roll-up screen among portable screens for projection, and more particularly, to a wall roll-up screen wherein the screen can be used and portable with ease by attaching a magnet assembly to both sides of a lower rod of the screen. BACKGROUND ART In a conventional wall roll-up screen as shown in FIG. 1, it is necessary to roll up the screen 10 around a lower rod like a scroll and to tie the screen with string 11 so as to reserve it, and to untie the string 11 to use the screen 10. And, when a user wishes to carry the screen, the user has to tie it with the string 11, which is troublesome. Especially, in this case, a surface of the screen where the string is tied has some wrinkles and edges of the screen can be loosish since the upper and lower rods are wrenched mutually. Besides the problems described above, the beauty of product is deteriorated in appearance. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a wall roll-up screen among portable screens for projection, especially, a wall roll-up screen wherein the screen can be used and portable with ease by attaching a magnet assembly to both sides of a lower rod of the screen. According to the present invention for achieving the object, there is provided a wall roll-up screen wherein a screen is attached between upper and lower rods and the screen can be rolled up by the lower rod, wherein groove shaped rings processed with a magnetic material such as steel are attached on left and right ends of the upper rod of the screen and magnets is coupled on left and right ends of the lower rod of the screen, so that the screen is rolled up and then the magnets of the left and right of the lower rod are coupled with the groove shaped rings of the upper rod when the screen is carried, and the magnets and the groove shaped rings are separated when the screen is used. Preferably, the groove shaped rings have grooves where the magnet can be coupled with the inner part of the groove shaped rings. Preferably, separate attachment units are attached on the wall in the rear part of the upper and lower rods, and the attachment units are coupled with the upper and lower rods of the screen so that the screen is stably and fixedly attached to the wall. Preferably, the groove shaped rings of the upper rod and the magnets of the lower rod can be exchanged in their positions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent the following description of preferred embodiment of given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a wall roll-up screen in the art; FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of an external shape of a screen in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a magnet of a screen in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 4 is a detailed explanatory view of a magnet of a screen in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a magnet contact of a screen in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a screen of the present invention when the screen is applicably used; FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a screen of the present invention when the screen is fixedly used with a stand; and FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a construction of a screen in accordance with the present invention when the screen is applicably used. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set fourth herein. 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, like numbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. The screen of the present invention can be used and portable with ease by attaching a magnet assembly to both sides of a lower rod of the screen. When the screen is used, the lower rod 2 is separated from an upper rod 1 of the screen 3 to be extended. And, when the screen is carried, the screen 3 is rolled up and the upper and lower rods 1 and 2 are attached each other so that it is convenient to carry the screen without any damage on the surface of the screen and there is no distortion of the upper and lower rods of the screen in the right and left directions. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the present invention has the upper and lower rods 1 and 2, and the screen 3 is attached between the rods 1 and 2 so that the lower rod 2 is rolled up when the screen is moved and the rod 2 is extended when the screen is used. Groove shaped rings 4 are attached to right and left sides of the upper rod 1, which is made of steel or the like responding to a magnetic property, and magnets 5 are attached on right and left ends of the lower rod 2. Such a construction may be changed, that is, the groove shaped rings 4 and the magnets 5 of the upper rod 1 and the groove shaped ring 4 may be exchanged in their positions. As shown in FIG. 6, a well known attachment unit 6 such as a rubber adsorption plate or a snap button which can be attached and separated easily may be coupled in the rear part of the upper rod 1. And, a groove shaped ring 4 is constructed in the rear part of the lower rod 2, which is separated from the lower rod 2, and there is an attachment unit 7 behind the lower rod 2. There exist grooves into which magnets having L or U shape can be inserted in the middle of the groove shaped rings 4. Referring to FIG. 7, a known screen support 8 can be coupled and used fixedly in answer to a need, and the screen 3 may be a projection screen of roll shape. Referring to FIG. 8, a support 9 forming an insertion unit 10 into which the lower rod 2 is inserted is constructed on both ends of the upper rod 1, the groove shaped ring 4 formed of steel is constructed as a portion of a circle, and a handle 11 is constructed on both ends of the magnet of the lower rod 2. The upper and lower rods 1 and 2 are extended when the screen is used, as shown in FIG. 2a. And, when the screen is portable and carried, the screen attached to the lower rod 2 is rolled up around the lower rod 2 and then the magnets 5 attached to the right and left ends of the lower rod 2 are attached to the groove shaped rings 4 formed of the steel which are attached to the right and left parts of the upper rod 1. Referring to FIG. 4, the screen of the present invention has an increased attachment effect by coupling the magnets 5 to the inner groove areas of the right and left parts of the upper rod 1. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, groove shaped rings 4 and magnets 5 on both ends of the upper and lower rods 1 and 2 of the present invention should be of circle shapes since the upper and lower rods 1 and 2 should be adhered closely each other after the screen 3 is rolled up around the lower rod 2. In case that the grooves 4 and magnets 5 on both ends of the upper and lower rods 1 and 2 are formed of circle shape only, the coupling contact A becomes very small as shown in FIG. 5a so that the upper and lower rods 1 and 2 are easily separated with small force. However, in case that there are grooves in the groove shaped rings 4 which can be coupled with the magnets 5 as shown in the present invention, since the coupling contact B is extended to the right and left parts of the magnets and to the front and rear parts of the groove shaped rings 4, the coupling forces of the magnets 5 and the groove shaped rings 4 can be strong. Additionally, since the magnets 5 of the lower rod 2 which are coupled with the right and left ends of the groove shaped rings 4 are not twisted in the right and left directions, the extension of the screen in its right and left parts can be protected. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, since the screen of the present invention is conveniently installed on the wall when the attachment unit 6 is coupled with the rear part of the upper rod 1 and the upper rod is coupled with the lower rod by the magnets 5 when the lower rod 2 is rolled up, there is no damage on the screen at all. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the lower rod 2 which is inserted into the insertion units 10 on both ends of the upper rod 1 has magnets 5 on its groove shaped rings 4 so that there is an effect that both rods do not apart from each other, and the screen 3 of the lower rod 2 is stably rolled up to be carried when the lower rod 2 is rolled up by turning the handle 11. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY In accordance with the present invention, it is convenient to roll up a screen itself of a front screen or a projection screen or to extend it, to maintain its beauty of appearance without tying the screen with string, to attach it to a wall or a ceil simply, to fix it in order that the screen 3 is not shaken, and to carry it stably since upper and lower rods 1 and 2 are not twisted. When the screen of the present invention is used, the groove shaped rings 4 are attached to the attachment units 6 behind the lower rod 2 and the magnets 5 of the lower rod 2 are attached to the coupling attachment units 7 which have been attached to the coupling wall rear already so that the screen is used as portable, home and conference screens.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>In a conventional wall roll-up screen as shown in FIG. 1 , it is necessary to roll up the screen 10 around a lower rod like a scroll and to tie the screen with string 11 so as to reserve it, and to untie the string 11 to use the screen 10 . And, when a user wishes to carry the screen, the user has to tie it with the string 11 , which is troublesome. Especially, in this case, a surface of the screen where the string is tied has some wrinkles and edges of the screen can be loosish since the upper and lower rods are wrenched mutually. Besides the problems described above, the beauty of product is deteriorated in appearance.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent the following description of preferred embodiment of given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of a wall roll-up screen in the art; FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of an external shape of a screen in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of a magnet of a screen in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 4 is a detailed explanatory view of a magnet of a screen in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a magnet contact of a screen in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of a screen of the present invention when the screen is applicably used; FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a screen of the present invention when the screen is fixedly used with a stand; and FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of a construction of a screen in accordance with the present invention when the screen is applicably used. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050225

20070925

20051103

68834.0

DO, ROBERT C

WALL ROLL-UP SCREEN

SMALL

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Phase locked loop

A phase locked loop comprising a phase detector (100) for determining a phase difference between a reference signal (Ref) and mutually phase shifted signals (I, Q) to generate frequency control signals (U, D), the phase detector (100) comprising: means (10) for obtaining a first one of said frequency control signals (U, D) by binary multiplication of the reference signal (Ref) and one of the relative phase shifted signals (I, Q); and means (20) for obtaining a second one of said frequency control signals (U, D) by binary multiplication of the relative phase shifted signals (I, Q).

1. A phase locked loop comprising a phase detector for determining a phase difference between a reference signal and mutually phase shifted signals to generate frequency control signals the phase detector comprising: means for obtaining a first one of said frequency control signals by binary multiplication of the reference signal and one of the relative phase shifted signals; and means for obtaining a second one of said frequency control signals by binary multiplication of the relative phase shifted signals. 2. A phase locked loop as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a splitter for generating the relative phase shifted signals the splitter having an input signal generated by a voltage controlled oscillator coupled to the first charge pump and to the low-pass filter. 3. A phase locked loop as claimed in claim 2, wherein the splitter comprises a binary divider receiving a signal generated by the voltage controlled oscillator and generating a binary signal used as a clock signal for a divide by two circuit comprising a first bi-stable circuit ring-coupled to a second bi-stable circuit for generating the relative phase shifted signals. 4. A phase locked loop as claimed in claim 2, wherein the splitter comprises a series coupling of a delay line and an inverter. 5. A phase locked loop as claimed in claim 2, wherein the voltage controlled oscillator is a quadrature oscillator generating signals that are in quadrature to each other, the relative phase shifted signals being in quadrature. 6. A phase locked loop as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a frequency detector coupled to receive the reference signal and the relative phase shifted signals for supplying an up frequency detector signal) and a down frequency detector signal to a first charge pump coupled to the loop filter. 7. A phase locked loop as claimed in claim 6, wherein the frequency detector comprises a third flip-flop and a fourth flip-flop driven by the reference signal and having at their inputs the relative phase shifted signals, outputs of the flip-flops being coupled to input terminals of a fifth flip-flop the phase detector generating the up frequency detector signal obtained by binary multiplication between a signal generated by the fifth flip-flop at it's output and the signal obtained at the bar-output of the fourth flip-flop, and further generating the down frequency detector signal obtained by binary multiplication of the signal obtained at a bar-output of the fourth flip-flop and the signal obtained at a bar-output of the fifth flip-flop signal obtained at the bar-output of the fourth flip-flop.

The invention relates to a phase locked loop comprising a phase detector for determining a phase difference between a reference signal and mutually phase shifted signals to generate frequency control signals. Phase Locked Loops (PLLs) are well known, as basic building blocks in e.g. tuning systems for receivers and as clock multipliers in optical systems. The constituents of a PLL circuit are often integrated on a same chip. Normally, a PLL comprises a ring coupling of a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), phase-frequency detector (PFD), a charge pump and a loop filter. The PFD detector, which comprises phase and frequency detectors, provides signals that drive the charge pump and indicate frequency and phase differences between a reference signal and a signal that is proportional with the signal generated by the VCO. U.S. Pat. No. 5,892,380 describes a phase-frequency detector comprising first and second D latches coupled to a combinatorial circuit comprising logical AND coupled to buffer gates. The combinatorial circuit has a first input coupled to an output of the first D latch and a second input coupled to an output of the second latch. Each of the two latches has an asynchronous reset input, a reset signal being generated by the combinatorial circuit. It is observed that the combinatorial circuit is a feedback circuit. An advantage of this circuit is that it provides both phase and frequency detection. It usually generates little reference breakthrough as compared to other detectors. Furthermore, the two latches are edge triggered that makes the phase detection performance independent of the duty cycle of the signals on the detector inputs. A main disadvantage of this type of phase detector is that it has an important operation speed limitation due to the feedback combinatorial circuit that generates the reset signal. A maximum frequency operation of the phase detector is determined by a time delay including a delay of the combinatorial circuit and a propagation time inside the D latches. The consequence of this maximum frequency operation is a limitation of the frequency of a reference signal that is supplied to the PLL. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a phase detector that enables using of a relatively high frequency reference signal and therefore increasing the maximum operation frequency of a PLL. In accordance with the invention this is achieved in a PLL as described in the introductory paragraph which is characterized in that the phase detector comprises means for obtaining a first one of said frequency control signals by binary multiplication of the reference signal and one of the relative phase shifted signals and means for obtaining a second one of said frequency control signals by binary multiplication of the relative phase shifted signals. The product of signals is realized with combinatorial AND gates. Because there are no flip-flops and no combinatorial feedback, the phase detector according to the invention has a relative higher frequency of operation than that described in the prior art. In an embodiment of the invention the relative phase shifted signals are generated by a splitter having an input signal generated by a voltage controlled oscillator coupled to the first charge pump and to the loop filter. The signal generated by the voltage-controlled oscillator is splitted into two components having a relative same frequency and a relative phase shift. The splitted signals are inputted into the phase detector described in the previous paragraph. Ideally, the phase difference between the splitted signals is 90 degrees for obtaining the maximum linearity range of the phase detector. It is observed from simulations and experimentally determined that the 90 degrees phase shift between the splitted signals is not critical. Furthermore, because the phase detector is not dependent on a duty cycle of the signals, the duty cycle of the signals generated by the splitter could be between 25% and 75%. Hence, the splitter could be implemented using relatively cheap components, reducing the overall cost of the PLL. In another embodiment of the invention, the splitter comprises a binary divider receiving a signal generated by the voltage controlled oscillator and generates a binary signal used as a clock signal for a divide by two circuit comprising a first flip-flop ring-coupled to a second flip-flop, said flip-flops generating the relative phase shifted signals. The two flip-flops are edge triggered, the first flip-flop being triggered at a transition between a I state and a 0 state, the second flip-flop being triggered at a transition between a 0 state to a 1 state. The configuration allows a relatively high frequency of operation the signals generated being relatively in quadrature. An even simpler solution could be applied when the splitter is directly coupled to the output of the VCO and therefore it is working at a relatively high frequency as presented in another embodiment of the invention. In this situation a delay line coupled to an inverter could be used. Delay lines are easily implemented in a chip when relative high frequency signals as that used in optical communications are involved. Because the relative phase shift between the signals and their duty cycles are not critical the solution using delay lines is a relative inexpensive solution contributing to obtaining a relative cheap PLL. As it was previously stated, a maximum linearity range of the phase detector is obtained when the splitted signals have a relative phase shift of 90 degrees i.e. quadrature signals. A relative simple way for obtaining quadrature signals is using of a quadrature oscillator. The,quadrature oscillator generates signals substantially relative phase shifted with 90 degrees. Recalling that the quadrature phase shift is not critical for the PLL and therefore the design parameters of the quadrature oscillator are less critical. Hence, the quadrature oscillator is easier to be implemented than a quadrature oscillator having high performance technical requests. In another embodiment of the invention the phase locked loop flurther comprises a frequency detector receiving the reference signal and the relative phase shifted signals for generating an up frequency detector signal and a down frequency detector signal. The signals generated by the frequency detector are inputted to a first charge pump coupled to the loop filter. Preferably, the frequency detector comprises a third flip-flop and a fourth flip-flop driven by the reference signal and having at their inputs the relative phase shifted signals. The outputs of the flip-flops are coupled to input terminals of fifth flip-flop. The frequency detector generates the up frequency detector signal obtained by binary multiplication between a signal generated by the fifth flip-flop at it's output and the signal obtained at the bar-output of the fourth flip-flop. The frequency detector further generates the down frequency detector signal obtained by binary multiplication of the signal obtained at the bar-output of the fourth flip-flop and the signal obtained at the bar-output of the fifth flip-flop signal obtained at the bar-output of the fourth flip-flop. A bar-output signal is relatively in anti-phase with the output signal generated by an output having no bar. Many combinatorial and sequential circuits have a normal and a bar-output e.g. multiplexers, flip-flops etc. Two AND-gates are added to generate signals that can directly control the first charge pump. After achieving phase lock, these signals will remain low, meaning that the first charge pump controlled by these signals do not contribute in the phase noise and spurious signals of the PLL output. The above and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 depicts a phase locked loop according to the invention, FIG. 2 depicts a phase detector according to an embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 3a and b depict the response of the phase detector to a phase error when a) the signal I leads the reference signal Ref and b) when the signal I lags the reference signal Ref, respectively, FIGS. 4a and b depict mean charge pump current as a function of the phase error a) depending on the phase shift between the splitted signals and b) depending on the duty cycle of the reference signal, respectively, FIG. 5 depicts a signal splitter according to an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of the signal splitter according to the invention, FIG. 7 depicts a frequency detector according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 8 depicts the charge pumps and the loop filter, according to the invention. FIG. 1 depicts a phase locked loop (PLL) according to the invention. The PLL comprises a phase detector 100 for determining a phase difference between a reference signal Ref and relative phase shifted signals L Q, the phase detector 100 generating an up signal U and a down signal D. The up U and down D signals are supplied to a first charge pump 201 coupled to a loop filter 203 i.e. the block 101. As shown in FIG. 2, in the phase detector 100 the up signal U is obtained by binary multiplication 10 of the reference signal Ref and one of the relative phase shifted signals I, Q and the down signal D is obtained by binary multiplication 20 of the relative phase shifted signals I, Q. Turning back to FIG. 1, the PLL further comprises a frequency detector 104 receiving the reference signal Ref and the relative phase shifted signals I, Q for generating an up frequency detector signal UFD and a down frequency detector signal DFD that are inputted to a second charge pump 202 coupled to the loop filter 203. The PLL flurther comprises a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) 102 that provides at its output a signal having a frequency that is controlled by an output signal of the first charge pump 201 coupled to the loop filter 203. The output signal of the VCO 102 is inputted to a splitter 103 for generating the relative phase shifted signals Q and I. The product of signals is realized with combinatorial AND gates as shown in FIG. 2. The signal U is obtained by multiplication of the reference signal Ref and the signal Q. The D signal is obtained by multiplication of the phase shifted signals Q and I. It is observed that the signals U and D could be also obtained as the binary product between signals I, Q and Ref, I or Ref, Q, respectively. The choice depends on the oscillator type used in the PLL. Because there are no flip-flops and no combinatorial feedback, the phase detector according to the invention has a relative higher frequency of operation that described in the prior art. Ideally, the rising edge of the Q signal leads the rising edge of the I signal by 90 degrees. The operation principle of the phase detector 100 is better explained using FIG. 3 which depicts the response of the phase detector 100 to a phase error when a) the signal I leads the reference signal and b) when the signal I lags the reference signal. The FIG. 3 shows that the length of the D pulse is constant and depends only on the phase difference between I and Q. The information provided by the phase detector 103 is the up U signal, whose length depends on the phase error of the PLL. When the up U and down D signals are supplied to the first charge pump 201, the charge that is pumped in the PLL loop filter 203 is linearly dependent on the phase difference for phase differences around zero degrees. This results from FIG. 4a), where the mean charge pump current is plotted as a function of the PLL input phase difference. These graphs show that the gain of the phase detector 100 and the first charge pump 201 I CP 2 ⁢ ⁢ π , with ICP being the maximum charge pump current. Because of the integrating action of the first charge pump 201 and loop filter 203, the PLL locks to a phase error of 0 degrees between the rising edge of the reference and the rising edge of the I signal, as indicated in FIG. 4. Because the U and D pulses and the corresponding first charge pump 201 currents cancel when PLL is locked, the reference breakthrough is small resulting low spurious peaks, similar to the case in which a conventional phase—frequency detector is used. In FIG. 4a), the dependence of the phase detector and the first charge pump 201 response on the quadrature quality is shown. Although the range in which the phase detector is linear is affected by the phase shift between Q and I signals, the phase detector gain is not affected, as is the locking point of the PLL. The reason for this situation is that the phase detector effectively measures the time difference between the rising edges of the reference signal Ref and I signal. The ‘resetting’ of the U and D signals is done in both AND-gates by a common falling edge of the signal Q. The linear region ranges from ΔΦq−π<ΔΦ<ΔΦq, where ΔΦq is the phase difference between the signals I and Q and ΔΦ is the phase error of the PLL. In case of ideal quadrature i.e. the signals I,Q are relative phase shifted with 90 degrees, the linear range is between - π 2 ⁢ ⁢ and ⁢ ⁢ π 2 . From FIG. 4b) one can conclude that the gain and the PLL phase error in lock also do not depend on the Duty Cycle of the reference signal Ref. The same holds for the dependence on the Duty Cycles of I and Q, although this is not plotted here. The linear region is affected by Duty Cycle deviations. For a reference Duty Cycle lower than 50%, the linear region is between - π 2 < Δ ⁢ ⁢ Φ < 2 ⁢ ⁢ π ⁡ ( DC - 1 / 4 ) , with DC being the reference Duty Cycle. If DC>50% then the linear region is between 2 ⁢ ⁢ π ⁡ ( 3 / 4 - DC ) < Δ ⁢ ⁢ Φ < π 2 . Let us note that for correct operation of the phase detector 100, the reference Duty Cycle could be between circa 25% and 75%. In case of a Duty Cycle of 50%, the linear range is between - π 2 ⁢ ⁢ and ⁢ ⁢ π 2 . In almost all applications of the proposed phase detector 100, the dependence of the linear region on the signal Duty Cycles and on the quadrature quality is not a problem. Let us note that in the paper “A 0.2-2 GHz, 12 mW Multiplying DLL for Low-Jitter Clock Synthesis in Highly Integrated Data Communication Chips” written by R. Farjad-rad et al. and published in ISSCC Dig. Tech. Papers, pp. 76-77, February 2002, a Phase Detector is presented that on first sight may look somewhat similar in design to the proposed phase detector 100. However, in that work, the length of the U and D pulses approaches zero when the PLL is in lock. Because neither the output voltages of the AND-gates nor the current sources of the Charge Pump are infinitely fast, the structure proposed there has a dead-zone problem. This means that the gain of the phase detector/charge pump combination drops significantly around zero degrees phase difference. The phase detector 100 disclosed in the present application does not have this problem as the U and D signals have a Duty Cycle of about 25% when the PLL is locked, because there is overlap between the signals on the AND-gates. In the previous cited document, three-input AND-gates are used, which are generally slower than two-input AND-gates as used in the proposed phase detector 100. Furthermore, the solution presented in the prior-art document involves using differential signals i.e. relatively phase-shifted with 180 degrees, an additional select logic circuit and an additional multiplexer, the circuit being more expensive than the circuit disclosed in the present application. Additionally, there is no equivalence between the signals used in the prior-art phase detector and the phase detector of this application. As resulted from the previous considerations, the ideal phase shift between the signals Q and I is 90 degrees i.e. the signals are in quadrature. Obtaining quadrature signals could be realized in different modes. FIG. 5 depicts a signal splitter according to an embodiment of the invention. The splitter 103 comprises a binary divider 113 that receives a signal generated by the voltage controlled oscillator 102. The splitter 103 generates a binary signal used as a clock signal for a divide by two circuit comprising a first bi-stable circuit Q1, D1, {overscore (Ck)}1 ring-coupled to a second bi-stable circuit Q2, {overscore (Q2)}, D2, Ck2 for generating the relative phase shifted signals I, Q. The bi-stable circuits could be e.g. D flip-flops or D latches. It should be pointed out here that the first and the second bi-stable circuits could be the last two stages of the frequency divider 113. The signals I and Q are substantially in quadrature and therefore the PLL is substantially linear. FIG. 6 depicts another embodiment of the signal splitter 103 according to the invention. The splitter 103 comprises a series coupling of a delay line 110 and an inverter 110. The above solution could be applied when the splitter 103 is directly coupled to the output of the VCO 102 and therefore it works at a relatively high frequency as in optical networks applications. In these situations, a delay line coupled to an inverter could be used. Delay lines are easily implemented when relative high frequency signals as that used in optical communications are involved. Because the relative phase shift between the signals and their duty cycles are not critical the solution using delay lines is relative inexpensive contributing to obtaining a relative cheap PLL. The jitter added by the delay line will not influence the PLL output because it is transferred to both the U and D current source of the first charge pump 201 in such a way that the error cancels. It should be pointed out here that the voltage-controlled oscillator 102 could be a quadrature oscillator and therefore the signals Q and I are directly generated by the oscillator 102. In this case the signal splitter 103 shown in FIG. 6 does not need a delay line. FIG. 7 depicts a frequency detector according to an embodiment of the invention. The frequency detector 104 comprises a third flip-flop D3, Q3, Ck3 and a fourth flip-flop D4, Q4, {overscore (Q4)}, Ck4 driven by the reference signal Ref. The third and the fourth flip-flops have at their inputs D3, D4 the relative phase shifted signals I, Q. The outputs of the flip-flops Q3, Q4 are coupled to input terminals D5, Ck5 of a fifth flip-flop D5, Ck5, Q5, {overscore (Q5)}. The phase detector 104 generates the up frequency detector signal UFD obtained by binary multiplication between a signal generated by the fifth flip-flop D5, Ck5, Q5, {overscore (Q5)} at it's output Q5 and the signal obtained at the bar-output {overscore (Q4)} of the fourth flip-flop D4, Ck4, Q4, {overscore (Q4)}. The frequency detector 104 further generates the down frequency detector signal DFD obtained by binary multiplication of the signal obtained at the bar-output {overscore (Q4)} of the fourth flip-flop D4, Ck4, Q4, {overscore (Q4)} and the signal obtained at the bar-output {overscore (Q5)} of the fifth flip-flop signal obtained at the bar-output {overscore (Q4)} of the fourth flip-flop D5, Ck5, Q5, {overscore (Q45)}. A bar-output signal is relatively in anti-phase with the output signal generated by an output having no bar. Many combinatorial and sequential circuits have a normal and a bar-output e.g. multiplexers, flip-flops etc. Two AND-gates are added to generate signals that can directly control the first charge pump 201. After achieving phase lock, these signals will remain low, meaning that the first charge pump 201 controlled by these signals do not contribute in the phase noise and spurious signals of the PLL output. FIG. 8 depicts the charge pumps and the loop filter, according to the invention. The block identified as 101 in FIG. 1 comprises a first charge pump 201 and a second charge pump 202 coupled to a loop filter 203. The switches included in the first charge pump are controlled by the relative phase shifted signals U and D and the switches included in the second charge pump 202 are controlled by the signals UFD and DFD, respectively. Furthermore, the current first charge pump 201 current ICP used in the previous relations, is identified. The loop filter 203 has a low-pass structure, the signal supplied by the first charge pump 201 and the second charge pump 202 having different entries in the loop filter 203. The loop filter 203 supplies a signal to the VCO 102 said signal depending on the signals U, D, UFD and DFD and therefore being dependent on the phase and frequency difference between the reference signal Ref and the relative phase shifted signals I and Q. It could be observed that a PLL could have only a phase detector. In this situation the second charge pump 202 and the frequency detector 104 are no longer necessary. It is remarked that the scope of protection of the invention is not restricted to the embodiments described herein. Neither is the scope of protection of the invention restricted by the reference numerals in the claims. The word ‘comprising’ does not exclude other parts than those mentioned in the claims. The word ‘a(n)’ preceding an element does not exclude a plurality of those elements. Means forming part of the invention may both be implemented in the form of dedicated hardware or in the form of a programmed purpose processor. The invention resides in each new feature or combination of features.

20050225

20070515

20060727

78311.0

H03L706

JAGER, RYAN C

PHASE LOCKED LOOP

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H03L

ACCEPTED

Method for controlling routing information for intellectual peripherals in subscriber-based ring-back-tone-service

A method for controlling routing information for intellectual peripherals (IPs) in a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service. The routing information to be routed to IPs (50) corresponding to subscribers is classified on a subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or a subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis according to a selection. The classified routing information is set and registered in a home location register (HLR) (10). When the HLR (10) receives a location registration request message from a terminal of an arbitrary subscriber, a corresponding routing information item to be routed to an IP (50) corresponding to the subscriber's terminal among the classified, set and registered routing information is contained within a response message to the location registration request message, and the response message is provided to a terminating mobile switching center (T MSC) (32).

1. A method for controlling routing information for intellectual peripherals (IPs) in a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service, the routing information being controlled by a home location register (HLR) while the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service is processed using a terminating mobile switching center, comprising the steps of: (a) classifying the routing information to be routed to the IPs corresponding to subscribers on a subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or a subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis in response to a selection, and setting and registering the classified routing information in the HLR; and (b) when the HLR receives a location registration request message from a terminal of an arbitrary subscriber, allowing the HLR to contain, within a response message to the location registration request message, a corresponding routing information item to be routed to an IP corresponding to the subscriber's terminal among the classified, set and registered routing information and to provide the response message to a corresponding mobile switching center. 2. A method for controlling routing information for intellectual peripherals (IPs) in a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service, the routing information being controlled by a home location register (HLR) while the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service is processed using an originating mobile switching center, comprising the steps of: (a) classing the routing information to be routed to the IPs corresponding to subscribers on a subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or a subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis in response to a selection, and setting and registering the classified routing information in the HLR; and (b) when the HLR receives a destination location information request message from the originating mobile switching center according to a call connection request from a calling terminal to a called terminal, allowing the HLR to contain, within a response message to the destination location information request message, a corresponding routing information item to be routed to an IP corresponding to the subscriber's called terminal among the classified, set and registered routing information and to provide the response message to the originating mobile switching center. 3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein a large number of IPs are configured so that sounds for subscribers associated with the routing information classified on the subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or the subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis can be distributed. 4. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein a large number of IPs are configured so that sounds for subscribers associated with the routing information classified on the subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or the subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis can be distributed.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method for controlling routing information for intelligent peripherals (IPs) in a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service, and more particularly to a method for controlling routing information from mobile switching centers (MSCs) of a mobile communication network to intelligent peripherals (IPs) which provide ring back tones in the form of specified sounds, when implementing a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service for improving an existing uniform ring-back-tone service by providing the specified sounds desired by called subscribers as the ring back tones. BACKGROUND ART There is conventionally used a method for allowing a terminating mobile switching center (MSC) to provide a uniform ring back tone to a caller when the caller tries to make a telephone call in an existing mobile communication network. However, since the conventional method uniformly provides the same ringing tone, the caller cannot determine the existence of a wrong connection until a called party makes a response. There has been recently proposed a method for providing advertising jingles in place of the uniform ring back tone. The proposed method provides a specified advertising jingle selected by a communication network provider to a subscriber. At this time, the subscriber is not entitled to select a desired advertising jingle. Where the subscriber hears the specified advertising jingle, the communication network provider provides a predetermined free tall time to the caller. The proposed method also has a problem that the caller cannot determine the existence of a wrong connection until a called party makes a response. Furthermore, the proposed method has another problem that various ring back tones desired by the subscriber cannot be provided. To address the above-described problems, methods for providing a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service which services, to the caller, a specified sound registered or selected by the called subscriber in place of an existing ring back tone, have been previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention. The previously proposed methods will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing the subscriber-based ling-back-tone service using a terminating mobile switching center (MSC) previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention. This method is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2002-0010006 filed on Feb. 25, 2002. First, if an arbitrary caller sends a call connection request to a service subscriber (hereinafter, referred to as a “called subscriber”) using the caller's terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a “calling terminal”), a corresponding originating MSC (O_MSC) 31 requests that a home location register (HLR) 10 provide destination location information (S101). In response to the destination location information request, the HLR 10 requests that a terminating MSC (T_MSC) 32 provide routing information (S102). The T_MSC 32 provides, to the HLR 10, the routing information, i.e., a temporary local directory number (TLDN), as a response to the request (S103). The HLR 10 makes a response to the destination location information request contained at the above step S101 by sending the routing information to the O_MSC 31 (S104). Then, the O_MSC 31 sends an ISDN User Part (ISUP) call connection request to the T_MSC 32 on the basis of the routing information and then establishes a communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the T_MSC 32(S105). If the T_MSC 32 receives location information of a corresponding called terminal from the HLR 10 when registering the location information of the corresponding called terminal therein, and then determines that the called terminal corresponds to a service subscriber and is in a service activation state on the basis of service setting information and routing information to be routed to an intellectual peripheral (IP) 50 previously stored in its own device (or a visitor location register (VLR)), the T_MSC 32 sends the ISUP call connection request to the IP 50, establishes a trunk communication path between the T_MSC 32 and the IP 50 and provides originating and terminating telephone numbers to the IP 50 (S106). As a result, a common communication path is established between the O_MSC 31, the T_MSC 32 and the IP 50. For reference, the service setting information and routing information are contained in a location registration response message that is sent from the HLR 10 to the T_MSC 32 when the location information of the corresponding called terminal is registered. On the basis of the originating and terminating telephone numbers, the IP 50 requests that an IP server 70 provide a sound code (S107). In response to the request, the IP server 70 searches for the sound code linked to the received originating and terminating telephone numbers and transfers the searched sound code to make a response to the request contained at the above step S107 (S108). The IP 50 sends a replacement sound corresponding to the transferred sound code to the calling terminal through the established communication path in place of a ring back tone (S109). If the called subscriber receives a telephone call while the replacement sound is transferred in place of the ring back tone, the T_MSC 32 recognizes the fact that the called subscriber has received the telephone call, and sends an ISUP call release request to the IP 50 so that the IP 50 can release an ISUP call (S110). Simultaneously, communication between the caller and the called subscriber is performed over the communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the T_MSC 32 (S111). FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service using an originating mobile switching center (MSC) previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention. This method is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2002-0047212 filed on Aug. 9, 2002. First, if an arbitrary caller sends a call connection request to a terminal (or called terminal) of a service subscriber hereinafter, referred to as a “called subscriber”) using the caller's terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a “calling terminal”), a corresponding originating MSC (O_MSC) 31 requests that a home location register (HLR) 10 provide destination location information (S201). In response to the destination location information request, the HLR 10 requests that a terminating MSC (T_MSC) 32 provide routing information (S202). The T-MSC 32 provides, to the HLR 10, the routing information, i.e., a temporary local directory number (TLDN), as a response to the request (S203). The HLR 10 makes a response to the destination location information request contained at the above step S201 by sending the routing information to the O_MSC 31. When making the response, the HLR 10 confirms a subscriber profile and determines whether a corresponding called party is a service subscriber, i.e., whether the called terminal is subscribed to the service (S204). If the corresponding called party is not a service subscriber, the HLR 10 contains only the TLDN within a response message to the destination location information request, and sends the response message to the O_MSC 31 (S205-1). On the other hand, if the corresponding called party is the service subscriber, the HLR 10 contains service setting information and routing information (e.g., routing digits used for routing information to an intellectual peripheral (IP) 50) to be routed to the IP 50 within the response message, and sends the response message to the O_MSC 31 (S205-2). In response to the response message from the HLR 10 according to a result of the performance of the above step S205-1 or S205-2, the O_MSC 31 sends a trunk (or ISUP) call connection request to only the T-MSC 32 and then establishes a communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the T_MSC 32 (S206). At this time, the O_MSC 31 selectively sends the ISUP call connection request to the IP 50 and then establishes a communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the IP 50 (S207). If the communication path has been established between the O_MSC 31 and the IP 50 at the above step S207, the IP 50 requests an IP server 70 to provide a sound code on the basis of originating and terminating telephone numbers (S208). In response to the request, the IP server 70 searches for the sound code linked to received originating and terminating telephone numbers and transfers the searched sound code to make a response to the sound code request contained at the above step S208 (S209). The IP 50 sends a replacement sound corresponding to the transferred sound code to the calling terminal through the established communication path in place of a ring back tone (S210). If the called terminal receives a telephone call while the replacement sound is transferred in place of the ring back tone, the O_MSC 31 recognizes the fact that the called terminal has received the telephone call and sends an ISUP call release request to the IP 50 so that the IP 50 can release an ISUP call (S211). Simultaneously, communication between a caller and a called subscriber is performed over the communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the T_MSC 32 (S212). Since the number of service subscribers is small when a service is initially provided, a single IP 50 or a small number of IPs 50 are shared between a plurality of MSCs 31 and 32 that are distributed throughout the nation. However, where the number of service subscribers increases, there is a problem in that trunk resources coupled to the single IP 50 or the small number of IPs 50 are concentratedly and excessively occupied and hence a service disable state can be caused. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling routing information for intellectual peripherals (IPs) in a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service, which can appropriately provide the service and prevent a service disable state by efficiently employing trunk resources coupled between mobile switching centers (MSCs) and IPs. In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a method for controlling routing information for intellectual peripherals (IPs) in a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service, the routing information being controlled by a home location register (HLR) while the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service is processed using a terminating mobile switching center, comprising the steps of: (a) classifying the routing information to be routed to the IPs corresponding to subscribers on a subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or a subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis in response to a selection, and setting and registering the classified routing information in the HLR; and (b) when the HLR receives a location registration request message from a terminal of an arbitrary subscriber, allowing the HLR to contain, within a response message to the location registration request message, a corresponding routing information item to be routed to an IP corresponding to the subscriber's terminal among the classified, set and registered routing information and to provide the response message to a corresponding mobile switching center. In accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a method for controlling routing information for intellectual peripherals (IPs) in a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service, the routing information being controlled by a home location register (HLR) while the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service is processed using an originating mobile switching center, comprising the steps of: (a) classifying the routing information to be routed to the IPs corresponding to subscribers on a subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or a subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis in response to a selection, and setting and registering the classified routing information in the HLR; and (b) when the HLR receives a destination location information request message from the originating mobile switching center according to a call connection request from a calling terminal to a called terminal, allowing the HLR to contain, within a response message to the destination location information request message, a corresponding routing information item to be routed to an IP corresponding to the subscriber's called terminal among the classified, set and registered routing information and to provide the response message to the originating mobile switching center. In accordance with the fist and second aspects, a large number of IPs may be preferably configured so that sounds for subscribers associated with the routing information classified on the subscriber telephone number-by-number basis the subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or the subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis can be distributed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service using a terminating mobile switching center previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service using an originating mobile switching center previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service system to which a method of the present invention is applied; FIG. 4 is an exemplary view illustrating network connection relations between mobile switching centers (MSCs), gateways (CGSs), intellectual peripherals (IPs) and IP servers associated with the system shown in FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the method for controlling routing information for IPs in a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the method for controlling routing information for IPs in the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Now, a method for controlling routing information for intellectual peripherals (IPs) in a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the annexed drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service system to which the method of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 3, the system includes a home location registers (HLR) 10; an originating mobile switching center/visitor location register (O_MSC/VLR) 31 and a terminating mobile switching center/visitor location register (T_MSC/VLR) 32 for communicating with the HLR 10 over a signalling system (SS) No. 7 network based on signalling transfer protocol (STP); an intellectual peripheral (IP) 50 coupled to a gateway (CGS) for communicating with the O_MSC/VLR 31 and the T_MSC/VLR 32; an IP server 70 for communicating data with the IP 50 over an Internet network 60; a subscriber database 80 coupled to the HLR 10 over the Internet network 60; and a web server 100 coupled to the Internet network 60 over a gateway 90 for communicating with the IP 50 and the IP server 70. The HLR 10 has all functions as an existing network element. Further, the HLR 10 newly and additionally sets first information indicating the existence of a replacement sound for a ring back tone and second information associated with routing information to be routed to the IP 50 as called-subscriber profile information in advance. The first and second information items are set and stored as supplementary service subscription information of a called-subscriber profile. In order for the method of the present invention to be appropriately implemented, the HLR 10 classifies the routing information of the second information on a subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or a subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis in response to a selection of an operator, etc., and stores the classified information. As one example, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the HLR 10 receives a location registration request message from an arbitrary subscriber, contains the routing information of the second information corresponding to the subscriber among the classified information items within a response message to the location registration request message, and provides the routing information through the response message to the T_-MSC/VLR 32. As another example, in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, the HLR 10 receives a destination location information request message from the O_MSC/VLR 31, contains the routing information linked to a corresponding called subscriber among the classified information items within a response message to the location registration request message, and provides the routing information through the response message to the O_MSC/VLR 31. The O_MSC/VLR 31 and the T_MSC/VLR 32 have all functions as existing networks elements. As one example, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, the T_MSC/VLR 32 communicates with the HLR 10 to receive and store the preset first and second information items from the HLR 10 upon registering location information of a called subscriber, and communicates with the IP 50 on the basis of the stored first and second information to receive a replacement sound for the ring back tone from the IP 50 and to provide the received replacement sound for the ring back tone to a corresponding caller upon receiving a called-subscriber call connection request. As another example, in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention, the O_MSC/VLR 31 receives a destination location information response message from the HLR 10, and then not only sends a call connection request to the T_MSC/VLR 32 as in the conventional method but also simultaneously sends, to the IP 50, the call connection request on the basis of the first and second information items contained within the destination location information response message. The IP 50 stores various sounds, and communicates with the O_MSC/VLR 31 and the T_MSC/VLR 32 over the gateway 40 to provide the stored sounds to the O_MSC/VLR 31 and the T_MSC/VLR 32. In accordance with the first and second aspects of the present invention, a plurality of IPs 50 are configured. The various sounds for subscribers corresponding to the routing information of the second information (classified on the subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or the subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis) are distributed and stored in the plurality of IPs 50 on the subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or the subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis. In other words, each IP 50 stores only the sounds of corresponding subscribers classified on the subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or the subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis. Specific routing digits are assigned to the respective IPs 50. The IP server 70 communicates with the IP 50 over the Internet network 60 to specify types of sounds to be provided to the O_MSC/VLR 31 and the T_MSC/VLR 32 by the IPs 50 on the basis of information selected from a group consisting of identification information associated with a called subscriber corresponding to a call connection request, identification information associated with a caller corresponding to the called subscriber, call connection request time information and other information items (or on a caller-by-caller basis, a caller group-by-group basis, a caller age-by-age basis, a caller sex-by-sex basis and/or a caller job-by-job basis). For example, if a code is assigned to each of various sounds stored in the IPs 50, a called party specifies and selects a caller, a caller group, a calling time or etc. when the called party is subscribed to the service or changes its information, and the called party specifies a sound corresponding to the caller, the caller group, the calling time or etc., information associated with the specified sound can be kept in the form of a table and corresponding sound information can be provided to the IP 50 on the basis of the table in response to a sound information request from the IP 50. Thus, the IP 50 provides a sound corresponding to sound information from the IP server 70 to the T_MSC/VLR 32. The web server 100 is coupled to the IP 50 or the IP server 70 over the Internet network 60 and can add a new sound in the IP 50 or change information of a specified sound (corresponding to a caller, a caller group, a calling time or etc.) of the IP sever 70 and a sound code corresponding to the sound information. A subscriber can perform these addition and change operations through a web page provided by the web server 100. FIG. 4 is an exemplary view illustrating network connection relations between MSCs 31 and 32, gateways (CGSs) 40, intellectual peripherals (IPs) 50 and IP servers 70 associated with the system shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the gateways (CGSs) 40 serve as a device for combining trunks to improve a drawback where the gateways 40 are coupled to the IPs 50 and the MSCs 31 and 32 in the form of a full mesh. In accordance with the present invention, for example, if the capacity of an IP 50 corresponding to IP#n can accommodate two hundred thousand subscribers, IP routing digits are set as IP#n connection digits for the two hundred thousand subscribers. On the other hand, if the number of subscribers exceeds two hundred thousand subscribers, a classification process is performed on the subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis (i.e., HLR system-by-system basis) or the subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis in response to a selection of the operator. Further, the HLR 10 sets routing digits for IP#(n+1), IP#(n+2) and IP#(n+3) in a unit of two hundred thousand subscribers. The IPs 50 corresponding to IP#n, IP#(n+1), IP#(n+2) and IP#(n+3) have sounds for subscribers classified (on the subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, the subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis or the subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis) in a unit of two hundred thousand subscribers, thereby reducing trunk resources for metropolitan and rural areas, efficiently distributing and accommodating subscribers, and preventing a service disable state due to excessive consumption of trunk resources. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the method for controlling routing information for IPs in the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention. In other words, FIG. 5 shows the flowchart of a routing control method performed by the HLR 10 in a procedure of processing the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service using the T_MSC 32 as in conventional method shown in FIG. 1. First, upon receiving a location registration request message from the T_MSC 32 (S501), the HLR 10 confirms a subscriber profile and determines whether the location registration request message has been received from a subscriber of the service in accordance with the present invention, i.e., whether a terminal having transmitted a location registration request is subscribed to the service in accordance with the present invention (S502). If the service subscriber has not transmitted the location registration request, the HLR 10 transmits, to the T_MSC 32, only a location registration-related response message as in the conventional method (S503). On the other hand, if the service subscriber has transmitted the location registration request, the HLR 10 contains service setting information and routing information (e.g., routing digits used for routing information to an intellectual peripheral (IP) 50) to be sent to the IP 50 within the response message, and sends the response message to the T_MSC 32 so that the T_MSC 32 can have corresponding information (S504). Next, the above step S504 will be described in detail. If it is determined, at the above step S502, that the service subscriber has transmitted the location registration request, the HLR 10 determines whether the routing information is classified on a subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis (i.e., HLR system-by-system basis) or a subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis. If the HLR 10 determines that the routing information is classified on the subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, it searches for routing digits (hereinafter, referred to as “IP#n”) for an IP 50 corresponding to a subscriber telephone office number and then provides the searched routing digits IP#n as the routing information to the T_MSC 32. As a result of operations of the above steps S501 to S504, the T_MSC 32 has the service setting information for a called subscriber and the routing information for the IP 50. Then, if an arbitrary caller sends a call connection request to a terminal (or called terminal) of a service subscriber (hereinafter, referred to as a “called subscriber”) using the caller's terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a “calling terminal”), a corresponding O_MSC 31 requests that the HLR 10 provide destination location information (S505). In response to the destination location information request, the HLR 10 requests that the T_MSC 32 provide routing information (S506). The T_MSC 32 provides, to the HLR 10, the routing information, i.e., a temporary local directory number (TLDN), as a response to the request (S507). The HLR 10 makes a response to the destination location information request contained at the above step S505 by providing the TLDN routing information to the O_MSC 31 (S508). Then, the O_MSC 31 sends an ISUP call connection request to the T_MSC 32 on the basis of the TLDN routing information so that a trunk communication path can be established between the O_MSC 31 and the T_MSC 32 (S509). If the T_MSC 32 confirms service setting information stored (at the above step 504) in its own device and determines that a corresponding called subscriber is a service subscriber and is in a service activation state, the T_MSC 32 sends the ISUP call connection to the IP 50 corresponding to routing digits IP#n among the IPs 50 on the basis of the routing digits IP#n being the routing information for the IP 50 stored at the above S504 and establishes a communication path between the T_MSC 32 and the IP 50 corresponding to the routing digits IP#n. The T_MSC 32 provides originating and terminating telephone numbers to the IP 50 along with the ISUP call connection request (S510). As a result, a communication path is established between the O_MSC 31, the T_MSC 32 and the IP 50 corresponding to the routing digits IP#n. If routing digits received from the HLR 10 at the above step S504 are IP#(n+1) rather than IP#n as an example, the T_MSC 32 sends the ISUP call connection request to the IP 50 corresponding to the routing digits IP#(n+1) and establishes a communication path between the T_MSC 32 and the IP 50 corresponding to the routing digits IP#(n+1) at the above step S510. After the above step S510, the IP 50 having the routing digits IP#n requests the IP server 70 to provide a sound code on the basis of the originating and terminating telephone numbers received at the above step S10 (S511). In response to the request, the IP server 70 searches for the sound code linked to the received originating and terminating telephone numbers and provides, to the IP 50, the searched sound code as a response to the request contained at the above step S511 (S512). The IP 50 having the routing digits IP#n sends a replacement sound corresponding to the transferred sound code to the calling terminal through the established communication path in place of a ring back tone (S513). If the called subscriber receives a telephone call while the replacement sound is transferred in place of the ring back tone, the T_MSC 32 recognizes the fact that the called subscriber has received the telephone call and sends an ISUP call release request to the IP 50 having the routing digits IP#n so that a trunk call associated with the IP 50 having the routing digits IP#n can be released (S514). Simultaneously, communication between the caller and the called subscriber is performed over the communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the T_MSC 32 (S515). FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the method for controlling routing information for IPs in the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows the flowchart of a routing control method performed by the HLR 10 in a procedure of processing the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service using the O_MSC 31 as in the conventional method shown in FIG. 2. First, if an arbitrary caller sends a call connection request to a terminal (or called terminal) of a service subscriber (hereinafter, referred to as a “called subscriber”) using the caller's terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a “calling terminal”), a corresponding O_MSC 31 requests that the HLR 10 provide destination location information (S601). In response to the destination location information request, the HLR 10 requests that the T_MSC 32 provide routing information (S602). The T_MSC 32 provides, to the HLR 10, the routing information, i.e., a temporary local directory number (TLDN), as a response to the request (S603). The HLR 10 makes a response to the destination location information request contained at the above step S601 by sending the routing information to the O_MSC 31. When making the response, the HLR 10 confirms a subscriber profile and determines whether a corresponding called party is a service subscriber, i.e., whether the called terminal is subscribed to the service in accordance with the present invention (S604). If the corresponding called party is not the service subscriber, the HLR 10 contains only the TLDN within a response message to the destination location information request, and sends the response message to the O_MSC 31 as in the conventional method (S605). On the other hand, if the corresponding called party is the service subscriber, the HLR 10 contains service setting information and routing information (e.g., routing digits used for routing information to an IP 50) to be sent to the IP 50 within the response message, and sends the response message to the O_MSC 31 (S606). Next, the above step S606 will be described in detail. If it is determined, at the above step S604, that the called party is the service subscriber, the HLR 10 determines whether the routing information to be sent to the IP 50 is classified on a subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis (i.e., HLR system-by-system basis) or a subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis. If the HLR 10 determines that the routing information is classified on the subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, it searches for routing digits IP#n or IP#(n+1) (referred to as “IP#n” in this embodiment) for an IP 50 corresponding to a subscriber telephone office number and provides the searched routing digits IP#n to the T_MSC 32. In response to the response message from the HLR 10 according to a result of the performance of the above step S605 or S606, the O_MSC 31 sends a trunk (or ISUP) call connection request to only the T_MSC 32 and then establishes a communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the T_MSC 32 (S607). At this time, the O_MSC 31 selectively sends an ISUP call connection request to the IP 50 having the routing digits IP#n and then establishes a communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the IP 50 (S608). In this embodiment, the above steps S607 and S608 are simultaneously performed since the called party is the subscriber of the service in accordance with the present invention. If routing digits received from the HLR 10 at the above step S606 are IP#(n+1) rather than IP#n as an example, the O_MSC 31 sends the ISUP call connection request to the IP 50 corresponding to the routing digits IP#(n+1) and establishes a communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the IP 50 corresponding to the routing digits IP#(n+1) at the above step S608. If the communication path has been established between the O_MSC 31 and the IP 50 corresponding to the routing digits IP#(n+1) at the above step S608, the IP 50 having the routing digits IP#n requests the IP server 70 to provide a sound code on the basis of the originating and terminating telephone numbers (S609). In response to the request, the IP server 70 searches for the sound code linked to the received originating and terminating telephone numbers and transfers the searched sound code as a response to the request contained at the above step S609 (S610). The IP 50 having the routing digits IP#n sends a replacement sound corresponding to the transferred sound code to the calling terminal through the established communication path in place of a ring back tone (S611). If the called subscriber receives a telephone call while the replacement sound is transferred in place of the ring back tone, the O_MSC 31 recognizes the fact that the called subscriber has received the telephone call and sends an ISUP call release request to the IP 50 having the routing digits IP#n so that a trunk call associated with the IP 50 having the routing digits IP#n can be released (S612). Simultaneously, communication between the caller and the called subscriber is performed over the communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the T_MSC 32 (S613). INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides a method for controlling routing information for intellectual peripherals (IPs) in a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service, which can efficiently employ trunk resources coupled between mobile switching centers (MSCs) and IPs by changing routing digits on a subscriber telephone number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number-by-number basis, a subscriber telephone office number group-by-group basis (i.e., home location register (HLR) system-by-system basis) or a subscriber's major activity area-by-area basis according to a selection of an operator, thereby preventing over-loading of trunk resources and preventing a service disable state due to excessive consumption of the trunk resources coupled from the MSCs to the IPs. Furthermore, the method of the present invention enables service subscribers to be efficiently distributed and connected to corresponding IPs according to a routing control operation of an HLR on the basis of IP capacities in a state where a small number of IPs are shared between a large number of MSCs at a service initial time, thereby preventing over-loading of trunk resources and preventing a service disable state due to excessive consumption of the trunk resources. Although the present invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions, and substitutions to the specific elements are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>There is conventionally used a method for allowing a terminating mobile switching center (MSC) to provide a uniform ring back tone to a caller when the caller tries to make a telephone call in an existing mobile communication network. However, since the conventional method uniformly provides the same ringing tone, the caller cannot determine the existence of a wrong connection until a called party makes a response. There has been recently proposed a method for providing advertising jingles in place of the uniform ring back tone. The proposed method provides a specified advertising jingle selected by a communication network provider to a subscriber. At this time, the subscriber is not entitled to select a desired advertising jingle. Where the subscriber hears the specified advertising jingle, the communication network provider provides a predetermined free tall time to the caller. The proposed method also has a problem that the caller cannot determine the existence of a wrong connection until a called party makes a response. Furthermore, the proposed method has another problem that various ring back tones desired by the subscriber cannot be provided. To address the above-described problems, methods for providing a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service which services, to the caller, a specified sound registered or selected by the called subscriber in place of an existing ring back tone, have been previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention. The previously proposed methods will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 . FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing the subscriber-based ling-back-tone service using a terminating mobile switching center (MSC) previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention. This method is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2002-0010006 filed on Feb. 25, 2002. First, if an arbitrary caller sends a call connection request to a service subscriber (hereinafter, referred to as a “called subscriber”) using the caller's terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a “calling terminal”), a corresponding originating MSC (O_MSC) 31 requests that a home location register (HLR) 10 provide destination location information (S 101 ). In response to the destination location information request, the HLR 10 requests that a terminating MSC (T_MSC) 32 provide routing information (S 102 ). The T_MSC 32 provides, to the HLR 10 , the routing information, i.e., a temporary local directory number (TLDN), as a response to the request (S 103 ). The HLR 10 makes a response to the destination location information request contained at the above step S 101 by sending the routing information to the O_MSC 31 (S 104 ). Then, the O_MSC 31 sends an ISDN User Part (ISUP) call connection request to the T_MSC 32 on the basis of the routing information and then establishes a communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the T_MSC 32 (S 105 ). If the T_MSC 32 receives location information of a corresponding called terminal from the HLR 10 when registering the location information of the corresponding called terminal therein, and then determines that the called terminal corresponds to a service subscriber and is in a service activation state on the basis of service setting information and routing information to be routed to an intellectual peripheral (IP) 50 previously stored in its own device (or a visitor location register (VLR)), the T_MSC 32 sends the ISUP call connection request to the IP 50 , establishes a trunk communication path between the T_MSC 32 and the IP 50 and provides originating and terminating telephone numbers to the IP 50 (S 106 ). As a result, a common communication path is established between the O_MSC 31 , the T_MSC 32 and the IP 50 . For reference, the service setting information and routing information are contained in a location registration response message that is sent from the HLR 10 to the T_MSC 32 when the location information of the corresponding called terminal is registered. On the basis of the originating and terminating telephone numbers, the IP 50 requests that an IP server 70 provide a sound code (S 107 ). In response to the request, the IP server 70 searches for the sound code linked to the received originating and terminating telephone numbers and transfers the searched sound code to make a response to the request contained at the above step S 107 (S 108 ). The IP 50 sends a replacement sound corresponding to the transferred sound code to the calling terminal through the established communication path in place of a ring back tone (S 109 ). If the called subscriber receives a telephone call while the replacement sound is transferred in place of the ring back tone, the T_MSC 32 recognizes the fact that the called subscriber has received the telephone call, and sends an ISUP call release request to the IP 50 so that the IP 50 can release an ISUP call (S 110 ). Simultaneously, communication between the caller and the called subscriber is performed over the communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the T_MSC 32 (S 111 ). FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service using an originating mobile switching center (MSC) previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention. This method is disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 2002-0047212 filed on Aug. 9, 2002. First, if an arbitrary caller sends a call connection request to a terminal (or called terminal) of a service subscriber hereinafter, referred to as a “called subscriber”) using the caller's terminal (hereinafter, referred to as a “calling terminal”), a corresponding originating MSC (O_MSC) 31 requests that a home location register (HLR) 10 provide destination location information (S 201 ). In response to the destination location information request, the HLR 10 requests that a terminating MSC (T_MSC) 32 provide routing information (S 202 ). The T-MSC 32 provides, to the HLR 10 , the routing information, i.e., a temporary local directory number (TLDN), as a response to the request (S 203 ). The HLR 10 makes a response to the destination location information request contained at the above step S 201 by sending the routing information to the O_MSC 31 . When making the response, the HLR 10 confirms a subscriber profile and determines whether a corresponding called party is a service subscriber, i.e., whether the called terminal is subscribed to the service (S 204 ). If the corresponding called party is not a service subscriber, the HLR 10 contains only the TLDN within a response message to the destination location information request, and sends the response message to the O_MSC 31 (S 205 - 1 ). On the other hand, if the corresponding called party is the service subscriber, the HLR 10 contains service setting information and routing information (e.g., routing digits used for routing information to an intellectual peripheral (IP) 50 ) to be routed to the IP 50 within the response message, and sends the response message to the O_MSC 31 (S 205 - 2 ). In response to the response message from the HLR 10 according to a result of the performance of the above step S 205 - 1 or S 205 - 2 , the O_MSC 31 sends a trunk (or ISUP) call connection request to only the T-MSC 32 and then establishes a communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the T_MSC 32 (S 206 ). At this time, the O_MSC 31 selectively sends the ISUP call connection request to the IP 50 and then establishes a communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the IP 50 (S 207 ). If the communication path has been established between the O_MSC 31 and the IP 50 at the above step S 207 , the IP 50 requests an IP server 70 to provide a sound code on the basis of originating and terminating telephone numbers (S 208 ). In response to the request, the IP server 70 searches for the sound code linked to received originating and terminating telephone numbers and transfers the searched sound code to make a response to the sound code request contained at the above step S 208 (S 209 ). The IP 50 sends a replacement sound corresponding to the transferred sound code to the calling terminal through the established communication path in place of a ring back tone (S 210 ). If the called terminal receives a telephone call while the replacement sound is transferred in place of the ring back tone, the O_MSC 31 recognizes the fact that the called terminal has received the telephone call and sends an ISUP call release request to the IP 50 so that the IP 50 can release an ISUP call (S 211 ). Simultaneously, communication between a caller and a called subscriber is performed over the communication path between the O_MSC 31 and the T_MSC 32 (S 212 ). Since the number of service subscribers is small when a service is initially provided, a single IP 50 or a small number of IPs 50 are shared between a plurality of MSCs 31 and 32 that are distributed throughout the nation. However, where the number of service subscribers increases, there is a problem in that trunk resources coupled to the single IP 50 or the small number of IPs 50 are concentratedly and excessively occupied and hence a service disable state can be caused.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service using a terminating mobile switching center previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service using an originating mobile switching center previously proposed by the applicant of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service system to which a method of the present invention is applied; FIG. 4 is an exemplary view illustrating network connection relations between mobile switching centers (MSCs), gateways (CGSs), intellectual peripherals (IPs) and IP servers associated with the system shown in FIG. 3 ; FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the method for controlling routing information for IPs in a subscriber-based ring-back-tone service in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the method for controlling routing information for IPs in the subscriber-based ring-back-tone service in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050225

20070724

20060622

98159.0

H04Q720

MEHRPOUR, NAGHMEH

METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ROUTING INFORMATION FOR INTELLECTUAL PERIPHERALS IN SUBSCRIBER-BASED RING-BACK-TONE-SERVICE

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04Q

ACCEPTED

Human antihuman interleukin-6 antibody and fragment of antibody

A substance effective for treating immunopathy where interleukin 6 (IL-6) is involved is provided. A human anti-human IL-6 antibody and a human anti-human IL-6 antibody fragment having a high affinity to human IL-6 were obtained using phage antibody technique. Said antibody and antibody fragment are expected to be useful as a medicament for treating inflammation and immunopathy caused by IL-6.

1. A human anti-human interleukin-6 (hereinafter, referred to as “IL-6”) antibody that binds to human IL-6 and inhibits the biological activity thereof or a fragment of said antibody. 2. The human anti-human IL-6 antibody or a fragment of said antibody of claim 1 which has a dissociation constant of 1.0×10−8 M or less. 3. A gene fragment coding for a VH chain of a human anti-human IL-6 antibody that binds to human IL-6 and inhibits the biological activity thereof. 4. The gene fragment of claim 3 wherein complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3) of said VH chain have the following amino acid sequences: CDR1: Lys Tyr Tyr Met Ala (SEQ ID NO: 5) CDR2: Thr Ile Ser Asn Ser Gly Asp Ile Ile (SEQ ID NO: 6) Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Arg Gly CDR3: Glu Tyr Phe Phe Ser Phe Asp Val. (SEQ ID NO: 7) 5. The gene fragment of claim 3 wherein said VH chain has the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2. 6. The gene fragment of claim 5 wherein one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequence of said VH chain. 7. A gene fragment coding for a VL chain of a human anti-human IL-6 antibody that binds to human IL-6 and inhibits the biological activity thereof. 8. The gene fragment of claim 7 wherein complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3) of said VL chain have the following amino acid sequences: CDR1: Arg Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Arg Asn (SEQ ID NO: 8) Trp Val Ala CDR2: Asp Gly Ser Ser Leu Gln Ser (SEQ ID NO: 9) CDR3: Gln Gln Ser Asp Ser Thr Pro Ile (SEQ ID NO: 10) Thr Phe. 9. The gene fragment of claim 7 wherein said VL chain has the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 4. 10. The gene fragment of claim 9 wherein one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequence of said VL chain. 11. A gene fragment coding for a single chain Fv (hereinafter referred to as “scFv”) of a human anti-human IL-6 antibody that binds to human IL-6 and inhibits the biological activity thereof, said gene fragment consisting of a gene fragment coding for a VH chain of said human anti-human IL-6 antibody bound to a gene fragment coding for a VL chain of said human anti-human IL-6 antibody. 12. A gene fragment coding for a human anti-human IL-6 antibody that binds to human IL-6 and inhibits the biological activity thereof, said gene fragment consisting of a gene fragment coding for a VH chain of said human anti-human IL-6 antibody bound to a human antibody CH chain gene and a gene fragment coding for a VL chain of said human anti-human IL-6 antibody bound to a human antibody CL chain gene. 13. A gene fragment coding for a human anti-human IL-6 antibody fragment that binds to human IL-6 and inhibits the biological activity thereof, said gene fragment consisting of a gene fragment coding for a VH chain of said human anti-human IL-6 antibody bound to a portion of a human antibody CH chain gene and a gene fragment coding for a VL chain of said human anti-human IL-6 antibody bound to a portion of a human antibody CL chain gene. 14. The gene fragment of claim 13 wherein said antibody fragment is selected from Fab, Fab′ or F(ab′)2. 15. A gene fragment coding for a human anti-human IL-6 antibody fragment that binds to human IL-6 and inhibits the biological activity thereof, said gene fragment consisting of the gene fragment coding for the scFv of claim 11 bound either to a portion of a human antibody CH chain gene or to a portion of a human antibody CL chain gene. 16. A human anti-human IL-6 antibody that binds to human IL-6 and inhibits the biological activity thereof or a fragment of said antibody, which is expressed by the genetic recombination technique from an expression vector in which the gene fragment of any one of claims 3 to 15 is incorporated. 17. The human anti-human IL-6 antibody or a fragment of said antibody of claim 16 which has a dissociation constant of 1.0×10−8 M or less. 18. An agent for inhibiting the binding between IL-6 and an IL-6 receptor comprising as an active ingredient the human anti-human IL-6 antibody or a fragment of said antibody of claim 1. 19. A medicament for preventing or treating inflammation or immunopathy caused by the binding between human IL-6 and a human IL-6 receptor, said medicament utilizing the agent for inhibiting the binding of claim 18. 20. The gene fragment of claim 11 wherein complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3) of said VH chain have the following amino acid sequences: CDR1: Lys Tyr Tyr Met Ala (SEQ ID NO: 5) CDR2: Thr Ile Ser Asn Ser Gly Asp Ile Ile (SEQ ID NO: 6) Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Arg Gly CDR3: Glu Tyr Phe Phe Ser Phe Asp Val (SEQ ID NO: 7) and/or complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3) of said VL chain have the following amino acid sequences: CDR1: Arg Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Arg Asn (SEQ ID NO: 8) Trp Val Ala CDR2: Asp Gly Ser Ser Leu Gln Ser (SEQ ID NO: 9) CDR3: Gln Gln Ser Asp Ser Thr Pro Ile (SEQ ID NO: 10) Thr Phe. 21. The gene fragment of claim 11 wherein said VH chain has the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2 and/or said VL chain has the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 4. 22. The gene fragment of claim 21 wherein one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequences of said VH chain and/or said VL chain. ID NO: 10). 23. The gene fragment of claim 12 wherein complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3) of said VH chain have the following amino acid sequences: CDR1: Lys Tyr Tyr Met Ala (SEQ ID NO: 5) CDR2: Thr Ile Ser Asn Ser Gly Asp Ile Ile (SEQ ID NO: 6) Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Arg Gly CDR3: Glu Tyr Phe Phe Ser Phe Asp Val (SEQ ID NO: 7) and/or complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3) of said VL chain have the following amino acid sequences: CDR1: Arg Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Arg Asn (SEQ ID NO: 8) Trp Val Ala CDR2: Asp Gly Ser Ser Leu Gln Ser (SEQ ID NO: 9) CDR3: Gln Gln Ser Asp Ser Thr Pro Ile (SEQ ID NO: 10) Thr Phe. 24. The gene fragment of claim 12 wherein said VH chain has the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2 and/or said VL chain has the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 4. 25. The gene fragment of claim 24 wherein one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequences of said VH chain and/or said VL chain. 26. The gene fragment of claim 13 wherein complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3) of said VH chain have the following amino acid sequences: CDR1: Lys Tyr Tyr Met Ala (SEQ ID NO: 5) CDR2: Thr Ile Ser Asn Ser Gly Asp Ile Ile (SEQ ID NO: 6) Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Arg Gly CDR3: Glu Tyr Phe Phe Ser Phe Asp Val (SEQ ID NO: 7) and/or complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3) of said VL chain have the following amino acid sequences: CDR1: Arg Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Arg Asn (SEQ ID NO: 8) Trp Val Ala CDR2: Asp Gly Ser Ser Leu Gln Ser (SEQ ID NO: 9) CDR3: Gln Gln Ser Asp Ser Thr Pro Ile (SEQ ID NO: 10) Thr Phe. 27. The gene fragment of claim 13 wherein said VH chain has the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2 and/or said VL chain has the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 4. 28. The gene fragment of claim 27 wherein one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequences of said VH chain and/or said VL chain. 29. The gene fragment of claim 19 wherein complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3) of said VH chain have the following amino acid sequences: CDR1: Lys Tyr Tyr Met Ala (SEQ ID NO: 5) CDR2: Thr Ile Ser Asn Ser Gly Asp Ile Ile (SEQ ID NO: 6) Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Arg Gly CDR3: Glu Tyr Phe Phe Ser Phe Asp Val (SEQ ID NO: 7) and/or complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3) of said VL chain have the following amino acid sequences: CDR1: Arg Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Arg Asn (SEQ ID NO: 8) Trp Val Ala CDR2: Asp Gly Ser Ser Leu Gln Ser (SEQ ID NO: 9) CDR3: Gln Gln Ser Asp Ser Thr Pro Ile (SEQ ID NO: 10) Thr Phe 30. The gene fragment of claim 15 wherein said VH chain has the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2 and/or said VL chain has the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO: 4. 31. The gene fragment of claim 30 wherein one or several amino acids are deleted, substituted or added in the amino acid sequences of said VH chain and/or said VL chain. 32. An agent for inhibiting the binding between IL-6 and an IL-6 receptor comprising as an active ingredient the human anti-human IL-6 antibody or a fragment of said antibody of claim 16. 33. A medicament for preventing or treating inflammation or immunopathy caused by the binding between human IL-6 and a human IL-6 receptor, said medicament utilizing the agent for inhibiting the binding of claim 32.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a human anti-human interleukin-6 (hereinafter referred to as “IL-6”) antibody that binds to human IL-6 to thereby block binding between IL-6 and its receptor, a fragment of said antibody, and a gene fragment encoding the same. The antibody and a fragment thereof according to the present invention are expected to be useful as a medicament for treating inflammation and immunopathy caused by IL-6. BACKGROUND ART IL-6 is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 21,000 that is produced from T cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, muscular cells and the like when stimulated with a mitogen, viral infection, or IL-1. Human IL-6 consists of 184 amino acids and its gene is present on the 7th chromosome. IL-6 has diverse biological activities including (1) induction of cellular proliferation (hybridomas, T cells, keratinocytes, renal mesangial cells), (2) inhibition of cellular proliferation (myelogenic leukemia cell lines, malignant melanoma cell lines), and (3) induction of cellular differentiation and induction of production of cellular specific proteins (neural differentiation of melanocytoma cell lines, differentiation of killer T cells, maturation of megakaryocytes, differentiation into macrophages of myelogenic leukemia cell lines, antibody production of B cells, production of acute phase proteins in hepatocytes). Due to its diverse biological activities, it has been indicated that IL-6 may be relevant to some diseases. In recent years, it is known that IL-6 is involved in onset of diseases including (1) rheumatoid arthritis, atrial myxoma, Castleman disease, hypergammaglobulinemia or autoimmune symptoms in AIDS, (2) mesangial nephritis, (3) psoriasis, and (4) Kaposi sarcoma in AIDS. Recently, it is also known that a large quantity of IL-6 is produced from the skeletal muscle immediately after physical practice, which stimulates hypothalamus to secrete various neurohormones to thereby affect the immune system (Dictionary of Immunology, 1st ed., p. 49, 1993). Among the diseases where IL-6 is involved, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) afflicts about 7×105 people all over the country in Japan with gradual increase and together with increase in the number of aged patients is becoming a social problem (Ogata A. et al., Rinsho Byori (Clinical Pathology), 1999 April; 47 (4): 321-326 [Advances in interleukin-6 therapy]). The cause of RA is not known. RA, an autoimmune disease wherein an autoimmune reaction within the articular cavity has continued and became chronic, is assigned as one of inveterate specific diseases. Relevancy of RA to IL-6 has been investigated to reveal that a large quantity of IL-6 is present in joint fluid from RA patients and that IL-6 is involved not only in induction of inflammation but also in proliferation of fibroblasts in the synovial membrane. There is also possibility that IL-6 may accelerate production of autoantibody (Nishimoto N. et al., Clinical application of interleukin-6 receptor antibody, transactions of Japanese Society for Immunology 1997; 20: 87-94). Accordingly, anti-IL-6 antibody that inhibits the biological activities of IL-6 would be a candidate of a nosotropic medicament for treating several immunopathies including RA and is practically under investigation (Mihara M. et al., Br. J. Rheumatol. 1995 April; 34(4): 321-325; Mihara M. et al., Clin. Immunol. 2001, 98: 319-326). DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION (Technical Problems to be Solved by the Invention) For RA patients, a wide variety of treatments have been applied including drug therapy with non-steroidal antiinflammatory, analgesic agents, steroidal agents, immunosuppressive agents or antimetabolites, and surgical therapy such as artificial joint, depending on a disease stage of patients. However, these therapies are not eradicative for RA but there are problems of adverse side effects due to application of therapies for a long period of time with a large amount of drugs. IL-6 plays a role in enhancement of inflammation and hence is a major cause of pain RA patients suffered from. It has been indicated therefore that inhibition of the IL-6 activity would alleviate the pain. As a candidate, a humanized anti-IL-6 antibody has been investigated (Montero-Julian F. A. et al., Blood 1995 Feb. 15; 85(4): 917-24; Monier S. et al, Clin. Exp. Rheumatol. 1994 November-December; 12(6): 595-602; Wendling D. et al, J. Rheumatol. 1993 February; 20(2): 259-62). On the other hand, IL-6 has an activity of a growth factor to myeloma cells (Dictionary of Immunology, 1st ed., p. 49, 1993; aforementioned) and hence causes a problem that, even if hybridomas producing an antibody that binds to IL-6 with high affinity were obtained, their proliferation is hampered through neutralization of IL-6 in the culture medium by the produced antibody and as a result obtaining an anti-IL-6 antibody with high affinity has been difficult. Sato et al. reported that an anti-human IL-6 antibody obtained from mice exhibited high affinity of 11 nM but also with a high dissociation rate of 3×10−2 sec. (Sato K. et al., Hum. Antibodies Hybridomas 1996; 7(4): 175-83). With such an antibody having a high dissociation rate as obtained by the prior art techniques, maintenance of a high concentration of the antibody was necessary for inhibiting the IL-6 activity. Much less, an antibody with such an activity is never known that is a wholly human antibody. Besides, unlike a wholly human antibody, a possibility could not be denied that administration of a humanized antibody to patients would lead to production in patients of an antibody (blocking antibody) that inhibits the activity of the anti-IL-6 antibody. (Means to Solve the Problems) Under the circumstances, the present inventors devised a screening system with the phage antibody technique to thereby obtain a wholly human anti-human IL-6 antibody single chain Fv (scFv) molecule and elucidated VH and VL chains of said antibody. The present inventors further analyzed the properties of said scFv to reveal that said scFv exhibited a significantly lower association rate as compared to those of the conventional antibodies against human IL-6 obtained from a variety of animals (in the order of 10−3 sec; dissociation rate being about 40-folds lower than that of conventional ones), had an equivalent or higher affinity to IL-6 as compared to the conventional antibodies, and inhibited proliferation of IL-6 dependent cell lines in a concentration dependent manner. (More Efficacious Effects than Prior Art) It is expected that the use of such an antibody that is wholly derived from human and has a high affinity to IL-6 would exert therapeutic effects with a lower antibody concentration than a chimeric antibody or a humanized antibody to thereby produce only an extremely low level of anti-idiotype antibody against said antibody and hence would provide an anti-human IL-6 antibody drug that will exhibit excellent therapeutic effects as an anti-IL-6 antagonist for treating autoimmune diseases such as IL-6 dependent leukemia and rheumatoid arthritis. The antibody according to the present invention is also expected for use as a medicament for treating acute inflammation with reduced side effects and with potent activity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of ELISA where reactivity of IL6gk3-2scFv from IL-6gk series with a recombinant IL-6, human serum albumin (HSA), AB blood type serum, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and MIP-1α (macrophage inflammatory protein-1α) was measured. FIG. 2 is a graph showing the results of BIA CORE where a binding affinity of IL6gk3-2 scFv with IL-6 was measured. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results that IL6gk3-2 scFv inhibited IL-6 dependent proliferation response of IL-6 dependent cell line KT-3. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION From peripheral B lymphocytes taken from 20 healthy donors, cDNAs of each of immunoglobulin heavy (H) chain and light (L) chain were amplified by RT-PCR and combined together with a linker DNA to prepare single chain Fv (scFv) DNAs where the VH chain and VL chain DNAs from lymphocytes of healthy donors were in random combination. The scFv DNAs were incorporated into phagemid vector pCANTAB5E to prepare a scFv display phage library consisting of 109 clones from healthy donors. This library was then combined with a human IL-6 immobilized on a solid phase and an anti-human IL-6 Fv display phage clone was recovered, concentrated and screened. As a result, the screened scFv clone (IL6gk3-2) produced scFv antibody that binds to a human IL-6. The scFv antibody produced by the clone IL6gk3-2, in spite of being a single chain, specifically bound to a ligand (IL-6) with an affinity equivalent to the usual complete antibody. The scFv antibody produced by the clone IL6gk3-2, when added to KT-3 cell line that proliferates in a human IL-6 dependent manner, inhibited IL-6 dependent proliferation response of said cell line in a concentration dependent manner. The amino acid sequences of VH and VL chains of the above scFv clone having the inhibitory activity as well as the nucleotide sequences coding therefor are indicated in SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 2 (VH chain) and in SEQ ID NOs: 3 and 4 (VL chain), respectively. In addition, the amino acid sequences of complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3), which are included in the above amino acid sequences, of VH and VL chains are shown below. [VH chain] CDR1: Lys Tyr Tyr Met Ala (SEQ ID NO: 5) CDR2: Thr Ile Ser Asn Ser Gly Asp Ile (SEQ ID NO: 6) Ile Asp Tyr Ala Asp Ser Val Arg Gly CDR3: Glu Tyr Phe Phe Ser Phe Asp Val (SEQ ID NO: 7) [VL chain] CDR1: Arg Ala Ser Gln Asp Ile Arg Asn (SEQ ID NO: 8) Trp Val Ala CDR2: Asp Gly Ser Ser Leu Gln Ser (SEQ ID NO: 9) CDR3: Gln Gln Ser Asp Ser Thr Pro Ile (SEQ ID NO: 10) Thr Phe An antibody fragment having a variable region of either the VH chain or the VL chain as described above or variable regions of both VH and VL chains has a variable region of a human anti-human IL-6 antibody and strongly interacts with human IL-6 to thereby exert an inhibitory activity against the binding between IL-6 and an IL-6 receptor. Although the VH chain and/or the VL chain of the human anti-human IL-6 antibody as disclosed herein were obtained in the form of scFv by the phage antibody technique, the present invention encompasses a human anti-human IL-6 antibody in the form of a complete molecule wherein the disclosed VH chain and/or VL chain are bound to a constant region of a human immunoglobulin, a human anti-human IL-6 antibody fragment such as Fab, Fab′ or F(ab′)2 wherein the disclosed VH chain and/or VL chain are combined with a portion of a constant region of a human immunoglobulin, and other human anti-human IL-6 antibody fragment such as a human anti-human IL-6 single chain antibody (scAb) wherein scFv is bound to a constant region of a human immunoglobulin, as well as gene fragments encoding these antibodies and the antibody fragments. The present invention further encompasses a modified protein molecule wherein a high molecular weight modifying agent is bound to these antibody and antibody fragment protein molecules. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the human anti-human IL-6 antibody and the fragment molecules of said antibody according to the present invention may inhibit various immune responses induced by binding between IL-6 and an IL-6 receptor and hence may be used as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic agent or as a medicament for the treatment and prevention of autoimmune diseases. Besides, the human anti-human IL-6 antibody and the fragment molecules of said antibody according to the present invention, in view of their property, may provide an immunological measurement for detection or measurement of IL-6 expressing cells in human peripheral blood or in muscles. In addition, the human anti-human IL-6 antibody and the fragment molecules of said antibody according to the present invention may further provide many other applications when complexed with an immunoadsorbent consisting of an immunologically inactive adsorbent. For instance, IL-6 present in human peripheral blood may be purified with immunoaffinity chromatography. Such an immunoadsorbent complex may also be used for purification of IL-6 in a culture supernatant produced by culture cells transformed by the genetic recombination. Besides, peptides of the variable region of the human anti-human IL-6 antibody of the present invention and derivatives of said peptides may provide a new means for isolating a peptide or an anti-idiotype antibody that recognizes the human anti-human IL-6 antibody of the present invention from a library. The obtained peptides and the anti-idiotype antibodies and derivatives thereof are expected to be efficacious for treating acute inflammation due to IL-6 neutralization or autoimmune diseases (Vreugdenhil G. et al., Rheumatol. Int. 1990; 10(3): 127-30; Hirano T. et al., Ric. Clin. Lab. 1989 January-March; 19(1): 1-10). The present invention is explained in more detail by means of the following Examples but should not be construed to be limited thereto. EXAMPLE 1 Construction of Phage Library from Healthy Donors Phage library was constructed as reported by J. D. Marks et al., J. Mol. Biol., 222: 581-597, 1991 with some modification. Lymphocytes were isolated from peripheral blood taken from 20 healthy donors by sedimentary centrifugation with Ficol, washed thoroughly with PBS and then treated with ISOGEN (NIPPON GENE CO., LTD) to prepare a total RNA. The obtained total RNA was divided into four samples and from each of the samples were prepared cDNAs with primers specific to constant regions of either human IgG, IgM, κ chain or λ chain using first strand cDNA synthesis kit (Pharmacia biotech). Using each of the obtained cDNAs as a template, each of antibody V region genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers specific to either of combinations of VH(γ or μ) and JH, Vκ and Jκ, or Vλand Jλ, as described by Marks et al. Then, VH (γ or μ) and Vκ, and VH (γ or μ) and Vλ, were linked together with a linker DNA by assembly PCR (McCafferty, J. et al.: Antibody Engineering—A Practical Approach, IRL Press, Oxford, 1996) to prepare single chain scFv DNAs. The obtained scFv DNAs were added with NotI and SfiI restriction sites using PCR, electrophoresed on agarose gel and then purified. The purified scFv DNAs were digested with the restriction enzymes NotI (Takara) and SfiI (Takara) and then cloned into phagemid pCANTAB5E (Pharmacia). The obtained phagemids pCANTAB5E where scFv DNA was bound were introduced into E. coli TG1 cells by electroporation for each of VH(γ)-Vκ, VH(γ)-Vλ, VH(μ)-Vκ, and VH(μ)-Vλ. From the number of the transformed TG1 cells, it was assessed that VH(γ)-Vκ, VH(γ)-Vλ, VH(μ)-Vκ and VH(μ)-Vλ exhibited diversity of 1.1×108, 2.1×108, 8.4×107 and 5.3×107 clones, respectively. With M13KO7 helper phage, phage antibodies were expressed on the transformed TG1 cells to prepare scFv display phage library derived from healthy donors. EXAMPLE 2 Panning Human IL-6 was dissolved in 1 mL 0.1M NaHCO3 and the solution was incubated in 35 mm dish (Iwaki) at 4° C. overnight to immobilize IL-6. To the dish was added 0.5% gelatin/PBS for blocking at 20° C. for 2 hours and then the dish was washed six times with 0.1% Tween20-PBS. To the dish was then added 0.9 mL of the single chain antibody display phage solution (1×1012 tu/mL of the antibody phage library derived from healthy donors) for reaction. After washing the dish ten times with 0.1% Tween20-PBS, 1.0 mL glycine buffer (pH 2.2) was added to elute single chain antibody display phages bound to IL-6. After adjusting pH by adding 1M Tris (hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane-HCl, pH9.1, the eluted phages were infected to E. coli TG1 cells at logarithmic growth phase. The infected TG1 cells were centrifuged at 3,000×g for 10 minutes. Supernatant was removed, suspended in 200 μL 2×YT culture medium, plated on SOBAG plate (SOB plate containing 2% glucose, 100 μg/ml ampicillin) and then incubated overnight in an incubator at 30° C. The resulting colonies were suspended and recovered in a suitable amount of 2×YT culture medium with a scraper (Coastor). The obtained TG1 solution (50 μL) was inoculated on 30 mL 2×YT culture medium and rescued with a helper phage to prepare a phage library after screening. For each of the phage libraries VH(γ)-Vκ, VH(γ)-Vλ, VH(μ)-Vκ and VH(μ)-Vλ derived from healthy donors, four pannings in total were performed with the IL-6 immobilized plate. After the fourth panning, any clone was extracted arbitrarily from the SOBAG plate. The scFv expression was confirmed, specificity was confirmed by IL-6 ELISA and a nucleotide sequence was analyzed. EXAMPLE 3 IL-6 ELISA for Screening For screening the isolated clones, ELISA was performed as follows: Human IL-6 and control proteins were immobilized on an ELISA plate for screening. Each 40 μL/well of a human recombinant IL-6 (1.25 μg/mL), a human serum albumin (HSA; 2.5 μg/mL), a human monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1; 1.25 μg/mL), a human MIP-1α (macrophage inflammatory protein 1-α; 1.25 μg/mL) or a human AB blood type serum (1.25 μg/mL) were placed in an ELISA plate (Nunc) which was kept standing at 4° C. for 16 hours for immobilization. The immobilized plate was added with 400 μL/well of a PBS solution containing 0.5% BSA, 0.5% gelatin and 5% skimmed milk and was kept standing at 4° C. for 2 hours for blocking. To the plate was added 40 μL/well of sample solutions containing scFv display phage for reaction. The sample solutions were discarded and the plate was washed with a washing solution five times. The plate was reacted with biotin-labeled anti-M13 monoclonal antibody (Pharmacia biotech) and then with anti-mouse IgG antibody labeled with alkaline phosphatase (AP). After washing with a washing solution five times, the plate was added with 50 μL/well of a developing solution of substrate, i.e. a PBS solution containing 1 g/mL p-nitrophenyl phosphate (Wako) and 10% diethanolamine (Wako), light-shielded, and developed at room temperature to 37° C. for 5 to 10 minutes. Absorbance at 405 nm was measured using Multiplate Autoreader NJ-2001 (Inter Med). As a result, all the clones assessed were confirmed to be specific to IL-6 (FIG. 1). EXAMPLE 4 Sequence Analysis of Clones A DNA nucleotide sequence of the isolated clones was determined for scFv gene VH and VL using Dye terminator cycle sequencing FS Ready Reaction kit (Applied Biosystems) As a result of ELISA and sequence analysis, the isolated clones were classified into four classes. Among these, the clone IL6gk3-2 had nucleotide sequences of VH and VL as shown in SEQ ID NOs: 1 and 3, respectively. EXAMPLE 5 Expression and Recovery of scFv A soluble scFv was expressed with E. coli HB2151, recovered from E. coli periplasm fraction and crudely purified. If further purification was necessary, affinity purification was performed with RAPAS Purification Module (Pharmacia Biotech). Purity of the purified scFv protein was confirmed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting where Etag epitope at the C-terminus of the scFv protein was targeted. For determination of a protein concentration of the purified scFv protein product, Protein Assay Kit (BIO-RAD) was used. EXAMPLE 6 Affinity Measurement of Purified scFv by SPR Using BIAcore (BIAcore), affinity of the purified scFv was measured by SPR. As a result, IL6gk3-2, the clone with the highest affinity among the isolated clones, was assessed to have 13×10−9 M of a dissociation constant (FIG. 2). EXAMPLE 7 Effect on Proliferation Response of IL-6 Dependent Cell Line The purified scFv was assessed for its inhibitory activity on IL-6 dependent proliferation response of cell line KT-3 that proliferates in an IL-6 dependent manner. KT-3 cells prepared at 2×104 cells/200 μl/well were cultured for four days in the presence of 1.25 to 20 μg/ml of the purified scFv from the clone IL6gk3-2 and IL-6 (80 pg/ml) and were assessed for DNA synthesis through thymidine intake. As a result, it was revealed that the scFv from the clone IL6gk3-2 inhibited proliferation response of KT-3 cells in a concentration dependent manner (FIG. 3).

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>IL-6 is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 21,000 that is produced from T cells, macrophages, fibroblasts, muscular cells and the like when stimulated with a mitogen, viral infection, or IL-1. Human IL-6 consists of 184 amino acids and its gene is present on the 7th chromosome. IL-6 has diverse biological activities including (1) induction of cellular proliferation (hybridomas, T cells, keratinocytes, renal mesangial cells), (2) inhibition of cellular proliferation (myelogenic leukemia cell lines, malignant melanoma cell lines), and (3) induction of cellular differentiation and induction of production of cellular specific proteins (neural differentiation of melanocytoma cell lines, differentiation of killer T cells, maturation of megakaryocytes, differentiation into macrophages of myelogenic leukemia cell lines, antibody production of B cells, production of acute phase proteins in hepatocytes). Due to its diverse biological activities, it has been indicated that IL-6 may be relevant to some diseases. In recent years, it is known that IL-6 is involved in onset of diseases including (1) rheumatoid arthritis, atrial myxoma, Castleman disease, hypergammaglobulinemia or autoimmune symptoms in AIDS, (2) mesangial nephritis, (3) psoriasis, and (4) Kaposi sarcoma in AIDS. Recently, it is also known that a large quantity of IL-6 is produced from the skeletal muscle immediately after physical practice, which stimulates hypothalamus to secrete various neurohormones to thereby affect the immune system (Dictionary of Immunology, 1st ed., p. 49, 1993). Among the diseases where IL-6 is involved, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) afflicts about 7×10 5 people all over the country in Japan with gradual increase and together with increase in the number of aged patients is becoming a social problem (Ogata A. et al., Rinsho Byori (Clinical Pathology), 1999 April; 47 (4): 321-326 [Advances in interleukin-6 therapy]). The cause of RA is not known. RA, an autoimmune disease wherein an autoimmune reaction within the articular cavity has continued and became chronic, is assigned as one of inveterate specific diseases. Relevancy of RA to IL-6 has been investigated to reveal that a large quantity of IL-6 is present in joint fluid from RA patients and that IL-6 is involved not only in induction of inflammation but also in proliferation of fibroblasts in the synovial membrane. There is also possibility that IL-6 may accelerate production of autoantibody (Nishimoto N. et al., Clinical application of interleukin-6 receptor antibody, transactions of Japanese Society for Immunology 1997; 20: 87-94). Accordingly, anti-IL-6 antibody that inhibits the biological activities of IL-6 would be a candidate of a nosotropic medicament for treating several immunopathies including RA and is practically under investigation (Mihara M. et al., Br. J. Rheumatol. 1995 April; 34(4): 321-325; Mihara M. et al., Clin. Immunol. 2001, 98: 319-326).

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of ELISA where reactivity of IL6gk3-2scFv from IL-6gk series with a recombinant IL-6, human serum albumin (HSA), AB blood type serum, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and MIP-1α (macrophage inflammatory protein-1α) was measured. FIG. 2 is a graph showing the results of BIA CORE where a binding affinity of IL6gk3-2 scFv with IL-6 was measured. FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results that IL6gk3-2 scFv inhibited IL-6 dependent proliferation response of IL-6 dependent cell line KT-3. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050228

20090127

20061026

96185.0

A61K39395

SKELDING, ZACHARY S

HUMAN ANTIHUMAN INTERLEUKIN-6 ANTIBODY AND FRAGMENT OF ANTIBODY

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

A61K

ACCEPTED

Radio transmitter-receiving apparatus and radio transmitting-receiving method for estimating noise and interference power in radio tramission using code spread

A radio transmitter-receiver wherein a pilot symbol is used in the transmitter that has undergone M-chip spreading on the frequency axis and N-chip spreading on the time axis by a spreading code of M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers equal to or greater than 2), and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading said pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread a received signal and then estimate noise and interference power. The spreading code that is used to spread the pilot symbol and the despreading code that is used in despreading are assigned so as to be orthogonal even if only in N chips on the time axis.

1. A radio transmitter-receiver wherein a pilot symbol that has undergone M-chip spreading on a frequency axis and N-chip spreading on a time axis by means of a spreading code having an M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers greater than or equal to 2) is used in the transmitter, and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading a pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread a received signal and then estimate noise and interference power; wherein said spreading code that is used in spreading a pilot symbol and said despreading code that is used in despreading are assigned so as to be orthogonal at least in only N chips on the time axis and/or in only M chips on the frequency axis. 2. A radio transmitter-receiver according to claim 1, wherein at least one of code that is orthogonal to said despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in M chips on the frequency axis and/or code that is orthogonal to said despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in N chips on the time axis is preferentially assigned as said spreading code that is used in spreading pilot symbols. 3. A radio transmitter-receiver according to claim 1, further comprising: means for detecting whether either of channel fluctuation on the frequency axis or channel fluctuation on the time axis is prominent; wherein: code that is orthogonal even if only in M chips on the frequency axis is assigned as said spreading code that is used in spreading a pilot symbol when channel fluctuation is prominent on the time axis; and code that is orthogonal even if only in N chips on the time axis is assigned as said spreading code that is used in spreading a pilot symbol when channel fluctuation is prominent on the frequency axis. 4. A radio transmitter-receiver according to claim 3, wherein delay spread is used as an index of channel fluctuation on the frequency axis. 5. A radio transmitter-receiver according to claim 3, wherein a coherent band is used as an index of channel fluctuation on the frequency axis. 6. A radio transmitter-receiver according to claim 3, wherein Doppler frequency is used as an index of channel fluctuation on the time axis. 7. A radio transmitting and receiving method wherein a pilot symbol that has undergone M-chip spreading on a frequency axis and N-chip spreading on a time axis by means of a spreading code having an M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers greater than or equal to 2) is used in the transmitter, and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading a pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread a received signal and then estimate noise and interference power; wherein said spreading code that is used in spreading a pilot symbol and said despreading code that is used in despreading are assigned so as to be orthogonal at least in only N chips on the time axis and/or in only M chips on the frequency axis.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a radio transmitter-receiver and a radio transmitting-receiving method that estimates noise and interference power in radio transmission that uses code spreading. BACKGROUND ART Radio transmission systems of the prior art include radio transmission systems of the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)/TDD (Time Division Duplex) method that suppress the transmission power control error to a low level at mobile stations when diversity reception is performed by means of a plurality of antennas at a base station (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Alternatively, in OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)—CDMA communication, there are transmitter-receivers that reduce the difference in amplitudes between subcarriers and maintain orthogonality between spreading codes to improve the transmission efficiency in a multi-path environment (for example, refer to Patent Document 2). As another example, there are also communication terminal devices of the OFDM-CDMA method that compensate for residual phase errors (for example, refer to Patent Document 3). In addition, communication devices of the OFDM-CDMA method also exist that prevent deterioration of the error rate characteristic of a demodulated signal without impairing transmission efficiency (for example, refer to Patent Document 4). Multicarrier transmission devices of the multicarrier CDMA method also exist that neither require a broad frequency band nor cause high peaks in the signal waveform (for example, refer to Patent Document 5). Still further, there are also OFDM communication devices that arrange information signals that have undergone direct sequence spreading in DS subcarriers to improve the transmission efficiency while suppressing the error rate characteristic of information signals (for example, refer to Patent Document 6). Cellular spread-spectrum communication systems also exist in which each terminal device can communicate with a base station at a high S/N and that can increase the number of simultaneous communications in each cell (for example, refer to Patent Document 7). OFDM-CDMA radio communication devices also exist that can prevent both increase in peak power and deterioration of communication quality (for example, refer to Patent Document 8). In one method of estimating noise and interference power in a radio transmission device that employs CDMA, noise and interference power are estimated by despreading the received signal by means of a spreading code that is not used in spreading the pilot signal. This explanation takes a case in which spreading codes that are spread on the time axis at spreading rate 4 as shown in FIG. 1. The four codes: Code 1: (1, 1, 1, 1) Code 2: (1, 1, −1, −1) Code 3: (1, −1, 1, −1) Code 4: (1, −1, −1, 1) are taken as spreading codes. The three codes Code 1, Code 2, and Code 3 are used in the spreading of the pilot signal. If the channel impulse response of the chip spacing is h1, h2, h3, and h4; and the noise and interference components that correspond in time to these values are NI1, NI2, NI3, and NI4, the received signal r is expressed by the following formula: r=(h1+h2+h3+h4)+(h1+h2−h3−h4)+(h1−h2+h3−h4)+=(3h1+h2+h3−h4)+NI1+NI2+NI3+NI4 Despreading signal d, in which this value is spread by Code 4 that was not used in the spreading of the pilot signal, is: d=(3h1−h2−h3−h4)+NI1−NI2−NI3+NI4 In this case, if: h1≈h2≈h3≈h4 [Formula 1] is true, then: d≈NI1−NI2−NI3+NI4 [Formula 2] and, since only the noise and interference components remain, the noise and interference power can be estimated by finding the average value of the square of this value. However, when channel fluctuation on the time axis is great, h1≈h2≈h3≈h4 [Formula 3] is not realized, and the accuracy of the estimation is thus degraded. In CDMA, spreading is implemented only on the time axis, but radio transmission methods in which two-dimensional code spreading is carried out on the time axis and frequency axis include MC-2D-CDMA (for example, refer to Non-patent Document 1). In MC-2D-CDMA, two-dimensional code spreading is sometimes used for the pilot signal. It is here assumed that a pilot signal is used that is spread two chips on the time axis and two chips on the frequency axis at a spreading rate 4 as shown in FIG. 2. As with the example of CDMA, a case is here considered in which the three codes Code 1, Code 2, and Code 3 are used to spread the pilot signal, and noise and interference power are estimated by despreading the received signal by Code 4. The channel impulse response values that correspond to C0, C1, C2, and C3 of FIG. 2 are h11, h21, h12, and h22, respectively; and the noise and interference components are NI11, NI21, NI12, and NI22. As a result of the convolution operation of received signal r and code 4 at this time, despreading signal d is: d = ⁢ ( 3 ⁢ h ⁢ 11 + NI ⁢ 11 ) × 1 + ( h ⁢ 21 + NI ⁢ 21 ) × ( - 1 ) + ⁢ ( h ⁢ 12 + NI ⁢ 12 ) × ( - 1 ) + ( - h ⁢ 22 + NI ⁢ 22 ) × 1 = ⁢ ( 3 ⁢ h ⁢ 11 - h ⁢ 21 - h ⁢ 12 - h ⁢ 22 ) + NI ⁢ 11 - NI ⁢ 21 - NI ⁢ 12 + NI ⁢ 22 Here, if: h11≈h21≈h12≈h22 [Formula 4] then: d=NI11−NI21−NI12+NI22 [Formula 5] and, because only the noise and interference components remain, the noise and interference power can be estimated by finding the average value of the square of this value. Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-91986 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-24618 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-28557 Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-144724 Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-168837 Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-203664 Patent Document 7: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-198902 Patent Document 8: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-271296 Non-Patent Document 1: The Proceedings of PIMRC 1999, pp. 498-502. However, the problem occurs that, when the noise and interference power estimation method that is conventionally used in the above-described CDMA is applied without alteration to a pilot signal that is subjected to two-dimensional spreading as described above, the estimation accuracy deteriorates dramatically if the channel fluctuation on both the frequency axis and the time axis is not sufficiently low. For example, even when fluctuation on the time axis is almost absent, i.e., even when: h11≈h12 and h21≈h22 [Formula 6] then d is: d≈2h11−2h21+NI11−NI21−NI12+NI22 [Formula 7] and if the fluctuation on the frequency axis is great, i.e. if: h11≈h21 [Formula 8] is not realized, then a signal component remains and the estimation accuracy deteriorates. Even if there is no fluctuation on the frequency axis, i.e., even if: h11≈h21 and h12≈h22 [Formula 9] d is: d≈2h11−2h12+NI11−NI21−NI12+NI22 [Formula 10] and if the fluctuation on the time axis is great, i.e., if: h11≈h12 [Formula 11] is not realized, then a signal component remains and the estimation accuracy deteriorates. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described problems of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a radio transmitter-receiver that can realize highly accurate noise and interference power estimation even when either of channel fluctuation on the frequency axis and channel fluctuation on the time axis is great. To solve the above-described problems in the first radio transmitter-receiver that is provided by the present invention, in a case in which a pilot symbol that has undergone M-chip spreading on the frequency axis and N-chip spreading on the time axis by means of a spreading code having an M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers that are greater than or equal to 2) is used in the transmitter, and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading the pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread the received signal and then estimate the noise and interference power, the spreading code that is used in spreading the pilot symbol and the despreading code that is used in despreading are assigned so as to be orthogonal even if only in N chips on the time axis. In the second radio transmitter-receiver provided by the present invention, in a case in which a pilot symbol that has undergone M-chip spreading on the frequency axis and N-chip spreading on the time axis by means of a spreading code having an M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers that are greater than or equal to 2) is used in the transmitter, and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading the pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread the received signal and then estimate the noise and interference power, the spreading code that is used in spreading the pilot symbol and the despreading code that is used in despreading are assigned so as to be orthogonal even if only in M chips on the frequency axis. In the third radio transmitter-receiver provided by the present invention, in a case in which a pilot symbol that has undergone M-chip spreading on the frequency axis and N-chip spreading on the time axis by means of a spreading code having an M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers that are greater than or equal to 2) is used in the transmitter, and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading the pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread the received signal and then estimate the noise and interference power, the spreading code that is used in spreading the pilot symbol and the despreading code that is used in despreading are assigned either to be orthogonal even if only in M chips on the frequency axis or to be orthogonal even if only in N chips on the time axis. In the fourth radio transmitter-receiver provided by the present invention, in a case in which a pilot symbol that has undergone M-chip spreading on the frequency axis and N-chip spreading on the time axis by means of a spreading code having an M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers that are greater than or equal to 2) is used in the transmitter, and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading the pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread the received signal and then estimate the noise and interference power, code that is orthogonal to the despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in N chips on the time axis is preferentially assigned as a spreading code that is used in spreading pilot symbols. In the fifth radio transmitter-receiver provided by the present invention, in a case in which a pilot symbol that has undergone M-chip spreading on the frequency axis and N-chip spreading on the time axis by means of a spreading code having an M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers that are greater than or equal to 2) is used in the transmitter, and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading the pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread the received signal and then estimate the noise and interference power, code that is orthogonal to the despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in M chips on the frequency axis is preferentially assigned as the spreading code that is used in spreading pilot symbols. In the sixth radio transmitter-receiver provided by the present invention, in a case in which a pilot symbol that has undergone M-chip spreading on the frequency axis and N-chip spreading on the time axis by means of a spreading code having an M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers that are greater than or equal to 2) is used in the transmitter, and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading the pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread the received signal and the noise and interference power then estimated, code that is orthogonal to the despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in M chips on the frequency axis, and further, orthogonal even if only in N chips on the time axis is preferentially assigned as spreading code that is used in spreading pilot symbols. The seventh radio transmitter-receiver provided by the present invention, in a case in which a pilot symbol that has undergone M-chip spreading on the frequency axis and N-chip spreading on the time axis by means of a spreading code having an M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers that are greater than or equal to 2) is used in the transmitter, and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading the pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread the received signal and then estimate the noise and interference power, includes in the receiver: means for detecting whether either of channel fluctuation on the frequency axis and channel fluctuation on the time axis is prominent, and means for reporting the detection results to a transmitter; and when channel fluctuation on the time axis is prominent, assigns as spreading code that is used in spreading a pilot symbol code that is orthogonal to the despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in M chips on the frequency axis; and assigns as spreading code that is used in spreading a pilot symbol code that is orthogonal to despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in N chips on the time axis when channel fluctuation on the frequency axis is prominent. The eighth radio transmitter-receiver provided by the present invention, in a case in which a pilot symbol that has undergone M-chip spreading on the frequency axis and N-chip spreading on the time axis by means of a spreading code having an M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers that are greater than or equal to 2) is used in the transmitter, and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading the pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread the received signal and then estimate noise and interference power, includes in the transmitter: means for detecting whether either of channel fluctuation on the frequency axis and channel fluctuation on the time axis is prominent; and assigns, as the spreading code that is used in spreading a pilot symbol, code that is orthogonal to the despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in M chips on the frequency axis when channel fluctuation on the time axis is prominent; and assigns, as spreading code that is used in spreading a pilot symbol, code that is orthogonal to the despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in N chips on the time axis when channel fluctuation on the frequency axis is prominent. The ninth radio transmitter-receiver provided by the present invention, in a case in which a pilot symbol that has undergone M-chip spreading on the frequency axis and N-chip spreading on the time axis by means of a spreading code having an M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers that are greater than or equal to 2) is used in the transmitter, and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading the pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread the received signal and then estimate noise and interference power, includes in the receiver: means for detecting whether either of channel fluctuation on the frequency axis and channel fluctuation on the time axis is prominent and means for reporting the detection results to the transmitter; and when channel fluctuation on the time axis is prominent, preferentially assigns, as spreading code that is used in spreading the pilot symbol, code that is orthogonal to the despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in M chips on the frequency axis; and when channel fluctuation on the frequency axis is prominent, preferentially assigns, as the spreading code that is used in spreading the pilot symbol, code that is orthogonal to the despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in N chips on the time axis. The tenth radio transmitter-receiver provided by the present invention, in a case in which a pilot symbol that has undergone M-chip spreading on the frequency axis and N-chip spreading on the time axis by means of a spreading code having an M×N chip length (where M and N are any integers that are greater than or equal to 2) is used in the transmitter, and in the receiver, a spreading code that is not used in spreading the pilot signal is used as a despreading code to despread the received signal and then estimate the noise and interference power, includes in the transmitter: means for detecting whether either of channel fluctuation on the frequency axis and channel fluctuation on the time axis is prominent; and when channel fluctuation on the time axis is prominent, preferentially assigns, as spreading code that is used in spreading the pilot symbol, code that is orthogonal to the despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in M chips on the frequency axis; and when channel fluctuation on the frequency axis is prominent, preferentially assigns, as the spreading code that is used in spreading pilot symbols, code that is orthogonal to the despreading code that is used in despreading even if only in N chips on the time axis. In addition, a delay spread may be used as an index of the channel fluctuation on the frequency axis. Alternatively, a coherent band may be used as an index of the channel fluctuation on the frequency axis. Still further, a Doppler frequency may be used as an index of channel fluctuation on the time axis. The radio transmitter-receiver of the present invention is thus capable of realizing highly accurate noise and interference power estimation even when either the channel fluctuation on the frequency axis or channel fluctuation on the time axis is great. In addition, when a pilot signal that has undergone two-dimensional spreading is used to estimate noise and interference power, preferential assignment of a pilot signal can realize still greater accuracy in noise and interference power estimation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view for explaining spreading code in CDMA. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the spreading code in two-dimensional spreading. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the radio transmitter-receiver in the first, second, and third embodiments according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the radio transmitter-receiver in the fourth embodiment according to the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Explanation next regards the embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a radio transmitter-receiver in the first embodiment according to the present invention. In an actual radio transmitter-receiver, a pilot signal is of course multiplexed with data and transmitted in the transmitter and a means for demodulating the data is necessary in the receiver, but for the sake of simplification, explanation here will focus on only the transmission and reception of the pilot signal. In addition, an example will be described in which a pilot signal is used that is spread at spreading rate 4 on two chips on the frequency axis and two chips on the time axis. In transmitter 101, data copy unit 103 makes four copies of pilot signal SPI and supplies this output as parallel pilot signals SPPI(1)-SPPI(4). Parallel/serial converter 104 effects parallel/serial conversion of parallel pilot signals SPPI(1)-SPPI(4) and supplies direct spread input signals SSPI(1), SSPI(2), SSPI(3), and SSPI(4) as output. Spreading code assignment unit 105 supplies spreading code assignment signal SCAL as output. Spreading unit 106 receives as input direct spread input signals SSPI(1), SSPI(2), SSPI(3), and SSPI(4) and spreading code assignment signal SCAL, and supplies as output first direct spreading output signals SSPO1(1), SSPO1(2), SSPO1(3), and SSPO1(4) and second direct spreading output signals SSPO2(1), SSPO2(2), SSPO2(3), and SSP02(4). Multiplex unit 107 performs code multiplexing of first direct spreading output signals SSPO1(1), SSPO1(2), SSPO1(3), and SSPO1(4) and second direct spreading output signals SSPO2(1), SSPO2(2), SSPO2(3), and SSPO2(4), and supplies output as IFFT input signals SIFFTI(1), SIFFTI(2), SIFFTI(3), and SIFFTI(4). Inverse Fourier transform unit 108 performs inverse Fourier transformation of IFFT input signals SIFFTI(1), SIFFTI(2), SIFFTI(3), and SIFFTI(4), and supplies output as IFFT output signals SIFFTO(1), SIFFTO(2), SIFFTO(3), and SIFFTO(4). Guard interval adder 109 adds a guard interval to IFFT output signals SIFFTO(1), SIFFTO(2), SIFFTO(3), and SIFFTO(4), and supplies output as transmission signals STX(1), STX(2), STX(3), and STX(4). At receiver 102, guard interval elimination unit 110 removes the guard interval from received signals SRX(1), SRX(2), SRX(3), and SRX(4), and supplies as output FFT input signals SFFTI(1), SFFTI(2), SFFTI(3), and SFFTI(4). Fourier transform unit 111 performs Fourier transformation of FFT input signals SFFTI(1), SFFTI(2), SFFTI(3), and SFFTI(4) and supplies as output FFT output signals SFFTO(1), SFFTO(2), SFFTO(3), and SFFTO(4). Parallel/serial conversion unit 112 performs parallel/serial conversion of FFT output signals SFFTO(1), SFFTO(2), SFFTO(3), and SFFTO(4) and supplies as output despreading input signals SDSPI(1), SDSPI(2), SDSPI(3), and SDSPI(4). Despreading code assignment unit 113 supplies despreading code assignment signal SDCAL as output. Despreading unit 114 receives as input despreading input signals SDSPI(1), SDSPI(2), SDSPI(3), and SDSPI(4) and despreading code assignment signal SDCAL and supplies as output despreading output signal SDSPO. Power calculation unit 115 receives despreading output signal SDSPO as input, estimates the noise and interference power, and supplies an estimated power signal as output. The estimation of noise and interference power is realized by the above-described operations. As a distinguishing feature of the first embodiment, the two spreading codes that are assigned by spreading code assignment unit 105 are orthogonal to the despreading code that is assigned by despreading code assignment unit 113 even if only on the time axis. A pilot signal that is spread two chips on the frequency axis and two chips on the time axis at the spread rate 4 as shown in FIG. 2 is now employed. The four codes: Code 1: (1, 1, 1, 1) Code 2: (1, 1, −1, −1) Code 3: (1, −1, 1, −1) Code 4: (1, −1, −1, 1) are used as the spreading codes. At this time, Code 1 and Code 3 are orthogonal to Code 2 and Code 4, even if only on the time axis. Here, it is assumed that spreading code assignment unit 105 assigns Code 1 and Code 3 as spreading codes and despreading code assignment unit 113 assigns Code 2 as the despreading code. The channel impulse response values that correspond to C0, C1, C2, and C3 in FIG. 2 are assumed to be h11, h21, h12, and h22, respectively, and the noise and interference components are NI11, NI21, NI12, and NI22. At this time, by means of the convolution operation of despreading input signals SDSPI(1), SDSPI(2), SDSPI(3), and SDSPI(4) and Code 3, despreading output signal SDSPO is: S ⁢ DSPO = ⁢ ( 2 ⁢ h ⁢ 11 + NI ⁢ 11 ) × 1 + ( 0 + NI ⁢ 21 ) × 1 + ⁢ ( 2 ⁢ h ⁢ 12 + NI ⁢ 12 ) × ( - 1 ) + ( 0 + NI ⁢ 22 ) × ( - 1 ) = ⁢ ( 2 ⁢ h ⁢ 11 - 2 ⁢ h ⁢ 12 ) + NI ⁢ 11 + NI ⁢ 21 - NI ⁢ 12 - NI ⁢ 22 Accordingly, if the channel fluctuation on the time axis is small, i.e., if: h11≈h12 and h21≈h22 [Formula 12] then the signal components cancel each other out. Similarly, when spreading code assignment unit 105 assigns only Code 1 as the spreading code, then: S ⁢ DSPO = ⁢ ( h ⁢ 11 + NI ⁢ 11 ) × 1 + ( h ⁢ 21 + NI ⁢ 21 ) × 1 + ⁢ ( h ⁢ 12 + NI ⁢ 12 ) × ( - 1 ) + ( h ⁢ 22 + NI ⁢ 22 ) × ( - 1 ) = ⁢ ( h ⁢ 11 - h ⁢ 12 ) + ( h ⁢ 21 - h ⁢ 22 ) + NI ⁢ 11 + NI ⁢ 22 - NI ⁢ 12 - NI ⁢ 22 and when spreading code assignment unit 105 assigns only Code 3 as the spreading code, then: S ⁢ DSPO = ⁢ ( h ⁢ 11 + NI ⁢ 11 ) × 1 + ( - h ⁢ 21 + NI ⁢ 21 ) × 1 + ⁢ ( h ⁢ 12 + NI ⁢ 12 ) × ( - 1 ) + ( - h ⁢ 22 + NI ⁢ 22 ) × ( - 1 ) = ⁢ ( h ⁢ 11 - h ⁢ 12 ) - ( h ⁢ 21 - h ⁢ 22 ) + NI ⁢ 11 + NI ⁢ 21 - NI ⁢ 12 - NI ⁢ 22 And as a result, if the channel fluctuation on the time axis is small, i.e., if: h11≈h12 and h21≈h22 [Formula 13] then the signal components cancel each other out. As described above, assignment such that the spreading code that is used in spreading the pilot symbol and the despreading code that is used in despreading are orthogonal even if only in N chips on the time axis allows realization of highly accurate noise and interference power estimation despite large channel fluctuation on the frequency axis if channel fluctuation on the time axis is small. Explanation next regards the second embodiment according to the present invention. The configuration of this radio transmitter-receiver being identical to that of the first embodiment, this configuration is shown by the block diagram of FIG. 3. The second embodiment and the first embodiment differ in that the two spreading codes that are assigned by spreading code assignment unit 105 are orthogonal to the despreading code that is assigned by despreading code assignment unit 113 even if only on the frequency axis. It is now assumed that a pilot signal is used that has been spread two chips on the frequency axis and two chips on the time axis by means of a spreading rate 4 as shown in FIG. 2. The four codes: Code 1: (1, 1, 1, 1) Code 2: (1, 1, −1, −1) Code 3: (1, −1, 1, −1) Code 4: (1, −1, −1, 1) are taken as the spreading codes. At this time, Code 1 and Code 2 are orthogonal to Code 3 and Code 4 even if only on the frequency axis. Spreading code assignment unit 105 assigns Code 1 and Code 2 as the spreading codes, and despreading code assignment unit 113 assigns Code 3 as the despreading code. The channel impulse response values that correspond to C0, C1, C2, and C3 in FIG. 2 are h11, h21, h12, and h22, respectively, and the noise and interference components are NI11, NI21, NI12, and NI22. At this time, by means of the convolution operation of despreading input signals SDSPI(1), SDSPI(2), SDSPI(3), and SDSPI(4) and Code 3, the despreading output signal SDSPO is: S ⁢ DSPO = ⁢ ( 2 ⁢ h ⁢ 11 + NI ⁢ 11 ) × 1 + ( 2 ⁢ h ⁢ 21 + NI ⁢ 21 ) × ( - 1 ) + ⁢ ( 0 + NI ⁢ 12 ) × 1 + ( 0 + NI ⁢ 22 ) × ( - 1 ) = ⁢ ( 2 ⁢ h ⁢ 11 - 2 ⁢ h ⁢ 21 ) + NI ⁢ 11 - NI ⁢ 21 + NI ⁢ 12 - NI ⁢ 22 And as a result, if the channel fluctuation on the frequency axis is small, i.e., if: h11≈h21 and h12≈h22 [Formula 14] then the signal components cancel each other out. Similarly, when spreading code assignment unit 105 assigns only Code 1 as the spreading code, then: S ⁢ DSPO = ⁢ ( h ⁢ 11 + NI ⁢ 11 ) × 1 + ( h ⁢ 21 + NI ⁢ 21 ) × ( - 1 ) + ⁢ ( h ⁢ 12 + NI ⁢ 12 ) × 1 + ( h ⁢ 22 + NI ⁢ 22 ) × ( - 1 ) = ⁢ ( h ⁢ 11 - h ⁢ 21 ) + ( h ⁢ 12 - h ⁢ 22 ) + NI ⁢ 11 - NI ⁢ 21 + NI ⁢ 12 - NI ⁢ 22 If spreading code assignment unit 105 assigns only Code 2 as the spreading code, then: S ⁢ DSPO = ⁢ ( h ⁢ 11 + NI ⁢ 11 ) × 1 + ( h ⁢ 21 + NI ⁢ 21 ) × ( - 1 ) + ⁢ ( - h ⁢ 12 + NI ⁢ 12 ) × 1 + ( - h ⁢ 22 + NI ⁢ 22 ) × ( - 1 ) = ⁢ ( h ⁢ 11 - h ⁢ 21 ) - ( h ⁢ 12 - h ⁢ 22 ) + NI ⁢ 11 - NI ⁢ 21 + NI ⁢ 12 - NI ⁢ 22 Thus, if the channel fluctuation on the frequency axis is small, i.e., if: h11≈h21 and h12≈h22 [Formula 15] then the signal components cancel each other out. As described above, assignment such that the spreading codes that are used in spreading the pilot symbol and the despreading code that is used in despreading are orthogonal even if only in M chips on the frequency axis allows realization of highly accurate noise and interference power estimation even when channel fluctuation is great on the time axis as long as channel fluctuation is small on the frequency axis. Explanation next regards the third embodiment according to the present invention. The configuration of this radio transmitter-receiver, being the same as that of the first and second embodiments, is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3. However, the output of spreading unit 106 is only first direct spreading output signals SSPO1(1), SSPO1(2), SSPO1(3) and SSPO1(4) In addition, the third embodiment differs from the first and second embodiments in that the spreading code that is assigned by spreading code assignment unit 105 is orthogonal to the despreading code that is assigned by despreading code assignment unit 113 even if only on the frequency axis and only the time axis. It is now assumed that a pilot signal is used that has been spread two chips on the frequency axis and two chips on the time axis at a spreading rate 4 as shown in FIG. 2. The four codes: Code 1: (1, 1, 1, 1) Code 2: (1, 1, −1, −1) Code 3: (1, −1, 1, −1) Code 4: (1, −1, −1, 1) are taken as the spreading codes. At this time, Code 1 is orthogonal to Code 4 even if only on the frequency axis and only on the time axis. This relation also holds between Code 3 and Code 4. Spreading code assignment unit 105 assigns Code 1 as the spreading code, and despreading code assignment unit 113 assigns Code 4 as the despreading code. The channel impulse response values that correspond to C0, C1, C2, and C3 in FIG. 2 are h11, h21, h12, and h22, respectively, and the noise and interference components are NI11, NI21, NI12, and NI22. At this time, the convolution operation of despreading input signals SDSPI(1), SDSPI(2), SDSPI(3), and SDSPI(4) and Code 4, the despreading output signal SDSPO yields: S ⁢ DSPO = ⁢ ( h ⁢ 11 + NI ⁢ 11 ) × 1 + ( h ⁢ 21 + NI ⁢ 21 ) × ( - 1 ) + ⁢ ( h ⁢ 12 + NI ⁢ 12 ) × ( - 1 ) + ( h ⁢ 22 + NI ⁢ 22 ) × 1 = ⁢ ( h ⁢ 11 - h ⁢ 21 - h ⁢ 12 + h ⁢ 22 ) + NI ⁢ 11 - NI ⁢ 21 - NI ⁢ 12 + NI ⁢ 22 And as a result, if the channel fluctuation is small on either of the frequency axis and the time axis, i.e., if either of: h11≈h21 and h12≈h22 and h11≈h12 and h21≈h22 [Formula 16] is true, then the signal components cancel each other out. As described above, assignment such that the spreading codes that are used in spreading the pilot symbol and the despreading code that is used in despreading are orthogonal even if only in M chips on the frequency axis or only in N chips on the time axis allows realization of highly accurate noise and interference power estimation if either of channel fluctuation on the frequency axis and channel fluctuation on the time axis is small. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a radio transmitter-receiver in the fourth embodiment of the present invention. As the points of difference between this figure and FIG. 3, which is the block diagram in the first to third embodiments: In transmitter 201, channel fluctuation information receiver 203 is included for receiving channel fluctuation information signal SRCHI as input, reproducing channel fluctuation information, and supplying this information as reproduction channel fluctuation information SRECHI; and spreading code assignment unit 204 determines the assignment of spreading codes based on reproduction channel fluctuation information SRECHI. In receiver 202, channel fluctuation detection unit 205 is included for receiving received signals SRX(1), SRX(2), SRX(3), and SRX(4) as input, detecting channel fluctuation, and supplying the detection result as channel fluctuation information SCHI; channel fluctuation information transmitter 206 is included for receiving channel fluctuation information SCHI as input and supplying transmission channel fluctuation information SSCHI as output; and despreading code assignment unit 207 determines the assignment of the despreading code based on channel fluctuation information SCHI. Assignment is realized in despreading code assignment unit 207 based on channel fluctuation information SCHI and in spreading code assignment unit 204 based on reproduction channel fluctuation information SRECHI that has reproduced channel fluctuation information SCHI such that the spreading code and despreading code are orthogonal even if only in M chips on the frequency axis when channel fluctuation on the time axis is greater than fluctuation on the frequency axis and such that the spreading code and despreading code are orthogonal even if only in N chips on the time axis when channel fluctuation on the frequency axis is greater than fluctuation on the time axis. By means of the above-described operations, code assignment can be realized in accordance with channel fluctuation to enable greater accuracy in noise and interference power estimation. In addition, when noise and interference power is estimated by using a pilot signal that has been subjected to two-dimensional spreading, preferential assignment of the pilot signal enables greater accuracy in noise and interference power estimation.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Radio transmission systems of the prior art include radio transmission systems of the CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)/TDD (Time Division Duplex) method that suppress the transmission power control error to a low level at mobile stations when diversity reception is performed by means of a plurality of antennas at a base station (For example, refer to Patent Document 1). Alternatively, in OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)—CDMA communication, there are transmitter-receivers that reduce the difference in amplitudes between subcarriers and maintain orthogonality between spreading codes to improve the transmission efficiency in a multi-path environment (for example, refer to Patent Document 2). As another example, there are also communication terminal devices of the OFDM-CDMA method that compensate for residual phase errors (for example, refer to Patent Document 3). In addition, communication devices of the OFDM-CDMA method also exist that prevent deterioration of the error rate characteristic of a demodulated signal without impairing transmission efficiency (for example, refer to Patent Document 4). Multicarrier transmission devices of the multicarrier CDMA method also exist that neither require a broad frequency band nor cause high peaks in the signal waveform (for example, refer to Patent Document 5). Still further, there are also OFDM communication devices that arrange information signals that have undergone direct sequence spreading in DS subcarriers to improve the transmission efficiency while suppressing the error rate characteristic of information signals (for example, refer to Patent Document 6). Cellular spread-spectrum communication systems also exist in which each terminal device can communicate with a base station at a high S/N and that can increase the number of simultaneous communications in each cell (for example, refer to Patent Document 7). OFDM-CDMA radio communication devices also exist that can prevent both increase in peak power and deterioration of communication quality (for example, refer to Patent Document 8). In one method of estimating noise and interference power in a radio transmission device that employs CDMA, noise and interference power are estimated by despreading the received signal by means of a spreading code that is not used in spreading the pilot signal. This explanation takes a case in which spreading codes that are spread on the time axis at spreading rate 4 as shown in FIG. 1 . The four codes: Code 1: (1, 1, 1, 1) Code 2: (1, 1, −1, −1) Code 3: (1, −1, 1, −1) Code 4: (1, −1, −1, 1) are taken as spreading codes. The three codes Code 1, Code 2, and Code 3 are used in the spreading of the pilot signal. If the channel impulse response of the chip spacing is h 1 , h 2 , h 3 , and h 4 ; and the noise and interference components that correspond in time to these values are NI 1 , NI 2 , NI 3 , and NI 4 , the received signal r is expressed by the following formula: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? r =( h 1 +h 2 +h 3 +h 4 )+( h 1 +h 2 −h 3 −h 4 )+(h 1 −h 2 +h 3 −h 4 )+=(3 h 1 +h 2 +h 3 −h 4 )+ NI 1 +NI 2 +NI 3 +NI 4 in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? Despreading signal d, in which this value is spread by Code 4 that was not used in the spreading of the pilot signal, is: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? d =(3 h 1 −h 2 −h 3 −h 4 )+ NI 1 −NI 2 −NI 3 +NI 4 in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? In this case, if: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? h 1 ≈h 2 ≈h 3 ≈h 4 [Formula 1] in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? is true, then: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? d≈NI 1 −NI 2 −NI 3 +NI 4 [Formula 2] in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? and, since only the noise and interference components remain, the noise and interference power can be estimated by finding the average value of the square of this value. However, when channel fluctuation on the time axis is great, in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? h 1 ≈h 2 ≈h 3 ≈h 4 [Formula 3] in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? is not realized, and the accuracy of the estimation is thus degraded. In CDMA, spreading is implemented only on the time axis, but radio transmission methods in which two-dimensional code spreading is carried out on the time axis and frequency axis include MC-2D-CDMA (for example, refer to Non-patent Document 1). In MC-2D-CDMA, two-dimensional code spreading is sometimes used for the pilot signal. It is here assumed that a pilot signal is used that is spread two chips on the time axis and two chips on the frequency axis at a spreading rate 4 as shown in FIG. 2 . As with the example of CDMA, a case is here considered in which the three codes Code 1, Code 2, and Code 3 are used to spread the pilot signal, and noise and interference power are estimated by despreading the received signal by Code 4. The channel impulse response values that correspond to C 0 , C 1 , C 2 , and C 3 of FIG. 2 are h 11 , h 21 , h 12 , and h 22 , respectively; and the noise and interference components are NI 11 , NI 21 , NI 12 , and NI 22 . As a result of the convolution operation of received signal r and code 4 at this time, despreading signal d is: d = ⁢ ( 3 ⁢ h ⁢ 11 + NI ⁢ 11 ) × 1 + ( h ⁢ 21 + NI ⁢ 21 ) × ( - 1 ) + ⁢ ( h ⁢ 12 + NI ⁢ 12 ) × ( - 1 ) + ( - h ⁢ 22 + NI ⁢ 22 ) × 1 = ⁢ ( 3 ⁢ h ⁢ 11 - h ⁢ 21 - h ⁢ 12 - h ⁢ 22 ) + NI ⁢ 11 - NI ⁢ 21 - NI ⁢ 12 + NI ⁢ 22 Here, if: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? h 11 ≈h 21 ≈h 12 ≈h 22 [Formula 4] in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? then: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? d=NI 11 −NI 21 −NI 12 +NI 22 [Formula 5] in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? and, because only the noise and interference components remain, the noise and interference power can be estimated by finding the average value of the square of this value. Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-91986 Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-24618 Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-28557 Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-144724 Patent Document 5: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-168837 Patent Document 6: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-203664 Patent Document 7: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-198902 Patent Document 8: Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-271296 Non-Patent Document 1: The Proceedings of PIMRC 1999, pp. 498-502. However, the problem occurs that, when the noise and interference power estimation method that is conventionally used in the above-described CDMA is applied without alteration to a pilot signal that is subjected to two-dimensional spreading as described above, the estimation accuracy deteriorates dramatically if the channel fluctuation on both the frequency axis and the time axis is not sufficiently low. For example, even when fluctuation on the time axis is almost absent, i.e., even when: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? h 11 ≈h 12 and h 21 ≈h 22 [Formula 6] in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? then d is: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? d≈ 2 h 11 −2 h 21 +NI 11 −NI 21 −NI 12 +NI 22 [Formula 7] in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? and if the fluctuation on the frequency axis is great, i.e. if: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? h 11 ≈h 21 [Formula 8] in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? is not realized, then a signal component remains and the estimation accuracy deteriorates. Even if there is no fluctuation on the frequency axis, i.e., even if: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? h 11 ≈h 21 and h 12 ≈h 22 [Formula 9] in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? d is: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? d≈ 2 h 11 −2 h 12 +NI 11 −NI 21 −NI 12 +NI 22 [Formula 10] in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? and if the fluctuation on the time axis is great, i.e., if: in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="lead"? h 11 ≈h 12 [Formula 11] in-line-formulae description="In-line Formulae" end="tail"? is not realized, then a signal component remains and the estimation accuracy deteriorates.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 is a view for explaining spreading code in CDMA. FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the spreading code in two-dimensional spreading. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the radio transmitter-receiver in the first, second, and third embodiments according to the present invention. FIG. 4 shows the configuration of the radio transmitter-receiver in the fourth embodiment according to the present invention. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20060208

20101102

20060817

73332.0

H04B1707

NGUYEN, LEON VIET Q

RADIO TRANSMITTER-RECEIVING APPARATUS AND RADIO TRANSMITTING-RECEIVING METHOD FOR ESTIMATING NOISE AND INTERFERENCE POWER IN RADIO TRAMISSION USING CODE SPREAD

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04B

ACCEPTED

Bed frame with an elastically suspended mattress support

A bed has a frame and a mattress support. The mattress support is suspended from the bed frame by a plurality of elastic supports. The mattress support can move in a downward direction when weight is applied to the mattress support.

1. A bed comprising a frame and a mattress support, wherein: the mattress support is suspended from the frame by a plurality of elastic supports; and the bed further comprises means for restraining lateral movement of the mattress support in at least one direction. 2. (canceled) 3. A bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein the lateral restraining means is provided by the elastic supports. 4. A bed as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least one pair of elastic supports extend between the mattress support and the frame in opposite directions from a normal to the plane of the mattress support, to provide the lateral restraint. 5. A bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least some of the elastic supports are provided by a single length of elastic cord. 6. A bed as claimed in claim 5 wherein separate elastic cords are provided at opposite ends of the bed. 7. A bend as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elastic supports are provided by a plurality of loops of elastic. 8. A bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein the elastic supports are provided only at the opposite ends of the bed. 9. A bed as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mattress support is substantially rigid. 10. A bed as claimed in claim 1 comprising at least three elastic supports. 11. A bed as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for restraining upward movement of the mattress support. 12. A bed as claimed in claim 11 wherein the upward restraining means are elastic cord. 13. A bed as claimed in claim 11, wherein separate means for restraining upward movement are provided at opposite sides of the bed. 14. A bed as claimed in claim 13 wherein the elastic supports are provided only at the opposite ends of the bed and the elastic upward restraining means are provided only at the opposite sides of the bed. 15. A bed as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for limiting downward movement of the mattress support. 16. A bed as claimed in claim 15 wherein the downward limiting means is substantially inelastic. 17. A bed as claimed in claim 15, wherein the downward limiting means comprises a cord or chain provided on one of the frame and the mattress support, the cord or chain being removably engaged with the other of the frame and the mattress support. 18. A bed as claimed in claim 15, wherein the downward limiting means are provided at each corner of the mattress support. 19. A bed as claimed in claim 1 further comprising means for limiting lateral movement of the mattress support. 20. A bed as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means comprise loops of cord or chain provided on the bed frame and on the mattress support at each corner. 21. A bed as claimed in claim 19, wherein the loops of cord are elastic. 22. (canceled) 23. A bed comprising a frame and a mattress support, wherein: the mattress support is suspended from the frame by a plurality of elastic supports; and the bed further comprises lateral movement restraints. 24. A bed comprising a frame and a mattress support, wherein: the mattress support is suspended from the frame by a plurality of elastic supports; and the bed further comprises lateral movement restraints and upward movement restraints.

The present invention relates to a bed and in particular to a bed frame for supporting a mattress. Bed frames and mattresses are well known arrangements for providing a surface on which a person can sleep or rest. Many different structures have been proposed to provide a suitable resting surface and support to the sleeping person. These structures conventionally include a rigid base or frame on which a mattress can rest. However, the above beds suffer from the problem that the comfort of the bed is usually provided by the mattress, which is typically sprung to be able to support the weight of the user. The springs of a mattress will lose their resilience over time, causing discomfort to the user. Furthermore, the springs in a particular mattress may be suitable for the comfort of a person who is lightweight, but entirely unsuitable for the comfort of a considerably heavier person. Since standard sprung mattresses cannot be adjusted by the user, it may require trial and error to find a mattress with the correct level of support. Furthermore, conventional beds and mattresses require large amounts of materials to construct and can be expensive. Hammocks are another well known form of furniture for seating or resting. However, hammocks are designed for brief periods of rest and are not intended for longer periods of comfortable sleep. A hybrid between a conventional bed and a hammock is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,391, in which a mattress is suspended by ropes or chains. This is expected to be more comfortable than a hammock since a mattress is provided, but will still rely for comfort on the mattress. According to the present invention, there is provided a bed comprising a frame and a mattress support, wherein the mattress support is suspended from the frame by a plurality of elastic supporting means. Thus in accordance with the present invention a bed with improved comfort may be provided since the elastic supporting means provide greater elasticity to the bed than the mattress alone, as the elastic supporting means may stretch when weight is applied to the mattress thus supporting a proportion of the weight of the user on the bed. The mattress support could be suspended so as to be able to sway freely in both lateral directions. Preferably, however, means are provided to reduce lateral sway in at least one direction. Preferably the elastic supporting means themselves are arranged to reduce the lateral sway of the mattress support, for example by being arranged to extend in opposite directions from a normal to the plane of the mattress support, between the mattress support and the frame. Such an arrangement of the elastic supporting means would serve to reduce the lateral sway of the mattress support since the elastic supporting means extending in one direction will apply a component of force opposing any force moving the mattress support in one lateral direction, and the elastic supporting means extending in the opposite direction to the first elastic supporting means will apply a component of force opposing any force moving the mattress support in the opposite direction to the first lateral direction. In other words, having the elastic supporting means extending at an angle to the vertical allows them to apply a lateral and/or longitudinal restorative force as well as a vertical supporting force to the mattress support. Preferably means are also provided to reduce lateral sway of the mattress support in the other direction. This could also be provided by the elastic supporting means, but preferably separate means are provided. Preferably further means for damping lateral sway of the mattress are provided. For example, loops of elastic cord may pass around the upright members of the bed frame and through the mattress support at the four corners of the mattress support. This advantageously damps swaying motion of the mattress support in both lateral directions, preferably to prevent contact between the mattress support and the frame thus improving the comfort of the bed and also preventing injury to limbs of the person resting on the bed, which may overhang the edges of the mattress support. Moreover, the elastic loops can further help to avoid injury by physically preventing a limb or the like from being placed between the mattress support and the frame. The elastic supporting means could comprise several separate cords or separate loops extending between the mattress support and the frame. This might allow the user to reduce or increase the number of cords attached to the mattress support, thereby reducing or increasing the amount of support provided by the bed. Alternatively, at least some of the elastic supporting means are provided by a single length of elastic cord. This is advantageous because it allows the elastic cord to be attached to the frame and the mattress support easily, for example by wrapping the cord around the frame components, or by simply passing the cord underneath the mattress support and over the frame. This makes a simple construction of the bed possible. More preferably, separate elastic cords are provided at opposite ends of the bed, since this arrangement avoids the need to have cord traversing the length of the bed. Preferably, the elastic supporting means are provided only at the opposite ends of the mattress support. This provides for easy access from either side of the bed, unhindered by any supporting means. However, it may be desirable in some circumstances to provide a bed with elastic supporting means around the sides and the ends of the bed, e.g. one intended for-a young child or infant. In this case, the elastic supporting means could also help to prevent the infant falling out of the bed at the sides or the ends. The mattress support may be made in any convenient way and may be flexible. Preferably, however, the mattress support is substantially rigid. This ensures that any mattress placed on the mattress support will not be subject to twisting or bending forces which might make the mattress uncomfortable. The mattress support may comprise a frame and a plurality of boards or slats screwed to the frame. The mattress support may further comprise a head and/or a foot board. The mattress support could be suspended by any convenient number of elastic supporting means, but preferably the mattress support is suspended by at least three elastic supporting means. This is advantageous since three is considered the minimum number of elastic supporting means that could be used on their own to suspend the mattress support. The mattress support may be suspended by the same number of elastic supporting means at the head end of the bed as at the foot end of the bed, or a larger number of elastic supporting means may be provided at the head end of the bed than at the foot end. In such an arrangement the head end of the mattress support can support a greater load than the foot end of the mattress support, which might be desirable for use since the upper half of an average person, which includes the head and upper torso, weighs more than the lower half of a person. The mattress support could be acted upon solely by the aforementioned elastic supporting means. Preferably, however, the bed further comprises means for restraining upward movement of the mattress support. The upward restraining means could be inelastic, for example, a chain or a rope but is preferably elastic. This can give the advantage that any vertical oscillation of the mattress support can be damped. Preferably the upward restraining means also acts to restrain lateral movement of the mattress support in at least one direction, e.g. by extending in pairs in opposite directions, from the normal to the plane of the mattress support, between the mattress support and the frame. Most preferably, the elastic supporting means and the upward restraining means are arranged to reduce lateral movement of the mattress support in mutually orthogonal directions. As with the elastic supporting means, the upward restraining means may comprise a plurality of elastic cords arranged between the frame and the mattress support. Preferably in such embodiments a pair of cords is provided on each side of the bed. Alternatively at least some of them comprise a single length of elastic cord, thus further simplifying the construction of the bed. The upward restraining means could be provided at any convenient location, but preferably are provided at opposite sides of the mattress support. In accordance with a particular preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastic supporting means are provided only at the opposite ends of the mattress support and the elastic upward restraining means are provided only at the opposite sides of the mattress support. In this embodiment, movement of the mattress support can be provided by the supporting means and the upward restraining means without affecting access by the user to the bed. To provide the bed with still further control over the movement of the mattress support, the bed is preferably provided with means for limiting downward movement of the mattress support. Advantageously, the downward limiting means can prevent overstretching of the elastic supporting means. Further they may prevent any space under the mattress support which may be required, for example for storage, from being overly compromised. Still further the downward limiting means may prevent the mattress support from undesirably hitting the floor. The downward limiting means may take any convenient form e.g. a stop formed on the frame or one or more elastic ropes of greater strength than the elastic supporting means, but preferably the downward limiting means is substantially inelastic, e.g. a rope or a chain. This need not compromise the user's comfort since it is intended that the downward limiting means will only act as a backup in extreme circumstances to prevent damage to the bed. It may be particularly desirable to limit the downward movement of the mattress support if the bed is occasionally or regularly intended for use by more than one person. If the weight of one of the people is greater than that of another, the bed may undesirably slope downward on the side of the heavier person. If at a later stage only one person uses the bed it may then be desirable to allow greater downward movement of the mattress support, thus allowing more vigourous movement of the mattress support in all directions. Preferably, therefore, the downward limiting means is selectively engagable. For example, the downward limiting means may comprise a cord or chain provided on one of the frame and the mattress support, the cord or chain being removably engagable with the other of the frame and the mattress support. Any suitable number and location of the downward limiting means may be provided, but preferably such limiting means are, provided at each corner of the mattress support. The above described construction of a bed frame and suspended mattress support provides a bed with improved comfort that is simple in construction and requires considerably less materials thus substantially reducing manufacturing costs. Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows in perspective a bed having supporting means and upward restraining means in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows a view of one end of a bed having supporting means and lateral limiting means in accordance with another embodiment the present invention; FIG. 3 shows a view of one side of a bed having upward restraining means and lateral limiting means in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 shows in perspective a further alternative embodiment of a bed in accordance with the present invention; and FIG. 5 shows an enlarged view of one end of the bed of FIG. 4, with the elastic supporting means removed for clarity. Referring to FIG. 1, a bed 2 in accordance with the invention is shown. The bed 2 generally comprises a frame, having a vertical head end portion 4 and a vertical foot end portion 6 which are connected by means of a base 10. A mattress support 8 is suspended from the frame by a number of elastic supporting means 12 which are provided by a pair of elastic bungee cords 13a, 13b (described in greater detail below). The frame 4, 6, 10 is constructed from tubular members 18, 24, 26, 28 which are fastened together using tubular fasteners 80, both the tubular members and the fasteners being of the type generally known in structural pipe fitting applications such as those available from Kee Klamp® of Reading, UK. Diagonal cross-members 22 are provided at the lower corners of the bed 2 to provide additional strength. The mattress support 8 is also constructed from tubular members 40, 42 arranged in a rectangular shape and held together by tubular fasteners 44 at each of the four corners. The construction of the bed in this manner advantageously reduces the amount of materials needed, and so can substantially reduce the manufacturing costs of the bed. The arcuate cross-bars 18a, 18b at the two ends of the frame 4, 6 are provided with metal rings 48a-g that encircle the cross-bars 18a, 18b, disposed at intervals along the length of each cross-bar 18a, 18b. The metal rings 48a-d fit the cross-bars 18a, 18b sufficiently tightly that the rings do not move laterally along the length of the cross-bars i.e. each ring is fixed in its lateral position. The mattress support 8 is also provided with similar rings 46a-i along all of its four tubular members 40, 42, arranged not to move laterally along the length of the members 40, 42. These metal rings 46a-i are further provided with circular protrusions 47a-i, which can be used for attaching the elastic bungee cords 13 or upward restraining means 14 (discussed below) and also can be used to support and attach a mattress platform (omitted for clarity) placed on the mattress support 8. Considering the head end 4 of the bed shown in FIG. 1, starting from the left, a single length of bungee cord is attached at one end to the diagonal cross-member 22a between the upright 24 and base member 28 of the frame. The bungee cord 13a passes inside the mattress support 8, is looped once around the corner connector 44a and passes up to the arcuate cross-bar 18a at the top of the head end of the frame 4. Here the cord 13a is attached at a first point to the bar 18a by wrapping the cord 13a twice around the bar 18a and also once around itself. This forms a knot around the bar 18a and also around a metal ring 48a fixed to the bar 18a. The bungee cord 13a then passes down again to the mattress support 8 to be wrapped twice around the mattress support member 40a and also once around itself. This forms a knot around the bar 18a and also around a metal ring 46e fixed to the member 40a. The bungee cord 13a then passes back up towards the bar 18a to be knotted a second time to the bar 18a around the central ring 48b. When the bungee cord 13a has been knotted four times to the bar 18a and knotted three times to the mattress support member 40a, in this manner, it passes back inside the mattress support 8 where it is looped once around the corner connector 44b and is attached at its other end to the right-hand diagonal frame cross-member 22b. In total, the bungee cord 13a provides eight elastic supporting means 12. The single length of bungee cord 13b at the foot end of the bed 6 is attached in a similar manner to the cord 13a at the head end 4, but provides fewer elastic supporting means 12. The ends of the cord 13b are attached to the diagonal cross-members 22c and 22d of the bed 2. The cord 13b passes inside the mattress support 8 and is looped once around each corner connector 44c and 44d. The cord 13b then passes to the arcuate cross-bar 18b of the foot end 6 of the bed 2 and is knotted three times to the bar 18b at the positions where metal rings 48e-g are attached to the bar 18b. The cord 13b is also knotted twice to the mattress support member 40b. In total, the foot end bungee cord 13b provides six elastic supporting means 12. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, it may be seen that the bungee cords 13a, 13b are arranged in pairs of elastic supports 12 with each pair extending between the mattress support 8 and the arcuate cross-bars 18a, 18b in opposite directions to the normal N to the plane of the mattress support 8. Each pair of elastic supports 12 therefore act to suspend the mattress but also act to apply force on the mattress support 8 in opposite lateral directions, thus improving the stability of the bed 2 and reducing lateral sway. The head end 4 of the bed is provided with a larger number of elastic supports than the foot end 9, so the head end 4 of the bed can carry a greater load than the foot end 6 of the bed. This ensures a more level sleeping surface. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1, the bed 2 is further provided at its sides with means for restraining the upward movement of the mattress support 8, in the form of a pair of elastic cords 14 (for clarity of the figure, the elastic cord on the far side of the bed 2 is not shown). The ends of the single length of elastic cord 14 on the near side of the bed 2 are attached to the diagonal cross-members 22b, 22d on that side. The elastic cord 14 passes from one of the cross-members 22b towards the mattress support 8 and passes over a protrusion 47c that extend from a metal rings 46c attached to the mattress support tubular member 42. The elastic cord 14 then passes to the tubular member 28 of the side of the bed frame 10 where the elastic cord 14 passes under the tubular member 28 and then back towards the mattress support member 42. The elastic cord 14 passes over a second protrusion 47d that extends from a second metal ring 46d, before passing to the other diagonal cross-member 22d to which it is attached. With this arrangement, upward movement of the mattress support 8 is opposed by the elasticity of the upward restraining means 14. The arrangement of the elastic cords 14 in pairs extending at opposite angles to the plane of the mattress support 8 also helps to reduce longitudinal sway of the bed. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 1, the bed 2 is further provided in its four corners with inelastic means for limiting downward movement of the mattress support 8, in the form of ropes 16 at each corner of the bed 2 (for clarity, only two of these are shown). The ropes 16 are of such a length that they do not become taut until the mattress support 8 is displaced downward far enough to stretch the sections of bungee cord 12 excessively. Thus, the ropes 16 prevent the mattress support 8 from lowering any further, and so prevent it from contacting with the floor or any item stored underneath the mattress support 8. The ropes 16 are attached to the four corner connectors 44a-d of the mattress support 8 and to corresponding corners of the frame at the ends of the arcuate cross-members 18a, 18b. In use a platform is placed onto the protrusions 47a-e on the mattress support 8 and a mattress is placed on top of that. The bed may then be used as normal except that the elasticity of the supporting means 12 gives greater comfort. Oscillation of the mattress support 8 is damped by cooperation between the elastic supports 12 and the upward restraints 14. Furthermore, the arrangement of these in angled pairs limits lateral sway of the mattress support 8 in both orthogonal directions. Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 2, which is a view of the foot end 6 of the bed 2. The elastic bungee cord 13 shown in this embodiment is attached to the arcuate cross-bar 18 in the same manner to the cord 13a of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1. The embodiment of FIG. 2 differs from the first embodiment in that the downward limiting ropes 16 of this embodiment are attached to the arcuate cross-bar 18 in a different manner to those of the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the ropes 16 are removably engagable with the cross-bar 18 by being looped over hooks 50 such that the ropes 16 can easily be removed should they not be required. In the embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 2, the bed 2 is further provided in its four corners with means for further damping movement of the mattress support 8 in either lateral direction, in the form of loops of elastic cord 17. Each loop 17 is substantially ovoid and is arranged to encircle the mattress support 8 and the upright member 24 of the frame in one corner of the bed 2. The loop 17 passes through the mattress support 8 in the region of the corner connector 44 of the mattress support 8 and passes around the upright member 24 of the bed, thus joining the mattress support 8,to the upright member 24. One loop 17 is arranged at each of the four corners of the bed 2 such that the loops 17 are all under tension. The tension is sufficient to prevent contact between the mattress support 8 and the upright member 24 under normal loads. With this arrangement, lateral movement of the mattress in both directions in reduced and thus the sway of the mattress support is considerably damped. A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 3, which is a side view of the bed. In this embodiment, upward restraining means is provided by an elastic cord 14 that is attached to the diagonal cross-members 22 at either end, and passes at several points over the tubular member 42 of the side of the mattress support 8 in a similar manner to the elastic cord of the first embodiment. The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3 is further provided with loops of elastic cord 17 in a similar manner to the second embodiment. Another alternative embodiment of a bed 102 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The embodiment of the invention depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 differs from the previous embodiments in that the elastic supporting means comprises eight elastic loops 113 provided at each end of the mattress support 108 (in the Figures only one loop at the head end 104 is shown for clarity). The head 104 and foot 106 ends of the frame comprise horizontal bars 118 running parallel with the tubular members 140 of the frame at the head end and foot end of the bed 102. The horizontal bars 118 and the tubular members 140 are each provided with eight pairs of protrusions or bosses 148. These bosses are arranged in pairs such that there exists a gap between the two bosses 148 of each pair in which the elastic loop 113 can rest. Having a boss 148 either side of each loop 113 where it passes around the tubular member 140 and the horizontal bar 198 prevents the loop 113 from sliding along the length of either the tubular member 140 or the horizontal bar 118. The bed 102 of this embodiment also comprises a pair of restraining means on either side of the bed comprising a pair of elastic cords 114 (shown in FIG. 5). Each cord 114 is attached at either end by passing through a pair of sleeves 150 on the tubular member 128 at the side of the bed frame and being knotted inside. In between the two sleeves 150 the elastic cord 114 passes through a ring 160 attached to and depending downwards from the side 142 of the mattress support 108. The bed of this further embodiment further comprises a pair of feet 170 at either end of the bed. The mattress support 108 comprises a plurality of boards or slats 180 running horizontally from edge to edge of the mattress support 108, onto which a mattress can be laid. The slats 180 are screwed to a flat bar welded at intervals to the tubular member of the mattress support 108 and are closely spaced to allow a standard mattress or a futon mattress to be placed on the mattress support 105. The support 108 also comprises a head 184 and a foot 186 board. The outer frame of the bed 118, 128 breaks down into four components for ease of transportation and to allow the use of the pre-joined loops 113. The frame of the mattress support 108 can also break down into four parts. The joints of the bed are tungsten inert gas welded. In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention (not shown) the bosses of the previous embodiment are replaced with laser cut units that provide guides for the elastic loops to fit into, such as parallel plates between which the loops fit. These plates can be welded to the frame. It can be seen from the above that, particularly in its preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a bed with improved comfort, stability and support.

20051107

20080729

20060713

74819.0

A47C1784

TRETTEL, MICHAEL

BED FRAME WITH AN ELASTICALLY SUSPENDED MATTRESS SUPPORT

SMALL

ACCEPTED

A47C

ACCEPTED

Method of designing physiologically active peptide and use thereof

The present invention provides a means of economically, quickly and efficiently designing a physiologically active peptide to a target protein. Specifically, the present invention provides a method of designing a physiologically active peptide characterized in that, to design a physiologically active peptide capable of binding to a target site comprising a consecutive or non-consecutive amino acid sequence in a target protein, a computerized processing is carried out for extracting a preferable amino acid sequence by calculating intermolecular energy etc.; an apparatus therefor; a program for executing the above-described processing by a computer; and a computer-readable recording medium containing the program.

1. A method of designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target amino acid sequence, comprising: (a1) a step for accepting an entry of sequence data on a target amino acid sequence, (b1) a step for converting said target amino acid sequence to one or more moving average profile waveforms in accordance with one or more specified amino acid indices, (c1) a step for generating a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, and converting it to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms using the same one or more amino acid indices as those in step (b1), (d1) a step for calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for said target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, (e1) a step for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said complementariness parameter, in a storage, (f1) a step for extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (e1), and (g1) a step for displaying an extracted complementary amino acid sequence as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. 2. A method of claim 1, wherein said complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient between a moving average profile waveform for said target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence. 3. A method of claim 1, wherein said amino acid index is one or more indices selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume. 4. A method of claim 1, characterized in that the number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequence extracted as physiologically active peptides is narrowed down by taking steps (b1)-(f1) for a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences extracted in steps (a1)-(f1) using one or more specified amino acid indices, in one or more repeats, using one or more other amino acid indices. 5. A method of designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, comprising: (a1′) a step for accepting an entry of sequence data on a target amino acid sequence in a target protein, (b1′) a step for converting said target amino acid sequence to one or more moving average profile waveforms in accordance with one or more specified amino acid indices, (c1′) a step for generating a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, and converting it to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms using the same one or more amino acid indices as those in step (b1′), (d1′) a step for calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for said target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, (e1′) a step for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said complementariness parameter, in a storage, (f1′) a step for extracting a specified number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (e1′), (g1′) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, for an extracted candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, (h1′) a step for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said intermolecular energy parameter, in a storage, (i1′) a step for extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (h1′), and (j1′) a step for displaying an extracted complementary amino acid sequence as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. 6. A method of claim 5, wherein said complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient between a moving average profile waveform for said target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence. 7. A method of claim 5, wherein said amino acid index is one or more indices selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume. 8. A method of claim 5, characterized in that the number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequence extracted as physiologically active peptides is narrowed down by taking steps (b1′)-(f1′) for a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences extracted in steps (a1′)-(f1′) using one or more specified amino acid indices, in one or more repeats, using one or more other amino acid indices, after which steps (g1′)-(i1′) are taken. 9. A program for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target amino acid sequence, allowing a computer to execute: (a1) a step for accepting an entry of sequence data on a target amino acid sequence, (b1) a step for converting said target amino acid sequence to one or more moving average profile waveforms in accordance with one or more specified amino acid indices, (c1) a step for generating a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, and converting it to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms using the same one or more amino acid indices as those in step (b1), (d1) a step for calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for said target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, (e1) a step for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said complementariness parameter, in a storage, (f1) a step for extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (e1), and (g1) a step for displaying an extracted complementary amino acid sequence as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. 10. A program of claim 9, wherein said complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient between a moving average profile waveform for said target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence. 11. A program of claim 9, wherein said amino acid index is one or more indices selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume. 12. A program of claim 9, characterized in that the number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequence extracted as physiologically active peptides is narrowed down by taking steps (b1)-(f1) for a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences extracted in steps (a1)-(f1) using one or more specified amino acid indices, in one or more repeats, using one or more other amino acid indices. 13. A program for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, allowing a computer to execute: (a1′) a step for accepting an entry of sequence data on a target amino acid sequence in a target protein, (b1′) a step for converting said target amino acid sequence to one or more moving average profile waveforms in accordance with one or more specified amino acid indices, (c1′) a step for generating a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, and converting it to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms using the same one or more amino acid indices as those in step (b1′), (d1′) a step for calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for said target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, (e1′) a step for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said complementariness parameter, in a storage, (f1′) a step for extracting a specified number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (e1′), (g1′) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, for an extracted candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, (h1′) a step for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said intermolecular energy parameter, in a storage, (i1′) a step for extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (h1′), and (j1′) a step for displaying an extracted complementary amino acid sequence as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. 14. A program of claim 13, wherein said complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient between a moving average profile waveform for said target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence. 15. A program of claim 13, wherein said amino acid index is one or more indices selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume. 16. A program of claim 13, characterized in that the number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequence extracted as physiologically active peptides is narrowed down by taking steps (b1′)-(f1′) for a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences extracted in steps (a1′)-(f1′) using one or more specified amino acid indices, in one or more repeats, using one or more other amino acid indices, after which steps (g1′)-(i1′) are taken. 17. A computer-readable recording medium containing a program of claim 9. 18. An apparatus for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target amino acid sequence, provided with (A) a data entry portion, (B) a data editing portion, (C) a complementary amino acid sequence candidate generation portion, (D) a complementariness calculation portion, (E) a complementary amino acid sequence candidate memory portion, (F) a complementary amino acid sequence search portion, and (G) a complementary amino acid sequence display portion, wherein: said data entry portion includes (a1) a means of accepting an entry of sequence data on a target amino acid sequence, said data editing portion includes (b1) a means of converting said target amino acid sequence to one or more moving average profile waveforms in accordance with one or more specified amino acid indices, said complementary amino acid sequence candidate generation portion includes (c1) a means of generating a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, and converting it to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms using the same one or more amino acid indices as those for means (b1), said complementariness calculation portion includes (d1) a means of calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for said target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, said complementary amino acid sequence candidate memory portion includes (e1) a means of storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said complementariness parameter, said complementary amino acid sequence search portion includes (f1) a means of extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by means (e1), and said complementary amino acid sequence display portion includes (g1) a means of displaying a complementary amino acid sequence extracted by means (f1) as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. 19. An apparatus of claim 18, wherein said complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient between a moving average profile waveform for said target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence. 20. An apparatus of claim 18, wherein said amino acid index is one or more indices selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume. 21. An apparatus for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, provided with (A) a data entry portion, (B) a data editing portion, (C) a complementary amino acid sequence candidate generation portion, (D) a complementariness calculation portion, (E) a complementary amino acid sequence candidate memory portion, (F) a complementary amino acid sequence search portion, and (G) a complementary amino acid sequence display portion, wherein: said data entry portion includes (a1′) a means of accepting an entry of sequence data on a target amino acid sequence in a target protein, said data editing portion includes (b1′) a means of converting said target amino acid sequence to one or more moving average profile waveforms in accordance with one or more specified amino acid indices, said complementary amino acid sequence candidate generation portion includes (c1′) a means of generating a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, and converting it to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms using the same one or more amino acid indices as those for means (b1′), said complementariness calculation portion includes (k1′) a means of calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for said target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, and further calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, said complementary amino acid sequence candidate memory portion includes (l1′) a means of storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said complementariness parameter and said intermolecular energy parameter, said complementary amino acid sequence search portion includes (m1′) a means of extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by means (k1′), and said complementary amino acid sequence display portion includes (n1′) a means of displaying a complementary amino acid sequence extracted by said complementary amino acid sequence search portion as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. 22. An apparatus of claim 21, wherein said complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient between a moving average profile waveform for said target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence. 23. An apparatus of claim 21, wherein said amino acid index is one or more indices selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume. 24. A program of claim 13, further including between step (i1′) and step (j1′): (I) a step for generating an amino acid sequence with an amino acid variation introduced to an amino acid sequence extracted in step (i1′), (II) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence generated in step (I) and a target site of target protein, and (III) a step for comparing an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (II) with an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence extracted in step (i1′) and a target site of target protein as a control, and extracting an amino acid sequence having an intermolecular energy parameter that is stabler than the intermolecular energy parameter of the control. 25. A program for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, allowing a computer to execute: (a2) a step for identifying the interaction region in a protein that interacts with a target site of target protein, and (b2) a step for extracting an amino acid sequence of an optionally chosen length from said interaction region. 26. A program for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, allowing a computer to execute: (a2′) a step for identifying the interaction region in a protein that interacts with a target site of target protein, (b2′) a step for extracting an amino acid sequence of an optionally chosen length from said interaction region, (c2′) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, for an extracted amino acid sequence, (d2′) a step for storing said amino acid sequence, along with said intermolecular energy parameter, in a storage, (e2′) a step for extracting a specified number of amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (d2′), and (f2′) a step for displaying an extracted amino acid sequence as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. 27. A program of claim 26, further including between step (e2′) and step (f2′): (I) a step for generating an amino acid sequence with an amino acid variation introduced to an amino acid sequence extracted in step (e2′), (II) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence generated in step (I) and a target site of target protein, and (III) a step for comparing an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (II) with an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence extracted in step (e2′) and a target site of target protein as a control, and extracting an amino acid sequence having an intermolecular energy parameter that is stabler than the intermolecular energy parameter of the control. 28. A program for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, allowing a computer to execute: (a3) a step for exhaustively generating amino acid sequences of constant length, and randomly selecting amino acid sequences from among them for extraction as a library for analysis, (b3) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter for each of the amino acid sequences extracted as a library for analysis, (c3) a step for generating a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence using an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (b3), (d3) a step for calculating a score based on amino acid prevalence using a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence, (e3) a step for conducting a correlation analysis between an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (b3) and said score to obtain a regression equation, (f3) a step for converting a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence to a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter using said regression equation, (g3) a step for calculating an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value from a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter, and (h3) a step for extracting an amino acid sequence not higher than a specified amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value. 29. A program for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, allowing a computer to execute: (a3′) a step for exhaustively generating amino acid sequences of constant length, and randomly selecting amino acid sequences from among them for extraction as a library for analysis, (b3′) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter for each of the amino acid sequences extracted as a library for analysis, (c3′) a step for generating a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence using an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (b3′), (d3′) a step for calculating a score based on amino acid prevalence using a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence, (e3′) a step for conducting a correlation analysis between an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (b3′) and said score to obtain a regression equation, (f3′) a step for converting a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence to a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter using said regression equation, (g3′) a step for calculating an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value from a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter, (h3′) a step for extracting an amino acid sequence not higher than a specified amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value, (i3′) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, for an extracted amino acid sequence, (j3′) a step for storing said amino acid sequence, along with said intermolecular energy parameter, in a storage, (k3′) a step for extracting a specified number of amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (j3′), and (l3′) a step for displaying an amino acid sequence extracted in step (k3′) as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. 30. A program of claim 29, further including between step (k3′) and step (l3′): (I) a step for generating an amino acid sequence with an amino acid variation introduced to an amino acid sequence extracted in step (k3′), (II) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence generated in step (I) and a target site of target protein, and (III) a step for comparing an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (II) with an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence extracted in step (k3′) and a target site of target protein as a control, and extracting an amino acid sequence having an intermolecular energy parameter that is stabler than the intermolecular energy parameter of the control. 31. An apparatus for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, provided with (A2) an interaction region identification portion, (B2) a first amino acid sequence search portion, (C2) an intermolecular energy calculation portion, (D2) an amino acid sequence memory portion, (E2) a second amino acid sequence search portion, and (F2) an amino acid sequence display portion, wherein: said interaction region identification portion includes (a2′) a means of identifying the interaction region in a protein molecule that interacts with a target site of target protein, said first amino acid sequence search portion includes (b2′) a means of extracting an amino acid sequence of an optionally chosen length from said interaction region, said intermolecular energy calculation portion includes (c2′) a means of calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, for an extracted amino acid sequence, said amino acid sequence memory portion includes (d2′) a means of storing said amino acid sequence, along with said intermolecular energy parameter, in a storage, said second amino acid sequence search portion includes (e2′) a means of extracting a specified number of amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by means (d2′), and said amino acid sequence display portion includes (f2′) a means of displaying an extracted amino acid sequence as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. 32. An apparatus for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, provided with (A3) a first amino acid sequence search portion, (B3) a first intermolecular energy calculation portion, (C3) a score matrix generation portion, (D3) a score calculation portion, (E3) a regression equation generation portion, (F3) a matrix conversion portion, (G3) an amino acid position-dependent energy calculation portion, (H3) a second amino acid sequence search portion, (13) a second intermolecular energy calculation portion, (J3) an amino acid sequence memory portion, (K3) a third amino acid sequence search portion, and (L3) an amino acid sequence display portion, wherein: said first amino acid sequence search portion includes (a3′) a means of exhaustively generating amino acid sequences of constant length, and randomly selecting amino acid sequences from among them for extraction as a library for analysis, said first intermolecular energy calculation portion includes (b3′) a means of calculating an intermolecular energy parameter for each of the amino acid sequences extracted as a library for analysis, said score matrix generation portion includes (c3′) a means of generating a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence using an intermolecular energy parameter calculated by means (b3′), said score calculation portion includes (d3′) a means of calculating a score based on amino acid prevalence using a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence, said regression equation generation portion includes (e3′) a means of conducting a correlation analysis between an intermolecular energy parameter calculated by means (b3′) and said score to obtain a regression equation, said matrix conversion portion includes (f3′) a means of converting a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence to a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter using said regression equation, said amino acid position-dependent energy calculation portion includes (g3′) a means of calculating an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value from a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter, said second amino acid sequence search portion includes (h3′) a means of extracting an amino acid sequence not higher than a specified amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value, said second intermolecular energy calculation portion includes (i3′) a means of calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, for an extracted amino acid sequence, said amino acid sequence memory portion includes (i3′) a means of storing said amino acid sequence, along with said intermolecular energy parameter, in a storage, said third amino acid sequence search portion includes (k3′) a means of extracting a specified number of amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (j3′), and said amino acid sequence display portion includes (l3′) a means of displaying an amino acid sequence extracted in step (k3′) as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. 33. A computer-readable recording medium containing a program of claim 13.

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a method of developing a valuable peptide pharmaceutical. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of designing a physiologically active peptide capable of binding to a target site comprising an optionally chosen consecutive or non-consecutive amino acid sequence on a protein; an apparatus therefor; a program for executing the above-described method by a computer; and a computer-readable recording medium containing the program. BACKGROUND ART Various biosignals (neurotransmitters, hormones, cytokines) generated from extracellular signal transduction systems networked in the body (nervous system, endocrine system, immune system) are received and transmitted by intracellular signal transduction systems in target cells, resulting in appropriate responses. Here, the majority of biosignals are transmitted by protein-to-protein interactions. For example, various protein-to-protein interactions are involved in the binding of cell surface receptors and specific ligands therefor, and also in intracellular signal transduction from cytoplasm to nucleus. Therefore, disorders and abnormalities of intracellular signal transduction systems are closely associated with the pathogenesis of many serious diseases. Against this background, it is an urgent demand to create molecules capable of controlling (promoting or suppressing) protein-to-protein interactions as targets. At present, as a means of elucidating protein-to-protein interactions such as ligand-receptor interactions, and as a means of treating diseases resulting from signal cascade abnormalities, physiologically active peptides capable of interacting with target proteins are under active research and development. Physiologically active peptides play an important role in controlling various physiological functions as signal transmitters in the body. However, in nature, physiologically active peptides occur only in trace amounts and are very difficult to purify; only less than 100 have been discovered to date. On the other hand, with the construction of genome databases, it is supposed that there are a significant number of orphan receptors deemed physiologically active peptide receptors, and searching ligands therefor is an important key to new drug development. As examples of peptide pharmaceuticals in clinical application or under development, there may be mentioned 1) hypothalamic hormone derivatives, 2) posterior pituitary hormone derivatives, 3) ANP derivatives, 4) calcium-regulating hormones, 5) peptide antibiotics, etc. Additionally, new physiologically active peptides have recently been discovered using cells that were allowed to express orphan receptors. Using this technique, Takeda Chemical Industries discovered metastin, a peptide ligand for an orphan receptor that suppresses cancer metastasis (see, for example, Nature, 411, 613 (2001)). It is expected that further investigations in search for other physiologically active peptides will be undertaken, resulting in the development of valuable peptide pharmaceuticals. However, no effective methodology remains established to predict the amino acid sequence of a peptide capable of binding to and interacting with an optionally chosen amino acid sequence of protein; it is common practice to screen for physiologically active peptides by biochemical techniques. For example, there may be used a technique wherein a plurality of consecutive peptides consisting of 10-20 amino acids from the N-terminus to the C-terminus are synthesized from a protein known to bind to another protein, from among which peptides a physiologically active peptide is selected, or a technique wherein a physiologically active peptide is selected from a randomized peptide library using a phage library. However, such biochemical methods have been problematic in that much costs and time are required. Hence, there has been a demand for the development of a technique for both theoretically and more economically and conveniently designing a physiologically active peptide, rather than a conventional technique. On the other hand, some theories to predict a physiologically active peptide sequence for target amino acid sequence have been proposed to date. Watson and Crick set forth the DNA strand model and asserted that base pairs existed but amino acid pairs did not exist; however, there had been the minority opinion that amino acid pairs might exist (see, for example, Journal of Theoretical Biology, vol. 94, p885-894 (1982)). The sense-antisense theory, advocated by Blalock et al. (see, for example, Biochemical Biophysical Research Communication, vol. 121, p203-207 (1984)) is also premised on amino acid pairs, its contents being based on the hypothesis that two peptides encoded by two complementary DNAs, like bases, interact with each other. Based on this theory, it has been confirmed experimentally that some antisense peptides interact with sense peptides. On the other hand, in response to the suggestion of Blalock et al. that sense peptides and antisense peptides are high in <complementariness in terms of the degree of hydrophobicity>, Fassina et al. showed in some experiments that a complementary peptide having a degree of hydrophobicity that is complementary (sharing the same absolute value, but having the reverse positive/negative sign) to the average degree of hydrophobicity of five or more consecutive odd-numbered amino acids in a peptide binds to the original peptide (see, for example, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, vol. 296, 137-143 (1992)). However, numerous cases of failures have been reported for all these theories, the theories cannot be said to be satisfactory for the application to the prediction of common physiologically active peptides. Also, in all these theories, a plurality of amino acid candidates are available for each amino acid of target amino acid sequence; a vast number of candidate peptides are predicted, examining all of which takes vast amounts of time, costs, and labor. Additionally, even if succeeding in obtaining a physiologically active peptide comprising an amino acid sequence that interacts with a target amino acid sequence, we encounter further problems. As target sites of protein to be targeted in drug innovation, there may be mentioned ligand binding sites (e.g., in the case of receptors), substrate binding sites (e.g., in the case of enzymes), protein-to-protein interaction sites (e.g., in the case of transcription factors, multimer-(e.g., dimer)-forming proteins), etc.; however, these target sites very often comprise a plurality of partial amino acid sequences localized apart on the primary structure, rather than of a single consecutive amino acid sequence. Therefore, even if a physiologically active peptide comprising an amino acid sequence that interacts with a target amino acid sequence is obtained, the amino acid sequence is often not preferable for other amino acid sequences present at the target site. Additionally, provided that a target site of target protein comprises a plurality of partial amino acid sequences localized apart on the primary structure, it has traditionally been determined whether or not a particular peptide interacts with the target site of target protein by, for example, docking them using a molecular model and making an evaluation on an energy basis. To evaluate more peptides by such a technique, actually, for example, evaluation time per compound must be controlled up to about 1 minute in docking using a library comprising several thousands to several hundreds of thousands of low-molecular substances. However, because the number of variable portions of a peptide, even in the side chain only, is as many as up to 20, even for a 4-residue peptide, it took about 10 minutes per peptide to make an evaluation on Compac Alpha DS20E in, for example, flexible docking using AutoDock (see, for example, Journal of Computational Chemistry, vol. 19, p1639-1662 (1998)). For example, it is necessary to conduct docking 203, i.e., 8000 times, in the case of a 3-residue peptide, and 64,000,000 times in the case of a 6-residue peptide; exhaustive screening is actually extremely difficult. For the reasons above, there has been a strong demand for the development of a technique for quickly designing a physiologically active peptide possessing excellent capability of binding to a target site of a protein. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a means of designing a physiologically active peptide from the primary structure of target amino acid sequence, with higher certainty compared to the prior art, by a mathematical technique. It is another object of the present invention to provide a means of designing a physiologically active peptide that is preferred in view of not only a target amino acid sequence but also a target protein itself containing the target amino acid sequence. The present inventors conducted an extensive investigation to accomplish the above-described objectives and succeeded in independently developing a new program enabling the extraction, with ranking, of a complementary amino acid sequence that satisfies the definition of complementariness described in detail below, for a profile waveform generated by applying an optionally chosen amino acid index, e.g., an index based on the degree of hydrophobicity or an electric property, to a target amino acid sequence. The present inventors also succeeded in independently developing a new program especially useful in designing an amino acid sequence that interacts with a target site of target protein, provided that this target site comprises a plurality of partial amino acid sequences localized apart on the primary structure. The present inventors further independently developed a method, program, computer-readable recording medium and apparatus that enable the prediction of whether or not a complementary amino acid sequence extracted above is capable of acting as a preferable physiologically active peptide on a target protein itself containing a target amino acid sequence, and brought the present invention into completion. Accordingly, the present invention is characterized as follows: (1) A method of designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target amino acid sequence, comprising: (a1) a step for accepting an entry of sequence data on a target amino acid sequence, (b1) a step for converting said target amino acid sequence to one or more moving average profile waveforms in accordance with one or more specified amino acid indices, (c1) a step for generating a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, and converting it to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms using the same one or more amino acid indices as those in step (b1), (d1) a step for calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for said target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, (e1) a step for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said complementariness parameter, in a storage, (f1) a step for extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (e1), and (g1) a step for displaying an extracted complementary amino acid sequences as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. (2) A method of (1) above, wherein said complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient between a moving average profile waveform for said target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence. (3) A method of (1) or (2) above, wherein said amino acid index is one or more indices selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume. (4) A method as described in any of (1)-(3) above, characterized in that the number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequence extracted as physiologically active peptides is narrowed down by taking steps (b1)-(f1) for a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences extracted in steps (a1)-(f1) using one or more specified amino acid indices, in one or more repeats, using one or more other amino acid indices. (5) A method of designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, comprising: (a1′) a step for accepting an entry of sequence data on a target amino acid sequence in a target protein, (b1′) a step for converting said target amino acid sequence to one or more moving average profile waveforms in accordance with one or more specified amino acid indices, (c1′) a step for generating a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, and converting it to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms using the same one or more amino acid indices as those in step (b1′), (d1′) a step for calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for said target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, (e1′) a step for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said complementariness parameter, in a storage, (f1′) a step for extracting a specified number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequence on the basis of information stored by step (e1′), (g1′) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, for an extracted candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, (h1′) a step for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said intermolecular energy parameter, in a storage, (i1′) a step for extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (h1′), and (j1′) a step for displaying an extracted complementary amino acid sequence as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. (6) A method of (5) above, wherein said complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient between a moving average profile waveform for said target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence. (7) A method of (5) or (6) above, wherein said amino acid index is one or more indices selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume. (8) A method as described in any of (5)-(7) above, characterized in that the number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequence extracted as physiologically active peptides is narrowed down by taking steps (b1′)-(f1′) for a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences extracted in steps (a1′)-(f1′) using one or more specified amino acid indices, in one or more repeats, using one or more other amino acid indices, after which steps (g1′)-(i1′) are taken. (9) A program for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target amino acid sequence, allowing a computer to execute: (a1) a step for accepting an entry of sequence data on a target amino acid sequence, (b1) a step for converting said target amino acid sequence to one or more moving average profile waveforms in accordance with one or more specified amino acid indices, (c1) a step for generating a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, and converting it to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms using the same one or more amino acid indices as those in step (b1), (d1) a step for calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for said target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, (e1) a step for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said complementariness parameter, in a storage, (f1) a step for extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (e1), and (g1) a step for displaying an extracted complementary amino acid sequence as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. (10) A program of (9) above, wherein said complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient between a moving average profile waveform for said target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence. (11) A program of (9) or (10) above, wherein said amino acid index is one or more indices selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume. (12) A program as described in any of (9)-(11) above, characterized in that the number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequence extracted as physiologically active peptides is narrowed down by taking steps (b1)-(f1) for a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences extracted in steps (a1)-(f1) using one or more specified amino acid indices, in one or more repeats, using one or more other amino acid indices. (13) A program for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, allowing a computer to execute: (a1′) a step for accepting an entry of sequence data on a target amino acid sequence in a target protein, (b1′) a step for converting said target amino acid sequence to one or more moving average profile waveforms in accordance with one or more specified amino acid indices, (c1′) a step for generating a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, and converting it to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms using the same one or more amino acid indices as those in step (b1′), (d1′) a step for calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for said target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, (e1′) a step for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said complementariness parameter, in a storage, (f1′) a step for extracting a specified number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequence on the basis of information stored by step (e1′), (g1′) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, for an extracted candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, (h1′) a step for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said intermolecular energy parameter, in a storage, (i1′) a step for extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (h1′), and (j1′) a step for displaying an extracted complementary amino acid sequence as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. (14) A program of (13) above, wherein said complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient between a moving average profile waveform for said target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence. (15) A program of (13) or (14) above, wherein said amino acid index is one or more indices selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume. (16) A program as described in any of (13)-(15) above, characterized in that the number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequences extracted as physiologically active peptides is narrowed down by taking steps (b1′)-(f1′) for a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences extracted in steps (a1′)-(f1′) using one or more specified amino acid indices, in one or more repeats, using one or more other amino acid indices, after which steps (g1′)-(i1′) are taken. (17) A computer-readable recording medium containing a program as described in any of (9)-(16) above. (18) An apparatus for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target amino acid sequence, provided with (A) a data entry portion, (B) a data editing portion, (C) a complementary amino acid sequence candidate generation portion, (D) a complementariness calculation portion, (E) a complementary amino acid sequence candidate memory portion, (F) a complementary amino acid sequence search portion, and (G) a complementary amino acid sequence display portion, wherein: said data entry portion includes (a1) a means of accepting an entry of sequence data on a target amino acid sequence, said data editing portion includes (b1) a means of converting said target amino acid sequence to one or more moving average profile waveforms in accordance with one or more specified amino acid indices, said complementary amino acid sequence candidate generation portion includes (c1) a means of generating a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, and converting it to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms using the same one or more amino acid indices as those for means (b1), said complementariness calculation portion includes (d1) a means of calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for said target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, said complementary amino acid sequence candidate memory portion includes (e1) a means of storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said complementariness parameter, said complementary amino acid sequence search portion includes (f1) a means of extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by means (e1), and said complementary amino acid sequence display portion includes (g1) a means of displaying a complementary amino acid sequence extracted by means (f1) as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. (19) An apparatus of (18) above, wherein said complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient between a moving average profile waveform for said target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence. (20) An apparatus of (18) or (19) above, wherein said amino acid index is one or more indices selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume. (21) An apparatus for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, provided with (A) a data entry portion, (B) a data editing portion, (C) a complementary amino acid sequence candidate generation portion, (D) a complementariness calculation portion, (E) a complementary amino acid sequence candidate memory portion, (F) a complementary amino acid sequence search portion, and (G) a complementary amino acid sequence display portion, wherein: said data entry portion includes (a1′) a means of accepting an entry of sequence data on a target amino acid sequence in a target protein, said data editing portion includes (b1′) a means of converting said target amino acid sequence to one or more moving average profile waveforms in accordance with one or more specified amino acid indices, said complementary amino acid sequence candidate generation portion includes (c1′) a means of generating a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, and converting it to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms using the same one or more amino acid indices as those for means (b1′), said complementariness calculation portion includes (k1′) a means of calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for said target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, and further calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, said complementary amino acid sequence candidate memory portion includes (l1′) a means of storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with said complementariness parameter and said intermolecular energy parameter, said complementary amino acid sequence search portion includes (m1′) a means of extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by means (k1′), and said complementary amino acid sequence display portion includes (n1′) a means of displaying a complementary amino acid sequence extracted by said complementary amino acid sequence search portion as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. (22) An apparatus of (21) above, wherein said complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient between a moving average profile waveform for said target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence. (23) An apparatus of (21) or (22) above, wherein said amino acid index is one or more indices selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume. (24) A program of any of (13)-(16) above, further including between step (i1′) and step (j1′): (I) a step for generating an amino acid sequence with an amino acid variation introduced to an amino acid sequence extracted in step (i1′), (II) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence generated in step (I) and a target site of target protein, and (III) a step for comparing an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (II) with an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence extracted in step (i1′) and a target site of target protein as a control, and extracting an amino acid sequence having an intermolecular energy parameter that is stabler than the intermolecular energy parameter of the control. (25) A program for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, allowing a computer to execute: (a2) a step for identifying the interaction region in a protein that interacts with a target site of target protein, and (b2) a step for extracting an amino acid sequence of an optionally chosen length from said interaction region. (26) A program for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, allowing a computer to execute: (a2′) a step for identifying the interaction region in a protein that interacts with a target site of target protein, (b2′) a step for extracting an amino acid sequence of an optionally chosen length from said interaction region, (c2′) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, for an extracted amino acid sequence, (d2′) a step for storing said amino acid sequence, along with said intermolecular energy parameter, in a storage, (e2′) a step for extracting a specified number of amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (d2′), and (f2′) a step for displaying an extracted amino acid sequence as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. (27) A program of (26) above, further including between step (e2′) and step (f2′) (I) a step for generating an amino acid sequence with an amino acid variation introduced to an amino acid sequence extracted in step (e2′), (II) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence generated in step (I) and a target site of target protein, and (III) a step for comparing an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (II) with an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence extracted in step (e2′) and a target site of target protein as a control, and extracting an amino acid sequence having an intermolecular energy parameter that is stabler than the intermolecular energy parameter of the control. (28) A program for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, allowing a computer to execute: (a3) a step for exhaustively generating amino acid sequences of a constant length, and randomly selecting amino acid sequences from among them for extraction as a library for analysis, (b3) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter for each of the amino acid sequences extracted as a library for analysis, (c3) a step for generating a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence using an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (b3), (d3) a step for calculating a score based on amino acid prevalence using a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence, (e3) a step for conducting a correlation analysis between an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (b3) and said score to obtain a regression equation, (f3) a step for converting a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence to a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter using said regression equation, (g3) a step for calculating an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value from a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter, and (h3) a step for extracting an amino acid sequence not higher than a specified amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value. (29) A program for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, allowing a computer to execute: (a3′) a step for exhaustively generating amino acid sequences of a constant length, and randomly selecting amino acid sequences from among them for extraction as a library for analysis, (b3′) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter for each of the amino acid sequences extracted as a library for analysis, (c3′) a step for generating a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence using an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (b3′), (d3′) a step for calculating a score based on amino acid prevalence using a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence, (e3′) a step for conducting a correlation analysis between an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (b3′) and said score to obtain a regression equation, (f3′) a step for converting a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence to a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter using said regression equation, (g3′) a step for calculating an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value from a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter, (h3′) a step for extracting an amino acid sequence not higher than a specified amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value, (i3′) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, for an extracted amino acid sequence, (j3′) a step for storing said amino acid sequence, along with said intermolecular energy parameter, in a storage, (k3′) a step for extracting a specified number of amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (j3′), and (l3′) a step for displaying an amino acid sequence extracted in step (k3′) as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. (30) A program of (29) above, further including between step (k3′) and step (l3′): (I) a step for generating an amino acid sequence with an amino acid variation introduced to an amino acid sequence extracted in step (k3′), (II) a step for calculating an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence generated in step (I) and a target site of target protein, and (III) a step for comparing an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (II) with an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence extracted in step (k3′) and a target site of target protein as a control, and extracting an amino acid sequence having an intermolecular energy parameter that is stabler than the intermolecular energy parameter of the control. (31) An apparatus for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, provided with (A2) an interaction region identification portion, (B2) a first amino acid sequence search portion, (C2) an intermolecular energy calculation portion, (D2) an amino acid sequence memory portion, (E2) a second amino acid sequence search portion, and (F2) an amino acid sequence display portion, wherein: said interaction region identification portion includes (a2′) a means of identifying the interaction region in a protein molecule that interacts with a target site of target protein, said first amino acid sequence search portion includes (b2′) a means of extracting an amino acid sequence of an optionally chosen length from said interaction region, said intermolecular energy calculation portion includes (c2′) a means of calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, for an extracted amino acid sequence, said amino acid sequence memory portion includes (d2′) a means of storing said amino acid sequence, along with said intermolecular energy parameter, in a storage, said second amino acid sequence search portion includes (e2′) a means of extracting a specified number of amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by means (d2′), and said amino acid sequence display portion includes (f2′) a means of displaying an extracted amino acid sequence as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. (32) An apparatus for designing a physiologically active peptide capable of interacting with a target protein, provided with (A3) a first amino acid sequence search portion, (B3) a first intermolecular energy calculation portion, (C3) a score matrix generation portion, (D3) a score calculation portion, (E3) a regression equation generation portion, (F3) a matrix conversion portion, (G3) an amino acid position-dependent energy calculation portion, (H3) a second amino acid sequence search portion, (13) a second intermolecular energy calculation portion, (J3) an amino acid sequence memory portion, (K3) a third amino acid sequence search portion, and (L3) an amino acid sequence display portion, wherein: said first amino acid sequence search portion includes (a3′) a means of exhaustively generating amino acid sequences of a constant length, and randomly selecting amino acid sequences from among them for extraction as a library for analysis, said first intermolecular energy calculation portion includes (b3′) a means of calculating an intermolecular energy parameter for each of the amino acid sequences extracted as a library for analysis, said score matrix generation portion includes (c3′) a means of generating a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence using an intermolecular energy parameter calculated by means (b3′), said score calculation portion includes (d3′) a means of calculating a score based on amino acid prevalence using a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence, said regression equation generation portion includes (e3′) a means of conducting a correlation analysis between an intermolecular energy parameter calculated by means (b3′) and said score to obtain a regression equation, said matrix conversion portion includes (f3′) a means of converting a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence to a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter using said regression equation, said amino acid position-dependent energy calculation portion includes (g3′) a means of calculating an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value from a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter, said second amino acid sequence search portion includes (h3′) a means of extracting an amino acid sequence not higher than a specified amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value, said second intermolecular energy calculation portion includes (i3′) a means of calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein, for an extracted amino acid sequence, said amino acid sequence memory portion includes (j3′) a means of storing said amino acid sequence, along with said intermolecular energy parameter, in a storage, said amino acid sequence search portion includes (k3′) a means of extracting a specified number of amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by step (j3′), and said amino acid sequence display portion includes (l3′) a means of displaying an amino acid sequence extracted in step (k3′) as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows an example of designing a physiologically active peptide. FIG. 2 shows the entire system of the present invention in designing a physiologically active peptide. FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a program used for selection in first screening. FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a program used to design a physiologically active peptide. This flow chart corresponds to an amino acid complementariness profile waveform evaluation as first screening, followed by second screening. FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a program for third screening in designing a physiologically active peptide. FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a program for amino acid interaction region evaluation (first screening). FIG. 7 shows the extraction of a fragmented peptide from an amino acid sequence of a ligand (protein). FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of a program for amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation (first screening). FIG. 9 shows a summary of amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation (first screening). FIG. 10 shows an example of a configuration of an apparatus for designing a physiologically active peptide. FIG. 11 shows an overlap of the complementary amino acid sequence DEVD and the crystalline structure. FIG. 12 shows the apoptosis induction potential of a Fas-complementary peptide tetramer. FIG. 13 shows mouse brain tissue treated with a Fas-complementary peptide tetramer and statistical data on tumor volume. FIG. 14 shows a result of first screening (amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation) with caspase-3 as the target protein. FIG. 14A shows the PSS at each position (P4, P3, P2) of the motif. FIG. 14B shows the PSS matrix at each position of the motif. FIG. 14C shows the PSG matrix at each position of the motif. FIG. 14D shows a correlation analysis using a library for analysis. FIG. 14E shows a correlation analysis using a library for evaluation. FIG. 15 shows a result of first screening (amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation) with caspase-7 as the target protein. FIG. 15A shows the PSS at each position (P4, P3, P2) of the motif. FIG. 15B shows the PSS matrix at each position of the matrix. FIG. 15C shows the PSG matrix at each position of the matrix. FIG. 15D shows a correlation analysis using a library for analysis. FIG. 15E shows a correlation analysis using a library for evaluation. FIG. 16 shows a result of first screening (amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation) with caspase-8 as the target protein. FIG. 16A shows the PSS at each position (P4, P3, P2) of the motif. FIG. 16B shows the PSS matrix at each position of the motif. FIG. 16C shows the PSG matrix at each position of the motif. FIG. 16D shows a correlation analysis using a library for analysis. FIG. 16E shows a correlation analysis using a library for evaluation. FIG. 17 shows a result of first screening (amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation) with caspase-9 as the target protein. FIG. 17A shows the PSS at each position (P4, P3, P2) of the motif. FIG. 17B shows the PSS matrix at each position of the motif. FIG. 17C shows the PSG matrix at each position of the motif. FIG. 17D shows a correlation analysis using a library for analysis. FIG. 17E shows a correlation analysis using a library for evaluation. FIG. 18 shows a system configuration in designing a caspase-3 specific inhibitor peptide. FIG. 19 shows the binding free energy of the Fas Ligand 4-residue peptide for Fas (99-102). FIG. 20 shows a peptide obtained by binding four WEWT peptides to MAP-8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION First, the terms used in the present specification and their usage are described in the order of first screening, second screening and third screening. Although a plurality of evaluation methods can be used for first screening, a more appropriate evaluation method can be selected as appropriate according to target protein. This selection is performed from the viewpoint of the kind of target protein, the characteristics of the target site of the protein to be targeted, whether or not a known ligand (protein) exists, whether or not the interaction region has been identified, etc. I. First Screening For first screening, there may be used methods based on amino acid complementariness profile waveform evaluation, amino acid interaction region evaluation, and amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation. Amino acid complementariness profile waveform evaluation is useful mainly in designing a physiologically active peptide that interacts with a target site comprising a consecutive amino acid sequence. On the other hand, amino acid interaction region evaluation and amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation are not only useful in designing a physiologically active peptide that interacts with a target site comprising a consecutive amino acid sequence, but also useful in designing a physiologically active peptide that interacts with a target site of target protein, provided that this target site comprises a plurality of partial amino acid sequences localized apart on the primary structure. Specifically, a design technique in first screening is selected according to target protein. Regarding design techniques, the most appropriate can be selected by the three judgment criteria of the availability of ligand information, the consecutiveness/non-consecutiveness of target site, and whether or not an enzyme or a surface pocket is present. Each criterion is summarized in Table 1 below and explained in due order. TABLE 1 Features of First Screening Design technique Subject molecules Features {circle around (1)} Amino acid All proteins A design is formulated from complementariness amino acid sequence profile waveform information for a functional evaluation region on target protein. A profile waveform is generated from target amino acid sequence on the basis of a physicochemical amino acid index, and a complementary peptide library is generated. Binding protein (ligand) information is unnecessary. However, designing is possible only for a consecutive amino acid sequence region. {circle around (2)} Amino acid All proteins A design is formulated on the interaction region basis of the amino acid evaluation sequence of a protein (ligand) molecule that binds to a target protein. From an amino acid sequence region in a ligand molecule that interacts with target protein, a 3˜7-residue fragmented peptide library is generated. Designing is also possible for a region wherein the amino acid sequence is non-consecutive. {circle around (3)} Amino acid Enzymes or proteins A design is formulated by position-dependent having a pocket on evaluating the significance binding the molecular of amino acid significance surface position-dependent binding in evaluation binding pocket. Although the structure of a complex of target protein and ligand is required, a peptide library is generated by constructing a binding evaluation score intrinsic to the target protein on the basis thereof. Designing is also possible for a non-consecutive region. A. Amino Acid Complementariness Profile Waveform Evaluation (Generation of Complementary Peptide Library) Amino acid complementariness profile waveform evaluation is a method of evaluating a peptide having an amino acid sequence that interacts with a target amino acid sequence on the basis of a physicochemical amino acid index of the target amino acid sequence. This evaluation method is especially useful when the target site of target protein comprises a single consecutive amino acid sequence. Terms used in amino acid complementariness profile waveform evaluation and a summary of this evaluation are described below. A “target amino acid sequence” refers to an amino acid sequence to be targeted in designing a complementary amino acid sequence. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to design a physiologically active peptide comprising an amino acid sequence that interacts with this “target amino acid sequence” (complementary amino acid sequence). Preferably, the target amino acid sequence is an amino acid sequence found in a target protein (e.g., receptor, enzyme, etc.) to be targeted in drug innovation. A “complementary amino acid sequence” refers to an amino acid sequence that satisfies the definition of “complementary (complementariness)” in the present invention. Here, amino acids in a complementary amino acid sequence are not limited to natural amino acids (α-amino acids in the L-configuration). For example, each amino acid or dipeptide in a complementary amino acid sequence as a unit, as converted to an equivalent of natural amino acid (hereinafter abbreviated “amino acid equivalent” as necessary) or an equivalent of a dipeptide consisting of natural amino acids (hereinafter abbreviated “dipeptide equivalent” as necessary), can be used as a complementary amino acid sequence. As amino acids in a complementary amino acid sequence, there may be used, as necessary, β-amino acids and γ-amino acids as well. As amino acid equivalents, there may be mentioned, for example, non-natural α-amino acids (e.g., D-configuration derivatives of natural amino acids), and a pseudo-amino acid unit in an optionally chosen dipeptide equivalent commonly known in the art (e.g., dipeptide equivalents shown in Table 2 below). Here, the pseudo-amino acid unit refers to a unit corresponding to any amino acid produced upon cleavage of the amide bond in the dipeptide comprising a natural amino acid shown in Table 2 below, and is exemplified by those resulting from cleavage of the thioamide bond, ester bond, amide bond, double bond, etc. in the dipeptide equivalents shown in Table 2 below. Those skilled in the art are able to understand the pseudo-amino acid unit in each dipeptide equivalent by referring/comparing the structures of the dipeptide comprising natural amino acids and the dipeptide equivalents in Table 2. TABLE 2 Dipeptide equivalent to a dipeptide consisting natural amino acid dipeptide consisting of natural amino acid thioamide carba-substitution of amidocarbonyl hydroxyethylene ester (depsipeptide) ketomethylene dehydroamino acid N-methylation olefin double bond D-configuration at Cα a-azapeptide retroamide aminoisobutyric acid hydroxyethylurea diacylcyclopropane proline-3-one vinyl fluoride As dipeptide equivalents, there may be mentioned, for example, dipeptides comprising non-natural α-amino acids only (e.g., D-configuration derivatives of natural amino acids), dipeptides comprising a natural amino acid (L-configuration) and a non-natural α-amino acid (e.g., D-configuration derivatives of natural amino acids), and the dipeptide equivalents shown in Table 2 below. For details of amino acid equivalents and dipeptide equivalents, see, for example, Spatola, A. F. (1983) Peptide backbone modifications: structure-activity analysis of peptides containing amide bond surrogates. In Weinstein, B. (ed.) Chemistry and Biochemistry of Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins, pp. 267-357. Marcel Dekker, New York.; Fauchere, J.-L.(1986) Elements for the rational design of peptide drugs. In Testa, B. (ed.) Advances in Drug Research, pp. 26-69. Academic Press, London. “Complementary (complementariness)” refers to the relationship between an amino acid sequence having a profile waveform close to a complementary moving average profile waveform having a negative correlation with a moving average profile waveform obtained by a low-pass by moving-averaging a profile waveform obtained by applying an optionally chosen amino acid index to a target amino acid sequence, and the target amino acid sequence. Therefore, if the moving average profile waveform of an amino acid sequence has a smaller value of the correlation coefficient R (described below) with the complementary moving average profile waveform of target amino acid sequence than that of the moving average profile waveform of another amino acid sequence, the amino acid sequence is “more complementary” to the target amino acid sequence. A “profile waveform” refers to a waveform generated by applying an amino acid index to an amino acid sequence. A “moving average profile waveform” refers to a waveform obtained by moving-averaging a profile waveform over a specified window width. If we write a profile waveform obtained by applying an optionally chosen amino acid index to a target amino acid sequence as Ti, moving average profile waveform xj at optionally chosen (odd-numbered) window width w is shown by [Equation 1]. x j = 1 w ⁢ ∑ i = j - s i = j + s ⁢ T i [ Equation ⁢ ⁢ 1 ] Where s=└w/2┘ j ranges from s to (n−s−1). n is the length of target sequence. Here └x┘ represents the greatest of the integers of x or less (rounded off). In the present specification, a moving average profile waveform of complementary amino acid sequence, in particular, is referred to as “complementary moving average profile waveform”. If we write a profile waveform obtained by applying an optionally chosen amino acid index to a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence as Ci, complementary moving average profile waveform yj at optionally chosen (odd-numbered) window width w is shown by [Equation 2]. y j = 1 w ⁢ ∑ i = j - s i = j + s ⁢ C i [ Equation ⁢ ⁢ 2 ] A “window width” refers to the width of a range over which, in generating a moving average profile waveform, profile waveforms are summed. Although the window width can be set forth at an optionally chosen odd number, it is usually set forth at 1-13, preferably 3-13, more preferably 5-11. An “amino acid index” refers to an index wherein a physicochemical characteristic of amino acid is expressed numerically. More than 400 kinds of amino acid indices have been compiled to date; these indices can be searched in, for example, AAindex, a database provided by the Kyoto University Institute for Chemical Research, etc. These amino acid indices can be roughly divided into five characteristics: hydrophobicity, likelihood of β-structure formation, likelihood of α-helix formation, likelihood of turn formation, and side chain physicochemical properties (e.g., relative size of side chain volume) (see, for example, Tomii and Kanehisa, Protein Eng., 9, 27-36 (1996)). In the present invention, an amino acid index used in generating a profile waveform can be selected from among about 400 kinds. Additionally, the above-described database may be installed in conjunction with the program in a memory device of the apparatus (described below), or may be installed in an outside memory device accessible by a communication such as via the Internet. When an amino acid equivalent is used in a complementary amino acid sequence, an amino acid index of the equivalent is possibly not registered in any existing database; however, for a D-configuration derivative of natural amino acid out of amino acid equivalents, the value of an amino acid index of the natural amino acid (L-configuration) may be used as is. Additionally, a value of a particular amino acid index can be calculated by a method commonly known in the art (see, for example, Eisenberg D, et al., J. Ann. Rev. Biochem., 53, 596-623 (1984)). Therefore, according to these methods described in the literature, it is possible to calculate a value of a particular amino acid index for an optionally chosen amino acid equivalent (including D-configuration derivatives of natural amino acids). As examples of preferable amino acid indices used in the present invention, there may be mentioned indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, indices based on an electric property, indices showing the likelihood of taking the α-helix and β-sheet, and indices showing the relative size of side chain volume; an amino acid index is more preferably selected from among indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity and indices based on an electric property. As indices based on the degree of hydrophobicity, there may be mentioned, for example, the hydropathy index of Kyte-Doolittle, the hydrophobicity of Jones et al., and the Consensus Normalized Hydrophobicity scale (see, for example, Eisenberg D, et al., J. Ann. Rev. Biochem., 53, 596-623 (1984)), with preference given to the Consensus Normalized Hydrophobicity scale. An index based on an electric property refers to an index showing the degree of molecule polarization or an electrostatic interaction, and is exemplified by the localized electrical effect of Fauchere et al., the polarity of Grantham et al., and the electron-ion interaction potential (EIIP), with preference given to the electron-ion interaction potential (EIIP) (see, for example, Cosic I, et al., J IEEE Trans. Biomed. Eng., 32, 337-341 (1985)). A “complementariness parameter” refers to a value indicating the complementariness between a moving average profile waveform of a target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of a complementary amino acid sequence. An example of complementariness parameter is the correlation coefficient R shown by [Equation 3] below. R = ∑ j = s n - s - 1 ⁢ ( x j - x _ ) ⁢ ( y j - y _ ) ∑ j = s n - s - 1 ⁢ ( x j - x _ ) 2 ⁢ ∑ j = s n - s - 1 ⁢ ( y j - y _ ) 2 [ Equation ⁢ ⁢ 3 ] {overscore (x)}: mean value of moving average profile waveform {overscore (y)}: mean value of complementary moving average profile waveform Here, the mean value of moving average profile waveform is shown by [Equation 4]. x _ = 1 n ⁢ ∑ j = s n - s - 1 ⁢ x j [ Equation ⁢ ⁢ 4 ] The mean value of complementary moving average profile waveform is shown by [Equation 5]. y _ = 1 n ⁢ ∑ j = s n - s - 1 ⁢ y j [ Equation ⁢ ⁢ 5 ] Those skilled in the art are able to use a value calculated from a numerical formula derived from [Equation 3] above as a complementariness parameter, as well as the correlation coefficient of [Equation 3] above. A “mean value parameter (Pave)” refers to (i) the mean value of the profile waveform of target amino acid sequence, shown by [Equation 6] below P ave = 1 L ⁢ ∑ i = 1 L ⁢ T i [ Equation ⁢ ⁢ 6 ] or (ii) the mean value of the amino acid index used, shown by [Equation 7] below P ave = 1 20 ⁢ ∑ i = 1 20 ⁢ Index i [ Equation ⁢ ⁢ 7 ] Index represents an amino acid index. A “filter value” refers to a value set forth to narrow down the number of candidates for complementary amino acid sequence; in the present invention, a filter value concerning a complementariness parameter and a filter value concerning a mean value parameter, in particular, are used. As a filter value concerning a complementariness parameter, there may be used, for example, the correlation coefficient filter value Rt (based on this value Rt, only a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence having a correlation coefficient R satisfying the requirement of R<Rt is selected). Preferably, a negative correlation is required between a moving average profile waveform of target amino acid sequence and a complementary moving average profile waveform of complementary amino acid sequence. Therefore, the correlation coefficient filter value Rt can be set forth at an optionally chosen negative value of −1 or more, and is preferably set forth at Rt≦−0.9. A filter value concerning a complementariness parameter may be set forth in advance before calculating the complementariness parameter, or may be set forth as appropriate after the calculation. As filter values concerning a mean value parameter, the Pave filter values “a” and “b” are set forth. Based on these values “a” and “b”, only a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence having a Pave satisfying the requirement of a<Pave<b is selected. When Pave is a value for high degrees of hydrophobicity, the obtained physiologically active peptide will be insoluble and make experimentation difficult, the values “a” and “b” are preferably set forth at values for high degrees of hydrophilicity. A Pave filter value may be set forth in advance before calculating Pave, or may be set forth as appropriate after the calculation of Pave. Although only the correlation coefficient filter value Rt may be used as the filter value, the Pave filter values “a” and “b” are preferably used additionally. In this case, the conditional expression is as follows: if (R<Rt and a<Pave<b) [Equation 8] then proceed to second screening Additionally, an amino acid sequence selected by this evaluation method (complementary peptide library) may be converted with an amino acid equivalent or dipeptide equivalent, with each amino acid or dipeptide in the amino acid sequence as 1 unit. Because an amino acid equivalent or dipeptide equivalent is similar in properties to a natural amino acid or dipeptide thereof, amino acid sequences containing these equivalents are of course considered to bind to target proteins. Amino acid sequences selected by this evaluation method (complementary peptide library) are preferably subjected to the second screening described below. B. Amino Acid Interaction Region Evaluation (Generation of Fragmented Peptide Library) Amino acid interaction region evaluation refers to a method of designing a peptide capable of binding to a target protein, using the primary structure (amino acid sequence) information of a protein that interacts with the target protein. This evaluation method is especially useful when the primary structure (amino acid sequence) of a protein that interacts, or is expected to interact, with a target protein, is known. Terms used in amino acid interaction region evaluation and a summary of this evaluation are described below. Regarding the “interaction region” in a protein that interacts with a target site of target protein, if there is a protein having a region capable of interacting with a target protein already identified, that region is selected. If a plurality of interaction regions are present in one protein, the plurality of regions are selected as the interaction regions. If a plurality of proteins are known to interact with a target protein, it is also possible to obtain a plurality of interaction regions from these proteins. On the other hand, if the protein that interacts with a target protein is known per se but the interaction region thereof has not been identified, this region can be selected by a method commonly known in the art (e.g., RBD method (see, for example, Gallet X. et al, J. Mol. Biol., 302, 917-926 (2000)). Although this evaluation method is applicable in cases where the protein that interacts with a target protein is unknown per se, it is preferable that this evaluation method be applied in cases where the protein that interacts with a target protein is known per se. Regarding the length (i.e., the number of amino acid residues) of an amino acid sequence extracted in this evaluation method, it is possible to extract an amino acid sequence of an optionally chosen length, as long as it is within the full-length of the above-described interaction region; however, it is preferable that an amino acid sequence consisting of 3-7 amino acid residues, more preferably an amino acid sequence consisting of four amino acid residues, is extracted. Extraction of amino acid sequence is conducted exhaustively. For example, when extracting an amino acid sequence consisting of X amino acid residues, N-X+1 amino acid sequences are extracted from the N-terminus to the C-terminus of the above-described interaction region (consisting of N amino acid residues), and stored in a fragmented peptide library. Although the length of amino acid sequence extracted may be unified, it may be variable. For example, it is possible to extract N—X+1 amino acid sequences each consisting of X amino acid residues from the interaction region exhaustively, extract N—X′+1 amino acid sequences each consisting of X′ (a number differing from X) amino acid residues, with overlaps, from the same interaction region exhaustively, and store amino acid sequences of different lengths in a fragmented peptide library. Additionally, an amino acid sequence selected by this evaluation method (fragmented peptide library) may be converted with an amino acid equivalent or dipeptide equivalent, with each amino acid or dipeptide in the amino acid sequence as 1 unit. Because an amino acid equivalent or dipeptide equivalent is similar in properties to a natural amino acid or dipeptide thereof, amino acid sequences containing these equivalents are of course considered to bind to target proteins. Amino acid sequences (fragmented peptide library) selected by this evaluation method are preferably subjected to the second screening described below. C. Amino Acid Position-Dependent Binding Significance Evaluation (Generation of Position Score Peptide Library) Amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation is characterized in that a score matrix enabling a calculation of ΔG at high speed is constructed by deriving as low as several percents of amino acid sequences randomly from a peptide library containing as many as a thousand of to several hundreds of thousands of amino acid sequences, and evaluating the energy of their interaction with a target protein, and is used for peptide design. This evaluation method, provided that there are a plurality of proteins similar to each other in terms of substrate specificity, makes it possible to select one of these proteins as a target protein, and design a peptide highly specific for this target protein. Although this evaluation method is applicable to an optionally chosen target protein, it is preferably applied to an enzyme etc. that have a pocket on the molecular surface thereof, and that are considered to undergo little structural changes associated with binding (e.g., peptidase) as a target protein. This is attributable to the fact that a score matrix is prepared on the basis of position-dependent amino acid prevalence. Hence, this evaluation method is preferred for target proteins that require a limited backbone and binding mode in binding with a peptide. A “library for analysis” consists of a set of amino acid sequences extracted randomly from exhaustively generated amino acid sequences of a constant length (i.e., amino acid sequences consisting of a particular number of amino acid residues). The number of amino acid sequences contained in a library for analysis may be several percents to the total number of exhaustively generated amino acid sequences of a constant length. For example, when designing an amino acid sequence consisting of “n” natural amino acids (20 kinds), or when designing an amino acid sequence consisting of “n” amino acids ((20+M) kinds) containing not only natural amino acids (20 kinds) but also an optionally chosen number of amino acid equivalents (hereinafter assumed to be M kinds), 20n or (20+M)n combinations are generated exhaustively, and several percents are selected randomly from among the generated 20n or (20+M)n amino acid sequences and used as a library for analysis. Additionally, the number of amino acid sequences selected as a library for analysis is not limited to a particular number but can be set forth as appropriate. Although the length of amino acid sequences that can be designed in this evaluation is not subject to limitation, amino acid sequences consisting of 2-10 amino acid residues are preferable, and amino acid sequences consisting of 3-5 amino acid residues are more preferable. It is also possible to design, as a library for analysis, amino acid sequences containing an amino acid equivalent or dipeptide equivalent. Furthermore, it is also possible to design, as a library for analysis, amino acid sequences containing a β-amino acid or a γ-amino acid as necessary. To evaluate the appropriateness of “library for analysis”, generation of “library for evaluation” is also conducted as necessary. Amino acid sequences as a “library for evaluation” are selected from among exhaustively generated amino acid sequences excluding the amino acid sequences used for a library for analysis. Although the number of amino acid sequences made available as a library for evaluation is not subject to limitation, it is set forth at a number smaller than the number of amino acid sequences made available as a library for analysis. The definition of an “intermolecular energy parameter” is the same as that given in “II. Second screening” below, and its calculation is performed in the same manner as the method described below. A “score matrix based on amino acid prevalence” means any matrix, as long as it has been generated on the basis of amino acid prevalence. An example of “score matrix based on amino acid prevalence” is the PSS matrix (Positional Scanning Score-MATRIX) generated according to [Equation 9] below. Note that aij represents the prevalence of amino acid “i” at position “j” in all peptides contained in a library for analysis, and bij is the prevalence of amino acid “i” at position “j” in the peptides lower than the threshold value ΔG contained in a library for analysis. In the above, the threshold value ΔG may be set forth in advance, or may be set forth by the method described below. PSS ij = b ij a ij × 100 [ Equation ⁢ ⁢ 9 ] A “score based on amino acid prevalence means a score calculated according to the above-described “score matrix based on amino acid prevalence”, and is exemplified by PSS (Positional Scanning Score) calculated by [Equation 10] below (see, for example, Zhao, Y. et al., J. Immunol. 167, 2130-2141 (2001)). In [Equation 10] below, n represents the number of amino acid sequences to be determined, and Cij is a 20×n or (20+M)×n matrix, consisting of a value of 0 or 1. Additionally, a factor agreeing with amino acid “i” at position “j” in an optionally chosen amino acid sequence is written as 1, and a disagreeing factor is written as 0. PSS = ∑ i = 1 20 ⁢ ∑ j = 1 n ⁢ c ij ⁢ PSS ij ⁡ ( only ⁢ ⁢ natural ⁢ ⁢ amino ⁢ ⁢ acids ⁢ ⁢ taken ⁢ ⁢ into ⁢ ⁢ in ⁢ ⁢ consideration ) ⁢ ⁢ or ⁢ ⁢ ⁢ PSS = ∑ i = 1 20 + M ⁢ ∑ j = 1 n ⁢ c ij ⁢ PSS ij ⁡ ( natural ⁢ ⁢ amino ⁢ ⁢ acids ⁢ ⁢ and ⁢ ⁢ amino ⁢ ⁢ acid ⁢ ⁢ equivalents ⁢ ⁢ taken ⁢ ⁢ into ⁢ ⁢ in ⁢ ⁢ consideration ) [ Equation ⁢ ⁢ 10 ] (only natural amino acids taken into consideration) or (natural amino acids and amino acid equivalents taken into consideration) [Equation 10] A “matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter” refers to a matrix obtained by converting a “score matrix based on amino acid prevalence” using the regression equation obtained by a correlation analysis between an intermolecular energy parameter” calculated for each of the amino acid sequences extracted as a library for analysis and a “score based on amino acid prevalence”. An example is the PSG matrix (Positional Scanning ΔG-MATRIX). When converting to a “score matrix based on amino acid prevalence”, the constant term is preferably distributed to individual positions uniformly. An “amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value” is calculated by the above-described “score matrix based on amino acid prevalence” and exemplified by the PSG (Positional Scanning ΔG) calculated by the following equation [Equation 11]; a parameter having the same meaning as free energy can also be used. In [Equation 11] below, PSGij represents the factors of ij in the PSG matrix. PSG = ∑ i = 1 20 ⁢ ∑ j = 1 n ⁢ c ij ⁢ PSG ij (only natural amino acids taken into consideration) or PSG = ∑ i = 1 20 + M ⁢ ∑ j = 1 n ⁢ c ij ⁢ PSG ij (natural amino acids and amino acid equivalents taken into consideration) [Equation 11] Additionally, an amino acid sequence selected by this evaluation method (position score peptide library) may also be converted with an amino acid equivalent or dipeptide equivalent, with each amino acid or dipeptide in the amino acid sequence as 1 unit. Because an amino acid equivalent or dipeptide equivalent is similar in properties to a natural amino acid or dipeptide thereof, amino acid sequences containing these amino acid equivalents are of course considered to bind to target proteins. Amino acid sequences selected by this evaluation method (position score peptide library) are preferably subjected to the second screening described below. II. Second Screening An “intermolecular energy parameter” refers to a parameter based on the intermolecular energy between a complementary amino acid sequence and a target site of target protein. An intermolecular energy parameter means a parameter concerning intermolecular energy calculated by an optionally chosen method commonly known in the art. As intermolecular energy parameters calculated by an optionally chosen method commonly known in the art, there may be mentioned, for example, those calculated by the MM3 force field (see, for example, Eisenberg D, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81, 140 (1984); Allinger N L, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 99, 8127-8134 (1977)), Amber's force field (see, for example, Weiner S J, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 106, 765-784 (1984)), or Charmm's force field (see, for example, Brooks B R, et al., J. Comput. Chem., 4, 187 (1983)). Preferably, as intermolecular energy parameters, intermolecular energy (Emol) based on Amber's force field and an inhibition constant (Ki) are used. “Intermolecular energy (Emol)” is calculated by [Equation 12] below (Amber's force field (see, for example, Weiner S J, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 106, 765-784 (1984); Wang J, et al., Proteins, 36, 1-19 (1999)) used). E mol = ∑ bonds ⁢ k r ⁡ ( r - r eq ) 2 + ∑ bond angles ⁢ k θ ⁡ ( θ - θ eq ) 2 + ∑ torsions ⁢ V n 2 ⁢ ( 1 + cos ⁡ ( nf - f 0 ) ) + ∑ i < j ⁢ ɛ ij ⁡ [ ( R ij r ij ) 12 - ( R ij r ij ) 6 ] + ∑ i < j ⁢ q i ⁢ q j ɛ ⁡ ( r ij ) ⁢ r ij + ∑ i ⁢ σ i ⁢ A s ⁢ A i [ Equation ⁢ ⁢ 12 ] Here, kr, kθ, and Vn appearing in [Equation 12] are empirical parameters and are related to binding length, binding angle, and torsion angle, respectively. εij and Rij are van der waals (VDW) parameters, qi is a charge, rij is the distance between atoms “i” and “j”, and ε (rij) is the distance-dependent dielectric constant. Also, σiAsAi is the solvent effect. Here, preferably, the individual coefficients in [Equation 12] are given as empirical parameters by Amber's force field. The “inhibition constant (Ki)” is calculated by [Equation 13] below. ΔG=RT ln Ki [Equation 13] Where R: gas constant ΔG: Gibbs' free energy T: 298.2K Ki: inhibition strength ΔG is attributable to complexation between a target site of target protein and a peptide candidate comprising a complementary amino acid sequence, and is calculated using an optionally chosen energy function commonly known in the art, and preferably calculated using the AutoDock energy function (see, for example, Morris, G. M., et al., J. Comp. Chem., 19, 1639-1662, (1998)). A physiologically active peptide preferred for a target site of target protein is required to satisfy the threshold value requirements set forth for an optionally chosen intermolecular energy parameter. Preferably, when Emol or Ki above is used as the intermolecular energy parameter, [Equation 14] or [Equation 15] below need to be satisfied. if (Emol<Emolthred)(thred: threshold value) [Equation 14] then alteration and modification are conducted, followed by in vitro verification or if (Ki<Kithred)(thred: threshold value) [Equation 15] then alteration and modification are conducted, followed by in vitro verification Where Emolthred and Kithred are optionally chosen threshold values. First screening and second screening have been described above; a peptide having an amino acid sequence obtained by second screening is hereinafter also referred to as “lead peptide” for the sake of convenience. III. Third Screening For third screening, a variation of lead peptide may be conducted by “amino acid variation ΔE (e.g., ΔG) evaluation”. Amino acid variation ΔE evaluation refers to a method of replacing each of the amino acids constituting a lead peptide with another natural amino acid or amino acid equivalent to prepare a variant peptide, calculating a ΔEmutant (e.g., ΔGmutant) of this variant peptide and a target protein, and evaluating the variant peptide. For example, when a peptide obtained in second screening consists of four amino acid residues, of which only one amino acid residue is to be replaced with another natural amino acid, 4×19 variant peptides are generated exhaustively, or when it is to be replaced with another natural amino acid or amino acid equivalent, 4×(19+M) variant peptides are generated exhaustively, and a ΔEmutant (e.g., ΔGmutant) of each of these variant peptides and a target protein is calculated. Although a calculation of a ΔEmutant (e.g., ΔGmutant), like the calculation in second screening, is made using an optionally chosen energy function commonly known in the art, it is preferably calculated using the AutoDock energy function. In an example, when using binding free energy as ΔE, the difference ΔΔG between the ΔGmutant obtained for each variant peptide and the ΔGlead of the lead peptide is calculated by [Equation 16] below. ΔΔG=ΔGmutant−ΔGlead [Equation 16] From the equation above, it is understood that a variant peptide for a negative ΔΔG forms a stabler complex with a target protein, compared to the lead peptide, and that a variant peptide for a positive ΔΔG forms a more unstable complex with a target protein, compared to the lead peptide. Therefore, in third screening, it is preferable to introduce an amino acid variation resulting in a negative ΔΔG. In the exemplification above, only one amino acid residue out of the amino acid residues constituting the lead peptide is replaced; however, two or three amino acid residues may be replaced using a combination of amino acid variations resulting in a negative ΔΔG. By conducting third screening as described above, a more optimized physiologically active peptide can be designed. In amino acid substitution, each amino acid in the lead peptide may be replaced with 19 other kinds of natural amino acids. In addition to natural amino acids, it may be replaced with amino acid equivalents (e.g., optionally chosen non-natural α-amino acids) and non-natural amino acids such as β-amino acids and γ-amino acids. However, because substitution with an alternative to an α-amino acid is highly likely to result in a change in the configuration of the primary chain, substitution with an optionally chosen non-natural α-amino acid is preferred. Additionally, each amino acid in the lead peptide may be replaced with an amino acid of any of the L-configuration and the D-configuration. This amino acid substitution can also be viewed from the viewpoint of “amino acid side chain optimization”. For example, assume that the above-described “amino acid variation ΔE (e.g., ΔG) evaluation” has been conducted via first screening and second screening to yield Ala-Cys-Phe-Val, the most preferable peptide for a target site of a target protein. In this case, it is also possible to re-verify the side chain of each of the amino acids constituting this peptide, in order to obtain a more preferable peptide on the basis of this peptide Ala-Cys-Phe-Val. Specifically, it is also possible to conduct the above-described “amino acid variation ΔE (e.g., ΔG) evaluation” and obtain a more optimized variant peptide, for a side chain with a halogen atom introduced in place of a hydrogen atom in the side chain of Met (—CH2CH2SCH3) or a side chain with an additional group introduced. Although variations of the side chain of Met have been described for exemplification above, it is of course possible to re-verify the side chain of a natural amino acid other than Met, and the side chain of a non-natural amino acid (preferably a non-natural α-amino acid) in the same manner. Generally speaking, in the case of a protein of somewhat large size, amino acid substitution is likely to be limited to natural amino acids. This is because it is necessary to alter the DNA encoding region and synthesize a variant (substituted) protein by translation with a cell system or a cell-free system when such a protein is to be synthesized actually. However, in the case of a low-molecular peptide, the kinds of amino acids that constitute the peptide are not limited to natural amino acids. This is because a low-molecular peptide can easily be synthesized by solid phase synthesis, and also because its polymerization reaction is easy, provided that the starting material amino acid is available, whether it is a natural amino acid or a non-natural amino acid. Therefore, third screening involving “amino acid variation ΔE (e.g., ΔG) evaluation” makes it possible to more optimize the side chain of amino acid and obtain a physiologically active peptide of higher specificity. It should be noted that the particular equations mentioned in “I. First screening”, “II. Second screening”, and “III. Third screening” are given for the sake of exemplification, and it should be understood that the equations having the same definitions as those thereof and the equations derived therefrom are all useful in respective calculations in the present invention. The present invention is described in detail below. The method of the present invention may be any method, as long as it has the steps of (a1)-(g1) above, as shown in (1) above, and may be any method, as long as it has the steps of (a1′)-(i1′) above, as shown in (5) above. Although these specific means and modes for embodying the method according to the present invention are not subject to limitation, the best mode of embodiment is the computer processing using the programs according to the present invention, mentioned in (9)-(12) above and (13)-(16) above, in view of the vast amount of data to be processed. The processing steps included in the programs according to the present invention are equivalent to the technical concepts of the individual steps of the method according to the present invention. For this reason, by describing in detail the programs according to the present invention below, the method according to the present invention is described at the same time. The programs of the present invention can be roughly divided into two sets from the viewpoint of designing a physiologically active peptide that interacts with a target amino acid sequence, and designing a physiologically active peptide that interacts with a target protein (i.e., designing a physiologically active peptide considering not only the interaction with a target amino acid sequence but also the interaction with another amino acid sequence present in a target site of target protein). One of the two sets consists of the programs shown in (9)-(12) above, which are intended to design a physiologically active peptide that interacts with a target amino acid sequence. In particular, the steps of (a1)-(f1) above included in the program of (9) above may also be called “first screening”. The other set of the programs according to the present invention consists of the programs shown in (13)-(16) above, which are intended to design a physiologically active peptide that interacts with a target protein. In particular, the steps of (a1′)-(f1′) above included in (13) above may also be called “first screening”, and the steps of (g1′)-(i1′) above may also be called “second screening”. By combining “first screening” and “second screening” as such, it is possible to obtain a more appropriate physiologically active peptide for a target site of target protein. Furthermore, the programs of (13)-(16) above may be combined with the steps of (I)-(III) above included in (24) above. These steps of (I)-(III) above may also be called “third screening”. By further combining “third screening” with “first screening” and “second screening”, it is possible to obtain a physiologically active peptide of higher specificity for a target site of target protein. In another aspect, the present invention provides the programs of (25) and (26) above. The steps of (a2)-(b2) above included in the program of (25) above may also be called “first screening”. Also, the steps of (a2′)-(b2′) above included in the program of (26) above may be called “first screening”, and the steps of (c2′)-(e2′) above may be called “second screening”. The program of (26) above may be combined with the steps of (I)-(III) above included in (27) above (“third screening”). In still another aspect, the present invention provides the programs of (28) and (29) above. The steps of (a3)-(h3) above included in the program of (28) above may also be called “first screening”. Also, the steps of (a3′)-(h3′) above included in the program of (29) above may be called “first screening”, and the steps of (i2′)-(k2′) above may be called “second screening”. The program of (29) above may be combined with the steps of (I)-(III) above included in (30) above (“third screening”). An example of designing a physiologically active peptide in the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, and the entire system of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 depict second screening; this second screening is conducted as necessary and may be used in combination with the third screening depicted in FIG. 2. In the present invention, first screening involves three kinds of programs, which are selectively used according to target protein nature etc. On the other hand, second screening involves a single program common to all processes thereof, and third screening also involves a single program common to all processes thereof. First, selection for first screening is described. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a program flow in selection for first screening. Regarding the kind of first screening, the most appropriate can be selected by the three judgment criteria of the availability of ligand information, the consecutiveness/non-consecutiveness of target site, and whether or not an enzyme or a surface pocket is present. Selection for first screening is described in detail below with reference to steps 501-506 of FIG. 3. Step 501 of FIG. 3 is a step for determining whether or not a peptide serving as a ligand for a target protein is present. Hence, if the ligand for a target protein is unknown, progress to step 502 of FIG. 3 is made; if the ligand is known, progress to step 504 of FIG. 3 is made. Step 502 of FIG. 3 is a step for determining whether or not a target site of target protein consists mainly of a consecutive amino acid sequence. If the target site of target protein has been elucidated by, for example, an analysis of crystalline structure, the determination is made on the basis of that information. If the target site of target protein is unknown, the determination is made by, for example, a steric structure prediction program commonly known in the art. As a result, if the target site of target protein consists of a non-consecutive amino acid sequence, amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation is conducted for first screening. On the other hand, if the target site of target protein consists mainly of a consecutive amino acid sequence, progress to step 503 of FIG. 3 is made. Step 503 of FIG. 3 is a step for determining whether the target protein is an enzyme or not, or whether or not the target protein is a protein having a pocket on the surface thereof. As proteins having a pocket on the surface thereof, there may be mentioned, for example, receptors. Additionally, if the kind of target protein (e.g., enzyme, receptor, etc.) is unknown, the kind of the target protein can be predicted by, for example, homology search. If the target protein is determined to be neither an enzyme nor a protein having a pocket on the surface thereof in step 503 of FIG. 3, amino acid complementariness profile waveform evaluation is used for first screening. On the other hand, if the target protein is determined to be either an enzyme or a protein having a pocket on the surface thereof, amino acid complementariness profile waveform evaluation or amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation is used for first screening, with preference given to amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation. Step 504 of FIG. 3 is a step for determining whether or not a target site of target protein consists mainly of a consecutive amino acid sequence. In step 504 of FIG. 3, the determination is made in the same manner as step 502 of FIG. 3. As a result, if a target site of target protein is determined to consist of a non-consecutive amino acid sequence, progress to step 505 of FIG. 3 is made. On the other hand, if a target site of target protein is determined to consist mainly of a consecutive amino acid sequence, progress to step 506 of FIG. 3 is made. Step 505 of FIG. 3 is a step for determining whether or not the target protein is an enzyme, or whether or not the target protein is a protein having a pocket on the surface thereof. In step 505 of FIG. 3, the determination is made in the same manner as step 503 of FIG. 3. If the target protein is determined to be neither an enzyme nor a protein having a pocket on the surface thereof, amino acid interaction region evaluation is used for first screening. On the other hand, if the target protein is determined to be either an enzyme or a protein having a pocket on the surface thereof, amino acid interaction region evaluation or amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation is used for first screening, with preference given to amino acid interaction region evaluation. Step 506 of FIG. 3 is a step for determining whether or not the target protein is an enzyme, or whether or not the target protein is a protein having a pocket on the surface thereof. In step 506 of FIG. 3, the determination is made in the same manner as step 503 of FIG. 3. If the target protein is determined to be neither an enzyme nor a protein having a pocket on the surface thereof, amino acid complementariness profile waveform evaluation or amino acid interaction region evaluation is used for first screening, with preference given to amino acid interaction region evaluation. On the other hand, if the target protein is determined to be either an enzyme or a protein having a pocket on the surface thereof, any of amino acid complementariness profile waveform evaluation, amino acid interaction region evaluation or amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation may be used for first screening, with preference given to amino acid interaction region evaluation or amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation, with greater preference given to amino acid interaction region evaluation. First screening is described below with reference to steps 101-111 of FIG. 4 (amino acid complementariness profile waveform evaluation), steps 301-302 of FIG. 6 (amino acid interaction region evaluation) and steps 401-408 of FIG. 8 (amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation). Second screening is described with reference to step 112 and subsequent steps of FIG. 4. Third screening is described with reference to steps 201-204 of FIG. 5. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the program flows of (9) and (13) above. First, the program of (9) above is described in detail below. The above-described step (a1) corresponds to step 101 in the flow chart of FIG. 4. As data entry means, there may be mentioned, for example, touch panels, keyboards, mice, etc. As other data entry means, there may be used pen tablets, voice input systems, etc. As the target amino acid sequence to be entered, the amino acid sequence of a ligand-binding site, a substrate-binding site, a protein-to-protein interaction site, etc. is selected as appropriate. Those skilled in the art are able to select a target amino acid sequence as appropriate on the basis of X-ray analysis data on a protein, or on the basis of the steric structure of a protein predicted using a common protein steric structure prediction program etc., and to enter the sequence data thereof. Additionally, an amino acid sequence set forth virtually, rather than by a technique as described above, (i.e., an optionally chosen amino acid sequence) may be used as a target amino acid sequence for data entry. Although the program of (9) above does not include a step corresponding to step 102 shown in the flow chart of FIG. 4, it may include a step corresponding to step 102 of FIG. 4 as necessary. In step 102 of FIG. 4, an entry of one or more amino acid indices and window width is possible, and, although it is not specified, an entry of a filter value of complementariness parameter (e.g., correlation coefficient filter value Rt), Pave filter values “a” and “b”, a threshold value of intermolecular energy parameter (e.g., Emolthred, Kithred [Equation 17] ), etc. can also be accepted. The data entry means used may be the same as the data entry means used in step 101 of FIG. 4. These parameters may be selected and entered by the user at each time of operation, or may be set forth in advance and, if desired, may be changed by the user. The above-described step (b1) corresponds to step 103 of FIG. 4. In the above-described step (b1), one or more profile waveforms are generated from the target amino acid sequence data entered in step 101 of FIG. 4 in accordance with one or more amino acid indices set forth in step 102 of FIG. 4, and are then converted to one or more moving average profile waveforms (step 103 of FIG. 4). Specifically, for the obtained target amino acid sequence, the computing process shown by [Equation 1] above is executed. The data on one or more moving average profile waveforms for the target amino acid sequence is transferred to step 107 of FIG. 4. The above-described step (c1) corresponds to step 104 and step 105 of FIG. 4. In the above-described step (c1), a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence is generated (step 104 of FIG. 4); for the generated complementary amino acid sequence, one or more profile waveforms are generated according to the one or more amino acid indices set forth in 102 of FIG. 4 and then converted to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms (step 105 of FIG. 4). Specifically, for the obtained candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, the computing process shown by [Equation 2] above is executed. The data on one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms for the candidate for complementary amino acid sequence is transferred to step 107 of FIG. 4 for calculation of complementariness parameter. Although the program of (9) above does not include a step corresponding to step 106 of FIG. 4, it may include a step corresponding to step 106 of FIG. 4 as necessary. When the number of amino acid residues of target amino acid sequence is n, step 106 of FIG. 4 directs that step 104 and step 105 of FIG. 4 should be repeated until 20n (only natural amino acids taken into consideration) or (20+M)n (natural amino acids and amino acid equivalents taken into consideration; the number of amino acid equivalents to be considered written as M; the same applies below) candidates for complementary amino acid sequence are generated and each thereof is converted to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms. If 20n or (20+M)n candidates for complementary amino acid sequence have been generated and each thereof has been converted to one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms, the generation of candidates for complementary amino acid sequence (step 104 of FIG. 4) and hence the generation of complementary moving average profile waveforms (step 105 of FIG. 4) are completed. The above-described step (d1) corresponds to step 107 of FIG. 4. In the above-described step (d1), one or more complementariness parameters (e.g., correlation coefficient shown by [Equation 3]) from the same amino acid index are each calculated between one or more moving average profile waveforms for target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence (step 107 of FIG. 4). For example, if only one amino acid index has been used in converting a target amino acid sequence to a moving average profile waveform and a complementary amino acid sequence to a complementary moving average profile waveform, only one complementariness parameter is calculated in step 107 of FIG. 4. If two or more amino acid indices have been used in converting a target amino acid sequence to a moving average profile waveform and a complementary amino acid sequence to a complementary moving average profile waveform, two or more complementariness parameters are calculated in step 107 of FIG. 4. Although the program of (9) above does not include a step corresponding to step 108 of FIG. 4, it may include a step corresponding to step 108 of FIG. 4 as necessary. In step 108 of FIG. 4, one or more mean value parameters are calculated on the basis of one or more amino acid indices used. The above-described step (e1) is not specifically shown in FIG. 4. However, the above-described step (e1) may be included between step 108 and step 109 of FIG. 4. In the above-described step (e1), a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with one or more complementariness parameters calculated in step 107 of FIG. 4 (one or more mean value parameters calculated in step 108 of FIG. 4 as necessary), is stored in a storage. The above-described step (f1) corresponds to step 109 of FIG. 4. In the above-described step (f1), a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence is extracted on the basis of one or more complementariness parameters calculated in step 107 of FIG. 4 (one or more mean value parameters calculated in step 108 of FIG. 4 as necessary). Extraction is conducted on the basis of filter value requirements. The filter value may be selected and entered by the user at each time of operation, or may be set forth in advance and, if desired, may be changed by the user. When only one complementariness parameter is calculated between a target amino acid sequence and a complementary amino acid sequence in the above-described step (d1), a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence is extracted in the above-described step (f1) so that the filter value requirements for that complementariness parameter. In this extraction processing, the filter value of one mean value parameter may be used in combination. When two or more complementariness parameters are calculated between a target amino acid sequence and a complementary amino acid sequence in the above-described step (d1), a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence is extracted, with two or more complementariness parameters considered comprehensively, in the above-described step (f1). In this extraction processing, two or more mean value parameters may be used in combination with comprehensive consideration. Those skilled in the art are able to set forth requirements, so as to extract a desired candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, with preferential consideration of an emphasized parameter, provided that two or more complementariness parameters (two or more mean value parameter, as necessary) have been calculated. Although the above-described program (9) does not include a step corresponding to step 110 of FIG. 4, it may include a step corresponding to step 110 of FIG. 4 as necessary. In step 110 of FIG. 4, a determination is made as to whether or not to further select a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence using another amino acid index. Specifically, for the candidate for complementary amino acid sequence extracted in the above-described step (f1), it is determined whether or not to repeat the above-described steps (b1)-(f1) once or more in accordance with an amino acid index set forth in step 102 of FIG. 4 (differing from the previous amino acid index). Whether or not to repeat the above-described steps (b1)-(f1) once or more, the number of repeats, and the one or more amino acid indices used during that process may be selected and entered by the user at each time of operation, or may be set forth in advance and, if desired, may be changed by the user. If it is determined unnecessary to further select a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence using another amino acid index in step 110 of FIG. 4, progress to step 111 of FIG. 4 is made and it is determined whether or not to consider the interaction with target protein. The above-described program (9) is intended to consider the interaction with target amino acid sequence and is a mode of embodiment wherein the interaction with the target protein itself is not considered, it is always judged N in step 111 of FIG. 4. Although the above-described step (g1) is not shown in FIG. 4, it may be included after N of step 111 of FIG. 4. The above-described step (g1) displays a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence, along with a complementariness parameter thereof etc. As display means, there may be used ordinary display apparatuses, printers, etc. Preferably, the extracted candidates for complementary amino acid sequence are displayed in the descending order with a ranking for each parameter, or in the descending order with the individual parameters considered comprehensively. Next, the program of (13) above is described in detail below. This program takes into consideration the interaction with a target site of target protein, as well as the interaction with a target amino acid sequence. The above-described steps (a1′)-(f1′) of the program of (13) above correspond to steps (a1)-(f1) of the program of (9) above. Therefore, steps (a1′)-(f1′) of the program of (13) above are taken in the same manner as steps (a1)-(f1) of the program of (9) above. However, in step 102 of FIG. 4, an entry of data on target protein (e.g., target protein amino acid sequence data, data on target protein target site, etc.) is possible. Because the above-described program (13) is a mode of embodiment wherein the interaction with the target protein itself is considered, it is always judged Y in step 111 of FIG. 4. The above-described step (g1′) corresponds to step 112 of FIG. 4. In step (g1′), an intermolecular energy parameter between a target site of target protein and a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence is calculated. This calculation is executed using the data on target protein entered in step 102 of FIG. 4 (e.g., target protein amino acid sequence data, target protein target site data, etc.), sequence data on a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, etc. Although the above-described step (h1′) is not shown in FIG. 4, it may be included between step 112 and step 113 of FIG. 4. In the above-described step (h1′), a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with the intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step 112 of FIG. 4, is stored in a storage. The above-described step (i1′) corresponds to step 113 of FIG. 4. In the above-described step (i1′), a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence that satisfies the threshold requirements of intermolecular energy parameter is extracted on the basis of information stored in a storage. Although the above-described step (j1′) is not shown in FIG. 4, it may be included after Y of step 113 of FIG. 4. In the above-described step (j1′), a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to target amino acid sequence is displayed, along with a complementariness parameter thereof etc. As display means, there may be used ordinary display apparatuses, printers, etc. Preferably, the extracted complementary amino acid sequences are displayed with a rank based on a good intermolecular energy parameter. Additionally, the above-described steps (I)-(III) may be included between the above-described step (i1′) and step (j1′). The above-described steps (I)-(III) correspond to steps 201-203 of FIG. 5, respectively. The above-described steps (I)-(III) are described in detail below. The above-described step (I) corresponds to step 201 of FIG. 5. In the above-described step (I), an amino acid sequence with an amino acid variation introduced to an amino acid sequence extracted in the above-described step (i1′) is generated. If one amino acid is replaced in an amino acid sequence extracted in the above-described step (i1′), amino acid sequences replaced with 19 kinds of natural amino acids other than the original amino acid are generated exhaustively. Also, in an amino acid sequence extracted in the above-described step (i1′), a plurality (two or three or more) of amino acids are replaced, and these amino acid sequences are generated exhaustively (e.g., if two amino acids are replaced with other natural amino acids, 19×19 amino acid sequences are generated). Furthermore, not only natural amino acids but also non-natural amino acid sequences can be used for amino acid substitution. The data on these amino acids may be in a form wherein data stored in advance is utilized, or may be in a form wherein necessary data is retrieved with reference to an external database. The above-described step (II) corresponds to step 202 of FIG. 5. In the above-described step (II), an intermolecular energy parameter between each of all amino acid sequences generated in the above-described step (I) and a target site of target protein is calculated. This calculation is conducted in the same manner as the above-described step (g1′). The above-described step (III) corresponds to step 203 of FIG. 5. In the above-described step (III), the intermolecular energy parameter calculated in the above-described step (II) is compared with the intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence extracted in the above-described step (i1′) and a target site of target protein as a control, and an amino acid sequence having an intermolecular energy parameter that is stabler than the intermolecular energy parameter of the control is selected. As an intermolecular energy parameter between an amino acid sequence extracted in the above-described step (i1′) and a target site of target protein, there may be used a value calculated in step (g1′). As a result of the comparison, an amino acid sequence having an intermolecular energy parameter that is stabler than the intermolecular energy parameter of the control is extracted. After the above-described step (III), step 204 of FIG. 5 may be included. In step 204 of FIG. 5, it is determined whether to repeat the above-described steps (I)-(III) for the amino acid sequence extracted in the above-described step (III). If it is determined unnecessary to repeat the above-described steps (I)-(III) in step 204 of FIG. 5, extraction of amino acid sequence is completed and progress to the above-described step (j1′) is made. However, after step 204 of FIG. 5, a step for optimizing each amino acid side chain may be provided. In such cases, progress to the above-described step (j1′) is made after completion of the step for optimizing each amino acid side chain. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing program flows of (25) above and a portion of (26) above. This program is especially useful if the primary structure (amino acid sequence) of a protein that interacts, or is expected to interact, with a target protein, is known. First, the program of (25) above is described in detail below. The above-described step (a2) in the program of (25) above corresponds to step 301 of FIG. 6. In the above-described step (a2), an interaction region in a protein that interacts with a target site of target protein is identified. If a protein with an already identified region capable of interacting with a target protein is present, that region is selected. If a plurality of interaction regions are present in a single protein, the plurality of regions are selected as interaction regions. A plurality of proteins are known to be capable of interacting with a target protein, it is also possible to select a plurality of interaction regions from each of these proteins. On the other hand, if the protein itself that interacts with a target protein is known but the interaction region has not been identified, this region can be selected by a method obvious in the art (e.g., RBD method (see, for example, Gallet X. et al, J. Mol. Biol., 302, 917-926 (2000)). The above-described step (b2) corresponds to step 302 of FIG. 6. In the above-described step (b2), an amino acid sequence of optionally chosen length is extracted from the interaction region. A summary of amino acid sequence extraction executed in the above-described step (b2) is shown in FIG. 7. Regarding the length (i.e., the number of amino acid residues) of the amino acid sequence extracted in the above-described step (b2), as long as it is within the full-length of the above-described interaction region, it is possible to extract an amino acid sequence of optionally chosen length. Extraction of amino acid sequences is conducted exhaustively. For example, if an amino acid sequence consisting of X amino acid residues is to be extracted, N—X+1 amino acid sequences are extracted from the N-terminus to the C-terminus of the above-described interaction region. Also, although the extracted amino acid sequences may be unified in terms of length, amino acid sequences of different lengths may also be extracted exhaustively. Next, the program of (26) above is described in detail below. The above-described steps (a2′)-(b2′) of the program of (26) above correspond to the above-described steps (a2)-(b2) of the program of (25) above. Therefore, the above-described steps (a2′)-(b2′) of the program of (26) above are conducted in the same manner as the above-described steps (a2)-(b2) of the program of (25) above. The above-described steps (c2′)-(f2′) of the program of (26) above correspond to the above-described steps (g1′)-(j1′) of the program of (13) above. Therefore, the above-described steps (c2′)-(f2′) of the program of (26) above are conducted in the same manner as the above-described steps (g1′)-(j1′) of the program of (13) above. The above-described steps (I)-(III) may be included between the above-described step (e2′) and step (f2′). The above-described steps (I)-(III) are conducted in the same manner as described above. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing program flows of (28) above and a portion of (29) above. This program is especially useful for enzymes etc. that have a pocket on the molecular surface thereof, and that are considered to undergo little structural changes associated with binding (e.g., peptidase) as target proteins. A summary of the processing conducted in (28) above is shown in FIG. 9. The program of (28) above is described in detail below, with reference to caspases given as examples of target proteins in due order, so as to facilitate the understanding thereof. First, proteins serving as caspase substrates are described, and the amino acid positions thereof are defined. The amino acid sequence at the cleavage site of a protein serving as a caspase substrate is the X-X-X-D motif. The position of D in the motif indicates the P1 site, which is on the N-terminus side of the substrate cleavage site. The P1 position absolutely requires aspartic acid; the differences in inhibitor peptide recognized by each caspase are considered to be dependent on the amino acid sequence at the remaining P2˜P4 positions. For this reason, to specify each amino acid position in the X-X-X-D motif, the amino acid sequence is hereunder expressed as P4-P3-P2-D. The above-described step (a3) in the program of (28) above corresponds to step 401 of FIG. 8. In the above-described step (a3), amino acid sequences of constant length are generated exhaustively, from among which amino acid sequences are selected randomly and extracted as a library for analysis. Although it is not included in the above-described step (a3), a step for further extracting a library for evaluation may be included in step 401 of FIG. 8. Although the “constant length” (i.e., the number of amino acid residues) of the amino acid sequences generated exhaustively in the above-described step (a3) is not subject to limitation, it is preferably a length of about 2-10 amino acid residues, more preferably a length of 3-5 amino acid residues. For example, to exhaustively analyze the P4-P3-P2-D motif, 203, i.e., 8000 different combinations of amino acid sequences each consisting of four amino acid residues must be considered (D is constant; although non only natural amino acids but also amino acid equivalents may of course be considered, only natural amino acids are considered here, so as to simplify the description), even if only natural amino acids are taken into consideration. Here, for example, it is also possible to randomly select 400 amino acid sequences, which account for 5% of the combinations, and extract 360 amino acid sequences as a library for analysis and 40 amino acid sequences as a library for evaluation. Regarding caspases, inhibitor peptides thereof are known; the caspase inhibitor retain nearly the same primary chain structure for all caspases according to crystalline structure of complex with caspase inhibitor peptides. Hence, it is considered that the shape and catalytic mechanism of the caspase active site limit it. Such findings may be used to help produce a peptide conformation. For example, in producing a peptide conformation, an optionally chosen peptide may be constructed using a structure in the crystalline structure as the primary chain structure with a side chain added thereto. Additionally, to eliminate the VDW contact of the side chain, energy optimization may be conducted using TINKER (see, for example, Pappu, R. V. et al, J. Phys. Chem. B, 102, 9725-9742 (1998)). In this case, the primary chain may be immobilized using the INACTIVE command. The above-described step (b3) corresponds to step 402 of FIG. 8. In the above-described step (b3), an intermolecular energy parameter is calculated for each of the amino acid sequences extracted as a library for analysis. This calculation is conducted in the same manner as the above-described step (g1′) of the above-described program (13). For example, with regard to 8000 different amino acid sequences generated exhaustively for the P4-P3-P2-D motif, the calculation shown by [Equation 18] below may be conducted using AutoDock. Δ ⁢ ⁢ G calc = Δ ⁢ ⁢ G vdw ⁢ ∑ i , j ⁢ ( A ij r ij 12 - B ij r ij 6 ) + Δ ⁢ ⁢ G hbond ⁢ ⁢ ∑ i , j ⁢ E ⁡ ( t ) ⁢ ( C ij r ij 12 - D ij r ij 10 ) + Δ ⁢ ⁢ G elec ⁢ ∑ i , j ⁢ q i ⁢ q j ɛ ⁡ ( r ij ) ⁢ r ij + Δ ⁢ ⁢ G tor ⁢ N tor + Δ ⁢ ⁢ G sol ⁢ ∑ i , j ⁢ ( S i ⁢ V j + S j ⁢ V i ) ⁢ ⁢ ⅇ ( - r ij 2 / 2 ⁢ ⁢ σ 2 ) [ Equation ⁢ ⁢ 18 ] The individual coefficients in the equation above are values determined empirically by a regression analysis using 30 protein-ligand complex structures and actual measured Ki values thereof. Since the introduction of AutoDock 3.0, a genetic algorithm based on Lamarck's evolution theory has newly been adopted for configuration search. Additionally, here, the primary chain of 4-residue peptide is fixed, whereas the side chain is variable. Examples of parameter values to be set forth are shown in Table 3. As described above, details of calculation requirements can be set forth as appropriate. TABLE 3 Parameters Set forth For Auto Dock Translation step 2 Å Quaternion step 50° Torsion step 50° Translation reduction factor 1/cycle Quaternion reduction factor 1/cycle Torsion reduction factor 1/cycle No. of top individuals that automatically survive 1 Rate of gene mutation 0.02 Rate of crossover 0.8 No. of generations for picking worst individual 10 Mean of Cauchy distribution for gene mutation 0 Variance of Cauchy distribution for gene mutation 1 No. of iterations of Solis and Wets local search 300 No. of consecutive successes before changing ρ 4 No. of consecutive failures before chaning ρ 4 Size of local search space to sample 1 Lower bound on ρ 0.01 Probability of performing local search on an individual 0.06 ga_pop_size 50 ga_num_evals 700000 ga_num_generations 27000 Also, although it is not included in the above-described step (b3), a step for comparing the configuration of an extracted amino acid sequence (e.g., based on RMS (primary chain)) with the configuration of a control (e.g., peptide in the crystalline structure), and excluding sequences of any inappropriate configuration from the subsequent calculations, may be included in the above-described step (b3). For example, regarding the amino acid sequence of the P4-P3-P2-D motif, the configuration thereof is confirmed by RMS (primary chain) with an inhibitor peptide in the crystalline structure. Sequences of great RMS may be considered to fail to be appropriately arranged at the caspase active site and not to function as substrates, and hence excluded from the subsequent calculations. This is because the appropriate configuration of peptide is an essential factor for a modifying group like FMK or CHO to be arranged at the caspase active center, though it seems to be unproblematic irrespective of what is the configuration, provided that a strong bond is formed. The above-described step (c3) corresponds to step 403 of FIG. 8. In the above-described step (c3), a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence is generated using an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in the above-described step (b3). The threshold value of an intermolecular energy parameter (e.g., threshold value of ΔG) may be set forth in advance, or may be set forth as described below. For example, PSS matrices based on prevalence of 20 kinds of amino acid at each of positions P4, P3, and P2 are generated using a library for analysis containing 360 amino acid sequences. The PSS ij of amino acid i at position j is calculated by [Equation 9] above. In this case, the range of position “j” is 1-3, which correspond to P4-P2, respectively, and the range of amino acid “i” is 1-20, which correspond to individual amino acid species. The above-described step (d3) corresponds to step 404 of FIG. 8. In the above-described step (d3), a score based on amino acid prevalence is calculated using a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence. For example, by using the PSS matrix, the strength of the binding force of an optionally chosen amino acid sequence consisting of four amino acid residues (P4-P3-P2-D motif: P1 is constantly D and hence not taken into consideration) for caspases can be calculated as PSS by [Equation 10] above. In this case, Cij is a 20×3 matrix, consisting of a value of 0 or 1. A factor agreeing with amino acid “i” at position “j” of an optionally chosen amino acid sequence is written as 1, and a disagreeing factor is written as 0. The above-described step (e3) corresponds to step 405 of FIG. 8. In the above-described step (e3), a correlation analysis is conducted between an intermolecular energy parameter calculated in step (b3) and said score to obtain a regression equation. If a high correlation is present between PSS and an intermolecular energy parameter (e.g., binding free energy) for each amino acid sequence contained in a library for analysis, it is possible to predict an intermolecular energy parameter for a new amino acid sequence at high speed. Of course, because PSS can only be evaluated independently for each position, the influence of combining amino acids between different positions cannot be considered. The threshold value of an intermolecular energy parameter described in the above-described step (c3) (e.g., threshold value of ΔG) may also be set forth to maximize the correlation coefficient R between PSS and the threshold value of an intermolecular energy parameter (e.g., threshold value of ΔG). In this case, the threshold value set forth to maximize the correlation coefficient R is returned to the above-described step (c3), and the above-described step (c3), the above-described step (d3) and the above-described step (e3) are taken again. The above-described step (f3) corresponds to step 406 of FIG. 8. In the above-described step (f3), a score matrix based on amino acid prevalence is converted to a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter using the regression equation. In this conversion, the PSG matrix described above, for example, is generated. Although the constant term in the regression equation may be distributed to individual positions non-uniformly, it is preferably distributed to individual positions uniformly. The above-described step (g3) corresponds to step 407 of FIG. 8. In the above-described step (g3), an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value is calculated from a matrix based on an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter. For example, using the PSG matrix, the binding free energy between an optionally chosen 4-residue peptide (P4-P3-P2-D motif: P1 is constantly D and is therefore not considered) and caspase can be calculated as PSG at high speed. The above-described step (h3) corresponds to step 408 of FIG. 8. In the above-described step (h3), amino acid sequences lower than a specified amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value, i.e., amino acid sequences lower than the threshold value, are extracted. This value may be set forth in advance, or may be set forth at the time of extraction. Next, the program of (29) above is described in detail below. The above-described steps (a3′)-(h3′) of the program of (29) above correspond to the above-described steps (a3)-(h3) of the program of (28) above. Therefore, the above-described steps (a3′)-(h3′) of the program of (29) above are conducted in the same manner as the above-described steps (a3)-(h3) of the program of (28) above. Also, the above-described steps (i3′)-(l3′) of the program of (29) above correspond to the above-described steps (c2′)-(f2′) of the program of (26) above. Therefore, the above-described steps (i3′)-(l3′) of the program of (29) above are conducted in the same manner as the above-described steps (c2′)-(f2′) of the program of (26) above. Furthermore, between the above-described step (k3′) and step (l3′), the above-described steps (I)-(III) may be included. The above-described steps (I)-(III) are conducted in the same manner as described above. Also, if a plurality of proteins similar to each other in terms of substrate specificity are present, one of these proteins is selected as the target protein, and the programs of (28) and (29) above are useful in designing a peptide specific therefor. As an example, a description is made referring to the program of (28) above. First, for each of the proteins similar to each other in terms of substrate specificity, the above-described steps (a3)-(h3) of the above-described program (28) are conducted. For each protein, the above-described steps (a3)-(h3) may be taken concurrently, or the above-described steps (a3)-(h3) may be taken in due order. Subsequently, for the target protein and other proteins, a difference in an amino acid position-dependent intermolecular energy parameter value (e.g., PSG) is calculated, and a step for filtering by that difference is provided. This difference can be set forth as appropriate. For example, when a Ki value for the target protein better by two digits than the Ki values of other proteins is desired, ΔG can be used as the filter because it is equivalent to 2.728 kcal/mol. Of course, the above-described step (h3′) of the above-described program (29) may be followed by a similar step, after which progress to the above-described step (i3′) may be made. Having been explained briefly, the present invention may include a step as described above in the programs of (28) and (29) above. Such programs are included in the scope of the present invention. Further examples are given in Example 3 and will help understand such programs. The recording medium of (17) above of the present invention is a computer-readable recording medium containing the above-described programs of the present invention recorded therein. Here, a “computer-readable recording medium” refers to an optionally chosen recording medium capable of recording electronic data, and readable by a computer as necessary, and is exemplified by portable information recording media such as magnetic tapes, magnetic discs, magnetic drums, IC cards, and optical discs (e.g., CD, DVD). According to the present invention, the extraction processing units of (18)-(20) above, the extraction processing units of (21)-(23) above, and the apparatuses of (31) and (32) above, are dedicated machines for extracting a physiologically active peptide configured mainly with a computer provided with a central processing unit and a memory, and having the above-described programs of the present invention in a way such that they are executable. The apparatuses of (18)-(23) above can be roughly divided, from the viewpoint of designing a physiologically active peptide that interacts with a target amino acid sequence, and a physiologically active peptide that interacts with a target protein, into two sets. One is a set of the apparatuses shown in (18)-(20) above, and this is intended to design a physiologically active peptide that interacts with a target amino acid sequence. The other is a set of the apparatuses shown in (21)-(23) above, and this is intended to design a physiologically active peptide in consideration of the interaction with a target protein itself, as well as the interaction with a target amino acid sequence. The apparatuses of (18)-(20) above, as shown in FIG. 10, are configured to include a data entry portion A, a data editing portion B, a complementary amino acid sequence candidate generation portion C, a complementariness calculation portion D, a complementary amino acid sequence candidate memory portion E, a complementary amino acid sequence search portion F, and a complementary amino acid sequence display portion G. In the apparatuses of (18)-(20) above, said data entry portion A includes a means of executing the above-described step (a1), said data editing portion B includes a means of executing the above-described step (b1), said complementary amino acid sequence candidate generation portion C includes a means of executing the above-described step (c1), said complementariness calculation portion D includes a means of executing the above-described step (d1), said complementary amino acid sequence candidate memory portion E includes a means of executing the above-described step (e1), said complementary amino acid sequence search portion F includes a means of executing the above-described step (f1), and said complementary amino acid sequence display portion G includes a means of executing the above-described step (g1). The apparatuses of (21)-(23) above, like the apparatuses of (18)-(20) above, as shown in FIG. 10, are configured to include a data entry portion A, a data editing portion B, a complementary amino acid sequence candidate generation portion C, a complementariness calculation portion D, a complementary amino acid sequence candidate memory portion E, a complementary amino acid sequence search portion F, and a complementary amino acid sequence display portion G. In the apparatuses of (21)-(23) above, said data entry portion A includes a means of executing the above-described step (a1′), said data editing portion B includes a means of executing the above-described step (b1′), said complementary amino acid sequence candidate generation portion C includes a means of executing the above-described step (c1′), said complementariness calculation portion D includes a means of executing step (k1′) for calculating each of complementariness parameters from the same amino acid index between one or more moving average profile waveforms for the target amino acid sequence and one or more complementary moving average profile waveforms of a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, and further calculating an intermolecular energy parameter with a target site of target protein (a means of executing the above-described steps (d1′) and (g1′)), said complementary amino acid sequence candidate memory portion E includes a means of executing step (l1′) for storing a candidate for complementary amino acid sequence, along with the complementariness parameter and the intermolecular energy parameter (a means of executing the above-described steps (e1′) and (h1′)), said complementary amino acid sequence search portion F includes a means of executing step (m1′) for extracting a specified number of complementary amino acid sequences on the basis of information stored by means (k1′) (a means of executing the above-described steps (f1′) and (i1′)), and said complementary amino acid sequence display portion G includes a means of executing step (n1′) for displaying complementary amino acid sequences extracted by said complementary amino acid sequence search portion as candidates for physiologically active peptides (a means of executing the above-described step (i1′)). The apparatuses of (31) and (32) above are similar to the apparatuses of (18)-(23) above; all of the “(A2) interaction region identification portion, (B2) first amino acid sequence search portion, (C2) intermolecular energy calculation portion, (D2) amino acid sequence memory portion, (E2) second amino acid sequence search portion, and (F2) amino acid sequence display portion” included in the apparatus of (31) above, and the “(A3) first amino acid sequence search portion, (B3) first intermolecular energy calculation portion, (C3) score matrix generation portion, (D3) score calculation portion, (E3) regression equation generation portion, (F3) matrix conversion portion, (G3) amino acid position-dependent energy calculation portion, (H3) second amino acid sequence search portion, (I3) second intermolecular energy calculation portion, (J3) amino acid sequence memory portion, (K3) third amino acid sequence search portion, and (C3) amino acid sequence display portion” included in the apparatus of (32) above, are configured with the programs of (26) and (29) above, a computer configured to execute the programs (central processing unit (CPU), storage (memory)), and peripheral apparatuses added as necessary (external storage, data entry apparatus, display apparatus, etc.), and may have a network with another computer added to the configuration. The individual portions (A2)-(F2) included in the apparatus of (31) above, and the individual portions (A3)-(L3) included in the apparatus of (32) above are as described in detail in the descriptions of the programs of (26) and (29) above, respectively. The apparatus of the present invention may further comprise an output apparatus, such as a printer for printing displayed data, an external storage for data storage, an external storage incorporating a database necessary to execute the programs of the present invention, etc., and other devices that provide the user with convenience in designing a physiologically active peptide. EXAMPLES The present invention is hereinafter described in more detail by means of, but is not limited to, the following examples. Example 1 Designing a Physiologically Active Peptide (Inhibitor Peptide) for Caspase-3 With the amino acid sequence WRNS of caspase-3 at position 206˜209 (SEQ ID NO:109) as the target amino acid sequence, peptide candidates that bind thereto to inhibit caspase-3 activity were predicted using the program of the present invention. An index based on the degree of hydrophobicity (see, for example, Eisenberg D, et al., J. Ann. Rev. Biochem., 53, 596-623 (1984)) was used as an amino acid index, and window width was set forth at 1. With the range of Pave set forth between −0.39 and −0.37, and Rt set forth at −0.9, 105 peptide candidates having a complementary amino acid sequence were obtained by first screening (Table 4). The sequences ranked 1-105 in Table 4 are designated as SEQ ID NO:4-108, respectively, in due order. TABLE 4 Screening Results of Caspase-3 Inhibitor Peptides First screening Second screening rank sequence comp. R a.d.h. ΔG Ki 1 NHFK −0.997 −0.383 −7.56 2.88E−06 2 EHFK −0.997 −0.378 −10.21 3.30E−08 3 QSVK −0.997 −0.378 −4.64 4.00E−04 4 QSLK −0.997 −0.380 −5.11 1.79E−04 5 DSVK −0.995 −0.385 −8.74 3.93E−07 6 DSLK −0.995 −0.388 −8.51 5.78E−07 7 DHIK −0.993 −0.373 −8.03 1.31E−06 8 ETWK −0.986 −0.383 −6.57 1.54E−05 9 NTWK −0.985 −0.388 −7.24 4.91E−06 10 HHPE −0.985 −0.373 −10.89 1.05E−08 11 HHPN −0.984 −0.378 −10.98 8.96E−09 12 HHYD −0.983 −0.375 −9.36 1.37E−07 13 HHWK −0.977 −0.383 −9.37 1.36E−07 14 EHAD −0.976 −0.373 −11.44 4.11E−09 15 EHGQ −0.974 −0.388 −9.07 2.26E−07 16 NHAD −0.973 −0.378 −9.19 1.84E−07 17 NHMD −0.972 −0.375 −7.73 2.15E−06 18 HSMK −0.966 −0.375 −2.90 0.01 19 QPWK −0.965 −0.373 −9.85 6.03E−08 20 HSAK −0.964 −0.378 −7.37 3.95E−06 21 QHAD −0.963 −0.390 −7.93 1.53E−06 22 DPWK −0.963 −0.380 −10.44 2.21E−08 23 QHMD −0.963 −0.388 −9.92 5.39E−08 24 ESCQ −0.961 −0.383 −9.21 1.78E−07 25 EHGN −0.959 −0.375 −9.01 2.48E−07 26 ESYQ −0.958 −0.388 −8.79 3.62E−07 27 QSGD −0.957 −0.378 −8.30 8.22E−07 28 QHAQ −0.955 −0.383 −8.10 1.15E−06 29 QHMQ −0.955 −0.380 −6.66 1.31E−05 30 NSCQ −0.955 −0.388 −7.72 2.18E−06 31 HEFK −0.954 −0.378 −8.40 6.91E−07 32 NHGN −0.954 −0.380 −9.49 1.10E−07 33 EPMK −0.952 −0.383 −7.59 2.72E−06 34 NPMK −0.952 −0.388 −5.23 1.46E−04 35 EPAK −0.951 −0.385 −9.51 1.07E−07 36 HNFK −0.950 −0.383 −5.82 5.38E−05 37 HPIR −0.950 −0.375 −3.99 0 38 DSGD −0.948 −0.385 −11.23 5.87E−09 39 DHMQ −0.947 −0.388 −8.42 6.77E−07 40 ESYN −0.947 −0.375 −8.71 4.13E−07 41 NHGE −0.947 −0.375 −10.60 1.70E−08 42 NGIR −0.945 −0.378 −3.71 0 43 EGIR −0.944 −0.373 −7.44 3.53E−06 44 NSCN −0.942 −0.375 −8.00 1.37E−06 45 KPIK −0.941 −0.385 −4.66 3.82E−04 46 DSGQ −0.940 −0.378 −7.85 1.77E−06 47 SSIR −0.939 −0.388 −4.03 0 48 NSYN −0.939 −0.380 −8.28 8.51E−07 49 HTGK −0.938 −0.380 −4.74 3.38E−04 50 HDIK −0.935 −0.373 −6.66 1.31E−05 51 DAIR −0.935 −0.375 −9.38 1.32E−07 52 ETYD −0.934 −0.375 −10.32 2.71E−08 53 DMIR −0.934 −0.373 −4.88 3.70E−04 54 NTCD −0.933 −0.375 −6.45 1.88E−05 55 NSYE −0.932 −0.375 −11.5 3.75E−09 56 QHGE −0.931 −0.388 −9.23 1.73E−07 57 SHMK −0.930 −0.375 −6.21 2.79E−05 58 DHAN −0.930 −0.378 −9.87 5.78E−08 59 DHMN −0.930 −0.375 −8.85 3.27E−07 60 SHAK −0.929 −0.378 −4.77 3.16E−04 61 HYFR −0.928 −0.383 −6.61 1.42E−05 62 NTYD −0.928 −0.380 −9.18 1.87E−07 63 QYMK −0.927 −0.378 −5.81 5.47E−05 64 HCFR −0.926 −0.378 −4.84 2.82E−04 65 DYMK −0.925 −0.385 −8.59 5.07E−07 66 QYAK −0.925 −0.380 −8.1 1.15E−06 67 NTYQ −0.923 −0.373 −7.73 2.15E−06 68 DYAK −0.923 −0.388 −8.22 9.37E−07 69 DHAE −0.922 −0.373 −12.63 5.51E−10 70 QCMK −0.921 −0.373 −4.83 2.88E−04 71 QSCN −0.920 −0.388 −7.53 3.01E−06 72 DCMK −0.919 −0.380 −9.67 8.17E−08 73 QCAK −0.919 −0.375 −8.65 4.57E−07 74 KCFK −0.919 −0.388 −6.95 8.07E−06 75 QTCD −0.917 −0.388 −8.68 4.36E−07 76 DCAK −0.917 −0.383 −8.72 4.05E−07 77 NAFR −0.917 −0.385 −6.38 2.11E−05 78 EAFR −0.916 −0.380 −7.43 3.57E−06 79 NMFR −0.915 −0.383 −5.59 7.97E−05 80 EMFR −0.915 −0.378 −7.94 1.51E−06 81 QELD −0.913 −0.375 −8.83 3.39E−07 82 QEVD −0.913 −0.373 −8.02 1.32E−06 83 QSCE −0.913 −0.383 −8.9 3.00E−07 84 DELD −0.911 −0.383 −11.09 7.37E−09 85 DEVD −0.910 −0.380 −13.40 1.49E−10 86 SQVK −0.910 −0.378 −8.85 3.26E−07 87 QTCQ −0.910 −0.380 −8.46 6.27E−07 88 TTFR −0.910 −0.378 −5.67 6.92E−05 89 SQLK −0.909 −0.380 −9.11 2.11E−07 90 QSYE −0.909 −0.388 −7.5 3.18E−06 91 QNLD −0.908 −0.380 −9.67 8.17E−08 92 QNVD −0.908 −0.378 −9.21 1.78E−07 93 SPVR −0.907 −0.388 −5.32 1.27E−04 94 DNLD −0.906 −0.388 −14.34 3.09E−11 95 DNVD −0.906 −0.385 −11.79 2.26E−09 96 EYGK −0.905 −0.385 −10.11 3.86E−08 97 HEAD −0.905 −0.373 −9.89 5.65E−08 98 PHIR −0.905 −0.375 −6.27 2.54E−05 99 QTYQ −0.905 −0.385 −10.82 1.17E−08 100 HSTQ −0.904 −0.383 −6.83 9.89E−06 101 SDVK −0.903 −0.385 −9.78 6.78E−08 102 SDLK −0.902 −0.388 −8.23 9.34E−07 103 DELQ −0.901 −0.375 −10.48 2.09E−08 104 DEVQ −0.901 −0.373 −8.83 3.36E−07 105 DWFR −0.900 −0.375 −9.44 1.20E−07 comp. R: complementariness R a.d.h.: average degree of hydrophobicity Subsequently, complementary amino acid sequences of strong binding force, DNLD (SEQ ID NO:97) (Ki=0.0309 nM: first-ranking) and DEVD (SEQ ID NO:88) (Ki=0.149 nM: second-ranking), were obtained by second screening (Table 4). DEVD (SEQ ID NO:88) is an amino acid sequence known as a caspase-3 inhibitor peptide, with the actual measured value of Ki and crystalline structure thereof known. FIG. 11 shows a comparison of the complementary amino acid sequence DEVD predicted by the present invention and the crystalline structure. An RMS (root mean squar, average interatomic shift) (all atoms) of 2.4 Å was obtained; a structure very close to the crystalline structure was predicted successfully. The Ki value predicted by the present invention was 0.149 nM, whereas the actual measured value (see, for example, Garcia-Calvo M, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273, 32608-32613 (1998)) of Ki was 0.23 nM. Additionally, a currently unknown complementary amino acid sequence having the lowest Ki value of 0.0309 nM, called DNLD (SEQ ID NO:97), was obtained. DEVD was initially obtained from the amino acid sequence of a protein serving as a substrate and, in addition, is characterized by strongly binding to caspase-7 and caspase-8, as well as to caspase-3 (see, for example, Garcia-Calvo M, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273, 32608-32613 (1998)) and inhibiting them, with a problem for a specific inhibitor being suggested. Because the peptide sequence DNLD presented by this system is a totally new sequence, it provides the potential for resolving this specificity problem. From the above results, it was confirmed that the program of the present invention is very useful in designing a candidate for complementary amino acid. Example 2 Designing a Physiologically Active Peptide for Fas (Receptor) With the amino acid sequence FSSKCRRCRLCDEG of Fas (Receptor) at position 97-110 (SEQ ID NO:1) as the target amino acid sequence, candidates for physiologically active peptide capable of binding to and interacting therewith were predicated using the program of the present invention. An index based on the degree of hydrophobicity (see, for example, Eisenberg D, et al., J. Ann. Rev. Biochem., 53, 596-623 (1984)) was used as an amino acid index, and window width was set forth at 5. With the range of Pave set forth between −0.15 and +0.15 and Rt set forth at −0.9, peptide candidates having a complementary amino acid sequence were obtained by first screening. Subsequently, intermolecular energy was calculated in second screening. Finally, the complementary amino acid sequence EPPMTFISIHTMCH (SEQ ID NO:2) was obtained. Test Example 1 Induction of Apoptosis with a Peptide Comprising a Complementary Amino Acid Sequence (SEQ ID NO:2) The peptide consisting of a complementary amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2), obtained in Example 1 above (hereinafter abbreviated Fas complementary peptide), was chemically synthesized. Subsequently, using a Fas-expressing human ovarian cancer cell line NOS4, the apoptosis induction potential of the Fas complementary peptide was analyzed in comparison with a scrambled peptide thereof, TFIHPSMHTCMPEI (SEQ ID NO:3). NOS4 was established from a cancer cell sample resected from a patient with severe ovarian cancer, and has been maintained at the present inventors' laboratory. The human ovarian cancer cell line NOS4 was cultured in an RPMI medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum under 5% CO2 moisture at 37° C. 5×106 cells of the human ovarian cancer cell line NOS4 were treated in the presence of 100 μg/ml complementary peptide at 37° C. for 24 hours, after which DNA fragmentation was measured. After the cell nucleus was stained with propidium iodide, DNA fragmentation was measured by flow cytometry using an FACS apparatus (FACS Calibur, Jose., Calif.). As a result, the Fas complementary peptide induced apoptosis in about 40% of the cells at a concentration of 100 μg/ml. From the above results, it was confirmed that the Fas complementary peptide functioned as a physiologically active peptide for Fas. TABLE 5 Apoptosis Induction Activity of FRP-2 for Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Line (NOS4) Peptide Sequence Apoptosis (%)* None 10 ± 2 Fas L LPLSHKVYMRNSKY 11 ± 3 FRP-2 EPPMTFISIHTMCH 36 ± 5 Scrambled FRP-2 TFIHPSMHTCMPEI 8 ± 2 *NOS4 cells were treated with FRP-2 (100 μg/ml) in a CO2 incubator for 48 hours. Apoptosis (%) was measured by FACSan analysis. Test Example 2 Induction of Apoptosis with Fas Complementary Peptide Tetramer Having the Fas complementary peptide (hereinafter also abbreviated FRP-2) bound to four branches of a lysine polymer (MAP), a tetramer of the Fas complementary peptide [(FRP-2)4-MAP] was chemically synthesized. Subsequently, the apoptosis induction potential of (FRP-2)4-MAP was examined using the same method as Test Example 1 above. As a result, the Fas complementary peptide tetramer induced apoptosis in about 50% of the human ovarian cancer cell line NOS4 at a concentration of 5 mg/ml (FIG. 12). From the above results, the Fas complementary peptide was found to exhibit an apoptosis induction potential about 30 times as potent as that of the monomer when rendered a maltimer using MAP. Test Example 3 Induction of Apoptosis In Vivo with the Fas Complementary Peptide Tetramer Using a cancer-bearing animal experiment system developed by transplanting a human glioma cell (U251-SP) into the brain of a nude mouse, the antitumor effect of (FRP-2)4-MAP in vivo was examined. One week after transplantation of U251-SP into the brain of a nude mouse, (FRP-2)4-MAP, at 2 μg/2 μl, was topically injected to the cancer tissue in the brain. Thirty days later, the animal was autopsied, and a sectional preparation of brain tissue fixed with formalin was prepared by a conventional method and examined under an optical microscope. As a result, in the group treated with the tetramer of the Fas complementary peptide, cancer shrinkage due to cancer cell death as a result of induced apoptosis was observed (FIG. 13). From the series of results shown above, it was confirmed that the program of the present invention was very useful in designing a physiologically active peptide. Example 3 Evaluation of Existing Caspase Peptide Inhibitors First, first screening was conducted using caspase-3, -7, -8, and -9. The results are shown in FIGS. 14-17. For all caspases, a correlation coefficient R of −0.71 on average was obtained between PSS and ΔGcalc (FIGS. 14D, 15D, 16D, and 17D) Subsequently, to evaluate the prediction potential of PSS, a correlation analysis with ΔGcalc (FIGS. 14E, 15E, 16E, and 17E) was conducted using the PSS of 40 peptides contained in a library for evaluation. A value similar to that with the library for analysis, i.e., a correlation coefficient R of −0.66 on average was obtained. Therefore, PSS can be said to be well utilizable for first screening of a vast peptide library. PSG evaluation of each caspase was conducted using inhibitor peptides with known actual measured Ki values (Table 6) (see, for example, Garcia-Calvo M, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273, 32608-32613 (1998)) Ac-WEHD-CHO (SEQ ID NO:110), Ac-YVAD-CHO (SEQ ID NO:111), Ac-DEVD-CHO (SEQ ID NO:112), Boc-IETD-CHO (SEQ ID NO:113), Boc-AEVD-CHO (SEQ ID NO:114). TABLE 6 Inhibitory Potentials of Peptide Inhibitors for Each Caspase WEHD YVAD DEVD IETD AEVD Caspase-3 1960 10000 0.23 195 42 Caspase-7 10000 100000 1.6 3280 425 Caspase-8 21.1 352 0.92 1.05 1.6 Caspase-9 508 970 60 108 48 The peptide was of the aldehyde type. Unit of measurement: (nM) With Ki values of 10,000 nM or more taken as 10,000 nM, each Ki value was converted to ΔG by [Equation 19] (Table 7). ΔG=RT ln(ΔKi) [Equation 19] R: gas constant T: absolute temperature TABLE 7 Evaluation of Caspase Inhibitor Peptides WEHD YVAD DEVD IETD AEVD Rpep. Caspase-3 Obs. −7.79 −6.82 −13.15 −9.15 −10.06 0.94 ave. PSG −9.07 −8.83 −14.28 −11.67 −13.23 0.93 Caspase-7 Obs. −6.82 −6.82 −12.00 −7.48 −8.69 0.95 PSG −9.55 −9.33 −13.28 −11.03 −11.54 Caspase-8 Obs. −10.47 −8.80 −12.33 −12.25 −12.00 0.92 PSG −10.73 −10.72 −12.58 −12.40 −12.42 Caspase-9 Obs. −8.59 −8.20 −9.85 −9.50 −9.98 0.93 PSG −11.13 −10.97 −12.71 −12.17 −12.10 Rcasp. 0.67 0.92 0.64 0.90 0.44 ave. 0.71 Unit of measurement: (kcal/mol) Also, the predicted ΔG values of the five inhibitor peptides were calculated by [Equation 4] using the PSG matrix of each of caspase-3, -7, -8, and -9. A comparison with actual measured values is shown in Table 7. As a whole, the predicted value were lower than the actual measured values; however, when the correlation coefficient Rpep was calculated, its value was as high as 0.93 on average. This shows it possible to predict the relative affinity of inhibitor peptides for caspase. Also, when the correlation coefficient Rcasp was calculated, its value was 0.71 on average. This shows it possible to predict the specificity of inhibitor peptides for caspase. Example 4 Designing a Caspase-3 Specific Inhibitor Peptide The PSG matrix enables the prediction of affinity and specificity at high speed. The ΔG of 8000 peptides expressible by P4-P3-P2-D for each caspase can be calculated at high speed using PSG. Designing of a caspase-3 specific inhibitor peptide is described as an example. The system configuration is shown in FIG. 18. First, one peptide is taken out from the Virtual Library containing 8000 peptides, and its PSGcasp-3, PSGcasp-7, PSGcasp-8, and PSGcasp-9 are calculated using the PSG matrix of each of caspase-3, -7, -8, and -9. Next, using [Equation 20] below, the differences in PSG between caspase-7, -8, and -9 and caspase-3 are calculated. ΔPSGcasp-X=PSGcasp-X−PSGcasp-3 [Equation 20] X=7, 8, 9 In this system, a candidate for caspase-3 specific inhibitor peptide was defined as a peptide having a Ki value lower by two digits for all of caspase-7, -8, and -9. A difference of two digits in Ki value is equivalent to a difference of about 2.728 kcal/mol in ΔG. For this reason, [Equation 21] was used as the filter for each caspase. ΔPSGcasp-X≧2.728 kcal/mol [Equation 21] X=7, 8, 9 The above procedures are taken for all the 8000 peptides, and only the peptides that passed all filters of the respective caspases will be evaluated by second screening. Finally, the inhibitor peptides selected by second screening are evaluated as designed peptides in vitro and in vivo. For all of caspase-7, -8, and -9, peptide sequences that satisfy [Equation 20] were selected from among the 8000 peptide sequences. The results are shown in Table 8. TABLE 8 Evaluation of Caspase-3 Specific Inhibitor Peptides Caspase-3 Caspase-7 Caspase-8 Caspase-9 R PPVD PSG −13.89 −9.39 −11.54 −10.68 0.93 ΔGcalc −12.11 −9.22 −10.8 −10.97 QPVD PSG −13.61 −9.7 −11.07 −10.51 0.98 ΔGcalc −12.85 −10.09 −11.05 −11.17 TPVD PSG −13.29 −9.11 −10.29 −10.34 0.97 ΔGcalc −11.86 −9.56 −10.62 −10.13 SPVD PSG −12.86 −9.15 −9.99 −10.05 0.73 ΔGcalc −11.12 −8.73 −10.92 −10.01 Unit of measurement: (kcal/mol) In Table 8, the PSG for each caspase and second screening result ΔGcalc are shown. With regard to the three peptides PPVD (SEQ ID NO:115), QPVD (SEQ ID NO:116), and TPVD (SEQ ID NO:117), a high correlation of 0.93 or more was found between PSG and ΔGcalc. On the other hand, for SPVD (SEQ ID NO:118), compared to the above-described three peptides, the correlation was as low as 0.73. The binding free energy of SPVD for caspase-8 was estimated as −9.99 kcal/mol for PSG and −10.92 kcal/mol for ΔGcalc. Also because the ΔGcalc for caspase-3 was evaluated as being high at −11.20 kcal/mol, the difference in ΔGcalc between caspase-3 and -8 was as small as 0.28 kcal/mol. From this result, it is suggested that SPVD may not function as a caspase-3 specific inhibitor peptide. For PPVD, QPVD, and TPVD as well, ΔGcalc for caspase-3 was estimated as being higher compared to PSG; therefore, although no difference of two digits in Ki value is expected, they are considered to function well as caspase-3 inhibitor peptides. As a result, the following three candidate peptides are presented as caspase-3 specific inhibitor peptides. TABLE 9 P4-P3-P2-P1 pep1 P P V D pep2 Q P V D pep3 T P V D Example 5 Designing an Apoptosis-Inducing Peptide Using Fas-Binding Region in FasL To generate a fragmented peptide library, position 144-281, which correspond to the extracellular region of the Fas Ligand, was first applied to the RBD method, and the Fas-binding region was identified at position 151-176. Next, this limited region was extracted, by four residues at a time, from the N-terminus side to obtain a total of 23 fragmented peptides. For Fas(Receptor) as well, the FasL-binding region was identified at position 99-102 by the RBD method. With this amino acid sequence SKCR at position 99-102 (SEQ ID NO:119) as the target region, peptides capable of interacting therewith were selected by second screening using a fragmented peptide library. As a result, the amino acid sequence WEDT in the region 162-165 on the Fas Ligand (SEQ ID NO:120) (Ki=0.19 μM) was the sequence of the greatest binding force (FIG. 19). It has been confirmed, also from a Fas-Fas Ligand complex model, that this region is a binding region with FAS. Next, for third screening, 1-residue amino acid substitution was conducted from the first residue to the fourth residue with WEDT as the lead peptide to introduce variations (Table 10). TABLE 10 Lead Peptide Variations W E D T P1 P2 P3 P4 A 2.73 2.67 3.48 2.19 R 5.09 5.02 3.04 1.16 N 2.78 1.40 3.41 −0.01 D 3.42 2.41 0.00 2.09 C 2.77 1.72 2.29 0.84 Q 3.14 2.88 3.74 0.34 E 1.44 0.00 3.98 1.75 G 2.67 0.04 0.65 2.44 H 2.16 2.71 3.68 0.41 I 4.43 4.22 1.52 2.00 L 3.37 1.81 2.75 3.94 K 4.08 4.12 3.80 2.61 M 2.04 2.06 4.03 0.69 F 4.03 2.02 1.85 0.55 P 2.61 0.85 2.57 4.04 S 0.71 3.13 2.11 2.76 T 2.99 0.91 0.77 0.00 W 0.00 3.44 −0.52 1.20 Y 4.01 3.15 4.83 2.16 V 3.00 2.72 4.10 1.50 ΔΔG unit (kcal/mol) As seen in Table 10, the Ki value of WEWT (SEQ ID NO:121) was 0.083 μM. WEWT showed a ΔG value better by 0.52 kcal/mol than WEDT and was predicted as a peptide of greater binding capacity; WEWT was designed as a candidate for physiologically active peptide. Test Example 4 Induction of Apoptosis with FasL-Like Peptide Tetramer Bearing in mind that Fas acts in the form of a trimer, in order to allow the WEWT peptide (SEQ ID NO:121) to fit well to the 37 Å square space formed by the Fas trimer, this peptide was bound to MAP-8 at its 4 branches with the remaining four amino groups protected to generate a candidate peptide (hereinafter abbreviated (FLLP-1)4-MAP8) (FIG. 20). Subsequently, the apoptosis induction potential of (FLLP-1)4-MAP8 was examined using the same method as Test Example 1 above. As a result, (FLLP-1)4-MAP8 induced apoptosis in about 50% of the human ovarian cancer cell line NOS4 at a concentration of about 0.1 μg/ml (Table 11). TABLE 11 Apoptosis Induction activity of (FLLP-1)4-MAP8 (FLLP-1)4-MAP8 conc. Apoptosis induction (μg/ml) Activity (%) 0 5 0.01 7 0.03 15 0.1 48 0.3 67 1 78 From the above results, it was confirmed that the present technique was extremely useful. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it is possible to economically, quickly and efficiently design a physiologically active peptide by mathematical calculations without using a cost- and time-consuming biochemical technique or the conventional physiologically active peptide prediction theory, which is poor in reliability and which does not permit narrowing down candidates. Also, according to the present invention, a plurality of evaluation methods can be selected as appropriate for first screening according to the properties of the target protein. Furthermore, according to the present invention, by introducing amino acid substitutions in third screening, and evaluating them, it is possible to obtain a physiologically active peptide having an optimized amino acid sequence. Free Text for the Sequence Listing SEQ ID NO:1: amino acid sequence of Fas at position 97-110. SEQ ID NO:2: amino acid sequence complementary to the amino acid sequence of Fas at position 97-110. SEQ ID NO:3: amino acid sequence obtained by scrambling the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. SEQ ID NO:4-108: a candidate for an amino acid sequence complementary to the amino acid sequence of caspase-3 at position 206-209. SEQ ID NO:109: amino acid sequence of caspase-3 at position 206-209. SEQ ID NO:110: amino acid sequence of caspase inhibitor. SEQ ID NO:111: amino acid sequence of caspase inhibitor. SEQ ID NO:112: amino acid sequence of caspase inhibitor. SEQ ID NO:113: amino acid sequence of caspase inhibitor. SEQ ID NO:114: amino acid sequence of caspase inhibitor. SEQ ID NO:115: amino acid sequence of caspase-3-specific inhibitor. SEQ ID NO:116: amino acid sequence of caspase-3-specific inhibitor. SEQ ID NO:117: amino acid sequence of caspase-3-specific inhibitor. SEQ ID NO:118: amino acid sequence of non-caspase-3-specific inhibitor. SEQ ID NO:119: amino acid sequence of Fas at position 99-102. SEQ ID NO:120: amino acid sequence of Fas ligand at position 162-165. SEQ ID NO:121: amino acid sequence of apoptosis-inducing peptide. The present application is based on Patent Application 2002-258305 filed in Japan (filing date: Sep. 3, 2002), all the teachings of which are understood to be included in the present specification by reference.

<SOH> BACKGROUND ART <EOH>Various biosignals (neurotransmitters, hormones, cytokines) generated from extracellular signal transduction systems networked in the body (nervous system, endocrine system, immune system) are received and transmitted by intracellular signal transduction systems in target cells, resulting in appropriate responses. Here, the majority of biosignals are transmitted by protein-to-protein interactions. For example, various protein-to-protein interactions are involved in the binding of cell surface receptors and specific ligands therefor, and also in intracellular signal transduction from cytoplasm to nucleus. Therefore, disorders and abnormalities of intracellular signal transduction systems are closely associated with the pathogenesis of many serious diseases. Against this background, it is an urgent demand to create molecules capable of controlling (promoting or suppressing) protein-to-protein interactions as targets. At present, as a means of elucidating protein-to-protein interactions such as ligand-receptor interactions, and as a means of treating diseases resulting from signal cascade abnormalities, physiologically active peptides capable of interacting with target proteins are under active research and development. Physiologically active peptides play an important role in controlling various physiological functions as signal transmitters in the body. However, in nature, physiologically active peptides occur only in trace amounts and are very difficult to purify; only less than 100 have been discovered to date. On the other hand, with the construction of genome databases, it is supposed that there are a significant number of orphan receptors deemed physiologically active peptide receptors, and searching ligands therefor is an important key to new drug development. As examples of peptide pharmaceuticals in clinical application or under development, there may be mentioned 1) hypothalamic hormone derivatives, 2) posterior pituitary hormone derivatives, 3) ANP derivatives, 4) calcium-regulating hormones, 5) peptide antibiotics, etc. Additionally, new physiologically active peptides have recently been discovered using cells that were allowed to express orphan receptors. Using this technique, Takeda Chemical Industries discovered metastin, a peptide ligand for an orphan receptor that suppresses cancer metastasis (see, for example, Nature, 411, 613 (2001)). It is expected that further investigations in search for other physiologically active peptides will be undertaken, resulting in the development of valuable peptide pharmaceuticals. However, no effective methodology remains established to predict the amino acid sequence of a peptide capable of binding to and interacting with an optionally chosen amino acid sequence of protein; it is common practice to screen for physiologically active peptides by biochemical techniques. For example, there may be used a technique wherein a plurality of consecutive peptides consisting of 10-20 amino acids from the N-terminus to the C-terminus are synthesized from a protein known to bind to another protein, from among which peptides a physiologically active peptide is selected, or a technique wherein a physiologically active peptide is selected from a randomized peptide library using a phage library. However, such biochemical methods have been problematic in that much costs and time are required. Hence, there has been a demand for the development of a technique for both theoretically and more economically and conveniently designing a physiologically active peptide, rather than a conventional technique. On the other hand, some theories to predict a physiologically active peptide sequence for target amino acid sequence have been proposed to date. Watson and Crick set forth the DNA strand model and asserted that base pairs existed but amino acid pairs did not exist; however, there had been the minority opinion that amino acid pairs might exist (see, for example, Journal of Theoretical Biology, vol. 94, p885-894 (1982)). The sense-antisense theory, advocated by Blalock et al. (see, for example, Biochemical Biophysical Research Communication, vol. 121, p203-207 (1984)) is also premised on amino acid pairs, its contents being based on the hypothesis that two peptides encoded by two complementary DNAs, like bases, interact with each other. Based on this theory, it has been confirmed experimentally that some antisense peptides interact with sense peptides. On the other hand, in response to the suggestion of Blalock et al. that sense peptides and antisense peptides are high in <complementariness in terms of the degree of hydrophobicity>, Fassina et al. showed in some experiments that a complementary peptide having a degree of hydrophobicity that is complementary (sharing the same absolute value, but having the reverse positive/negative sign) to the average degree of hydrophobicity of five or more consecutive odd-numbered amino acids in a peptide binds to the original peptide (see, for example, Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, vol. 296, 137-143 (1992)). However, numerous cases of failures have been reported for all these theories, the theories cannot be said to be satisfactory for the application to the prediction of common physiologically active peptides. Also, in all these theories, a plurality of amino acid candidates are available for each amino acid of target amino acid sequence; a vast number of candidate peptides are predicted, examining all of which takes vast amounts of time, costs, and labor. Additionally, even if succeeding in obtaining a physiologically active peptide comprising an amino acid sequence that interacts with a target amino acid sequence, we encounter further problems. As target sites of protein to be targeted in drug innovation, there may be mentioned ligand binding sites (e.g., in the case of receptors), substrate binding sites (e.g., in the case of enzymes), protein-to-protein interaction sites (e.g., in the case of transcription factors, multimer-(e.g., dimer)-forming proteins), etc.; however, these target sites very often comprise a plurality of partial amino acid sequences localized apart on the primary structure, rather than of a single consecutive amino acid sequence. Therefore, even if a physiologically active peptide comprising an amino acid sequence that interacts with a target amino acid sequence is obtained, the amino acid sequence is often not preferable for other amino acid sequences present at the target site. Additionally, provided that a target site of target protein comprises a plurality of partial amino acid sequences localized apart on the primary structure, it has traditionally been determined whether or not a particular peptide interacts with the target site of target protein by, for example, docking them using a molecular model and making an evaluation on an energy basis. To evaluate more peptides by such a technique, actually, for example, evaluation time per compound must be controlled up to about 1 minute in docking using a library comprising several thousands to several hundreds of thousands of low-molecular substances. However, because the number of variable portions of a peptide, even in the side chain only, is as many as up to 20, even for a 4-residue peptide, it took about 10 minutes per peptide to make an evaluation on Compac Alpha DS20E in, for example, flexible docking using AutoDock (see, for example, Journal of Computational Chemistry, vol. 19, p1639-1662 (1998)). For example, it is necessary to conduct docking 20 3 , i.e., 8000 times, in the case of a 3-residue peptide, and 64,000,000 times in the case of a 6-residue peptide; exhaustive screening is actually extremely difficult. For the reasons above, there has been a strong demand for the development of a technique for quickly designing a physiologically active peptide possessing excellent capability of binding to a target site of a protein.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>FIG. 1 shows an example of designing a physiologically active peptide. FIG. 2 shows the entire system of the present invention in designing a physiologically active peptide. FIG. 3 shows a flow chart of a program used for selection in first screening. FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a program used to design a physiologically active peptide. This flow chart corresponds to an amino acid complementariness profile waveform evaluation as first screening, followed by second screening. FIG. 5 shows a flow chart of a program for third screening in designing a physiologically active peptide. FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a program for amino acid interaction region evaluation (first screening). FIG. 7 shows the extraction of a fragmented peptide from an amino acid sequence of a ligand (protein). FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of a program for amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation (first screening). FIG. 9 shows a summary of amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation (first screening). FIG. 10 shows an example of a configuration of an apparatus for designing a physiologically active peptide. FIG. 11 shows an overlap of the complementary amino acid sequence DEVD and the crystalline structure. FIG. 12 shows the apoptosis induction potential of a Fas-complementary peptide tetramer. FIG. 13 shows mouse brain tissue treated with a Fas-complementary peptide tetramer and statistical data on tumor volume. FIG. 14 shows a result of first screening (amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation) with caspase-3 as the target protein. FIG. 14A shows the PSS at each position (P 4 , P 3 , P 2 ) of the motif. FIG. 14B shows the PSS matrix at each position of the motif. FIG. 14C shows the PSG matrix at each position of the motif. FIG. 14D shows a correlation analysis using a library for analysis. FIG. 14E shows a correlation analysis using a library for evaluation. FIG. 15 shows a result of first screening (amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation) with caspase-7 as the target protein. FIG. 15A shows the PSS at each position (P 4 , P 3 , P 2 ) of the motif. FIG. 15B shows the PSS matrix at each position of the matrix. FIG. 15C shows the PSG matrix at each position of the matrix. FIG. 15D shows a correlation analysis using a library for analysis. FIG. 15E shows a correlation analysis using a library for evaluation. FIG. 16 shows a result of first screening (amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation) with caspase-8 as the target protein. FIG. 16A shows the PSS at each position (P 4 , P 3 , P 2 ) of the motif. FIG. 16B shows the PSS matrix at each position of the motif. FIG. 16C shows the PSG matrix at each position of the motif. FIG. 16D shows a correlation analysis using a library for analysis. FIG. 16E shows a correlation analysis using a library for evaluation. FIG. 17 shows a result of first screening (amino acid position-dependent binding significance evaluation) with caspase-9 as the target protein. FIG. 17A shows the PSS at each position (P 4 , P 3 , P 2 ) of the motif. FIG. 17B shows the PSS matrix at each position of the motif. FIG. 17C shows the PSG matrix at each position of the motif. FIG. 17D shows a correlation analysis using a library for analysis. FIG. 17E shows a correlation analysis using a library for evaluation. FIG. 18 shows a system configuration in designing a caspase-3 specific inhibitor peptide. FIG. 19 shows the binding free energy of the Fas Ligand 4-residue peptide for Fas (99-102). FIG. 20 shows a peptide obtained by binding four WEWT peptides to MAP-8. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20060414

20100209

20060928

70961.0

G06F1900

BRUSCA, JOHN S

METHOD OF DESIGNING PHYSIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE PEPTIDE AND USE THEREOF

SMALL

ACCEPTED

G06F

ACCEPTED

Single-use, self-heating or self-cooling container, particularly for beverages and method for manufacturing the same

A single-use, self-heating or self-cooling container, particularly for beverages, producible in a plurality of sizes, comprises a first receptacle (2) containing a beverage and inserted into a second receptacle (3), a first compartment (11) formed between the first and the second receptacle and a second compartment (12) formed on the base of the second receptacle and separated from the first compartment by a breakable diaphragm (13). In these compartments (11, 12) are separately and respectively arranged at least a first and a second component of an exothermic or endothermic reaction, and the first component is arranged in the first compartment (11) annularly around the first receptacle (2), while the diaphragm (13) extends as a separation of these compartments substantially against the base (4) of the first receptacle.

1. A self-heating or self-cooling container, particularly for beverages, comprising a first receptacle (2) containing said beverage and inserted in a second receptacle (3), a first compartment (11) formed between the first and the second receptacle and a second compartment (12) formed on the base of the second receptacle (3) and separated from the first compartment (2) by a breakable diaphragm (13), at least a first and a second component of an exothermic or endothermic reaction being arranged separately and respectively in said compartments, characterized in that said first component is arranged in said first compartment (11) annularly about said first receptacle (2), said diaphragm (13) extending, to separate said compartments, substantially against the base (4) of said first receptacle (2). 2. A container according to claim 1, in which the base of said first receptacle (2) is planar in shape and extends in a manner substantially parallel to said diaphragm (13). 3. A container according to claim 1, in which said first and second receptacles are substantially cylindrical in shape with the respective side casings (5,7) substantially parallel with each other. 4. A container according to claim 1, in which there extends in said second compartment (12) a breaking device (14), capable when operated of moving in order to break said breakable diaphragm (13), said breaking device being at least partially deformable when one of said receptacles (2,3) is encountered. 5. A container according to claim 4, in which said breaking device comprises at least one blade (14) integral with an inward-flexing base (6) of said second receptacle (3) and extending in said second compartment (12) towards said first receptacle (2). 6. A container according to claim 5 in which said at least one blade (14) is deformable by bending. 7. A container according to claim 5 in which said breaking device comprises four blades (14) standing upright concentrically from said inward-flexing base (6) towards said diaphragm (13). 8. A container according to claim 7 in which, when said base (6) is in an outward-dished position, said blades (14) extend parallel to the axis (X) of said receptacles. 9. A container according to claim 8 in which, this inward-flexing base (6) having a radius of about 25 mm and a curvature of about 75 mm, said blades (14) are positioned on said base at a distance of between 12 mm and 13 mm from the centre of said base. 10. A container according to claim 5, in which a free end of said at least one blade (14) close to said diaphragm (13) is shaped in a point. 11. A container according to claim 10 in which said at least one blade (14) comprises a serrated edge at said free end. 12. A container according to claim 1, in which said first component is in the form of a granular solid and said second component is a liquid. 13. A container according to claim 12, in which said first component is selected from the group consisting of anhydrous calcium chloride, calcium chloride, urea and sodium thiosulphate and said second component is water. 14. A method of manufacturing a self-heating or self-cooling container, particularly for beverages, comprising the steps of: arranging a first and a second receptacle (2,3) such that the first receptacle is capable of being inserted into the second receptacle, thus forming a closed chamber (10) between said receptacles, arranging between the base (4) of the first receptacle and the base (6) of the second receptacle a breakable diaphragm (13) subdividing said chamber (10) into a first compartment (11) formed between the first and the second receptacle and into a second compartment (12) formed on the base of the second receptacle (3) arranging separately in said compartments (11,12) respectively a first and a second component capable of exothermic or endothermic reaction when placed in contact with each other, characterized in that said first component is arranged in said first compartment (12) in an annular position around said first receptacle (2) and said diaphragm (13) is arranged against the base (4) of said first receptacle. 15. A method according to claim 14 in which said first component is arranged in said annular position as a result of a rapid rotation of the second receptacle (3) about a main axis (X) of the receptacle, so that the first component is pressed by the effect of the centrifugal force resulting from said rotation against the side casing (7) of the second receptacle, the first receptacle (2) being inserted into the position of connection to the second receptacle (3) during said rotation. 16. A method according to claim 15 in which, during the rotation phase, a deflector device (20) is inserted into said second receptacle (3) to assist the positioning of said first component against the side casing (7) of the second receptacle (3). 17. A method according to claim 16 in which said deflector device (20) is inserted axially into said second receptacle (3) and is then moved radially towards said side casing (7) up to a distance equal to the thickness required to arrange said first component in said annular position around said first receptacle (2). 18. A method according to claim 16 in which said first component has a grain size of between 1 and 2 mm and said second receptacle is made to rotate at a speed of about 500 rpm. 19. A method according to claim 14 in which said first component is arranged in said annular position as a result of the following steps: positioning the second receptacle (3) with the mouth upwards and arranging the first component in the first compartment (11), partially inserting the first receptacle (2) into the second receptacle (3) and arranging a seal (30) between said receptacles so as to close to the outside the chamber (10) formed between them, simultaneously inverting and positioning said receptacles (2,3) with their respective mouths downwards, in such a way that the first component flows down by gravity around the casing (5) of the first receptacle (2) in said annular position, inserting the first receptacle (2) into the second receptacle (3), while said receptacles are in the position defined in the preceding step. 20. A method according to claim 19, in which said seal (30) is placed against said receptacles so that it abuts against the edge of the mouth of the first receptacle (2) and is adjacent to the second receptacle (3) in continuation of the casing (7) of that receptacle. 21. A method according to claim 20, in which said seal (30) is produced from elastic material and is compressed during said phase of insertion of the first receptacle into the second receptacle.

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a single-use, self-heating or self-cooling container, particularly for beverages, producible in a plurality of sizes according to the preamble of the main claim. This invention also presents a method for manufacturing such a container. TECHNICAL BACKGROUND The invention is situated in the field of containers in which means are provided to obtain heating or cooling of the beverage as a result of an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction. In this technical field, containers for beverages are known in which the components of this chemical reaction are arranged separately in respective compartments of a chamber formed between a first receptacle, containing the beverage, and a second outer receptacle into which the first receptacle is inserted. The components mentioned above generally consist of a liquid and a salt, present in granular form, and the reaction between them is initiated by tearing a diaphragm separating the two compartments, for example by means of a breaking device integral with an inward-flexing base of the second receptacle. To optimize the effectiveness of the reaction, the compartment of the chamber in which the salt is arranged is formed directly in contact with all the available surface of the first receptacle, while the compartment intended to contain the liquid component is made on the base of the second receptacle, without direct contact with the first receptacle. This preferred arrangement of the components meets the requirements of making the reaction take place as far as possible in contact with the first receptacle, at the same time utilising the greater ability of the liquid component to pass through the break produced in the diaphragm. A first limit of the known containers consists in the fact that the container as a whole is relatively bulky in relation to the quantity of beverage contained in the first receptacle. One of the reasons for this disadvantage is given by the fact that the salt component is placed between the breakable diaphragm and the base of the first receptacle, keeping these at a distance from each other. At the same time, the portion of the relevant compartment extending annularly around the side jacket of the first receptacle is unoccupied. This arrangement is a direct consequence of the procedure for manufacturing the container which provides for the salt component to be introduced into the respective compartment before introducing the first receptacle. The salt component is therefore arranged above the diaphragm and the first receptacle cannot but rest on the layer of salt component already introduced. On the other hand, the space between the diaphragm and the base of the first receptacle is also considered necessary so that the breaking device, typically made of rigid material to tear the diaphragm more easily, can penetrate into the compartment of the salt component without being impeded by the base of the first receptacle. The above arrangement is also the source of a second important disadvantage of the known containers. This is that they are only suitable for containing relatively small quantities of beverage, up to 50 ml, beyond which the dimensions and overall weight of the containers are so great, when compared with the actual quantity of beverage, as to render them commercially impracticable. In fact it has been found that increasing the quantity of beverage contained, and therefore of the reagents necessary to heat (or cool) it, also involves a drastic increase in the unused spaces between the first and the second container, with a resulting rise in the fraction of thermal energy dissipated to the outside or absorbed by the components of the container. To compensate for the greater wastage of energy not used for the actual heating of the beverage, it therefore becomes necessary to use a quantity of reagents far greater than the increase determined by the actual amount of beverage. In other words, the increase in the dimensions and overall weight of the container is not proportional to the increase in the amount of beverage to be heated or cooled, but much greater than it. This disadvantage, besides setting an important limit to the marketing of containers with average quantities of beverage (greater than 50 ml), as stated earlier, also involves technical complications in manufacturing and a rise in production costs. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The problem at the basis of the invention is that of producing a single-use, self-heating or self-cooling container, particularly for beverages, producible in a plurality of sizes, structurally and functionally designed to overcome the limits set out above with reference to the prior art cited. In connection with this problem, a main purpose of the invention is to produce a container which is compact overall and low-cost, in which the exothermic or endothermic reaction takes place, when initiated, with greater overall thermal efficiency compared with the current solutions. Moreover, a primary purpose of the invention is to make available a method for manufacturing such a container. These and other purposes, which will become clear in the rest of the description, are achieved by a single-use, self-heating or self-cooling container, producible in a plurality of sizes, and also by a method for manufacturing such a container in accordance with the claims which follow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the detailed description of some preferred examples of embodiments illustrated, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation and in partial section of a single-use, self-heating or self-cooling container, particularly for beverages, producible in a plurality of sizes, produced according to this invention, in a first operating state, FIG. 2 is a view of the container in FIG. 1 in a second operating state and in an upside down position, FIGS. 3a and 3b are schematic partial views to a larger scale of a detail of the container in FIG. 1, respectively in the operating positions in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, FIGS. 4a to 4e are schematic views of respective stages in production of the container in FIG. 1 according to a first method of manufacturing the container, FIGS. 5a to 5e are schematic views of respective stages in production of the container in FIG. 1 according to a second method of manufacturing the container. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION With reference to the appended drawings, the number 1 indicates as a whole a single-use, self-heating or self-cooling container, for beverages, producible in a plurality of sizes, obtained in accordance with this invention. The container 1 comprises a first and a second receptacle 2, 3, the first of which is inserted coaxially inside the second and is connected to the latter at the respective mouths. On the first receptacle 2, intended to contain the beverage and being substantially cylindrical in shape, there is a substantially flat base 4, and a side casing 5. Similarly, on the second receptacle 3, having a similar tumbler shape, there is a base 6, with an outwardly convex shape (FIG. 1) and a side casing 7 substantially parallel to the casing 5 of the first receptacle 2. To provide the container 1 with a stable seating, the base 6 is surrounded by a collar 8 extending axially from the opposite side to the casing 7. As specified more fully below, the base 6 is capable of changing from a rest position in which it is dished outwards (FIG. 1) to an operating position in which it is dished inwards (FIG. 2). The second receptacle 3 is closed at the mouth end by the first receptacle 2, while the latter is closed removably by a pull-off cover. Between the receptacles 2 and 3 a chamber 10 is thus formed, closed in a sealed manner to the outside, which is divided into a first and a second compartment 11, 12 by a breakable diaphragm 13 secured at its perimeter edge to a shoulder 7a of the casing 7. The diaphragm 13 extends transversely in the chamber 10 against the base 4 of the first receptacle 2 and in a manner substantially parallel to the base. The first compartment 11 therefore predominantly extends around the casing 5 of the first receptacle 2 in a substantially annular shape. The second compartment 12 is formed on the base 6 of the second receptacle 3, bounded at the top by the diaphragm 13. In the compartments 11 and 12 there are arranged separately and respectively a first and a second component capable, when brought into contact, of reacting in an exothermic or endothermic manner, so as to heat or cool the beverage contained in the first receptacle 2. The first component comprises a salt which, depending on the thermal effect required, may consist of anhydrous calcium chloride (heating) or sodium thiosulphate (cooling), while the second component, in both cases, consists of water. Though the elements given above are preferred, it is also envisaged that the first component may comprise other compounds known in the technical field in question, such as calcium oxide (heating) or potassium chloride, urea or ammonium nitrate (cooling). To connect the two compartments 11, 12, and therefore bring together the respective components contained in them, a breaking device, capable when operated of tearing the diaphragm 13, is provided in the container 1. The breaking device comprises four blades 14 extending axially in the second compartment 12 towards the diaphragm 13 and rigidly attached at a first end to the base 6 of the second receptacle 3. Each blade 14 is advantageously capable of axial deformation by bending, as explained more fully below. The blades 14 are arranged concentrically on the base 6 along the sides of a square and are also constructed so that they extend in a manner substantially parallel to the axis X when the base 6 is in the outwardly dished rest position-(FIG. 3a and dashed line in FIG. 3b). In this way, when the base 6 is dished towards the inside, the blades 14 are moved towards the diaphragm 13 in a direction diverging from the axis X (continuous line in FIG. 3b). The parameters of the geometry of the base 6 and of the blades 14 in the two positions described above have been studied in detail so as to optimize the dimensions and relative positioning of the blades, taking account in particular of the need to keep the diaphragm 13 as far as possible against the base 4 of the first receptacle 2, to allow sufficient movement of the blades in an axial direction to tear the diaphragm 13, and also to maximize the sideways movement and degree of divergence of the blades so as to be impeded by the base 4 as little as possible. The optimum configuration emerging from this study specifies that, with a base having a curvature R1 of 75 mm and a radius R2 of 25 mm, the blades 14 are positioned at a distance from the centre R3 of between 12 and 13 mm. To assist the tearing of the diaphragm 13, the free end 15 of the blades 14 may be shaped in a point and/or have a serrated edge (not shown in the appended drawings). Similarly, it is envisaged that the number of blades may be different from that cited (for example a single blade positioned centrally) though the arrangement described above constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention. This embodiment operates with a limited number of blades, without incurring excessive stiffening of the base 6, at the same time ensuring that the diaphragm is torn fully and that consequently the components of the reaction mix rapidly and loss of heat to the outside is minimized. To heat or cool the beverage contained in the first receptacle 2, it is only necessary to turn the container 1 upside down and press on the base 6 of the second receptacle 3, deforming it so that the blades 14 are moved towards the diaphragm 13, tearing it (FIG. 2). As a consequence of the close proximity of the diaphragm 13 and the first receptacle 2, each blade 14, having only just passed beyond the diaphragm 13, may encounter the base 4 at its free end 15. Further penetration of the blades 14 into the first compartment 11 is not impeded, however, since, because of their flexibility, the blades are easily deformed and able to slide along the plane of the base 4, following the shape of the chamber 10 (FIG. 2). As a result of the diaphragm 13 being torn and the container 1 being turned upside down, the water passes from the second compartment 12 to the first compartment 11 where it reacts with the first component delivering heat to (or absorbing it from) the surrounding area. It should be noted that because of the number and bending of the blades 14, very extensive tearing of the diaphragm 13 occurs, thus assisting the rapid flow of the water into the first compartment 11. The container 1 is produced by proceeding as follows. With reference to FIGS. 4a to 4e, the first and second receptacles 2, 3 are prepared separately. The latter also comprises the blades 14 which are preferably made in one piece with the base 6. The second component, normally water, is introduced into the second receptacle 3 and flows by gravity onto the base 6 of this receptacle. Above the free surface of the water, at the shoulder 7a, the diaphragm 13 is fixed, thus forming and closing the second compartment 12. After introducing the first component in granular form above the diaphragm 13, the second receptacle 3 is rotated rapidly about its main axis X. In this way, because of the centrifugal force thus generated, the first component is pressed against the walls of the casing 7, assuming an annular formation. To assist in arranging the salt component correctly against the walls of the casing 7, provision is made for a deflector device 20 to be inserted into the receptacle 3 during the above phase of rotation about its own axis. The deflector is initially inserted at the axis of rotation down to a minimum distance from the diaphragm 13 (FIG. 4b), after which it is moved radially towards the casing 7 until it reaches a distance from the casing corresponding substantially to the thickness of the first compartment 11 (FIG. 4c). This distributes the salt uniformly against the wall 7, and also maintains a substantially uniform thickness between the base and the top, even when operating at relatively low speeds of rotation, as a general indication around 500 rpm for salt components having a grain size of between 1 and 2 mm. The low speed of rotation advantageously avoids unwanted escapes of granular material from the second receptacle 3. When this phase is completed, the deflector device 20 is withdrawn from the second receptacle 3, which is still made to rotate as appropriate, while at the same time the first receptacle 2 is inserted axially (FIG. 4d). It should be noted that, as the first component is forced against the casing 7, the first receptacle can be introduced into the first compartment 11 without being impeded by anything until the final connecting position against the diaphragm 13 is reached. In this position, the first and second receptacles 2, 3 can be attached to each other, for example by welding, at their respective mouths. According to a first variant of the method of manufacturing the container, described here with reference to FIGS. 5a to 5e, after the first component has been put into the second receptacle 3 above the diaphragm 13, the first receptacle 2 is partially inserted into the first compartment 11. A seal 30 is arranged in annular fashion between the mouths of the first and second receptacles 2, 3 so as to close the chamber 10 to the outside at the opening which is still formed between the two receptacles 2, 3 (FIG. 5b). The container 1 is then turned over through 180° about a horizontal axis, so that the mouths of the receptacles 2 and 3 are pointing downwards. By the effect of gravity, the granular material of the first component runs down between the casings 5 and 7 of the receptacles 2 and 3, becoming arranged in an annular position around the first receptacle 2 and leaving the space between the base 4 of that receptacle and the diaphragm 13 empty (FIG. 5c). Escape of the granular material is prevented by the seal 30, suitably placed against the container 1 in continuation of the wall of the casing 7 and abutting against the edge of the mouth of the first receptacle 2. At this point, the first receptacle 2 is inserted into the first compartment 11, after which the container 1 is again turned over through 180° so as to return to the starting position ready for the subsequent phase of welding between the two receptacles 2, 3. The method proposed may be put into effect using a machine 50 comprising a pair of jaws 51, 52, semi-circular in shape, capable of moving along an axis Y alternately towards or away from each other, to grip or release the second receptacle 3 which is moved into position by a ram 53 operating parallel to the axis X of the container 1. The second receptacle 3, into which the salt component has already been put, is held by the jaws 51, 52 so that its mouth is substantially level with the upper edges 51a, 52a of the jaws. Two half-rings 30a, 30b of the seal 30 are also arranged beforehand on the edges 51a, 52a. Preferably, each of the two half-rings of the seal 30 comprises a pair of thin steel strips arranged on the opposite surfaces of the seal 30, between which a soft elastomer material is placed. The first receptacle 2 is then inserted from above into the compartment 11 by means of a vacuum device 54 and then held in position inside the second receptacle 3 by a pair of plungers 55 fitted on supports 56 which slide along the axis Y. The machine 50 is then rotated through 180° about the Y axis and when the salt component has run by gravity into the annular portion of the compartment 11, the first receptacle 2 is inserted into the compartment by means of the pair of plungers 55. Because of the deformability of the seal 30, the latter can be suitably compressed by the plungers 55 to a thickness slightly greater than that of the surface metal strips. The machine 50 is then moved back to the starting position, where the container 1 bears on the ram 53 and the jaws 51, 52 are slightly opened so as to withdraw the seal 30 from the pair of plungers 55, thus enabling them to complete the insertion of the first receptacle 2. It should be noted that the easy withdrawal of the half-rings 30a, 30b from the action of pressure exerted by the plungers 55 is made possible by the low friction present on the opposite surfaces of the seal 30 because of the metal strips. The jaws 51, 52 are then opened and the container 1 released onto the ram 53 which transfers it to the next phase of processing. The container having the structural characteristics mentioned above, produced as required by one of the methods described here, has been produced in various models with various capacities. By way of example and comparison, the table below gives the values for weight (net of the beverage) and overall volume of containers according to the invention capable respectively of containing 40 mm and 100 ml (identified in the table respectively as A40 and A100) compared with similar containers of the same capacity produced according to the prior art (identified respectively as B40 and B100). A40 A100 B40 B100 Weight (g) 75 200 100 320 Volume (ml) 150 310 230 670 As can be seen from the values indicated in the table above, the arrangement of the components in the container according to the invention makes it possible to change to larger capacity models with a limited increase in the weight and overall dimensions of the container. It should be noted that with the known structural configuration, the increases in weight and volume as a result of the increase in beverage capacity are respectively about 20% and 40% greater than the increases in weight and volume obtained with the structural configuration of the invention. This characteristic, combined with the fact that even with small quantities of beverage the container of the invention is lighter and more compact, allows containers to be produced with greater capacity for appreciably lower weight and volume compared with the known containers. The table above indicates how with a capacity of 100 ml, the weight of the container according to the invention is about 40% lighter and about 55% less bulky than the known container. The invention therefore achieves the proposed aims, at the same time offering numerous other advantages, among them a saving in production costs, attributable substantially to the smaller quantity of plastics material required to produce the second receptacle (estimates by the applicant indicate a saving in plastics material of about 30% for the 40 ml container and about 70% for the 100 ml container). Moreover, with the arrangement of the components described above, the overall thermal efficiency of the reaction is improved since, as the thermal capacity of the container is reduced, the proportion of the heat developed (or absorbed) by the reaction which is used to heat (or cool) the beverage is greater.

<SOH> TECHNICAL BACKGROUND <EOH>The invention is situated in the field of containers in which means are provided to obtain heating or cooling of the beverage as a result of an exothermic or endothermic chemical reaction. In this technical field, containers for beverages are known in which the components of this chemical reaction are arranged separately in respective compartments of a chamber formed between a first receptacle, containing the beverage, and a second outer receptacle into which the first receptacle is inserted. The components mentioned above generally consist of a liquid and a salt, present in granular form, and the reaction between them is initiated by tearing a diaphragm separating the two compartments, for example by means of a breaking device integral with an inward-flexing base of the second receptacle. To optimize the effectiveness of the reaction, the compartment of the chamber in which the salt is arranged is formed directly in contact with all the available surface of the first receptacle, while the compartment intended to contain the liquid component is made on the base of the second receptacle, without direct contact with the first receptacle. This preferred arrangement of the components meets the requirements of making the reaction take place as far as possible in contact with the first receptacle, at the same time utilising the greater ability of the liquid component to pass through the break produced in the diaphragm. A first limit of the known containers consists in the fact that the container as a whole is relatively bulky in relation to the quantity of beverage contained in the first receptacle. One of the reasons for this disadvantage is given by the fact that the salt component is placed between the breakable diaphragm and the base of the first receptacle, keeping these at a distance from each other. At the same time, the portion of the relevant compartment extending annularly around the side jacket of the first receptacle is unoccupied. This arrangement is a direct consequence of the procedure for manufacturing the container which provides for the salt component to be introduced into the respective compartment before introducing the first receptacle. The salt component is therefore arranged above the diaphragm and the first receptacle cannot but rest on the layer of salt component already introduced. On the other hand, the space between the diaphragm and the base of the first receptacle is also considered necessary so that the breaking device, typically made of rigid material to tear the diaphragm more easily, can penetrate into the compartment of the salt component without being impeded by the base of the first receptacle. The above arrangement is also the source of a second important disadvantage of the known containers. This is that they are only suitable for containing relatively small quantities of beverage, up to 50 ml, beyond which the dimensions and overall weight of the containers are so great, when compared with the actual quantity of beverage, as to render them commercially impracticable. In fact it has been found that increasing the quantity of beverage contained, and therefore of the reagents necessary to heat (or cool) it, also involves a drastic increase in the unused spaces between the first and the second container, with a resulting rise in the fraction of thermal energy dissipated to the outside or absorbed by the components of the container. To compensate for the greater wastage of energy not used for the actual heating of the beverage, it therefore becomes necessary to use a quantity of reagents far greater than the increase determined by the actual amount of beverage. In other words, the increase in the dimensions and overall weight of the container is not proportional to the increase in the amount of beverage to be heated or cooled, but much greater than it. This disadvantage, besides setting an important limit to the marketing of containers with average quantities of beverage (greater than 50 ml), as stated earlier, also involves technical complications in manufacturing and a rise in production costs.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the detailed description of some preferred examples of embodiments illustrated, purely by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation and in partial section of a single-use, self-heating or self-cooling container, particularly for beverages, producible in a plurality of sizes, produced according to this invention, in a first operating state, FIG. 2 is a view of the container in FIG. 1 in a second operating state and in an upside down position, FIGS. 3 a and 3 b are schematic partial views to a larger scale of a detail of the container in FIG. 1 , respectively in the operating positions in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2 , FIGS. 4 a to 4 e are schematic views of respective stages in production of the container in FIG. 1 according to a first method of manufacturing the container, FIGS. 5 a to 5 e are schematic views of respective stages in production of the container in FIG. 1 according to a second method of manufacturing the container. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050922

20100525

20060427

98435.0

F25D500

JONES, MELVIN

SINGLE-USE, SELF-HEATING OR SELF-COOLING CONTAINER, PARTICULARLY FOR BEVERAGES AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME

SMALL

ACCEPTED

F25D

ACCEPTED

Adsorption mass and method for removing carbon monoxide from flows of material

Carbon monoxide is removed from flows of material by means of adsorption to a adsorption mass containing copper, zinc, and zirconium.

1. A process for removing carbon monoxide from carbon-monoxide-comprising substance streams by adsorption to an adsorption composition, which comprises bringing the carbon-monoxide-comprising substance stream into contact with a copper-, zinc- and zirconium- comprising adsorption composition. 2. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein an adsorption composition is used which comprises copper in an amount equivalent to from 30 to 99.8% by weight of CuO, zinc in an amount equivalent to from 0.1 to 69.9% by weight of ZnO and zirconium in an amount equivalent to from 0.1 to 69.9% by weight of ZrO2, in each case based on the total amount of the adsorption composition. 3. A process as claimed in claim 2, wherein an adsorption composition is used which essentially consists of copper in an amount equivalent to from 30 to 99.8% by weight of CuO, zinc in an amount equivalent to from 0.1 to 69.9% by weight of ZnO and zirconium in an amount equivalent to from 0.1 to 69.9% by weight of ZrO2, in each case based on the total amount of the adsorption composition, the proportions of the individual components totaling 100% by weight. 4. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein an adsorption composition is used in which copper is present in part in metallic form and in part in the form of copper(I) oxide and/or copper(II) oxide, zinc is present in the form of zinc oxide and zirconium is present in the form of zirconium dioxide. 5. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein carbon monoxide is removed from a liquid propylene stream. 6. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein carbon monoxide is removed from a carbon-monoxide- and oxygen-comprising substance stream and part of the carbon monoxide is removed by catalytic reaction of the adsorption composition with oxygen. 7. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein a copper(I)-oxide- and/or copper(II)-oxide-comprising adsorption composition is used and part of the carbon monoxide is removed by chemical reaction with said copper oxides. 8. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adsorption composition is activated by treatment with a reducing agent. 9. A process as claimed in claim 8, wherein the adsorption composition is activated by being contacted with a hydrogen-comprising gas. 10. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adsorption composition is regenerated after reaching its adsorption capacity by heating it to a temperature in the range from 50 to 400° C. and/or passing a gas through a bed of the adsorption composition to be regenerated. 11. An adsorption composition, copper(I) oxide and/or copper(II) oxide calculated as which essentially consists of from 30 to 99.8% by weight of copper oxide CuO, from 0.1 to 69.9% by weight of zinc and from 3 to 69.9% by weight of zirconium dioxide, in each case based on the total amount of the adsorption composition, the proportions of the individual components totaling 100% by weight. 12. A process claimed in claim 2, wherein an adsorption composition is used in which copper is present in part in metallic form and in part in the form of copper(I) oxide and/or copper(II) oxide, zinc is present in the form of zinc oxide and zirconium is present in the form of zirconium dioxide. 13. A process as claimed in claim 3, wherein an adsorption composition is used in which copper is present in part in metallic form and in part in the form of copper(I) oxide and/or copper(II) oxide, zinc is present in the form of zinc oxide and zirconium is present in the form of zirconium dioxide. 14. A process as claimed in claim 6, wherein a copper(I)-oxide- and/or copper(II)-oxide- comprising adsorption composition is used and part of the carbon monoxide is removed by chemical reaction with said copper oxides. 15. A process as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adsorption composition is activated by treatment with a reducing agent. 16. A process as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adsorption composition is activated by treatment with a reducing agent. 17. A process as claimed in claim 6, wherein the adsorption composition is regenerated after reaching its adsorption capacity by heating it to a temperature in the range from 50 to 400° C. and/or passing a gas through a bed of the adsorption composition to be regenerated. 18. A process as claimed in claim 7, wherein the adsorption composition is regenerated after reaching its adsorption capacity by heating it to a temperature in the range from 50 to 400° C. and/or passing a gas through a bed of the adsorption composition to be regenerated.

The present invention relates to an adsorption composition and a process for removing carbon monoxide from substance streams. In particular, the invention relates to an adsorption composition and a process for removing carbon monoxide from hydrocarbon streams. In various sectors of industry it is important to have particularly pure substance streams available. “Pure” for the purposes of the present invention means that the substance stream is free from constituents which interfere with the specified use of the substance stream. One example is breathing air, which must be free from toxic compounds. Likewise, for instance in the production of electronic components, pure substance streams are required in order not to introduce contaminants which impair the electronic properties for the components produced; inter alia, particularly pure nitrogen or particularly pure argon is frequently required as shielding gas. Another example is catalytic chemical reactions. Catalysts are frequently very sensitive to poisonings. Since, for economic reasons, usually attempts are made to maximize the feed stream to be used per unit volume or mass of the catalyst, even extremely small amounts of impurities in the feed stream can accumulate on the catalyst and poison it. Typically, for olefin polymerization reactions on modern catalysts, for example metallocene catalysts, olefin streams are required which have contents of impurities no higher than some ppb (parts per billion, that is to say 10−9 parts of impurities per part of the substance desired) (“polymer grade” olefins). Olefins originating from typical olefin sources (steam crackers, fluid catalytic crackers, dehydrations, MTO processes (“methanol to olefins”) generally have very much higher contents (ppm or even parts per thousand range) of impurities such as carbon monoxide or oxygen (“chemical grade”); these contents must be appropriately lowered before use for polymerization. Typically, the substance streams to be purified are air, nitrogen or argon, or hydrocarbons such as ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 1,3-butadiene or styrene. Typical impurities which must generally be removed are oxygen and carbon monoxide, and frequently also water, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, or else compounds of sulfur, arsenic or antimony. Processes are known for removing such impurities from substance streams. The most well known is removing carbon monoxide from oxygen-containing gas streams, for example from breathing air. This is generally achieved by catalytically reacting carbon monoxide with oxygen, generally on copper-containing catalysts. The catalyst most used for this reaction is Hopcalite, a mixed oxide of copper and manganese which is very highly active for the reaction of carbon monoxide with oxygen and was originally developed for removing CO from breathing air in gas masks, and on which the highly toxic carbon monoxide reacts with oxygen to give carbon dioxide. However, other uses of Hopcalite and processes for purifying substance streams other than breathing air are also known. Thus WO 98/41 597 A1 discloses a process for removing alkynes, monounsaturated or polyunsaturated hydrocarbons, sulfur compounds, antimony compounds or arsenic compounds, oxygen, hydrogen and carbon monoxide from substance streams by a sequence of two or three defined catalytic and absorptive process steps. EP 662 595 A1 teaches a process for removing hydrogen, carbon monoxide and oxygen from cold liquid nitrogen by contacting with certain zeolites or other metal oxides, in particular Hopcalite. EP 750 933 A1 discloses a similar process for removing oxygen and carbon monoxide from cold nitrogen or cold noble gases by contacting with metal oxides, in particular Hopcalite. However, at the low temperatures employed, less than −40° C., catalytic reaction does not occur, or only slightly, oxygen and carbon monoxide are adsorbed on the Hopcalite and do not react at a higher temperature unless they are removed in the cold in a desorption step. EP 820 960 A1 discloses a process also termed “adsorption” for removing oxygen and carbon monoxide from nitrogen or noble gases by contacting with metal oxides such as Hopcalite, in particular at temperatures of from 5 to 50° C. Although here also the process is described as “adsorption” of CO and O2, there is no explanation as to why Hopcalite should not act here catalytically as usual, but as an adsorbent. In these processes for removing carbon monoxide in the presence of oxygen by its reaction, carbon dioxide is formed. This can be inert in subsequent processes, or can itself be an interfering impurity. In the latter case it is removed, and various processes are also known for this. For example, CA 2 045 060 A1 teaches a process for removing carbon monoxide and oxygen from inert gas streams with subsequent removal of the carbon dioxide. In some applications, however, carbon monoxide must be removed in a manner other than by reacting with oxygen, for example when, although carbon monoxide is present, no oxygen is, or only a stoichiometric oxygen deficit is present in the substance stream to be purified. In some applications, oxygen must be removed before the carbon monoxide, in particular when, in addition to the formation of carbon dioxide, other miscellaneous interfering byproducts can also be formed. For example, in the removal of oxygen and carbon monoxide on copper-containing catalysts from liquid hydrocarbons such as propylene, butene, butadiene or styrene, oxidation products of the hydrocarbon (termed “oxygenates”) can also be formed, which are themselves interfering impurities. In such cases, the oxygen must be removed before the removal of the carbon monoxide, and carbon monoxide cannot be removed by oxidation. In such cases carbon monoxide is therefore usually removed by distillation, but it is not possible by this means to remove CO down to residual contents in the ppb range. However, adsorption processes and adsorbents are known for this. U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,711 discloses an adsorbent which comprises a copper compound on a high-surface-area support. WO 01/7383 A1 teaches a process for purifying olefin streams by passing them over porous adsorbents such as carbon black or aluminum oxides and/or silicon oxides. JP 02 144 125 A2 (CAS Abstract 113:177 506) teaches a process for removing carbon monoxide and metal carbonyls from off-gases produced in semiconductor manufacture by adsorption to manganese oxide- and copper-oxide-containing adsorption compositions. JP 05 337 363 A2 (CAS Abstract 120:274 461) discloses adsorbents for carbon monoxide removal which comprise palladium on a support, the support comprising oxides of elements of groups IB, II (without Be, Cd, Hg and Ra), III (without Al, Tl and the actinides), IV (without C, Si, Pb and Hf), V (without N, P, As and the “Pa series”), VI (without O, S, Se and U), VIIB and the iron group from group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements. WO 95/21 146 A1 teaches a process for removing carbon monoxide and, where present, also arsine from liquid hydrocarbon streams by contacting with a sorbent which comprises, depending on embodiment, disperse copper in oxidation states 0, +1 or +2, and in certain cases, also manganese dioxide. EP 537 628 A1 discloses a process for removing carbon monoxide from alpha-olefins and saturated hydrocarbons by contacting with what is called a catalyst system based on at least one oxide of a metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Ni, Co, Pt and Pd and at least one oxide of a metal selected from the groups VB, VIB or VIIB of the Periodic Table of the Elements. WO 95/23 644 A1 teaches a copper catalyst for hydrogenating carbon oxides, for example to give methanol, or for the shift reaction of carbon monoxide with water to carbon dioxide and hydrogen, which, in addition to disperse copper, also comprises stabilizers such as silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, magnesium oxide and/or zinc oxide and optionally also a support such as aluminum oxide, zirconium dioxide, magnesium oxide and/or silicon dioxide, and teaches its activation and passivation. However, the increasing purity requirements of substance streams for some fields of application require novel and improved aids and processes for removing impurities. A problem in particular is removing carbon monoxide from hydrocarbons, and here particularly from hydrocarbons typically present in liquid form, such as propene, 1- or 2-butene. It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to find a novel adsorption medium and a novel process for removing by adsorption carbon monoxide from substance streams. We have found that this object is achieved by an adsorption composition which comprises copper, zinc and zirconium. In addition, processes have been found for removing carbon monoxide from substance streams that feature the use of the inventive adsorption composition as adsorption composition, but, alternatively, its use as catalyst of the reaction of carbon monoxide with oxygen, or as a reaction partner of the carbon monoxide. In particular, a process has been found for removing carbon monoxide from substance streams by adsorption, which comprises contacting the carbon-monoxide-containing substance stream with an adsorption composition which comprises copper, zinc and zirconium. The inventive adsorption composition acts by adsorption in the inventive adsorption process. For the purposes of the present invention adsorption is the addition of an adsorbate to the surface of an adsorption composition (“adsorbent”), which is generally reversible by desorption. The adsorbate can also be chemically reacted on the adsorbent, and if the adsorbent in this case remains essentially chemically unchanged, this is termed catalysis (example: the known process for reacting CO with oxygen on a metallic copper catalyst to give carbon dioxide), and if the adsorbate reacts chemically with the adsorbent, this is termed absorption (examples: the known process for removing oxygen from gas streams by contacting with metallic copper, forming copper(I) oxide and/or copper(II) oxide; or the known process for removing carbon monoxide from gas streams by contacting with copper(I) oxide and/or copper(I) oxide, forming carbon dioxide and metallic copper). In the case of a pure adsorption, as also in the case of catalysis, the adsorbate or its reaction product is removed from the surface again by desorption; in the case of absorption, chemical regeneration of the absorbent is usually necessary. Not only in the case of catalysis but also in the case of absorption, the introductory step is in each case an adsorption, and whether an adsorption-based purification process finally meets (for example in the regeneration of the adsorption composition) a catalytic or absorption step, or whether a purely adsorption-based process is present, depends on the individual case. For the purposes of the present invention, “adsorption-based” means that during the removal of CO from the substance stream to be purified no reaction product of the carbon monoxide is released into the substance stream and the adsorption composition used remains essentially chemically unchanged, that is to say its composition does not change, or changes only insignificantly. Whether, in contrast, during the regeneration of the inventive adsorbent, carbon monoxide or a reaction product thereof is released, that is to say whether catalysis occurs or not, is unimportant for the invention. Adsorption compositions or absorption compositions are frequently also termed “catalysts” in every day language, without their actually acting catalytically in their specified use. The inventive adsorption composition comprises copper, zinc and zirconium. In pure form it generally comprises copper in an amount which is equivalent to at least 30% by weight, preferably at least 50% by weight, and particularly preferably at least 60% by weight, and generally no more than 99.8% by weight, preferably no more than 90% by weight, and particularly preferably no more than 80% by weight, of copper oxide CuO, in each case based on the total amount of the adsorption composition. Copper is usually present in the ready-to-use adsorption composition in part in metallic form and in part in the form of copper compounds, predominantly Cu(I) and Cu(II) oxides. The inventive adsorption composition, in pure form, generally comprises zinc in an amount which is equivalent to at least 0.1% by weight, preferably at least 5% by weight, and particularly preferably at least 10% by weight, and generally no more than 69.9% by weight, preferably no more than 40% by weight, and particularly preferably no more than 30% by weight, of zinc oxide ZnO, in each case based on the total amount of the adsorption composition. Zinc is usually present in the ready-to-use adsorption composition in the form of zinc oxide ZnO. In pure form, it further generally comprises zirconium in an amount which is equivalent to at least 0.1% by weight, preferably at least 3% by weight, and particularly preferably at least 5% by weight, and generally no more than 69.9% by weight, preferably no more than 30% by weight, and particularly preferably no more than 20% by weight, of zirconium dioxide ZrO2, in each case based on the total amount of the adsorption composition. Zirconium is usually present in the ready-to-use adsorption composition in the form of zirconium dioxide ZrO2. The zirconium dioxide content in the adsorption composition can in part be replaced by aluminum oxide Al2O3. For example, at least 1%, at least 10%, or at least 30%, and no more than 90%, no more than 80% or no more than 70% of the zirconium dioxide content in the adsorption composition can be replaced by aluminum oxide. “Pure form”, for the purposes of the present invention, means that apart from the contents of copper(oxide), zinc oxide, and zirconium dioxide (this optionally partly replaced by aluminum oxide), no further constituents are present, apart from insignificant constituents which are still carried over from manufacture, for example, such as remains of starting materials and reagents, aids for shaping and similar. “Pure form” therefore means that the adsorption composition essentially consists of said components. The percentage amounts of the components of the adsorption composition always total 100% by weight. A very highly suitable adsorption composition consists, for example, in pure form of approximately 70% by weight of CuO, approximately 20% by weight of ZnO and approximately 10% by weight of ZrO2, contents thereof totaling 100% by weight. The inventive adsorption composition can, but need not necessarily be, present in pure form. It is possible to blend it with aids or to apply it to a support. Suitable supports are the known catalyst supports, for example, aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, zirconium dioxide, aluminosilicates, clays, zeolites, kieselgur and the like. The inventive adsorption composition is prepared as with known oxidic catalysts. A convenient and preferred process for preparing the inventive adsorption composition comprises the following process steps in said sequence: a) preparing a solution of the components of the adsorption composition and/or of soluble starting compounds thereof; b) precipitating a solid from this solution by adding a base; c) separating and drying the solid; d) optionally calcining the solid; e) shaping the solid to give shaped bodies; and f) optionally calcining the shaped bodies; with the proviso that at least one of the two calcination steps d) or f) is carried out. In the first process step, step a), a solution of the components of the adsorption composition is prepared in a usual manner, for example by dissolution in an acid such as nitric acid. Optionally, instead of the components of the adsorption composition, their starting compounds can alternatively be used, for example the nitrates, carbonates, hydroxycarbonates of the metals dissolved in an aqueous solution, which can also be acidic, for example due to nitric acid. The ratio of the salts in the solution is calculated and set stoichiometrically in accordance with the desired final composition of the adsorption composition. From this solution, in step b) a solid is precipitated as precursor for the adsorption composition. This is performed in a customary manner, preferably by increasing the pH of the solution by adding a base, for instance by adding sodium hydroxide solution or soda solution. The resultant solid precipitated product, before the drying in step c), is generally separated off from the supernatant solution, for instance by filtering or decanting, and washed free from soluble constituents such as sodium nitrate using water. The precipitated product is then usually, before further processing, dried using customary drying methods. Generally, treatment at a slightly elevated temperature is sufficient therefor, for instance at least 80° C., preferably at least 100° C., and particularly preferably at least 120° C., for a period of from 10 min to 12 hours, preferably from 20 min to 6 hours, and particularly preferably from 30 min to 2 hours. It is also possible and particularly convenient to convert the precipitation product by spray-drying into a dry powder capable of further processing, directly—a certain alkali metal content, for example sodium content, of the adsorption composition generally does not interfere—or after washing. Following the drying, the precipitated and dried precursor product of the adsorption composition is optionally subjected to the calcination step d). The calcination temperature used is generally at least 250° C., preferably at least 300° C., and particularly preferably at least 350° C., and also generally no more than 500° C., preferably no more than 450° C., and particularly preferably no more than 410° C. The calcination time is generally at least 10 minutes, preferably at least 20 minutes, and particularly preferably at least 30 minutes, and also generally no more than 12 hours, preferably no more than 6 hours, and particularly preferably no more than 4 hours. The drying step c) and the calcination step d) can merge directly from one into the other. After the drying step c) or the calcination step d), the adsorption composition or its precursor is processed in the shaping step e) using customary shaping processes such as extrusion, tableting or pelletizing to give shaped bodies such as ropes or extrudates, tablets, or pellets, including spherical pellets. After the shaping step, the adsorption composition or its precursor is optionally subjected to a calcination step f). The calcination conditions to be employed in step f) are identical to those of the calcination step d). The adsorption composition, in the course of its preparation, is subjected to at least one of the two calcination steps d) or f), also optionally both. In the calcination step or steps, the adsorption composition precursor is converted to the actual adsorption composition and, inter alia, as usual, the BET surface area and the pore volume of the adsorption composition are also set, in which case, as is known, the BET surface area and the pore volume decrease with increasing calcination time and calcination temperature. Preferably, calcination is performed in total at least until the carbonate (calculated as CO32−) content of the adsorption composition is no more than 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the calcination product, and its BET surface area has a value in the range from at least 40 to no more than 100 m2/g. The pore volume of the adsorption composition, measured as water absorption, is set during the calcination to a value of at least 0.05 ml/g. These values are preferred for the inventive adsorption composition. The inventive adsorption composition can also, as mentioned above, be deposited on a support. This is achieved by customary impregnation processes or coating processes. As will be known, a coating process is a precipitation process in the presence of a support or a support precursor. To carry out a coating process, preferably, in the precipitation process set forth above, a support or support precursor is added to the solution prepared in step a). If the support is already in the form of preshaped finished shaped bodies, that is a pure impregnation process then is carried out the shaping step e) is omitted, otherwise the support is formed in conjunction in the course of processing the precursor product of the adsorption composition by precipitation, drying, calcination and shaping. A preferred impregnation process for producing the inventive adsorption composition is carried out using preformed supports and comprises the following process steps in said sequence: a) preparing a solution of the components of the adsorption composition and/or of soluble starting compounds thereof; b) impregnating a preshaped support with this solution; c) drying the impregnated support; and d) calcining the impregnated dried support. Process step a) of this impregnation process is carried out like the abovedescribed step a) of the precipitation process. In step b) a preformed support is impregnated with the solution. The preformed support has a shape chosen in accordance with the target use, for example ropes or extrudates, tablets, or pellets, including spherical pellets. The impregnation is carried out either with supernatant solution or as an impregnation with the amount of solution corresponding to the pore volume of the support (“incipient wetness”). After the impregnation the impregnated support is dried and calcined in steps c) and d), like the precipitated product in the precipitation process. Using a preshaped support, the shaping step is omitted. The shaped adsorption composition bodies, for their use, are charged into a vessel customarily termed “adsorber”, sometimes also “reactor”, in which they are brought into contact with the substance stream to be purified. The finished adsorption composition is preferably activated before its use for adsorbing CO. It is also advisable to dry it still once more before its use in order to remove traces of adhering moisture and to increase the adsorption capacity. This further drying and the activation is conveniently carried out in the adsorber, since otherwise a higher expenditure is necessary in order to protect the ready-to-use activated adsorption composition from air and moisture when charging into the absorber. The further drying is achieved by heating the adsorption composition to a temperature of generally at least 100° C., preferably at least 150° C., and particularly preferably at least 180° C., and generally no more than 300° C., preferably no more than 250° C., and particularly preferably no more than 220° C. A suitable drying temperature is, for example, approximately 200° C. The adsorption composition is kept at the drying temperature until interfering residues of adhering moisture are no longer present; this is generally the case at a drying time of at least 10 minutes, preferably at least 30 minutes, and particularly preferably at least 1 hour, and also generally no more than 100 hours, preferably no more than 10 hours and particularly preferably no more than 4 hours. Preferably, the drying takes place in a gas stream in order to transport the moisture away from the adsorption composition bed. For this dry air, for example, can be used, but particularly preferably an inert gas is to be passed through the adsorption composition bed in the adsorber, a suitable inert gas here is in particular nitrogen or argon. The activation is performed by at least partial reduction to copper metal of the copper present in the adsorption composition. This can be performed in principle by any reducing agent which can reduce copper from oxidation states I or II to oxidation state 0. This can performed using liquid or dissolved reducing agents; in this case drying must be performed after the activation. Therefore, the reduction is much more convenient using a gaseous reducing agent after the drying, especially reduction using hydrogen by passing over a hydrogen-containing gas. The temperature to be used during the activation is generally at least 80° C., preferably at least 100° C., and particularly preferably at least 110° C., and also generally no more than 200° C., preferably no more than 160° C., and particularly preferably no more than 130° C. A suitable activation temperature is, for example, approximately 120° C. The reduction is exothermic. The amount of reducing agent to be fed is to be set in such a manner that the temperature does not leave the window chosen. The course of the activation can be followed on the basis of the temperature measured in the adsorption composition bed (“temperature-programmed reduction, TPR”). A preferred method of activating the adsorption composition is, following a drying carried out under a nitrogen stream, to set the desired activation temperature and add a small amount of hydrogen to the nitrogen stream. A suitable gas mixture comprises at the start, for example, at least 0.1% by volume of hydrogen in nitrogen, preferably at least 0.5% by volume, and particularly preferably at least 1% by volume, and also no more than 10% by volume, preferably no more than 8% by volume, and particularly preferably no more than 5% by volume. A suitable value is, for example, 2% by volume. This initial concentration is either maintained or increased in order to achieve and hold the desired temperature window. The reduction is complete when, despite constant or increasing level of reducing agent, the temperature in the adsorption composition bed decreases. Preferably, the copper present in the adsorption composition is not completely reduced to metallic copper, so that the activated adsorption composition comprises not only metallic, but also oxidic, copper. A typical activation time for this case is generally at least 1 hour, preferably at least 10 hours, and particularly preferably at least 15 hours, and also generally no more than 100 hours, preferably no more than 50 hours, and particularly preferably no more than 30 hours. If the proportion of metallic copper should become too high, the adsorption composition can also be oxidized in a similar way. For this, preferably, instead of a hydrogen/nitrogen mixture, an oxygen/nitrogen mixture is passed over the adsorption composition. Following the activation, the inventive adsorption composition is ready for use. The inventive adsorption process is a process for removing carbon monoxide from substance streams by adsorption which comprises contacting the carbon monoxide-containing substance stream with an adsorption composition which comprises copper, zinc and zirconium. The inventive adsorption process therefore features the use of the inventive adsorption composition. One advantage of the inventive adsorption process is its applicability to substance streams which are either oxygen-free, present at a temperature which is not high enough for the customary catalytic reaction of carbon monoxide with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, or, in their further use, interfere with carbon dioxide or oxygenates. In principle, using the inventive adsorption process, any substance stream can be freed from contamination due to carbon monoxide, for example inert gas streams (nitrogen, helium, neon, krypton, xenon and/or argon), or hydrocarbon streams, for example alkanes (methane, ethane, propane, butane, mixtures thereof, isomers and isomer mixtures) or alkenes (also called “olefins”), such as ethene, propene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 1,3-butadiene and/or styrene. It is equally possible to use the inventive adsorption composition in a non-adsorptive manner for removing carbon monoxide. This is advantageous, in particular, if the substance stream to be freed from carbon monoxide also comprises oxygen in addition to carbon monoxide, is at a temperature which is sufficiently high for the catalytic reaction of oxygen with carbon monoxide, and in its further use is not subject to interference by carbon dioxide or oxygenates. Thus carbon monoxide from carbon-monoxide- and oxygen-containing substance streams can be reacted to form carbon dioxide by catalytic reaction of carbon monoxide with oxygen on the inventive adsorption composition used as catalyst and thus removed from the substance stream. Equally, carbon monoxide from carbon-monoxide-containing substance streams can be removed from the substance stream by reacting carbon monoxide with a copper(I)- and/or copper(II)-oxide-containing inventive adsorption composition, with formation of metallic copper, to form carbon dioxide. In the same manner it is possible to remove oxygen from substance streams by absorption to the inventive metallic-copper-containing adsorption composition, forming copper(I) oxide and/or copper(II) oxide. In other words, the inventive adsorption composition can be used in all known processes in which copper-containing solids are used catalytically, in absorption processes, or as reaction partners. Preferably, the inventive adsorption process is used for removing carbon monoxide from alkene streams, in particular for removing carbon monoxide from alkene streams which are usually liquid. Liquid alkenes, apart from the use of unusually high pressures, typically do not have the temperature necessary for the catalytic removal of carbon monoxide by reaction with oxygen, and in addition, in the subsequent use for polymerization, the formation of oxygenated compounds would interfere. The inventive adsorption process is particularly suitable for removing carbon monoxide from propene, 1-butene, 2-butene, 1,3-butadiene, butene mixtures, butene/butadiene mixtures, or styrene, in order to decrease the carbon monoxide content to the values permitted for “polymer grade” olefins. In a highly particularly preferred embodiment, carbon monoxide is removed from liquid propene by adsorption using the inventive process. The inventive adsorption process makes it possible to remove carbon monoxide from substance streams. It is particularly suitable for removing carbon monoxide from substance streams which generally comprise at least 0.001 ppm (in the case of gases ppm by volume, in the case of liquids ppm by weight), preferably at least 0.01 ppm, and generally no more than 1000 ppm, preferably no more than 100 ppm, and particularly preferably no more than 10 ppm, of carbon monoxide. For relatively high initial concentrations of carbon monoxide it is usually more economical to carry out in advance another known purification process such as distillation, catalytic oxidation of the carbon monoxide with oxygen to form carbon dioxide, or oxidation of the carbon monoxide with copper oxide, forming metallic copper and carbon dioxide, optionally with subsequent removal of carbon dioxide and oxygenated compounds, since otherwise the adsorption capacity of the adsorption composition can be reached too quickly. To carry out the inventive adsorption process, the substance stream to be freed from carbon monoxide in the adsorber is passed over the bed of the inventive adsorption composition shaped bodies. The temperature for the inventive adsorption process is, from the technical aspect, not critical, or only slightly critical. Typical temperatures are in the range of at least −270° C., preferably at least −100° C., and particularly preferably −40° C., and no more than 300° C., preferably no more than 200° C., and particularly preferably no more than 100° C. In a convenient manner, the temperature is not influenced separately, but the temperature which the substance stream to be treated has is employed. The essential parameter which determines the degree of depletion, apart from the temperature which is not separately influenced in a convenient manner, as described, is the contact time between substance stream and adsorption composition. This contact time is determined by the velocity of the substance stream and the volume of the adsorption composition bed. Usually the volumetric flow of the substance stream to be purified is predetermined by the capacity of upstream or downstream installations. In addition, the adsorption capacity of the adsorption composition is limited, so that a certain amount of adsorption composition can only be used for the inventive process for a certain period before it has to be regenerated. Although this first makes it desirable to use as large an amount as possible of adsorption composition, this is opposed, however, by the costs which increase with the adsorber size. The amount of adsorption composition in the adsorber is therefore chosen in the individual case in such a manner as to achieve, firstly, the desired degree of depletion, and secondly a tolerably short operating time of an adsorber between two regenerations of the adsorption composition. Advantageously, at least two adsorbers are provided, of which at least one can receive the substance stream to be purified, while the adsorption composition in at least one other is regenerated. This is a routine optimization task for a person skilled in the art. Depending on the adsorber size selected, the maximum uptake capacity for carbon monoxide of the adsorption composition present therein is reached sooner or later, so that it has to be regenerated. To regenerate the inventive adsorption composition, first the substance stream to be purified is shut off; preferably it is passed into a parallel adsorber packed with fresh or regenerated adsorption composition. The adsorption composition to be regenerated is then regenerated by desorption. It is not important whether, before the desorption, the adsorbed carbon monoxide is reacted catalytically with any oxygen adsorbed, or reacted purely chemically by reaction with copper oxide present in the adsorption composition to form carbon dioxide, or reacted in another manner, for instance with any hydrogen present to form methanol or methane, and these reaction products then desorb; what is important is the restoration of the adsorption capacity of the adsorption composition. The desorption is carried out by passing over a fluid, preferably a gas, by increasing the temperature, or by a combination of these measures. Preferably, a gas is passed through. the adsorber containing the adsorption composition to be regenerated, and heated in the course of this. The gas can be inert, for example nitrogen, methane or argon, but it is also possible to use hydrogen, and in this case the CO is reacted to form methanol or methane. The desorption temperature is generally set to a value of at least 50° C., preferably at least 100° C., and particularly preferably at least 150° C., and also generally no more than 400° C., preferably no more than 350° C., and particularly preferably no more than 300° C. For example, a desorption temperature of approximately 220° C. is suitable. The regeneration time is typically generally at least 1 hour, preferably at least 10 hours, and particularly preferably at least 15 hours, and also generally no more than 100 hours, preferably no more than 50 hours, and particularly preferably no more than 30 hours. Following this regeneration, the adsorption composition is generally immediately ready for reuse. In an individual case, especially if the desired proportion of metallic copper has changed compared with freshly activated adsorption composition, it can be advisable or necessary to subject the adsorption composition to a repeated activation. It is possible using the inventive adsorption composition and the inventive adsorption process to remove carbon monoxide from substance streams simply and economically. The substance streams thus purified can then be used in accordance with specifications.

20050304

20081014

20051103

85337.0

HOPKINS, ROBERT A

ADSORPTION MASS AND METHOD FOR REMOVING CARBON MONOXIDE FROM FLOWS OF MATERIAL

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

Well screen

A screen system for underground wells, and a method of fluid flow control and/or sand production control in a well. The screen system may include an inner screen and an outer screen having a plurality of slots. A mechanism, which may include a motor, is provided to vary the size of the said slots, and may achieve this by rotating one end of the inner screen relative to the other end. An external screen shroud may also be provided and the rotatable mechanism may be controlled by a controller coupled to electromechanical sensors mounted on one or more portions of the screen system, where the controller may employ a solids prediction model and a plugging tendency model to calculate a control action.

1. A screen system for underground wells, the screen system comprising a screen wherein the screen comprises a plurality of slots; and a mechanism capable of varying the size of the said slots. 2. A screen system according to claim 1, wherein the screen system comprises a pair of screens comprising a slotted inner screen disposed within a slotted outer screen. 3. A screen system according to claim 2, further comprising at least one external screen shroud. 4. A screen system according to claim 2, wherein the inner screen is rotatable relative to the outer screen. 5. A screen system according to claim 2, wherein the inner screen comprises a substantially cylindrical member having a pair of ends wherein one end is rotatable relative to the other end by operation of the said mechanism. 6. A screen system according to claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises a motorised actuator. 7. A screen system according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the inner and outer screens comprises a plurality of longitudinally arranged members and at least one transversely arranged member which combine to provide the slots in the interstices therebetween. 8. A screen system according to claim 7, wherein rotation of one end of the said at least one screen causes an end of the longitudinally arranged members to rotate relative to the other end of the longitudinally arranged members such that the slot size is capable of being varied. 9. A screen system according to claim 3, wherein at least one screen or screen shroud is provided with electromechanical sensors. 10. A screen system according to claim 9, wherein the inner screen is rotated under the control of a controller which is further connected to the electromechanical sensors. 11. A screen system according to claim 10, wherein the controller employs a solids prediction model to calculate a control action. 12. A screen system according to claim 10, wherein the controller further employs a plugging tendency model to calculate a control action. 13. A screen system according to claim 3, wherein the external screen shroud is attachable to the outer screen. 14. A screen system according to claim 13, wherein the external screen shroud is perforated. 15. A method of fluid flow control and/or sand production control in a well, the method comprising the steps of placing a screen having a plurality of slots in the well and varying the size of the slots. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein a mechanism is provided to vary the size of the said slots. 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the mechanism is capable of rotating a first portion of the screen relative to a second portion of the screen to vary the size of the said slots. 18. A method according to claim 17 wherein a controller controls the actuation of the rotation mechanism. 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the controller is provided with data inputs from one or more sensors provided downhole. 20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the sensors are mounted on one or more portions of the screen system. 21. A method according to claim 19, wherein the sensors are electromechanical sensors. 22. A method according to claim 18, wherein the controller employs a solids prediction model to calculate a control action. 23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the controller further employs a plugging tendency model to calculate a control action.

This invention relates to a screen and in particular a screen for use in oil and gas wells. More than 80% of oil and gas clastic reservoirs world-wide are known to be in various stages of unconsolidation which may potentially cause the reservoir to produce sand. This is especially true for reservoirs located in deep waters. Similarly, many of the reservoirs in mature fields are in an advanced state of depressurisation, which makes them susceptible to sand failure. Consequently, at various stages in the economic life of a field, a reservoir located therein will generally require some form of sand control completion. To this end, there is currently an increasing trend towards the use of different screen systems (either barefoot in openhole completions or gravelpack screens) in the completion of wells drilled through reservoirs with sanding problems. In an attempt to improve oil or gas recovery at minimal cost from marginal and mature fields, horizontal, extended reach and multilateral wells are becoming the most popular advanced wells for optimal field developments; especially in challenging deep water High Pressure/High Temperature (HP/HT) environments like the Atlantic margin. Sand control in these wells with screen systems (with or without gravelpack), involves placing the selected screen in the well bore within a pay region specifically designed to allow reservoir fluids to flow through the screen slots whilst enabling the screen to filter out formation sand grains. A key part of the screen design therefore is the screen slot gauge, wherein this parameter is estimated by way of the formation grain size distribution. However, any solids loading or sand migration through the slots may lead to plugging and screen erosion with attendant downhole problems including sand production. A variety of different generic screen systems are currently in use in the oil industry, such as simple slotted liners, wire wrapped and pre-packed screens, excluder, equalising and conslot screens and special strata pack membrane screens. These screens characteristically have symmetric, fixed geometry slots. However, when these screens are used in advanced wells, the screens are subjected to a non-uniform particulate plugging profile which results in “hotspots” developing in the screen; this is a major concern because it causes erosion of the screen resulting in massive sand production. Follow-up workover operations of such screens are limited to in situ acid washes or vibration or insertion of a secondary slim screen (such as stratacoil) into the damaged screen, which has an adverse affect on reservoir inflow and well performance. Also, retrieval of damaged screens from specially extended-reach wells is almost impossible. Consequently, in adverse conditions, some wells have been abandoned and expensive side-tracks drilled. The main difference between the various screen systems currently in use resides in the geometry or configuration of the rigid screen shroud with its fixed, symmetric slots. These systems have different degrees of susceptibility to plugging and operations engineers are usually left with the problem of selecting the most appropriate screen systems to use for specific sand control completions from the range of screen systems currently available. Previous work by investigators has shown that the stability and bridging effectiveness of typical filtration media such as screen systems or gravelpacks are functions of operational, environmental and geometric parameters which are largely dependant on the following: Formation grain sized distribution and sorting; Type of reservoir fluids and fluid properties; Reservoir drawdown and production; and The geometry of the filtration medium. Thus for a defined operating and production rate and drawdown condition, a clastic unconsolidated reservoir will produce sand grains of a particular size distribution which is dependant on the reservoir characteristics. Thus the amount and size distribution of solids contained in a given barrel of fluid produced from an oil or gas well, depends on the bridging effectiveness of the filtration media used in the wells, wherein the bridging effectiveness can be evaluated for defined operational conditions. According to the invention there is provided a screen system for underground wells, the screen system comprising a screen: wherein the screen comprises a plurality of slots; and a mechanism capable of varying the size of the said slots. According to the invention there is provided a method of fluid flow control and/or sand production control in a well, the method comprising the steps of placing a screen having a plurality of slots in the well and varying the size of the slots. Preferably, the screen system comprises a pair of screens comprising a slotted inner screen disposed within a slotted outer screen. Optionally, at least one screen shroud is further provided which is attachable to the outer screen. Typically, the inner screen is rotatable relative to the outer screen. Preferably, the inner screen comprises a substantially cylindrical member having a pair of ends wherein one end is rotatable relative to the other end by operation of the said mechanism. Typically, the mechanism comprises a motorised actuator. Preferably, the screen comprises a plurality of longitudinally arranged members and at least one transversely arranged member which combine to provide the slots in the interstices therebetween, wherein, rotation of one end of the screen causes an end of the longitudinally arranged members to rotate relative to the other end of the longitudinally arranged members such that the slot size is capable of being varied. Preferably at least one screen shroud is provided with electromechanical sensors. Preferably, the inner screen is rotated under the control of a controller which is further connected to the electromechanical sensors. Preferably the controller employs a solids predict-on model to calculate a control action. Preferably the controller further employs a plugging tendency model to calculate a control action. According to a second aspect of the invention, the screen system is further provided with an external screen shroud. Preferably, the external screen shroud is perforated. Embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:— FIG. 1a is a side elevation of a bottom section of the screen system, in accordance with the present invention, highlighting a protective shroud, an inner screen and base of the screen, without showing an outer screen; FIG. 1b is a side elevation of an upper section of the screen of FIG. 1a, highlighting the outer and inner screen without showing the protective shroud; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an architecture for a system for controlling the slot angle of the screen system of FIGS. 1a and 1b; and FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the different stages in the process of controlling the slot angle of the screen system of FIGS. 1a and 1b. Referring to FIG. 1a, a screen system 5 is shown for use in underground wells such as oil and gas wells (not shown), and is provided with an optional external protective shroud 10 substantially comprised of a high grade steel perforated pipe. The external protective shroud 10 acts as a blast protector and helps support any unconsolidated reservoir sand collapse around the screen system 5. The external protective shroud 10 is provided with a high density of perforations of large diameter, this feature minimises the development of any potential hotspots in the screen and provides a maximum area for fluids to flow through. In a second embodiment of the invention, the screen system 5 does not require an outer protective shroud 10 and is used with a drill-in Liner (DIL) pre-installed within the well. Referring to FIG. 1b, the shroud 10 (not shown in FIG. 1b) encases two concentric slotted screens 12 and 14, namely a rigid outer screen 12 and an inner screen 14 wherein the inner screen 14 is telescopically moveable relative to the outer screen 12. A first end 16, in use upper end 16, of the outer screen 12 is provided with an aperture (not shown) through which a quick connect joint 18 extends. The quick connect joint 18 is sufficiently wide to fill the aperture. A first end 19 of the inner screen 14 is provided with a rigid drive shaft 20 which is latchable onto a first end (not shown), in use lower end, of the quick connect joint 18. A second end 22 of the quick connect joint 18 is connectable to a hydraulic motordrive shaft (not shown) or electrohydraulic or electromagnetic actuator via a second quick connect joint to actuate or turn the upper end 19 of the inner screen 14 to a specified angle. The quick connect joints at each end of the outer screen 12 have bearings that permit rotation of the inner screen 14. The inner screen 14 is driven by means of the drive shaft 20 at the upper end of the outer screen 12, which is urged by the electromagnetic/electrohydraulic actuator A swivel base 24 is welded to a second end (not shown), in use lower end, of the inner screen 14. A first end 26, in use upper end 26, of the base swivel 24 is attachable e.g. via a latch (not shown) to a second end 28, in use lower end 28, of the outer screen 12 to allow for minimal torque rotation of the inner screen 14. The first end 26 of the base swivel 24 and thus the lower end 28 of the inner screen 14 will normally remain stationary since the base swivel 24 has relatively high internal friction, but the minimum torque rotation feature has the advantage that the first end 26 and thus the lower end 28 of the inner screen 14 can rotate if the electrohydraulic actuator becomes stuck because, for example, sand is causing the upper end 19 of the inner screen 14 to stick. This feature prevents the electrohydraulic or electromagnetic actuator from burning out Alternatively the overtorquing can be restrained by frictionless bearings and the swivel, thereby preventing the motor from burning out. Returning to FIG. 1a, the outer screen (not shown) and the inner screen 14 are provided with an interwoven lattice of outer screen shroud (not shown) and inner screen shrouds 30 respectively. Each shroud comprises a series of longitudinally arranged bands of material, such as steel of is different grades selected in accordance with the well conditions. The bands are coated with micro-electromechanical system sensors (not shown) wherein each sensor is electronically linked to a control system (not shown). The respective lattice of outer screen shroud (not shown) and inner screen shrouds 30 comprise a series of longitudinally arranged bands of material 301 which are spaced apart around the circumference of the respective outer 12 and inner 14 screens and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the screen system 5. Additionally, the respective lattice of outer screen shroud (not shown) and inner screen shrouds 30 comprise a series of transversely arranged rings of material 30t which are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis of the screen system 5 and which are arranged to lie on planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the screen system 5. Accordingly, there are a plurality of slots 32 provided in the interstices between the longitudinally arranged bands of material 301 transversely arranged rings of material 30t, where the size of the slots 32 of the inner screen 14 can be varied whilst the screen system 5 is in situ in the well, as will be described subsequently. Accordingly, operation of the electrohydraulic actuator rotates the upper end 19 of the inner screen 14 relative to the lower end 28 of the inner screen 14, which results in variation of the size of the plurality of slots 32 of the inner screen 14. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the architecture of a system for controlling the screen system 5. The micro-electromechanical system sensors of the screen system 5 are electronically linked to a measurement system 40 which is in turn connectable to a monitoring system 42 and an adaptive controller 44. The adaptive controller 44 is also provided with input data 46 relating to a desired value of a measurable variable of the screen system 5. The adaptive controller 44 is further connected to the screen system 5 and the monitoring system 42. FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the processes occurring within the screen system 5 and control system. In a first step 50 well data, production data, reservoir data, screen sensor data and default data are entered into a computer. The well data comprises details of (I) the geometrical configuration of the well, (ii) the type of completion of the well, (iii) the designed screen O.D. and (iv) gravelpack details if the well employs gravelpack completions. The production data comprises details of the production rate and flowing bottom hole pressure. The reservoir data comprises details of the reservoir pressure, porosity, permeability and sand grain size distribution. The screen sensor data comprises details of the fluid flow velocity across the screen system, the pressure drop across the screen system and solids concentration across the screen system. The default data comprises the default screen pressure drop and the default maximum tolerance level for solids production. In second step 52 the outer screen slot is pre-set to a standard gauge based on Saucier rule for the particular reservoir sand size distribution. In other words, the outer screen shroud lattice is pre-set prior to introduction of the screen system into the well such that the slots or gaps 32 provided between the longitudinally arranged bands of material 301 and transversely arranged rings of material 30t are set to the required size. In a third step 54 an optimum slot size 32 is computed for a given production rate and solids level. In a fifth step 56 the electrohydraulic actuator is instructed by the control system to rotate the inner screen 14 to a desired angle id order to increase or decrease the area of the slots or gaps 32 in the inner screen 14 through which the fluid from the well can flow. In a sixth step 58 the flow through the screen system 5 and the solids loading on the screen system 5 are continuously monitored by the micro-electromechanical sensors and in a further step 60 compared with the default maximum tolerance level for solids production and the default plugging pressure drop across the screen system 5 which have been computed in accordance with the built in classic models and entered into the computer in stage 50. Any difference between the measured variables and the default values of the variables is communicated to the adaptive controller which in a further step 62, accordingly activates the electrohydraulic actuator to operate the screen system 5 to minimise the difference between the measured data and the default data. Thus, the electrohydraulic actuator operates the screen system 5 to adjust the slot or gap size 32 of the inner screen 14 in accordance with the output of the adaptive controller, wherein rotation in one direction, for example a clockwise direction, of the upper end 19 relative to the lower end 28 reduces the slot size 32 such that the area through which the production fluids can flow is reduced which will reduce the production fluid flow rate. Conversely, rotation of the upper end 19 relative to the lower end 28 in the other direction, for example a counter-clockwise direction, increases the slot size 32 of the inner screen 14 such that the area through which the production fluids can flow is increased which will increase the production fluid flow rate. The adaptive controller calculates an appropriate control action by way of a solids production prediction model and a plugging tendency model. The solids production prediction model is based upon the principal that the degree of solids production or migration through a downhole solids control system depends upon the bridging effectiveness of the control system whether the control system be gravelpack or barefoot screen. The degree of solids production or migration through a downhole solids control system is a function of a number of variables including: 1. The formation of grain size distribution, shape and density. 2. The type and properties of reservoir fluid. 3. The fluid production rate or injection rate 4. The overall well drawdown. 5. The accumulative production 6. The hole angle 7. The type of completion. Accordingly the solids production is computed from an established mechanistic prediction model. Using a set of equations the maximum and minimum grain size invading the screen system 5 can be computed from a given bridging efficiency. The maximum and minimum grain size invading the screen system 5 can be employed with the solids production concentration in a modified Ergun equation for predicting the flow through the filtration system. The plugging tendency model accounts for the effect of time cumulative production and pore blocking mechanisms on the flow filtration system. In the plugging tendency model the plugging tendency is quantified as a function of the pressure drop across the screen system 5, wherein the pressure drop across the screen system 5 is calculated as the sum total of the pressure drop across the screen aperture 32 itself and the pressure drop across the solid filter cake on the screen system 5. The invention is not limited by the examples hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail. For example, an outer screen could be omitted, with just an inner screen operating to control the sand production in this embodiment, the control system would be modified accordingly.

20051012

20080624

20060706

67634.0

E21B4300

BATES, ZAKIYA W

WELL SCREEN

SMALL

ACCEPTED

E21B

ACCEPTED

Adjustable chair arrangement

A wheelchair (1) is described. The chair comprises a seat (2) and a back (3) that are pivotally supported in two side members (4, 5) and are kinematically interconnected in such manner that an angle between the seat and the back will increase when the back is swivelled backwards about is pivotal support in the side members, which kinematic connection comprises a link connection between the seat and the back. The link connection is in the form of a link arm (12) arranged under the respective pivot supports of the seat and the back so that the distance between the back pivot support (15) and the back link arm connection (13) is less than the distance between the seat pivot support (16) and the seat link arm connection (14), and that the axis of rotation (20) of the seat through the seat's pivot support (16) in the side members passes essentially through or close to the user's centre of gravity (17).

1. An adjustable chair (1) arrangement, in particular for a wheelchair, comprising a seat (2) and a back (3) that are pivotally supported in two side members (4, 5) and are kinematically interconnected in such manner that an angle between the seat and the back will increase when the back is swivelled backwards about its pivotal support in the side members, which kinematic connection comprises a link connection between the seat and the back, characterised in that the link connection is in the form of a link arm (12) arranged under the respective pivot supports of the seat and the back so that the distance between the back pivot support (15) and the back link arm connection (13) is less than the distance between the seat pivot support (16) and the seat link arm connection (14), and that the axis of rotation (20) of the seat through the seat's pivot support (16) in the side members passes essentially through or close to the user's centre of gravity (17). 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the axis of rotation (19) of the back through the back pivot support (15) in the side members passes essentially through the user's hips.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an adjustable chair as disclosed in the preamble of claim 1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As examples of the prior art, reference is made in particular to GB Patent No. 1278501, DE Patent No. 3822877, U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,561 and a chair marketed under the trademark STRESSLESS. The last mentioned chair type is characterised by, among others, the feature that the body's centre of gravity relative to the chair is maintained almost constant, usually close to or over the central column of the chair, if the chair is of is the swivelling type. However, an important point with the known type of chair is that when the backrest is tilted backwards, the lower end of the chair back remains at the same level as the back edge of the chair seat. This is because the seat back and the chair seat are connected to each other at the lower edge of the chair back and the back edge of the chair seat respectively. When the chair user leans backwards in the chair, he may experience the sensation of the chair back apparently “climbing” a little up his back. When the user leans backwards, it is of course important that the neck rest and the like are felt to be approximately in the same place regardless of the sitting position. This problem area is no less important in connection with adjustable wheelchairs, where it is usual to be able to adjust the back rest relative to a fixed seat or to allow the seat and the back to be rigidly connected to each other and to be tiltable or adjustable as one unit. Furthermore, it has been known in connection with adjustable wheelchairs that they require at least one stabiliser that projects backwards from the large wheelchair wheels in order to prevent the chair from tipping backwards when the chair user leans back in the chair In the aforementioned prior art chairs, a change of sitting position results in a major change of the body's centre of gravity. Reference will also be made to NO 300754 wherein the chair back at a first point of support on each side thereof is pivotally connected to a respective side member of the chair and at a second point of support forms an articulated connection with a rear portion of the chair seat frame, and wherein the chair seat frame at a forward point of support on each side thereof is slidably connected to respective side members along a front, forward and upward sloping guide that is an integral part of the side member. The first point of support on the chair back is arranged to slide along a rear, forward and downward sloping guide in the side member, and the seat frame has on each side a rear point of support between the front point of support point and the second point of support for the chair back, the rear point of support forming a sliding connection with a guide in the respective side member, and central when seen in the longitudinal direction of the side member, and which is either horizontal or slightly forward and upward sloping. With this solution, a relatively limited change of the body's centre of gravity is obtained. Nevertheless, there are still deficiencies in this art which mean that there continues to be a great need for improvements in the field. Accordingly, it has been an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable chair of the aforementioned type, wherein the aforementioned deficiencies both in ordinary adjustable chairs of this kind and especially in wheelchairs can be remedied. The primary object of the invention is to provide good sitting comfort in an adjustable chair of this kind, and when the invention is used in connection with a manual wheelchair, the otherwise good sitting comfort of the comfort wheelchair could be combined with the wheeling and transport properties of the active wheelchair. A particular object of the present invention in connection with a wheelchair is to combine an “active driving position” and a “passive resting position” in one and the same wheelchair. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is, by means of a simple mechanism, to permit tilting of the seat and back with maximum retention of the centre of gravity of the user's body relative to the chair and the wheels. This is accomplished in that the angle between the seat and back is opened gradually whilst the angle of the seat is changed slightly more by means of a link mechanism with a transmission ratio, the axis of rotation for the seat being located in or close to the user's centre of gravity. When the user reclines, his body is turned about what is approximately the body's overall centre of gravity, which in a sitting position will be slightly forward of the user's stomach. More specifically, an adjustable chair as disclosed in the preamble of claim 1 is therefore proposed. Additional features of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. The advantages of using this system in a wheelchair where the seat unit is to be adjusted angularly relative to the rest of the chair are that: The angle between the seat and the back is opened gradually when the seat unit is adjusted angularly relative to the main frame. This happens because of the transmission ratio. The hinge point for the angular adjustment is close to the centre of gravity of the person, which in turn means that relatively little force is required to make this angular adjustment, which is a distinct advantage as the wheelchair user will often have weakened or atrophied muscles. The hinge point for the back is relatively close to the hip joint, so that the back cushion does not slide relative to the user's back when it is angled. The overall movement pattern of the seat unit when it is angled means that the user's arm will rest in a stable manner on the chair arm rest. When the user reclines, his body turns about what is approximately the overall centre of gravity of his body, which in such a sitting position is slightly forward of the user's stomach. This in turn means that the wheel base and the total length of the chair can be made shorter than in similar wheelchairs with such large angular adjustment of the seat unit. This in turn is a crucial if the chair is to wheel easily and be readily manoeuvrable for the user. The system allows the user to erect the chair with a correct or desired weight distribution on the front and back wheels, and to be relatively sure that this will remain comparatively stable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a wheelchair according to the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the wheelchair in FIG. 1 in a tilted position. FIG. 3 shows the tilting mechanism used in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 4 shows the tilting mechanism in FIG. 3 in a tilted position as in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the wheelchair. EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 and 2 show a wheelchair (1) comprising a seat (2) and a back (3) and side members (4) and (5). Furthermore, the wheelchair comprises two rear wheels (6) and two front support/guide wheels (7) and a footrest (8). The seat (2) is attached to a seat frame (9). A seat swivel fitting (11) is fastened to the seat frame (9) and a back swivel fitting (10) is fastened to the back (3). A link arm (12) connects the two swivel fittings (10, 11) via a link arm connection (13) to the back and a link arm connection (14) to the seat. (See also FIGS. 3 and 4). The swivel fittings (10, 11), a pair for each side member, (see FIG. 5), are fastened to the side members (4, 5) by means of the pivot support (15) of the back swivel fitting and the support (16) of the seat swivel fitting. The back swivel fitting (10) is fastened to the back (3) with fastening screws (18). The wheelchair user has been indicated in broken lines and the centre of gravity (17) of the user's body is clearly marked FIG. 1 shows the wheelchair in a normal, upright sitting position, and FIG. 2 shows the wheelchair in a tilted position. FIGS. 3 and 4 show details of the chair according to the invention in a upright and tilted position respectively. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the wheelchair with the axis of rotation for the back (19) and the axis of rotation for the seat (20) indicated on the drawing. The seat swivel fitting (11) projects up from the frame (9). The back swivel fitting (10) is L-shaped as shown in the figures. As can be seen clearly from FIGS. 1-4, the link connection is in the form of a link arm (12) arranged under the respective pivot supports (16, 15) of the seat and the back, and the distance between the back pivot support (15) and the back link arm connection (13) is less than the distance between the seat pivot support (16) and the seat link arm connection (14). The link arm may optionally be made in the form of an adjustable link arm, for example, by providing it with a plurality of holes for the respective connections. The axis of rotation (20) of the seat through the seat's pivot support (16) in the side members (4, 5) passes essentially through or close to the user's centre of gravity (17). Furthermore; the axis or rotation (19) of the back through the pivot support (15) of the back in the side members (4, 5) passes essentially through the user's hips. It can be seen that the design of the chair is such that a transmission is obtained so that the angle a between the seat (2, 9) and the back (3) increases at the same time as the seat's (2, 9) angle β increases from 0 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The angle β will be greater than the increase of angle α. The angular deflection can be altered if the length ratio between the back swivel fitting and the seat swivel fitting is changed. The wheelchair may have in a known way (not shown) a locking mechanism for locking the tilting position.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>As examples of the prior art, reference is made in particular to GB Patent No. 1278501, DE Patent No. 3822877, U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,561 and a chair marketed under the trademark STRESSLESS. The last mentioned chair type is characterised by, among others, the feature that the body's centre of gravity relative to the chair is maintained almost constant, usually close to or over the central column of the chair, if the chair is of is the swivelling type. However, an important point with the known type of chair is that when the backrest is tilted backwards, the lower end of the chair back remains at the same level as the back edge of the chair seat. This is because the seat back and the chair seat are connected to each other at the lower edge of the chair back and the back edge of the chair seat respectively. When the chair user leans backwards in the chair, he may experience the sensation of the chair back apparently “climbing” a little up his back. When the user leans backwards, it is of course important that the neck rest and the like are felt to be approximately in the same place regardless of the sitting position. This problem area is no less important in connection with adjustable wheelchairs, where it is usual to be able to adjust the back rest relative to a fixed seat or to allow the seat and the back to be rigidly connected to each other and to be tiltable or adjustable as one unit. Furthermore, it has been known in connection with adjustable wheelchairs that they require at least one stabiliser that projects backwards from the large wheelchair wheels in order to prevent the chair from tipping backwards when the chair user leans back in the chair In the aforementioned prior art chairs, a change of sitting position results in a major change of the body's centre of gravity. Reference will also be made to NO 300754 wherein the chair back at a first point of support on each side thereof is pivotally connected to a respective side member of the chair and at a second point of support forms an articulated connection with a rear portion of the chair seat frame, and wherein the chair seat frame at a forward point of support on each side thereof is slidably connected to respective side members along a front, forward and upward sloping guide that is an integral part of the side member. The first point of support on the chair back is arranged to slide along a rear, forward and downward sloping guide in the side member, and the seat frame has on each side a rear point of support between the front point of support point and the second point of support for the chair back, the rear point of support forming a sliding connection with a guide in the respective side member, and central when seen in the longitudinal direction of the side member, and which is either horizontal or slightly forward and upward sloping. With this solution, a relatively limited change of the body's centre of gravity is obtained. Nevertheless, there are still deficiencies in this art which mean that there continues to be a great need for improvements in the field. Accordingly, it has been an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable chair of the aforementioned type, wherein the aforementioned deficiencies both in ordinary adjustable chairs of this kind and especially in wheelchairs can be remedied. The primary object of the invention is to provide good sitting comfort in an adjustable chair of this kind, and when the invention is used in connection with a manual wheelchair, the otherwise good sitting comfort of the comfort wheelchair could be combined with the wheeling and transport properties of the active wheelchair. A particular object of the present invention in connection with a wheelchair is to combine an “active driving position” and a “passive resting position” in one and the same wheelchair.

<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES <EOH>FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a wheelchair according to the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the wheelchair in FIG. 1 in a tilted position. FIG. 3 shows the tilting mechanism used in FIGS. 2 and 3 . FIG. 4 shows the tilting mechanism in FIG. 3 in a tilted position as in FIG. 2 . FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the wheelchair. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?

20050309

20090127

20060713

94888.0

A47C102

ABRAHAM, TANIA

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR ARRANGEMENT

SMALL

ACCEPTED

A47C

ACCEPTED

Method and devices for utilizing data in data formats which cannot be directly processed

Reference dictionaries and data dictionaries are used in order to analyze data in data formats, which cannot be directly processed and which are communicated between geodesic units. These dictionaries are transmitted preferably in conjunction with the transmission of the data and they index analyzable data fields in data formats. When a geodesic unit receives a data format that cannot be directly processed, data fields, which can be analyzed by the reference dictionary, can be found and data fields, which cannot be analyzed by a data dictionary, can be utilized.

1. Method for using utilizable data, in data formats which cannot be directly processed, in communication, in particular wireless communication, between at least two geodetic devices comprising a first device having communication means, a second device having communication means, means for processing utilizable data and storage means, comprising the steps transmission of data by the first device, the data being transmitted in data formats having a sequence of at least two data fields, reception of the data and processing of utilizable data by the second device, the utilizable data being read from data fields which can be evaluated, characterized in that particularly in relation to the transmission of the data, at least one reference directory is transmitted and is stored in the storage means, the reference directory indicating, in data formats which cannot be directly processed, the data fields which can be evaluated. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a data directory in which data fields and/or data types are defined is transmitted. 3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the data formats are uniquely defined by a coding, in particular a numeric or alphanumeric coding. 4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in one of the data formats, at least one data field with a fixed length is chosen, in particular with a length required by the format of geodetic location or time data. 5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, when receiving the data or processing utilizable data, at least one data field which cannot be evaluated is suppressed in the data format which cannot be directly processed, so that only one sequence of data fields which can be evaluated is received and/or evaluated. 6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, when receiving the data or processing utilizable data in data formats which cannot be directly processed, at least one data field which can be evaluated is localized within the sequence of data fields. 7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the indication of data fields which can be evaluated in the reference directory is effected by at least one of the two measures specification of the sequence of data fields in data formats which cannot be directly processed, so that data fields which can be evaluated are localized, specification of a change of known data formats, so that the sequence of data fields in the data formats which cannot be directly processed can be derived and data fields which can be evaluated can be localized. 8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that, on transmission of the data, the first device transmits data to a plurality of second devices. 9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission of the reference directory is initiated by at least one of the following measures establishment of a communication connection between first and second device, detection of a set time mark, in particular periodic time mark, during the existence of a communication connection between first device and second device, elapse of a counting procedure, execution of a defined procedure in the first device, transmission of a message by the second device indicating that a data format which cannot be directly processed is being received or was received, transmission of a message by the second device, in which message the data formats which can be directly processed by this second device are defined. 10. Computer program product comprising program code which is stored on a machine-readable medium, for carrying out the step of receiving data and processing utilizable data of the method according to claim 1, in particular if the program is executed in a computer. 11. Analogue or digital computer data signal, embodied by an electromagnetic wave, comprising a program code segment for carrying out the step of receiving data and processing usable data of the method according to claim 1, in particular if the program code is executed in a computer. 12. Reference directory or data directory as a code which is stored on a machine-readable medium, for carrying out the method according to claim 1, in particular if the code is used in a computer. 13. Reference directory or data directory as an analogue or digital computer data signal, embodied by an electromagnetic wave comprising a code segment for carrying out the method according to claim 1, in particular if the code segment is used in a computer. 14. Geodetic device, in particular reference station for differential GNSS or theodolite, as a first device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, comprising communication means, characterized in that the communication means are designed for transmitting a reference directory or data directory. 15. Geodetic device according to claim 14, characterized in that the communication means are formed so that the transmission of the reference directory or of the data directory is initiated by at least one of the following events establishment of a communication connection to a second device, detection of a set time mark, in particular of a periodic time mark, end of a counting procedure, execution of a defined procedure, reception of a warning message of a second device stating that a data format which cannot be directly processed is being received or was received, reception of a message of a second device, in which message the data formats which can be directly processed by this second device are defined. 16. Geodetic device, in particular rover for differential GNSS, as a second device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, comprising communication means, means for processing utilizable data and storage means, characterized in that the communication means and the storage means are formed and arranged in such a way that a reference directory or a data directory is received and stored. 17. Geodetic device according to claim 16, characterized in that the communication means or the means for processing utilizable data are designed so that data fields which can be evaluated and are contained in data formats which cannot be directly processed are identified by indication in the reference directory. 18. Geodetic device according to claim 16, characterized in that the communication means or the means for processing utilizable data are designed so that data fields which cannot be evaluated in the data format which cannot be directly processed are suppressed during the reception of the data or the processing of utilizable data. 19. Geodetic device according to claim 16, characterized in that the communication means or the means for processing utilizable data are designed so that data fields which can be evaluated in the data format which cannot be directly processed are localized during the reception of the data or processing of utilizable data within the sequence of data fields. 20. (Canceled) 21. A geodetic system, comprising: at least one of a first geodetic device, in particular reference station for differential GNSS or theodolite, the first geodetic device including a first communication means, wherein the first communication means is designed for transmitting a directory; and at least one of a second geodetic device, in particular a rover for differential GNSS, the second geodetic device including a second communication means, means for processing utilizable data and storage means, wherein the second communication means and the storage means are arranged so that the transmitted directory is received and stored.

The invention relates to a method for using usable data in data formats which cannot be directly processed, according to the precharacterizing clause of claim 1, a geodetic device according to claim 14 or 16, a geodetic system according to claim 20 and a computer program product according to claim 10, a computer data signal according to claim 11 and a reference or data directory according to claim 12 or 13. In many geodetic applications and systems, there is the necessity of frequent or continuous transmission of data between various devices. Predominantly transmitted data are those which have a time or space reference and may contain parameters of the measurement, measured values or general communication, such as, for example, error messages. Examples of such data are the current time, the location of a measuring device as well as any existing reference points, and direction, distance and angle relative to measuring points. The transmission may be effected by a large number of suitable wire-linked or wireless communication means, such as, for example, via a direct cable connection and directional or nondirectional radio data transmission. Without restriction of the general usability of the method according to the invention and of the devices according to the invention, the application for a differential global navigation satellite system (D-GNSS), such as, for example, the global positioning system (GPS), is intended to serve here as an explanatory example. Data types and data formats which are described purely by way of example but can be used with a similar form in many further applications also relate thereto. In differential GNSS, the position determination of a mobile unit, the so-called rover, is effected by data reception and data measurement relative to satellites as well as data reception of data measurements from at least one reference station. Since the position of the reference station is known and it likewise receives the identical signals of the satellites, some inaccuracies and errors can be eliminated by this differential correction method. By means of this method, a higher accuracy is possible than will be possible with a rover without a reference station. Such a station continuously transmits data from the received satellite signals to the rover. Depending on design, this may be raw data or already processed data. In practice, however, reference stations are generally not installed newly for each measuring process but a procedure is effected which is based on an entire network of fixed reference stations which can also be used simultaneously by different users. In addition to the satellite-related data and the time, these stations also transmit specific information about themselves, such as, for example, their own reference station number. In addition, it is necessary to transmit technical data, such as, for example, antenna parameters, or correction parameters. Examples of such a correction parameter are atmospheric or geometric corrections which were determined, for example, in a network of permanent reference stations and associated network evaluation software and can now be used for correcting rover measurements as a function of the distance to the participating reference stations. Since the utilization of the data of a reference station for various rovers should be possible, the transmission of the signals is nondirectional. However, this gives rise to the requirement that the communication also has to be possible with the various systems in the transmission range of a reference station, so that a form of standardization of transmitted data formats is necessary. A standard for manufacturer-independent data formats which is used for such a transmission of data is specified by the Radio Technical Commission For Maritime Services (RTCM) in Alexandria, Va., USA. The term data format describes a complete information unit for transmission between geodetic devices. The information exchange takes place by means of identical or different data formats at identical or different data frequencies. The term data field describes a complete, defined data content having a specified value range. Data formats are composed, for example, of an initial identity code, different data fields and a final identity code with a possible checksum for data testing on receiving. The term data type describes the possible distinctness, such as, for example, length, without a sign or with a sign, of an information unit. Data types are used for describing data fields. The standard RTCM V2.x applicable to date consists of one or more headers with data fields as basic information, to which additions can optionally be attached. The occurrence of such additions in a data format is indicated by so-called flags as indicators. This means that each message transmitted has, after its introductory part, a sequence which indicates to the receiver whether and optionally which further additions follow. From this information, the recipient knows how he has to interpret and to process the data stream. However, this solution of the prior art has the disadvantages that the number of possible permutations with the number of flags used is relatively small but nevertheless not every manufacturer has taken into account all possible permutations and the processing of the data associated therewith in his devices. A solution known in the prior art for the limited number of flags consists in defining data formats, for example as selected permutations, and providing them with a continuous coding. From this number transmitted at the beginning of the communication, a device is able to derive the data format as a sequence of different data fields comprising data types and hence to evaluate the data fields. Although the address space and hence the number of usable communication variations compared with the flag alternative can be substantially extended in this manner, there is the problem that all variants to be transmitted have to be included beforehand in the firmware of the devices. If a device receives a communication or a data format having unknown coding, direct processing can no longer take place although data fields which can be evaluated in principle by this device too and have usable and processible data are optionally contained in the sequence of data fields. In the case of a change of the available communications by addition of new data formats or a change of existing data formats, such a solution inevitably requires the creation of a new firmware variant by all manufacturers. In addition, after its creation, this new variant must be recorded on all devices, which results in a considerable coordination effort. This problem described by way of example for differential GNSS can in principle also occur in communication between other geodetic devices. For example, a theodolite can exchange data with a further theodolite and/or intelligent reflector systems, a similar problem occurring since here too devices of different manufacturers and different stages of development have to communicate and cooperate. The object of the present invention consists in the provision of a method and associated devices which permits a continuous change in a set of data formats. In particular, it is intended to ensure that continuous adaptation of the firmware present on the geodetic devices due to revision of the standard or formulation of a new standard is dispensed with. A further object consists in automated implementation of the processibility of data formats which cannot be directly processed. A further object consists in enabling processibility of older data formats too. A further object consists in permitting an extension of the usable data fields or data formats by introducing new data types. These objects are achieved, according to the invention, by the characterizing features of claims 1, 14 and 16 and by the characterizing features of the subclaims, or the solutions are developed. The present invention relates to a method, geodetic devices, a geodetic system and a computer program product, a computer data signal and a reference or a data directory. The communications to be transmitted according to the invention are sent in a data format which consists of a sequence of at least two data fields. A data field has basically any length, so that the data fields within a data format can have a different length. The information in each data field is stored in a defined data type. Within a data format, data fields may be repeated, for example if data of the same type from a plurality of satellites are transmitted in succession, or the same information can be stored in a plurality of data fields of a different data type, for example in the transmission of the time in different presentation forms. Furthermore, a communication may contain a plurality of indicators, such as, for example, flags or parity bits. These are likewise subsumed in each case under the definition of the data field. The data format of each communication can be uniquely determined on the basis of a coding which is preferably numerical or alphanumerical. In each geodetic device according to the invention which is designed for receiving the communications, means for processing usable data which can evaluate a set of data fields known to this device are present. In addition, the device has knowledge of a certain number of data formats, i.e. both the data fields contained and the sequence thereof are known to the device and can be used as a basis for the processing, for example owing to the coding of a communication. These data formats thus constitute a set of directly processible data formats which have exclusively data fields which can be evaluated. The term “can be evaluated” relates here to the fact that detection and evaluation of the data stored in this data field can be performed by the device or the firmware present thereon. This does not mean that it is necessary for the respective data subsequently actually to be processed for a certain purpose. The term “can be evaluated” thus relates to the potential utilizability of the data in the respective data field. The term “geodetic device” is intended in this context generally always to mean devices which serve or are set up for the measurement or testing of data with spatial reference. In particular, this relates to the measurement of location, distance and/or direction or angles relative to one or more reference or measuring points. This does not relate exclusively to terrestrial systems but also to those which use components for satellite-assisted position determination (for example GPS or GLONASS). In particular, geodetic devices are to be understood here as meaning, for example, stationary, mobile reference stations or moving stations, so-called rovers, but also smaller, mobile devices, such as theodolites, and so-called total stations as tacheometers with electronic angle measurement and electro-optical telemeter. At the same time, the invention is suitable for use in specialized devices having a similar functionality, for example in military aiming circles or in the monitoring of industrial structures or processes; these systems are hereby likewise included under the term “geodetic device”. If the existing data formats are supplemented by the addition of new data formats, these new data formats cannot be processed directly since a knowledge of the structure is not available to the device. Adaptation and addition of data fields may be necessary, for example, for increased resolution or a changed value range. Since optimum data throughput and optimum communication must also be taken into account, replacement of the existing data formats by newly defined data formats is advantageous. The new data formats may consist of a permutation of the data fields of a known data format and may be a new sequence of data fields. These data formats optionally also contain new types of data fields which can be neither recognized nor used by the device. These data fields therefore cannot be evaluated. The new data formats which cannot be directly processed therefore consist of a sequence of data fields which can be evaluated and/or which cannot be evaluated. In order nevertheless to permit utilization of the data formats which cannot be directly processed, the device must be able to identify or localize the data fields which can be evaluated. According to the invention, a reference directory is therefore transmitted preferably in association with the establishment of a communication link between the participating devices in the case of a bidirectional communication, whereas, for unidirectional connections, parts of the reference directory can also be transmitted for distribution over a certain period and with repetitions by means of data formats to be defined. Further reasons for the automated or manually initiated transmission of the reference directory may however also be external processes, such as, for example, the logging on of a receiving device which cannot process a communication, or internal processes in the sending device, such as, for example, the elapse of a counter or the reaching of a time mark, with the result that in particular a periodic transmission of the directory can be effected. The reference directory contains, for each coded data format, the sequence and the types of data formats used. One or more data fields which can be evaluated can therefore also be used within a completely new data format which cannot be directly processed. Indirect processibility of the new data formats is thus permitted. Alternatively, instead of the direct specification of the sequence of data fields, it is also possible to use a different notation. For example, new data formats which cannot be directly processed can also be derived from the known data formats by specifying the changes. Particularly in the case of new data formats which can be represented merely as the arrangement in series of shorter, known data formats, this notation is possible since the reference directory can be kept smaller thereby. The specification of the change is advantageous even when a large stock of comparatively short data formats which can describe more complex data formats in a more or less modular fashion is already present. To this extent, these short data formats represent meta data fields for superior, longer data formats. If the device or the firmware present thereon is designed so that they can also use new types of data fields or new data types based on at least one transmitted data directory, it will also be possible fully to utilize data formats with new data fields. This data directory can in principle be designed and handled analogously to the reference directory and can define new data fields or data types. The definition of data fields and data types can optionally also be effected simultaneously in a common directory. New data fields can be introduced as extended descriptions of old data fields. For example, an extension of a range or an adaptation of the information resolution can thus be achieved. The sequence of the data fields which may now be known and capable of being evaluated or may be new and not capable of being evaluated follows from the transmitted reference directory. While the data fields which can be evaluated can already be localized and hence evaluated on the basis of this sequence information, the definition for the data fields which cannot be evaluated can be taken from the data directory so that the data fields which could not be evaluated so far can also be used. In principle, it is possible to combine both types of directories in one directory as well as to permit the introduction of further planes of the data description and definition and to store them in further directories optionally to be transmitted. According to the invention, the reference or data directory can be transmitted both as a file within a process or in segments distributed over a period or a plurality of processes. The utilization then takes place on the basis of the fractions transmitted in the segments or only after complete reception of the total directory. In particular, periodic transmission of short parts of the reference and/or data directory can also be effected in the case of unidirectional communication, it also being possible for this process to be repeated continuously, optionally with interruptions, after complete transmission of a directory. The transmission of the directory consequently acquires a quasicontinuous character. In this way, it will be possible for a receiving device to acquire all parts of the respective directory from the transmitted communications after a certain period and to assemble them into the complete directory again. The method according to the invention and associated devices or directories are described in more detail below, purely by way of example, with reference to embodiments shown schematically in the drawing. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows a form for realizing data formats with flags according to the prior art; FIG. 2 shows a further form for realizing data formats with a numerical code according to the prior art; FIG. 3 shows two groups of data formats, one of which consists of data formats which can be directly processed and the other data formats which cannot be directly processed; FIG. 4 shows a first possibility for utilizing data fields which can be evaluated in data formats which cannot be directly processed; FIG. 5 shows a second possibility for utilizing data fields which can be evaluated in data formats which cannot be processed; FIG. 6 shows a third possibility for utilizing data fields which can be evaluated in data formats which cannot be processed; FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of a reference directory according to the invention with direct specification of the sequence of data fields; FIG. 8 shows two further groups of data formats, one of which consists of data formats which can be directly processed and the other of data formats which cannot be directly processed; FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a reference directory according to the invention, with indirect specification of the sequence of data fields; FIG. 10 shows a schematic diagram of the handling of data fields which cannot be evaluated, with and without use of a data directory; FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of a data directory according to the invention, for the definition of data types; FIG. 12 shows a schematic diagram of a data directory according to the invention, for the definition of data fields; FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of the relationships of data types, data fields and data formats; FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of a data directory according to the invention, for the definition of data fields which cannot be evaluated, data fields which can be evaluated being utilized; FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of the transmission of the reference directory by a method according to the invention; FIG. 16 shows a schematic diagram of the reception and of the evaluation of data, transmitted in data formats which cannot be directly processed, by a method according to the invention; and FIG. 17 shows a schematic diagram of a theodolite with further devices as a system according to the invention. FIG. 1 schematically shows the structure of a geodetic data format of the prior art with flags. An example of such a form of realization is the RTCM standard V2.3. An initial part A identical for all data formats is followed by a first flag bit 1, a second flag bit 2 and a third flag bit 3. By setting one of the flag bits, i.e. by assigning the binary value “one” to the respective bit, a corresponding attached additional part is indicated for the evaluating program. In the uppermost example of the code format, all three flag bits 1, 2 and 3 are set to “zero”, so that a program processes the initial part of a communication in this format and then reads no further data from this communication. The data format underneath has a first flag bit 1 set to “one”, which indicates that an additional part B1 follows. If the first flag bit 1 and the second flag bit 2 are set to “one”, as shown in the middle example, two additional parts B1 and B2 follow, the part B1 always following before B2. The sequence of the additional parts is also preserved on omission of one additional part, as shown in the two lowermost examples. By using flag bits, a number of different data formats can thus be derived from in each case a common initial part and a quantity of additional parts corresponding to the number of flag bits, it also being possible in principle for the additional parts to comprise a plurality of data fields in a defined sequence. FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of data formats of the prior art. This example resembles the structure provided in the draft of the standard RTCM 3.0. Each data format now has a coding 4 which is placed at the beginning and represents an initial part of the data format. This coding 4 is followed by a plurality of data fields C1, C2 and C3, the number and sequence of which may vary for each data format; in particular, some data fields may also be repeated, for example if the same data records of different satellites are transmitted in differential GNSS by a reference station. FIG. 3 shows two groups of data formats which are identified on the basis of their coding 4. Of these data formats, the versions 0001, 0002 and 0003 are known and can therefore be directly processed, while the data formats 0004 and 0005 have been newly introduced and therefore cannot be processed directly by older devices which do not take these data formats into account in their software. However, in this special case the data formats 0004 and 0005 which cannot be directly processed consist of data fields which can in principle be evaluated by the device and the existing software. However, the respective sequence of the data fields is not known so that no identification and evaluation can take place. FIG. 4 shows a first possibility for utilizing data fields which can be evaluated in data formats from FIG. 3 which cannot be directly processed. If the device has a knowledge of the sequences of data fields, the data format 0004 which cannot be directly processed can be processed as the known data format 0001 by omission or elimination of the data following the data field C1. FIG. 5 explains a second possibility for utilizing data fields which can be evaluated in data formats which cannot be directly processed. The data format 0005 which cannot be directly processed can, after omission of the data field C3, be regrouped in such a way that it corresponds to the data format 0002 which can be directly processed. If the sequence of the data fields in the data format 0005 which cannot be directly processed is now known, the data fields which can be evaluated can be temporarily stored in storage means, for example when the data format is received, and then read out from the storage means in the sequence of the data format 0002 which can be directly processed. The data format 0002 which can be directly processed then appears to the processing software. FIG. 6 shows a third possibility, similar to the diagram in FIG. 5, for utilizing data fields which can be evaluated in data formats which cannot be directly processed, in which, however, no elimination of data fields is effected but the data format 0005 which cannot be directly processed can be completely utilized after rearrangement into a data format 0003 which can be directly processed. Thus, different data formats 0002 or 0003 which can be directly processed can be derived from the same data format 0005 which cannot be directly processed. FIG. 7 shows an example of a reference directory according to the invention which directly specifies the sequence of data fields for the data formats introduced by way of example in FIG. 3. The data formats are described row by row. The first field of a row contains the coding of the data format, which in this case is effected by a four-digit number. This is followed by a consecutive statement of the data fields in the sequence within the data format. Alternatively, it is also possible to provide an assignment to internal firmware storage areas with a knowledge of the bit structure of the known data fields. Data fields which are not present or the end of the data format achieved thereby is indicated by specification of the data field “00”. The form of presentation of FIG. 7 is chosen for reasons of clarity and thus does not necessarily define the format of a reference directory to be transmitted in reality. During the transmission of such a reference directory, it is advisable, because of the data volume to be transmitted, to carry out a compression of the data volume by reducing rows or columns which are not used. For example, after each complete description of a data format, a corresponding indicator signal (stop sequence) for the end of the row can be sent. Alternatively, however, other suitable methods for compressing or transmitting the reference directory may also be used. FIG. 8 shows a first group of data formats 0001-0004 which can be directly processed and a second group of data formats 0005 and 0006 which cannot be directly processed. FIG. 9 shows, for those groups of data formats which are shown in FIG. 8, a reference directory according to the invention with direct specification of the sequence of data fields. The description of the data formats 0005 and 0006 which cannot be directly processed is based on the changes compared with known data formats which can be directly processed. In the first row, the coding “0005” of the relevant data format is given in the first field. The following two fields of this row state that the sequence of the data fields in this data format corresponds to the successive sequences of the data formats 0004 and 0002 which can be directly processed, but a data field C1 at the end of the sequence thus formed from known data formats has to be removed again. This necessity is indicated by specifying “01” in the last field of the row. Thus, in this example, the constituent known data formats which can be directly processed are stated after the coding in a sequence beginning from the left, while the data fields to be removed are specified at the end of the row, beginning from the right. In the second row, information of the same type is given for the data format 0006. Here, the data format which cannot be directly processed is derived completely from the combination of the two data formats 0002 and 0001 which can be directly processed. In addition to data fields which can be evaluated, however, new data fields which therefore cannot be evaluated may also occur in data formats which cannot be directly processed. FIG. 10 schematically shows the handling of data fields which cannot be evaluated, with and without the use of a data directory. A further data format 0007 which cannot be directly processed is shown. The upper variant designated by A includes the elimination by the device of the unknown data field which cannot be evaluated. On receiving the communication, the sequence of data fields is taken from the reference directory and the fourth data field C4 is eliminated during the reception or during the subsequent evaluation or is not read out from the storage medium, so that the sequence of data fields no longer contains the data field C4 which cannot be evaluated. Such a sequence then corresponds to the data format 0002 which can be directly processed. The lower variant designated by B shows the use of a data field C4 which cannot be evaluated by use of a data directory 6. The information which enables the device nevertheless to utilize the data contained in the data field which cannot be evaluated is stored in this data directory 6. FIG. 11 shows a schematic diagram of such a data directory according to the invention, for the definition of data types. The data directory contains, row by row, a definition of data types. For example, a data type “BIT” is defined in the first row here. The designation is stated in the first field. The second field contains the number of bits, the third field the smallest possible value of the data type and the fourth field the largest possible value of the data type. In this case, “BIT” represents a purely binary data type having a length of one bit and the possible distinct values “0” and “1”. Such a data type can be used, for example, as a flag. In the next row, for example, the data type “UINT16” is specified. This is a data type having a length of 16 bits, which comprises a value range from “0” to “65535”. The data types “INT16” and “INT17”, which also include negative value ranges, are defined in the third and fourth rows. Fields in the data directory which are not used are occupied by the value “00”, analogously to FIG. 7 and FIG. 9. A schematic diagram of a further data directory according to the invention, for the definition of data fields, is shown in FIG. 12. A data field is defined in each row, the data types specified in FIG. 11 being employed in this example. In the first row, the data field “01” is defined. This is of the data type “BIT”. The following field defines the interpretation of the subsequent fields. Here, a “0” is present as a flag, and fields with all possible distinct values of the value range of this data type now follow. A “1” as a flag indicates that the smallest and the largest permissible value of the data type are stated in the following two fields. In this first row, all possible distinct values which comprise only a “0” and “1” on the basis of the data type now follow. In the fields, these values are assigned in each case to the variables “CODE”. For this example, this means that the variable “CODE” present in the device can read out the possible values “0” and “1” from a data format, which by way of example here represent the two different code forms “C/A Code” or “P(Y) Code” of a GNSS satellite. As a further example of a similar data field having an indicator effect, the GNSS system used may also be mentioned. By means of one data type having three permissible distinct values, it would be possible to designate the GPS system by the “0”, the GLONASS system by the “1” and the GALILEO system by the “2”. In the second row, the data field “02” is defined. This is of the data type “UINT10” and, because of the “1” in the third field, it is evident that the smallest permissible value of the data field is stated in the fourth field and the largest permissible value of the data field is stated in the fifth field. In this example, these values are assigned to the variable “ANT”, which corresponds to the technical parameter of the antenna height. Such a data directory can now be used, for example, to make it possible for older devices which know only two GNSS systems and a coarse subdivision of the antenna height also to be used for data with more than two systems and a finer subdivision of the antenna height. In the case of the number of systems, the new data type and the new data field are communicated to the old device by the data directory. If a generally accepted designation of variables for the systems which can be used, such as, for example, “GNSS”, exists, the old device can derive from the data directory that the GNSS systems which it can process are indicated in each case by the first two permissible distinct values of the value range of the data type or data field. In the case of the antenna height, it is possible for the situation to occur whereby the resolution used is increased and, instead of only 1024 values being sent as the subdivision of the antenna height, 4096 values are sent. From the data in the data directory, lower and upper limits of the value range can now be obtained so that an assignment of the new, finer values to the coarser, old subdivision is possible. In this example, it is to be assumed that the old value range extends from “0” to “0123” and comprises a subdivision into 1024 values. The new data field has a value range from “0” to “2047”, and uses a data type with 12 bit and hence a subdivision of 4095 values. The old program can therefore continue operating if it cuts off the upper half of the value range in the evaluation, since these values are beyond the original range. For the lower half, it is now necessary to take into account that in each case two values of the new scale correspond to one value of the old scale. Accordingly, the device must in each case therefore interpret two associated values as one old value. For example, the values “0” and “1” in the new data field will be interpreted as “0” by the device in both cases. The value “2843” transmitted in the new data field could not be processed and would, for example, lead to an error message or to the use of the largest possible value “1023” permissible in the device as a substitute. A corresponding consideration of such a functionality in the development of the old software is a precondition for such applicability of a data directory according to the invention. In principle, it is also possible to define the data types and data fields in a manner analogous to the data formats by specifying the change of known data fields and data types which can be evaluated. FIG. 13 shows a schematic diagram of the relationships of data types, data fields and data formats. The data types are specified in the data directory 7′, while the data fields are defined by the data directory 7. A data field 05 occurring in the data format 0008 can be found in the data directory 7, where it is specified as data type UINT10. The specification of this data type can be found in the data directory 7′. Furthermore, data fields and their content can also be provided with abstract identifiers, for example a code sequence followed by consecutive numbering. New data fields having a newly assigned sequence can be stored in a data directory as in FIG. 14. In this data directory, the new data fields 67 and 68 which cannot be evaluated are specified on the basis of the data fields 28 and 29 which can be evaluated. The data field 67 which cannot be evaluated and which is based on the data field 28 which can be evaluated but for which a new value range with the values between 0 and 2400.000 and a resolution of 0.002 are specified is newly introduced in the first row. The definition of the data content and the subsequent data processing are adopted from the definition of the data field 28. The next row defines a possible change of the value range and of the resolution for the data field 29 by stating the new data field 68 which cannot be evaluated and the associated value range and the resolution. FIG. 15 contains a schematic diagram of an example of the transmission of a reference directory 10 by a method according to the invention. While establishing communication, a DGNSS reference station 8 as a first device transmits the reference directory 10 to a rover 9 and a theodolite 9′ as two devices present within the transmission range. Alternatively or in addition, however, periodic transmission of a current reference or data directory can also be effected in the broadcast mode, so that all stations present within the receiving range can receive the directory. The method described below represents only an exemplary possibility of transmission according to the invention in the bidirectional mode. Use for a unidirectional method is also possible according to the invention. The software of the rover 9 is designed so that it can directly process only a data format M9, while this applies exclusively to the data format M9′ in the case of the theodolite 9′. In the next step, which is shown schematically in FIG. 16, data is transmitted in the format M8 from the DGNSS reference station 8 to the second devices 9 and 9′. These receive the data format M8 which cannot be directly processed, and can identify or localize data fields which can be evaluated with the aid of the reference directory 10. The data formats M9 and M9′ which can be directly processed can be derived thereby, and hence the transmitted data can be used—at least in part. FIG. 17 shows the schematic diagram of a first theodolite 11 with further devices as an example of a system according to the invention. The first theodolite 11 and at least one intelligent reflector 15 as second devices, together with a further theodolite 11′ as a first device, are part of a system according to the invention in which communication takes place between all components. For this purpose, the first theodolite 11 has communication means 12 which, in combination with a computer as means for processing the utilizable data 13 and storage means 14, are integrated in the first theodolite 11. At the beginning of communication connection, the further theodolite 11′ transmits a reference directory to all second devices. This reference directory is received by the communication means 12 in the first theodolite 11 and stored in the storage means 14. In data formats subsequently transmitted between the devices, data formats which can be evaluated can then be localized on the basis of the reference directory, optionally with the aid of data directories which can likewise be transmitted, and the data contained can be utilized. For this purpose, the data are received by the communication means 12 in the theodolite 11 and evaluated by the means for processing the utilizable data 13. For this purpose, the means for processing the utilizable data 13 employ the reference directory stored in the storage means 14. In this context, no distinction should be made with regard to the realization of evaluation and data processing means. The method according to the invention relates to all computer-aided realizations, regardless of the specific embodiment of the program sequence in circuit form, firmware or recordable software. The embodiments described represent only examples of realizations according to the invention and are therefore not to be understood as being definitive and limiting. In addition, the person skilled in the art can derive further embodiments according to the invention, for example using alternative forms of data management and data processing. In particular, alternative developments of directories can be used, it being possible in particular to realize combinations of data and reference directories in one or more aggregated directories.

20051121

20100601

20060803

78467.0

H04L522

NGUYEN, TUAN HOANG

METHOD AND DEVICES FOR UTILIZING DATA IN DATA FORMATS WHICH CANNOT BE DIRECTLY PROCESSED

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

H04L

ACCEPTED

Printing cylinder supporting unit, use of printing cylinder supporting unit, and printing machine provided with printing cylinder supporting unit

Printing cylinder supporting unit for a printing machine, with a supporting frame (27) aid supporting means mounted on said supporting frame for rotatably supporting one of several printing cylinders (1), which are designed so that in the operating state they make contact along a contact line (6) with a substrate (3) that is to be printed, which printing cylinders (1) can have different diameters, the supporting means comprising at least three supporting bearings (11.1, 12.1, 13.1), each of which interacts at the position of a bearing point with the hearing surface (5) of a bearing ring fixed concentrically on the printing cylinder (1). The bearing points lie on a common circle with variable diameter. The supporting bearings are movable in such a way that the bearing points move along lines that have a fixed position relative to the supporting frame (27), which lines intersect each other at a fixed reference point lying on the same common circle and in the operating state lying in a plane that is defined by the contact line (6) and the centre point of the common circle.

1. Printing cylinder supporting unit for a printing machine, comprising a supporting frame and supporting means mounted on the supporting frame for rotatably supporting one of a number of printing cylinders, which are designed so that in the operating state they make contact with a substrate that is to be printed along a contact line coinciding with a describing line of the printing cylinder, in which unit the printing cylinders can have different diameters and the supporting means for an end of a printing cylinder comprise at least three supporting bearings, each of which is designed to interact at the position of a bearing point with the bearing surface of a bearing ring fixed concentrically on the axial end concerned of the printing cylinder, wherein the bearing points for the axial end concerned of the printing cylinder lie on a common circle with variable diameter; the printing cylinder supporting unit comprises movement means for moving the supporting bearings in such a way that the bearing points move along movement lines that have a fixed position relative to the supporting frame the movement lines intersecting each other at a reference point that is fixed relative to the supporting frame which reference point lies on the same common circle and in the operating state lies in a plane that is defined by the contact line and the centre point of the common circle; and the printing cylinder supporting unit comprises connecting means for connecting the movements of the bearing points along their respective movement line. 2. Printing cylinder supporting unit according to claim 1, in which the movement lines are straight lines and the connecting means connect the movements of the bearing points along their respective movement line in accordance with a fixed ratio. 3. Printing cylinder supporting unit according to claim 2, in which the movements of the supporting bearings are interconnected by means of straight connecting rods, which are all rigidly connected to each other at the position of a first supporting bearing, and which are each connected in a sliding manner to a separate subsequent supporting bearing. 4. Printing cylinder supporting unit according to claim 2, in which the supporting bearings are each movable along a straight supporting bearing guide. 5. Printing cylinder supporting unit according to claim 4, in which the supporting bearing guide comprises a groove in the supporting frame, in which a connecting piece is accommodated in a sliding manner, on which connecting piece the supporting bearings are fixed. 6. Printing cylinder supporting unit according to claim 2, which comprises three supporting bearings for each axial end of a printing cylinder, in which for each axial end the straight movement line along which a bearing point of a first supporting bearing is moved lies substantially in the plane that is defined by the contact line and the centre point of the common circle, and in which the straight movement lines along which the bearing points of a second and third supporting bearing are moved are mirrored relative to said plane and form an angle of substantially 60° relative to said plane. 7. Printing cylinder supporting unit according to claim 1, in which the supporting bearings are in the form of rollers, which can roll over the bearing surface of the bearing ring. 8. Use of a printing cylinder supporting unit according to claim 1 in a printing machine. 9. Printing machine provided with a printing cylinder supporting unit according claim 1. 10. Printing cylinder supporting unit for a printing machine, comprising a supporting frame and a support mounted on the supporting frame for rotatably supporting one of a number of printing cylinders, which are designed so that in the operating state they make contact with a substrate that is to be printed along a contact line coinciding with a describing line of the printing cylinder, in which unit the printing cylinders can have different diameters and the support for an axial end of a printing cylinder comprise at least three supporting bearings, each of which is designed to interact at the position of a bearing point with the bearing surface of a bearing ring fixed concentrically on the axial end concerned of the printing cylinder, wherein the bearing points for the axial end concerned of the printing cylinder lie on a common circle with variable diameter; the printing cylinder supporting unit comprises guides for moving the supporting bearings in such a way that the bearing points move along movement lines that have a fixed position relative to the supporting frame, the movement lines intersecting each other at a reference point that is fixed relative to the supporting frame, which reference point lies on the same common circle and in the operating state lies in a plane that is defined by the contact line and the centre point of the common circle; and the printing cylinder supporting unit comprises a connector for connecting the movements of the bearing points along their respective movement line.

The invention relates to a printing cylinder supporting unit for a printing machine, according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a printing cylinder supporting unit is known from EP-0864421-A1. This publication discloses a printing machine with exchangeable ink application means. Such a printing machine comprises several printing units, in the case of which each printing unit fulfils a separate function in the overall printing process. Such printing units can be suitable for several different types of printing, with different pattern repeat lengths and suitable for various printing techniques such as rotary silk-screen printing, intaglio printing, letterpress printing and flexographic printing. A printing unit generally comprises a printing cylinder and ink application means. In the operating state the printing cylinder makes contact along a describing line on the surface of the cylinder—the contact line—with a substrate that is to be printed. Ink is applied by way of the ink application means to the inside, or directly to the outside, of the printing cylinder. The printing cylinder rests rotatably in a circumferential bearing system, consisting of three rollers radially enclosing a round bearing ring. Said bearing ring is fixed concentrically on the axial end of the printing cylinder. Such a bearing ring, supported by three rollers, is also situated on the other end of the printing cylinder. One of the three rollers is situated at the position of the contact line. The other two rollers are situated on the other side of the printing cylinder. In the prior art it is possible to exchange printing cylinders. The reason for changing a printing cylinder may be that a different pattern repeat length has to be printed, and it is advantageous to use a printing cylinder with a different diameter for this purpose. A printing cylinder can also be changed in order to change the printing technique. In order to exchange a printing cylinder, two rollers can move outwards along a track indicated diagrammatically by arrows A in FIG. 11 of the abovementioned patent specification. It is known from practice that such tracks A are produced, for example, by the fact that the rollers are rotatably fixed on swivelling arms, in the case of which the swivel pin of the swivelling arms can, if necessary, undergo a rectilinear translation in its entirety. This known printing cylinder supporting unit has a major disadvantage. One of the bearing rollers for the radial enclosure is situated in a fixed position, where in the operating state at a reference point it makes contact with the bearing ring. This reference point is situated at a fixed position relative to the contact line. Owing to the position of this fixed roller, printing cylinders having different diameters still make contact with the substrate along the same contact line. The presence of a fixed roller at the position of the reference point proves in practice to be a serious limitation on the usability of the known printing cylinder supporting unit in printing machines in which no account has been taken of this necessary fixed roller, and in which sufficient space is not present for such a fixed bearing roller. The known printing cylinder supporting unit cannot be used in that case. This problem cannot be solved without further ado by placing the fixed bearing roller in a different position, since the contactline would then get a different position related to the reference point, and thus the frame, for each possible diameter of a printing cylinder. This would imply that the substrate to be printed should run along another track related to the frame for each cylinder diameter, which is more complex and thus more experience. The object of the present invention is to provide a printing cylinder supporting unit in the case of which these disadvantages are at least partially overcome, or to provide a usable alternative. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a printing cylinder supporting unit by means of which printing cylinders of different diameters and/or for different printing methods can be exchanged quickly and easily, and in the case of which it is not necessary for a bearing roller to be situated at the position of the reference point. This object is achieved according to the invention by a printing cylinder supporting unit according to claim 1. This printing cylinder supporting unit comprises a supporting frame that can support a printing cylinder rotatably at both axial ends of said printing cylinder. To that end, supporting means are fixed on the supporting frame. Said supporting means are arranged in such a way that in the operating state a describing line on the surface of the printing cylinder makes contact with a substrate that is to be printed. This line is also known as the contact line. The supporting means are suitable for receiving printing cylinders with different diameters. The supporting means comprise at least three supporting bearings for each axial end. Said supporting bearings are arranged so that at the position of a bearing point they interact with the bearing surface of a bearing ring fixed concentrically on the end concerned of the printing cylinder, in such a way that the supporting bearings radially enclose the printing cylinder. The printing cylinder supporting unit comprises movement means with which the supporting bearings are movable in such a way that the bearing points move along movement lines, which lines have a fixed orientation relative to the supporting frame. The positions of the supporting bearings are connected to each other by connecting means, such that the bearing points lie on a common circle at all times. This common circle is imaginary, since the device itself does not show this circle. Both the abovementioned movement lines and the common circle intersect each other at a reference point. Said reference point lies at some distance from the contact line and in the operating state lies in a mathematical (imaginary) plane formed by the contact line and the centre point of the common circle. In the operating state the common circle and the bearing surface of the bearing ring coincide with each other. The distance from the reference point to the contact line in the operating state is therefore identical to the shortest distance from the bearing surface of the bearing ring to the surface of the printing cylinder. In the end rings used as bearing rings and in the printing formes used for the present printing techniques this is a constant distance that is not dependent upon the printing forme diameter. Thanks to the orientation of the movement lines of the bearing points and by connecting the movements of the bearing points, such that the bearing points lie on said common circle with the reference point, printing cylinders with different diameters will still come into contact with the substrate along the same contact line. For this it is not necessary for one of the bearing points to be situated at the position of the reference point, and the disadvantage of the prior art described above has been overcome. The movement lines are advantageously straight lines and the connecting means connect the movements of the bearing points along their respective movment lines in accordance with a fixed ratio. The movement along straight movement lines enables an embodiment, simplifying the connection between the movements, because this occurs in accordance with a fixed ratio. An unexpected advantage is that printing cylinders, irrespective of their diameter, are always supported at approximately the same radial (or angular) position along the circumference of the bearing ring. The optimum angular position α, measured around the centre line of the printing cylinder, can be selected for each bearing point and from a reference axis starting in the centre line and pointing away from the contact line. The direction of the straight movement line along which each bearing point moves, viewed in mathematical terms, follows from the selected angular position a of this bearing point and is equal to α/2. The position of each of the bearing points along their line follows from the formula d×cos(α/2), in which formula the value d is identical for each of the bearing points and is equal to the value of the diameter of the common circle described by the bearing points with each other at that moment. In one embodiment the printing cylinder supporting unit comprises straight connecting rods. Said connecting rods connect the supporting bearings to each other. At the position of one of the supporting bearings the straight connecting rods are rigidly connected to each other. Each of the connecting rods extends from this point to one of the other supporting bearings. The connecting rod concerned is connected in a sliding manner to said supporting bearing. At the position of the sliding connection the connecting rods intersect at right angles the line along which the supporting bearings move. In particular, the supporting bearings move along a straight supporting bearing guide, said supporting bearing guide coinciding with or running parallel to the straight movement line described by the bearing point. More in particular, the supporting bearing guide is formed, by a groove in the supporting frame, in which a connecting piece is accommodated in a sliding manner. The supporting bearings are fixed on this connecting piece. In combination with the embodiment with straight connecting rods, these connecting rods will be accommodated in a sliding manner by said connecting piece. In particular, the printing cylinder supporting unit can be designed with three supporting bearings for each axial end of a printing cylinder. In the operating state a first supporting bearing is situated at a position along the bearing ring opposite the contact line and can be moved in the directions away from and towards the contact line. The other two supporting bearings are situated at a radial distance of approximately 120°, measured along the bearing surface of the bearing ring. In order to achieve these positions for the supporting bearings in the case of any diameter of the bearing ring, the bearing points of the second and third supporting bearing must be movable along a line that forms an angle of 60° relative to a mathematical (imaginary) plane formed by the contact line and the centre point of the common circle of the bearing points, which centre point in the operating state lies on the centre line of the printing cylinder. The lines along which the bearing points move are, of course, mirrored relative to the abovementioned mathematical plane. In a special embodiment the supporting bearings are in the form of rollers, or bearing rollers, which can roll along the bearing surface of the bearing ring of a printing forme mounted in the operating state. Finally, the invention relates to the use of a printing machine with a printing cylinder supporting unit according to claim 8, and to a printing machine provided with a printing cylinder supporting unit according to claim 9. The principle and a preferred embodiment of a preferred embodiment according to the invention will be explained in greater detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows in side view a diagrammatic view of a preferred embodiment according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows in side view the main parts of a preferred embodiment according to the invention, in the operating state; FIG. 3 shows in top view the main parts of a preferred embodiment according to the invention, in the operating state; FIG. 4 shows a side view of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 shows a cross section along V-V of FIG. 3. The figures show an exchangeable printing cylinder 1, the surface 2 of which is suitable for the transmission of inking means (not shown) to a substrate 3. In the preferred embodiment the substrate 3 is wedged between the printing cylinder 1 and an impression roller 4. The printing cylinder 1 is provided with a bearing ring, the bearing surface 5 of which is indicated diagrammatically in both figures. During the printing process the substrate 3 is conveyed along the rotating printing cylinder 1. In the process the substrate 3 is in contact with the printing cylinder 1 along a describing line on the surface 2, the contact line 6. The printing cylinder 1 is mounted by way of supporting bearings 11, 12 and 13, which in the preferred embodiment are in the form of rollers 11.1, 12.1 and 13.1. The supporting bearings 11, 12 and 13, or the bearing rollers 11.1, 12.1, 13.1, are in contact with the bearing surface 5 of the bearing ring at a distance that is equal to the radius of the bearing surface of the bearing ring, or half the diameter DB, measured from the centre line M of the printing cylinder. Supporting bearing 12 lies at an angle α12 along the bearing surface 5 of the bearing ring. Said angle is defined in a polar coordinates system, in which M is the pole, and the O-axis is defined by a reference axis 7, which runs from the contact line 6 through the centre M. The positive direction of this reference axis 7, and thus the definition for α=0, points away from M of the substrate 3, as shown in FIG. 1 by an arrow point on the end of axis 7. In a comparable manner bearing point 13 lies at an angle α13 along the bearing surface 5 of the bearing ring. Bearing point 11 lies exactly on the reference axis 7, with the result that the angle α11 for this bearing point is equal to zero and cannot be shown in the figure. When the printing cylinder 1 is to be changed, the supporting bearings move outwards along the dotted lines 21, 22 and 23, the line 21 coinciding with the reference axis 7. The movement lines 21, 22 and 23 intersect each other at a reference point 25 and lie at an angle that is equal to half the a value of the supporting bearings concerned, as shown in the figure by ½xα12 and ½xα13. For supporting bearing 11 it again applies that its value of α is equal to zero, and it is therefore not shown in the figure. During the insertion of a printing cylinder 1 with an arbitrary cylinder diameter DP the supporting bearings 11, 12 and 13 move inwards along the lines 21, 22 and 23 until they come into contact with the bearing surface 5 of the bearing ring of the printing cylinder 1 concerned. Thanks to the position and orientation of the lines 21, 22 and 23, the supporting bearings 11, 12 and 13 will always ultimately lie at the same angle α relative to the centre line of the printing cylinder 1, irrespective of the diameters DP and DB of the printing cylinder 1 and the bearing surface 5 of the bearing ring. By making sure that in the case of the printing cylinders with different diameter DP the same difference in diameters is actually kept between the printing surface of the printing cylinder and the bearing surface DB, as is usual in the prior art, it will be ensured that the contact line 6 of the printing cylinder 1 ultimately lies at the same position relative to the supporting frame, and therefore in the operating state always at the same position relative to the substrate 3 and the impression roller 4. In FIG. 1 reference numeral 26 indicates the distance of the bearing surface 5 from the surface 2, the measurement 26 being half the difference between the diameters DP and DB. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-5 the movement of the bearing rollers 11.1, 12.1 and 13.1 is guided by movement means, comprising straight grooves 21.1, 22.1 and 23.1, which are cut out in the supporting or bearing frame 27, which for the sake of clarity is not shown in FIG. 2. These grooves form an angle of 0°, 60° and −60° respectively with the reference axis 7. This means that the bearing rollers 11.1, 12.1 and 13.1 always come into contact with the bearing surface 5 at positions 0°, 120° and −120° respectively, measured along the circumference of the bearing surface 5. Pins 30 and 31 are accommodated in the grooves 21.1, 22.1 and 23.1, for the purpose of guidance. The pins 31 lie in line with the shafts 32 for the bearing rollers 11.1, 12.1 and 13.1. At the position of the groove 21.1 the pins 30 and 31 are connected to each other by a substantially triangular plate 40, which plate also forms a rigid connection with rods 42 and 43. Plate 40 and rods 42 and 43 are connecting means for connecting the movements of the bearing points. For this purpose, the rods 42 and 43 are accommodated in a sliding manner between the extension of the pins 30 and 31 at the position of the grooves 22.1 and 23.1 and the connecting pieces 45 between said pins. A lever 50 is rigidly connected at its one end 51 to the bearing frame 27, while at its other end it is connected in a sliding manner along a point 51 to the triangular plate 40. A pneumatic cylinder 55 is hingedly connected at its one end 56 to the bearing frame 27 and hingedly connected at its other end 57 to the rod 50. Additional gear racks 60 are provided along the grooves 21.1 for purposes of parallel guidance. This parallel guidance ensures by means of a rod 61 and gearwheels 62, which mesh with the gear racks 61, that the bearing rollers assume the same position at the two axial ends of the printing cylinder. The impression roller 4 is connected by way of an axial bearing 70 to an impression roller frame 71, which for the sake of clarity is shown only in FIG. 3. FIGS. 2-5 show the operating state in which the printing cylinder 1 is supported by the roller bearings 11.1, 12.1 and 13.1. In order to permit changing of the printing cylinder 1, the pneumatic cylinder 55 will pull the lever 50 to the left, with the result that the bearing roller 11.1 likewise moves to the left. At the same time the rods 42 and 43, which are rigidly connected by means of the triangular plate 40 to the bearing roller 11.1, likewise move to the left. At the position of the grooves 22.1 and 23.1 for the roller bearings 12.1 and 13.1 this movement of the rods 42 and 43 divides into two directions. The first direction lies in the longitudinal axis of the rods 42 and 43 and results in a sliding movement of the rods 42, 43 through between the pins 30 and 31 and the connecting piece 45. The second component of the movement results in a movement in the direction of the grooves 22.1 and 23.1. This component of the movement pushes the pins 30- and by way of the connecting piece 45 likewise the pins 31, the shafts 32 and the bearing rollers 12.1 and 13-1—outwards. As a result of this, the printing cylinder 1 is released and can be removed in a manner known to the person skilled in the art. After the insertion of a new printing cylinder 1, possibly with a different diameter DP, the pneumatic cylinder 55 by way of the lever 50 moves the bearing roller 11.1 back against the bearing surface 5 of the bearing ring of the printing cylinder 1, so that in a comparable manner to that of opening, the bearing rollers 12.1 and 13.1 are likewise pressed by way of the rods 42 and 43 against the bearing surface 5. Many embodiments and variants are possible apart from the preferred embodiment shown and described above. For instance, the pneumatic cylinder 55 can be replaced by a drive such as, for example, a spindle, by means of which greater forces can be exerted. The connection between the movements of the supporting bearings can also be designed in various other ways. For instance in the case of straight guides, the connecting rods and grooves can be provided with gear racks, in which case the sliding transmission is replaced or supported by a gearwheel transmission. The connecting rods can also be replaced by a different form of transmission, such as a transmission consisting entirely of gearwheels, a transmission by means of chains, or an electronic connection in the case of which the movement of the supporting bearings is achieved by means of, for example, a stepping motor. In the case of such alternative types of transmission in combination with the straight guides, the transmission ratios of the movements along the guides must be ensured. In mathematical terms these ratios follow from the formula d×cos(α/2), in which the value α is different for each guide and corresponds to the angular position of the supporting bearing point concerned relative to the centre point of the common circle passing through all bearing points. The value d is a variable that always has the same value for the formulae for all guides at a given moment. The value for d is equal to the diameter of the bearing surface of the bearing ring at the moment when the bearing points are resting against said bearing surface. The value for d is greater than this diameter during the opening of the circumferential bearing system. Finally, the movement lines can be other, like curved. For example, this is the case with the application of swivelling arms as movement means. For such non-straight movement lines, the values α in the above formula are no longer constant and possible mechanical connecting means will get a more complex shape to ensure that the bearing points lie on a common circle. Stepping motors with mutual electronic connection are an alternative for these.

20050308

20060829

20051124

75155.0

MARINI, MATTHEW G

PRINTING CYLINDER SUPPORTING UNIT, USE OF PRINTING CYLINDER SUPPORTING UNIT, AND PRINTING MACHINE PROVIDED WITH PRINTING CYLINDER SUPPORTING UNIT

UNDISCOUNTED

ACCEPTED

ACCEPTED

System for detecting the rotational motion of a shaft

The invention relates to a system for detecting the rotational motion of a shaft in a machine housing, comprising a measuring transmitter, which is connected to the shaft, at least one measuring sensor, which is provided on the machine housing, and a measuring transducer connected to a measuring sensor. The invention is characterized in that the measuring sensor(s) (8 and 15 to 20) is/are supplied with current by a separate energy accumulator (11).

1. A system for detecting a rotational motion of a shaft in a machine housing comprising: a measuring transmitter connected to the shaft; at least one measuring sensor provided on the machine housing; and a measuring transducer connected to the measuring sensor, wherein the measuring sensor is supplied with electric current by a separate energy accumulator. 2. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the electric current supplied by the energy accumulator is generated by a multipole ring connected to the shaft, and in cooperation with an oppositely disposed stator. 3. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the electric current is regulated by a regulator inserted into an electric circuit. 4. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a signal transmitting unit for wireless transmission of measured quantities to a separately disposed electronic control device. 5. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the measuring transducer converts a sinusoidal measuring signal from the rotational motion of the shaft into a yes/no signal. 6. The system as defined claim 1, further comprising a signal-transmitting unit having a radio antenna that transmits signals received from the measuring sensor on to an electronic control device. 7. The system as defined in claim 1, wherein the measuring sensor measures at least one of a pressure, a temperature, a leakage, and a torque in at least one of a space to be sealed off and a surroundings. 8. The system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a seal disposed on the shaft. 9. The system as defined in claim 8, further comprising a regulator that regulates the electric current and a transmitting unit for wireless transmission of measured quantities to a separately disposed electronic control device, wherein the seal, the measuring sensor, regulator, energy accumulator, and transmitting unit are integrally combined into a single unit. 10. A sealing system for sealing a space between a shaft and a housing, comprising: a seal connected to a sealing ring, said seal in contact with the shaft; a support ring including a multipole ring connected to the shaft; and a plurality of sensors electrically coupled to a current source and a signal transmitter, wherein said signal transmitter is in wireless communication with a control device located within the housing. 11. The sealing system according to claim 10, further comprising a regulator coupled to said current source, said regulator regulating an electric current generated by said current source to each of said plurality of sensors. 12. The sealing system according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of sensors measure a rotational movement of the shaft, a pressure in a space to be sealed off by the sealing system, a leakage in the space to be sealed off, a temperature in the space to be sealed off, and a torque of the shaft. 13. The sealing system according to claim 10, wherein said current source comprises a battery. 14. The sealing system according to claim 10, wherein said signal transmitter comprises an antenna circuit for wireless transmission to said control device. 15. The sealing system according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of sensors are connected to the housing. 16. The sealing system according to claim 10, wherein said plurality of sensors are integrated into a unitary block inserted into a opening in the housing. 17. The sealing system according to claim 10, further comprising a stator coupled to said current source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP03/12695, filed Nov. 13, 2003. This application claims the benefit of German Patent Application 102 53 122.6, filed Nov. 13, 2002. The disclosures of the above application are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for detecting the rotational motion of a shaft comprising a measuring transmitter connected to the shaft, at least one measuring sensor provided on the machine housing, and a measuring transducer connected to the measuring sensor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION EP 0 984 286 A1 discloses a sealing system whereby the gap between a housing and a shaft is sealed with a sealing ring. In addition to the sealing ring, a multipole ring is placed on the shaft. The multipole ring cooperates with a measuring sensor disposed on the machine housing. By means of the measuring sensor, it is possible to measure, for example, the rotation speed of the shaft. The quantities measured are transmitted through an electric cable to a control unit and/or a display or the like. DE 43 12 424 C2 also describes the possibility of mounting a sealing ring and a rotation speed transmitter device for the purpose of sealing a shaft passage in an external front wall of a housing. Moreover, the DE 101 49 642.7 describes a number of embodiments of sealing rings in connection with sensor housings. The common feature of all prior-art designs is that the measuring sensors, namely the sensing elements, must be supplied with current from the outside and that the quantities measured also must be transmitted via a cable to a display and/or control unit. The cable or cables require a plug connector which reduces the signal accuracy. Moreover, the cables require mounting space and good accessibility, particularly in the event that repairs are needed. Accessibility usually requires additional mounting space. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide an embodiment that is an improvement over the prior art in that it is of compact design with very small mounting space requirements, provides very high signal accuracy, is simple and inexpensive to fabricate, and involves an only minor mounting expense. For a system of the aforesaid kind, this objective is reached in that the measuring sensor or measuring sensors are supplied from at least one separate energy accumulator. The measuring sensor or measuring sensors are not supplied from a central current source but have their own directly assigned current source. As a result, the cable carrying the current from a central source can be omitted. Moreover, the measuring sensors are connected with a signal-transmitting unit which receives the signals coming from the sensors and transmits them on to an electronic control device separately disposed at any point of the machine. In the control device, the measured quantities can be displayed and/or subjected to further processing, as needed. The preferred current source or energy accumulator is an electric battery. In this regard, it is advantageous if in the machine housing opposite the multipole ring there is provided a stator serving as current supplier to the electric battery. In this case, the multipole ring and the stator are of the usual design. For improved signal accuracy, the electric current can be controlled by a regulator inserted into the electric circuit. In this case, there can be provided a measured quantities transducer for converting the sinusoidal measuring signal from the rotational motion of the shaft into, for example, a yes/no signal. The signal-transmitting unit is provided with a radio antenna which passes on the signals obtained with the sensor or sensors to the electronic control device. The measuring sensors are used primarily to measure the rotational speed, the rotation angle and uneven running. In another embodiment of the invention, use is also made of sensors for measuring the pressure and/or temperature in the space to be sealed off and/or in the surroundings. Furthermore, measuring sensors can also be used for measuring leakage and torque. It is particularly advantageous to combine the measuring system with a sealing ring into a single unit. Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a system according to a principle of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top view of the sensor system according to a principle of the present invention; and FIG. 3 shows another possible embodiment of the system according to a principle of the present invention in cross-section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention in interaction with a seal. Sealing system 30 is provided to seal the gap between the shaft 3 and a housing (not shown in detail) with a cover 13. Sealing system 30 can be of any desired kind known in the art. In the present example, it consists of a sealing ring 31 fastened to cover 13. At the fastening site between sealing ring 31 and cover 13 there is provided a static seal 4 made of a polymeric material. Dynamic seal 5 on shaft 3 is formed by a polymeric insert provided with two sealing lips and is additionally pressed against shaft 3 by a spiral-tension spring ring. Solidly connected with shaft 3 is a support ring 6 to which multipole ring 7 is fastened. Multipole ring 7 is of a known design. Measuring sensor 8 is disposed radially opposite multipole ring 7 in machine housing 32. Measuring sensor 8 is connected via a measuring transducer 14 and a regulator 10 with its own current source 11 or the energy accumulator. Current source 11 at the same time also supplies signal transmitter 33 which is fitted with antenna circuit 12. The signals sent by signal transmitter 33 are received by control device 34 which is separately disposed in housing 32 and subjects the signals to further processing. An electric battery is used as the current source 11. Connected with the electric battery is stator 9 which in conjunction with multipole ring 7 serves as current supplier for electric battery 11. Multipole ring 7 and stator 9 are designed for current generation. Regulator 10 is intended to provide regulation of the electric current or also of the measuring signals coming from sensors 8. Also provided besides sensor 8 is sensor 15 for measuring the pressure in space 2 that is to be sealed off. fFurthermore a sensor 16 for measuring the pressure in the surroundings 1, as well as sensors 17 and 18 for measuring the temperatures in space 2 that is to be sealed off and in the surroundings 1, are provided. Moreover, a sensor 19 can be added as measuring transmitter for leakage. Finally, a sensor 20 is fastened to shaft 3 as a measuring transmitter for torque. A sealing system 30 configured in this manner provides wireless signal transmission from the sensors located in the region of shaft 3 to the control device 34 of the machine. Supply cables for electric current and connecting cables for signals are not needed. The incidence of errors is substantially reduced, and the transmission of different measuring quantities by the same antenna circuit is carried out without any problems. Preferably, the components of the sensing system are held on their particular support with appropriate fastening means, for example screws, so that they can be detached in a non-destructive manner. They can also be soldered, clamped, cemented, clipped or cast on. FIG. 2 shows schematically the local placement of the most important parts of the measuring system. Connected to shaft 3, via support ring 6, is multipole ring 7. Stator 9 is fastened to the machine housing, and the current generated therein is regulated by regulator 10 and transmitted on to sensor 8 via measuring transducer 14. At the same time, current source 11 is supplied and it, in turn, supplies additional sensors 15, 16 and 17. Control device 34 receives signals via antenna circuit 12. FIG. 3 shows in cross-section another embodiment of the system of the present invention. Here, the entire sensor system including current generation and signal transmission is combined in block 40 which is inserted into a housing opening 41. The reference numerals used correspond to those in FIG. 1. The seal used in this example is different, but is also integrally connected with block 40. The seal is a combination ring in which sealing ring 31 is disposed on a counter-ring 35 placed on shaft 3. The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.

<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>EP 0 984 286 A1 discloses a sealing system whereby the gap between a housing and a shaft is sealed with a sealing ring. In addition to the sealing ring, a multipole ring is placed on the shaft. The multipole ring cooperates with a measuring sensor disposed on the machine housing. By means of the measuring sensor, it is possible to measure, for example, the rotation speed of the shaft. The quantities measured are transmitted through an electric cable to a control unit and/or a display or the like. DE 43 12 424 C2 also describes the possibility of mounting a sealing ring and a rotation speed transmitter device for the purpose of sealing a shaft passage in an external front wall of a housing. Moreover, the DE 101 49 642.7 describes a number of embodiments of sealing rings in connection with sensor housings. The common feature of all prior-art designs is that the measuring sensors, namely the sensing elements, must be supplied with current from the outside and that the quantities measured also must be transmitted via a cable to a display and/or control unit. The cable or cables require a plug connector which reduces the signal accuracy. Moreover, the cables require mounting space and good accessibility, particularly in the event that repairs are needed. Accessibility usually requires additional mounting space.

<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The object of the invention is to provide an embodiment that is an improvement over the prior art in that it is of compact design with very small mounting space requirements, provides very high signal accuracy, is simple and inexpensive to fabricate, and involves an only minor mounting expense. For a system of the aforesaid kind, this objective is reached in that the measuring sensor or measuring sensors are supplied from at least one separate energy accumulator. The measuring sensor or measuring sensors are not supplied from a central current source but have their own directly assigned current source. As a result, the cable carrying the current from a central source can be omitted. Moreover, the measuring sensors are connected with a signal-transmitting unit which receives the signals coming from the sensors and transmits them on to an electronic control device separately disposed at any point of the machine. In the control device, the measured quantities can be displayed and/or subjected to further processing, as needed. The preferred current source or energy accumulator is an electric battery. In this regard, it is advantageous if in the machine housing opposite the multipole ring there is provided a stator serving as current supplier to the electric battery. In this case, the multipole ring and the stator are of the usual design. For improved signal accuracy, the electric current can be controlled by a regulator inserted into the electric circuit. In this case, there can be provided a measured quantities transducer for converting the sinusoidal measuring signal from the rotational motion of the shaft into, for example, a yes/no signal. The signal-transmitting unit is provided with a radio antenna which passes on the signals obtained with the sensor or sensors to the electronic control device. The measuring sensors are used primarily to measure the rotational speed, the rotation angle and uneven running. In another embodiment of the invention, use is also made of sensors for measuring the pressure and/or temperature in the space to be sealed off and/or in the surroundings. Furthermore, measuring sensors can also be used for measuring leakage and torque. It is particularly advantageous to combine the measuring system with a sealing ring into a single unit. Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.